FAqS
Hard Money Loan Frequently Asked Questions
Looking to finance your next real estate investment? Whether you’re new to hard money lending or an experienced investor, Noble Mortgage answers common questions about loan options, requirements, and strategies. We provide flexible financing solutions for investors across Houston and Dallas, Texas.
Hard Money Loan Basics
What is a hard money loan?
A hard money loan is a short-term, asset-based real estate loan largely based on the after-repaired value of the property. Investors often use these loans to buy distressed properties because they offer high leverage (up to 100% of the costs) and quick closings. They are popular for fix-and-flip, rental, or new construction projects because of their speed and flexibility.
How is a hard money loan different from a traditional mortgage?
Hard money loans focus largely on the property’s value and investment potential, not your tax returns or job history. They also have faster approvals and shorter terms than traditional bank loans.
What are the benefits of hard money loans?
Since hard money loans are provided by private lenders and backed by the ARV (after-repaired value) of your property, the borrower does not need to worry about low credit scores, large money down, strenuous underwriting, or digging up old tax returns. Hard money loans offer funds more quickly and simply!
Who should use hard money loans?
Hard money loans are perfect for real estate investors, house flippers and builders who need fast financing or may not qualify for traditional lending.
How quickly can I get funded?
Noble Mortgage usually closes loans in 5 to 7 business days, but we have closed a loan in as little as 24 hours before.
Can I refinance a hard money loan?
Yes, you can refinance a hard money loan. In fact, refinancing is a common exit strategy for real estate investors looking to build a rental portfolio. Many investors use a hard money loan to purchase and renovate a property, then refinance into a longer-term loan to improve cash flow and hold the property.
Refinancing can help you secure lower monthly payments, extend your loan term, and transition into a more stable financing option.
Common refinance options include:
- DSCR loans (Debt Service Coverage Ratio loans), which qualify based on the property’s income rather than personal income
- Conventional loans, depending on your financial profile and the property
At Noble Mortgage, we take it a step further. Before closing your hard money loan, we help ensure you qualify not only for the initial loan, but also for your refinance if that is your strategy. This helps you avoid getting stuck in a short-term loan without a clear path forward. Our approach is built on transparency, strategy, and setting you up for a successful exit from day one.
Are hard money loans safe?
Yes, hard money loans are a safe financing option when used correctly. It’s important to work with a trusted, reliable lender like Noble Mortgage and to have a clear investment strategy.
Loan Qualifications & Requirements
What are the requirements for a hard money loan?
The requirements for a hard money loan depend on the loan’s exit strategy. For example, flipping a home requires enough funds to cover loan payments and to get the project started. Other requirements may include a good location to insure the market is viable, basic financials and project details. If you plan to refinance and keep the property as a rental, you will need to qualify for long-term financing, which Noble Mortgage can help arrange
Do I need good credit to qualify?
Noble Mortgage does not require a minimum credit score for flipping a house. Long-term financing requires a credit score of at least 650.
What is an exit strategy?
An exit strategy is your plan for loan repayment, such as selling the property (fix-and-flipping) or refinancing it into a long-term loan.
What is loan-to-value (LTV)?
Loan-to-value (LTV) is the percentage of a property’s value that a lender is willing to finance. For example, a 70% LTV means the lender will finance 70% of the property’s value.
Loan Types
What types of loans does Noble Mortgage offer?
Noble Mortgage offers several types of real estate investment loans, including:
- Fix-and-flip loans
- Rehab loans
- Commercial hard money loans
- New construction loans
- DSCR/No income loans
- Home equity loans
- Cash-out loans
- Residential conventional loans
- Commercial conventional loans
What is a DSCR loan?
A DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) loan allows investors to qualify based on rental income rather than personal income. These loans are helpful for investors who do not meet conventional loan requirements or lack certain documents.
What is a fix-and-flip loan?
A fix-and-flip loan, or residential hard money loan, is a short-term loan used to purchase, renovate, and quickly sell a property for profit.
Can I use a hard money loan for rental properties?
Yes, many investors use hard money loans to buy and renovate rental properties, then refinance into long-term loans.
Can I use a conventional loan for an investment property?
Yes, you can use conventional loans for investment properties, but they usually have stricter requirements than hard money loans. You may need a higher credit score, more income, and a larger down payment. Conventional loans can be a good choice for long-term rentals.
Cost, Rates & Terms
What are typical hard money loan rates?
Hard money loan rates typically range from 11% to 14%, depending on the deal and the borrower.
The exact rate can vary based on several factors, including:
- Your experience as an investor
- Credit profile
- Loan-to-value (LTV) and deal strength
- Property type and location
- Exit strategy (flip vs. rental)
Because hard money loans are short-term and designed for speed and flexibility, rates are generally higher than traditional financing. However, many investors use them strategically to secure a deal quickly and add value through renovations.
What fees are associated with hard money loans?
Hard money loans typically include a few key fees, which can vary by lender and deal structure.
Common fees include:
- Origination fee (points) – usually a percentage of the loan amount
- Inspection fees – especially for rehab projects with multiple draws
- Appraisal or valuation fees
- Closing costs – similar to other real estate transactions
Not all lenders structure fees the same way, which is why it’s important to look beyond just the interest rate.
Before choosing a lender, ask:
- What are the total fees from start to finish?
- Are there any hidden or additional holdbacks?
- How many draws can I take, when can I take them and how much does each cost?
- How quickly are draws processed?
- Is there a minimum interest or prepayment requirement?
At Noble Mortgage, we believe in full transparency. We walk you through all costs upfront so you can confidently evaluate your deal and avoid surprises along the way.
How long are hard money loan terms?
Hard money loan terms are typically 6 to 12 months, depending on the project and your exit strategy. These short-term loans are designed to give investors enough time to renovate, sell, or refinance the property.
Investment Strategies
What is the after-repaired value (ARV)?
After-repaired value or ARV is the estimated value of a property after renovation, rather than its current value. To determine ARV, appraisers research recently sold comparable properties in the same area.
What is the BRRRR strategy?
BRRRR stands for Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat. Investors use this strategy to purchase distressed properties in need of repair, renovate them to increase their value, rent them out, and then refinance them to extract equity for their next purchase.
Is real estate investing in Texas a good opportunity?
Texas markets like Houston and Dallas are experiencing strong population growth, corporate relocation, job expansion, and housing demand, making the areas attractive to real estate investors.
What types of properties can I finance?
At Noble Mortgage, we will consider all property types, including retail, office, single-tenant, residential, and multi-family.
Working with Noble Mortgage
Why choose Noble Mortgage as your lender?
Noble Mortgage has over 23 years of experience in hard money lending in Houston and Dallas, Texas. We are dedicated to excellent customer service, fast approvals and closings, flexible underwriting, and a smooth loan process for investors. Take a look at our 5-point guarantee that shows just how committed we are.
How does Noble’s hard money loan program work?
Our hard money loan program is designed for investors purchasing homes in disrepair who want to leverage the property’s after-repair value (ARV). We loan money to real estate investors to purchase residential and commercial properties in Texas. We typically close in a few days, and our hard money loans are available for properties in the first lien position
What areas of Texas do you lend in?
Noble Mortgage lends in the greater Houston area, including Katy, The Woodlands, Sugar Land, Spring, Humble, Cypress, Pearland, Pasadena, and nearby counties. We also serve Dallas-Fort Worth, covering Frisco, Plano, Irving, Arlington, McKinney, and surrounding areas. We can also help with lending in San Antonio.
How do I get started on a loan?
To get started on a loan, contact Noble Mortgage, submit your pre-qualification application, and speak with a loan officer to review your options.

