Kiavi Overview
Kiavi (formerly LendingHome) is a technology-driven real estate investment lender that has funded over $30 billion in loans. Their platform is designed for speed and simplicity, using proprietary data analytics and automated underwriting to approve and fund loans faster than traditional lenders. Kiavi focuses exclusively on real estate investors, serving both fix-and-flip operators and rental portfolio builders.
What distinguishes Kiavi from traditional hard money and DSCR lenders is their technology-first approach. Their online platform provides real-time rate quotes, instant pre-approvals for repeat borrowers, and a streamlined document upload process. For experienced flippers, Kiavi can close fix-and-flip loans in as few as 7 days — a speed that can make the difference between winning and losing a competitive deal.
Kiavi has no application fees, which reduces the upfront cost of exploring their financing options. Their pricing model is transparent, and repeat borrowers unlock better rates and faster processing through their tiered loyalty program.
Loan Products Offered
- DSCR rental loans — 30-year term loans for buy-and-hold investors
- Fix-and-flip loans — short-term financing for purchase and rehab
- Bridge loans — transitional financing for investors between deals
- Portfolio rental loans — finance multiple properties in a single transaction
Rates and Terms
Kiavi offers DSCR loan rates starting from approximately 7.25%, with actual rates depending on credit score, LTV, DSCR ratio, and borrower experience. Their 30-year rental loans are available as fixed-rate or adjustable-rate products.
Fix-and-flip loans typically range from 9% to 12%, with terms of 12-18 months. Kiavi funds up to 90% of the purchase price and 100% of rehab costs for qualified borrowers, making their leverage among the most competitive in the fix-and-flip space.
One of Kiavi's standout features is their closing speed. Fix-and-flip loans can close in as few as 7 days for experienced borrowers with complete documentation. DSCR rental loans typically close in 21-30 days. There are no application fees, no junk fees, and no prepayment penalties on fix-and-flip products.
Requirements
- Minimum credit score: 660 for most products
- Minimum DSCR: 1.0 for rental loans (property must cover debt payments)
- Down payment: 20% minimum for DSCR loans; fix-and-flip loans fund up to 90% of purchase
- Property types: Single-family, 2-4 unit, townhomes, condos
- Experience: Fix-and-flip loans may require prior project experience; DSCR loans do not
- Entity: Loans are typically made to LLCs or business entities
Pros
- Industry-leading closing speed — 7 days for fix-and-flip loans
- No application fees, reducing upfront costs
- Technology-driven platform with real-time quotes and automated underwriting
- Repeat borrower benefits — better rates and faster closings over time
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
- Up to 90% LTC and 100% rehab coverage on flip loans
Cons
- Higher minimum credit score (660) compared to some competitors
- DSCR rates starting at 7.25% are slightly above market leaders
- Primarily focused on single-family and small multifamily — limited options for 5+ unit properties
- Fix-and-flip program may require demonstrated track record for best terms
Who Is Kiavi Best For?
Kiavi is ideal for active fix-and-flip investors who prioritize speed and need a lender that can close in days, not weeks. Their technology platform eliminates much of the friction in the application process, making them a natural fit for volume flippers who are submitting multiple deals per month.
Kiavi is also a strong choice for buy-and-hold investors who are comfortable with a digital-first lending experience. If you prefer a streamlined online process over in-person relationship banking, Kiavi delivers. Their repeat borrower program rewards loyalty with better rates, making them increasingly attractive as you close more deals.
How to Apply
Kiavi's application process is entirely online. Visit their website to get a rate quote in minutes — no hard credit pull required for initial quotes. You will enter your deal details, property information, and investment strategy, and the platform will generate a preliminary rate and terms estimate.
Once you decide to proceed, you can upload documents directly to the platform. Kiavi's team will guide you through underwriting, and for fix-and-flip loans, you can receive funding in as little as 7 days. Have your property details, rehab budget (for flips), and entity documentation ready to move quickly.