Kiavi Investor Pulse: April 2026 Real Estate Market Update

The Federal Reserve held its benchmark rate at 3.5-3.75% at its April 28-29 meeting, its third consecutive pause. Against that backdrop, CNBC Select named Kiavi the best investment property lender for quick funding in its April 2026 rankings, and The Real Deal reported proptech investment reached $3 billion in Q1 2026, with Kiavi cited among the companies leading that momentum. For active real estate investors, April's data from ATTOM, Redfin, NAR, and NAHB could point to a market where deal selection and conservative underwriting may matter more than macro tailwinds.

Key Takeaways

• The Federal Reserve held rates steady at 3.5-3.75% at its April 28-29 meeting, its third pause this year
• CNBC Select named Kiavi the best investment property lender for quick funding in April 2026, recognizing Kiavi's AI-powered platform and its ability to close qualifying loans in as few as 10 business days.
• The Real Deal reported proptech funding surged to $3 billion in Q1 2026, with Kiavi cited among the companies leading that momentum.
• Charles Goodwin, Head of Bridge and DSCR Lending at Kiavi, was named a HousingWire 2026 Rising Star and shared spring 2026 market guidance in The Mortgage Reports.

What Happened in Real Estate in April 2026?

Some of April’s most actionable news for real estate investors fell into two categories: Kiavi program updates that could directly affect deal qualification and deal size, and macro market data that may shape Q2 underwriting assumptions. Here's the Kiavi news at a glance before the full breakdowns below.

*All loan terms mentioned reflect Kiavi's Broker Bridge loan program as of March 24, 2026 and are subject to change at any time. Visit https://www.kiavi.com/broker for current program details and eligibility requirements.

What Do April 2026 Market Signals Mean for Real Estate Investors?

Here's how key April data breaks down by investment strategy.

What Did the Fed Decide in April 2026 and Why Does It Matter?

The Federal Reserve held the federal funds rate unchanged at 3.5-3.75% at its April 28-29 meeting, its third consecutive pause, according to CNBC. Charles Goodwin, Kiavi's Head of Bridge and DSCR Lending, said in commentary provided to Scotsman Guide before the meeting that renewed inflation concerns coupled with resilient economic growth "could leave no room for a rate cut."

The vote split 8-4, the most dissents since October 1992, with several members pushing back on language implying future cuts could remain likely. The post-meeting statement noted that inflation "is elevated, in part reflecting the recent increase in global energy prices.".

What the April Fed decision may mean for real estate investors:

• Bridge and DSCR loan rates are unlikely to see relief from Fed action in the near term; deals may need to underwrite at current financing costs
• The 30-year fixed rate, while declining through late April per Freddie Mac, could face downward pressure from bond markets and upward pressure from inflation
• Investment property loans typically carry a spread above primary residence rates regardless of where the benchmark sits; the rate-to-ARV equation remains one of the central underwriting disciplines
• Real estate investors who have structured deals to perform at current rates rather than projected lower rates may be better positioned as the hold environment extends

Also worth noting this month on rates and the broader economy:

Is Fix-and-Flip Still Worth It in 2026?

According to ATTOM, approximately 67,000 homes were flipped in Q1 2026, representing 8.3% of all home sales, up from 6.8% in Q3 2025. Average gross profit was approximately $65,000, with gross ROI near 25% before expenses. That ROI is near a 17-year low, but the quarter-over-quarter pickup in volume may indicate investor activity is recovering.

Redfin reported sellers outnumber buyers by 43% nationally, with 38 of the 50 largest metros now classified as buyer's markets. That imbalance tends to benefit investors acquiring distressed inventory, as sellers may have less leverage than they did during 2022-2024.

Freddie Mac reported the 30-year fixed rate declined to 6.23% the week of April 23, its lowest level in three spring seasons. NAR's March data showed inventory at 4.1 months of supply and the median existing-home price at $408,800, up year-over-year for the 33rd consecutive month.

What fix-and-flip investors may want to focus on in Q2 2026:

• Acquiring in markets with documented ARV support from recent closed comps, not projected appreciation
• Building conservative rehab budgets with contingency before approaching lenders
• Using Kiavi's ARV estimator to stress-test deal economics before committing to an acquisition price
• Targeting Midwest and select Northeast markets where ATTOM data shows the strongest gross ROI
• Taking advantage of buyer negotiating power in the 38 major metros where sellers currently outnumber buyers

Also worth noting this month on fix-and-flip conditions:

Kiavi Tip: Real estate investors evaluating bridge loan financing for fix-and-flip projects may want to model deal economics at both expected ARV and a 5-10% downside scenario before locking in an acquisition price.

Where Are Rents Heading and What Could It Mean for DSCR Investors?

According to RealPage's Q1 2026 Apartment Market Forecast, rent growth is primarily concentrated in supply-constrained coastal tech hubs and Midwest markets. High-supply Sun Belt metros continue to see rent declines and elevated concessions.

What rental investors may want to focus on in Q2 2026:

• Using current verified market rents in underwriting, not projected growth
• Targeting markets where existing supply pipelines are limited and absorption has remained steady
• Considering whether recently rehabbed and stabilized properties may qualify for DSCR refinance via the BRRRR strategy

Also worth noting this month on rental markets for April 2026:

What Is Builder Sentiment Signaling for New Construction Investors?

Builder confidence decreased in April, with the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index dropping four points to 34. Economic uncertainty, elevated construction costs from higher fuel prices, and rising mortgage rates may all be weighed on sentiment.

Q2 priorities for ground-up and build-to-rent investors to consider:

• Budget material and labor with at least a 10-15% contingency, given fuel and supply cost volatility reported by 62% of builders
• Factor permitting timelines into project schedules before finalizing financing; timelines could vary significantly by municipality
• Slower new starts may tighten the future supply pipeline and support pricing on completed units
• Evaluate build-to-rent only in markets where current rent fundamentals and supply constraints both support the return profile

Also worth noting this month on new construction investing for April 2026:

What Changed in Kiavi's Bridge Loan Program For Brokers?

Kiavi lowered the FICO score minimum to 680 for broker-sourced bridge and fix-and-flip loans this spring, a change that may create opportunities for real estate investors that were just outside prior thresholds. Combined with expanded loan sizes up to $5M* and total borrower exposure up to $8M*, brokers could see more opportunities to give their clients competitive offers in Q2.

Here's what changed for broker-sourced deals:

*All loan terms mentioned reflect Kiavi's Broker Bridge loan program as of March 24, 2026 and are subject to change at any time. Visit https://www.kiavi.com/broker for current program details and eligibility requirements.

Additional Kiavi Broker Bridge program terms:

• Up to 90%* loan-to-cost (LTC) and 75%* after-repair value (ARV)
• Up to 100%* of rehab costs covered
• 12, 18, and 24-month terms available
• Closings as fast as 10 business days
• No W2s, bank statements, hard credit pulls, or application fees

*All loan terms mentioned reflect Kiavi's Broker Bridge loan program as of March 24, 2026 and are subject to change at any time. Visit https://www.kiavi.com/broker for current program details and eligibility requirements.

How Did Kiavi Make Headlines in April 2026?

1. CNBC Names Kiavi Best for Quick Funding

CNBC Select's April 2026 roundup of the best investment property mortgage lenders ranked Kiavi as the top choice for quick funding. The recognition speaks directly to one of the most persistent pressure points in real estate investment: the gap between identifying a deal and closing it before a cash buyer does.

Why speed matters on investment property deals:

• Distressed and value-add properties frequently attract multiple offers within days of listing
• Traditional lender timelines of 30-45 days often cannot compete with cash buyers in active markets
• Kiavi's AI-powered platform is designed to compress the decision-to-close window
• Qualifying bridge loans may close in as few as 10 business days

In markets where distressed deals move fast, closing in 10 days instead of 45 may be the difference between winning the deal and watching a cash buyer take it.

2. Charles Goodwin Named a HousingWire 2026 Rising Star

Charles Goodwin, Head of Bridge and DSCR Lending at Kiavi, was named a HousingWire 2026 Rising Star, recognizing his work shaping Kiavi's Bridge and DSCR lending programs. According to his HousingWire profile, Goodwin has led Kiavi through a record-breaking year: in 2025 Kiavi funded $7.8 billion in loan volume, a 20% increase year-over-year, closed $1 billion in rated securitizations, and became the first non-bank lender to fund more than 100,000 loans to real estate investors.

Goodwin also contributed to The Mortgage Reports' spring 2026 home buyer advice roundup, offering guidance on financing in an elevated-rate environment.

3. Proptech Funding Hits $3B in Q1 2026

The Real Deal reported that proptech investment surged to $3 billion in Q1 2026, driven by high-conviction institutional bets. Kiavi was cited among the companies in that funding momentum.

What the $3 billion may signal for real estate investors:

1. Institutional capital is backing AI-powered underwriting and data-driven lending platforms, like Kiavi.
2. The gap between tech-enabled lenders and traditional lenders may be widening on speed and flexibility.
3. Well-capitalized platforms could sustain competitive program terms through market cycles more reliably.

Final Thoughts

The broker FICO minimum change is one of the most actionable Kiavi updates this month for professional brokers with real estate clients who have been just outside prior thresholds. The Fed's third consecutive rate hold and markets pricing in no cuts through 2026 suggest that deals need to underwrite at today's financing costs, not projected lower ones.

Fix-and-flip activity may be picking up from late-2025 lows, but ROI is near a 17-year low in some areas, which could mean market and deal selection matter more than sentiment. ATTOM and Redfin data both point toward better acquisition conditions in buyer's markets, particularly across the Midwest and select Northeast.

Ready to run your numbers? Price out a deal with Kiavi in just a matter of minutes to see what could work for your next project.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About April 2026 Real Estate Market Trends and Financing Updates

Will the Fed cut interest rates in 2026?

As of the April 28-29 FOMC meeting, markets are predicting no rate cuts for the rest of 2026 and potentially into 2027, according to CNBC. The Fed voted 8-4 to hold the benchmark rate at 3.5-3.75%, its third consecutive pause, with several members pushing back on language suggesting further cuts are likely. Charles Goodwin, Kiavi's Head of Bridge and DSCR Lending, said in commentary to Scotsman Guide that renewed inflation concerns coupled with resilient economic growth may leave no opening for a rate cut in the near term.

What are mortgage rates in April 2026?

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.23% the week of April 23, 2026, its lowest level in three spring seasons, according to Freddie Mac. As of April 30, 2026, the average had ticked back up to 6.37% following the Fed's April 29 rate hold, per CBS News. Investment property loans typically carry a spread above primary residence rates; Charles Goodwin, Kiavi's Head of Bridge and DSCR Lending, told Scotsman Guide he expects mortgage rates to hold around 6.3% for the foreseeable future absent a meaningful shift in inflation or labor market data.

What is the FICO minimum for a bridge loan or hard money loan in 2026?

Requirements vary by lender. Kiavi lowered its FICO minimum to 680 for broker-sourced bridge and fix-and-flip loans as part of its spring 2026 program update. Loan sizes are available up to $5M* with total borrower exposure up to $8M*, and rates as low as 7.75%*.

*All loan terms mentioned reflect Kiavi's Broker Bridge loan program as of March 24, 2026 and are subject to change at any time. Visit https://www.kiavi.com/broker for current program details and eligibility requirements.

How fast can you close a hard money or bridge loan?

Kiavi can close qualifying bridge loans in as few as 10 business days. The process is fully online with no W2s, bank statements, hard credit pulls, or application fees required. CNBC Select named Kiavi the best investment property lender for quick funding in its April 2026 rankings specifically for this speed advantage, which may be relevant for investors competing against cash buyers on distressed properties.

Is fix-and-flip still profitable in 2026?

It depends heavily on market and deal selection. According to ATTOM, approximately 67,000 homes were flipped in Q1 2026, representing 8.3% of all home sales, with average gross profit near $65,000 and gross ROI near 25% before expenses. ROI is near a 17-year low nationally, but activity picked up quarter-over-quarter from Q4 2025 lows. Redfin data showing sellers outnumbering buyers by 43% nationally may create better acquisition conditions in many markets. Investors finding viable spreads in 2026 have generally targeted Midwest and select Northeast metros where ATTOM data shows the strongest returns, rather than oversupplied Sun Belt markets.

Where are rents headed in 2026 and what does it mean for rental property investors?

Rent growth in 2026 may be split by geography. According to RealPage's Q1 2026 Apartment Market Forecast, supply-constrained coastal tech hubs and Midwest secondary markets are outperforming, with coastal rents up 4-9% year-over-year. High-supply Sun Belt metros including Austin, Denver, and Phoenix continue to see rent declines and elevated concessions. For DSCR investors, this means underwriting on current verified market rents rather than recent peak assumptions, particularly in Sun Belt markets.

Is proptech investment growing in 2026?

Yes. The Real Deal reported that proptech funding reached $3 billion in Q1 2026, driven by institutional bets on AI-powered underwriting and data-driven lending platforms. Kiavi was cited among the companies leading that momentum. The development pipeline for new apartment supply is also declining at its fastest pace in over a decade, according to RealPage, which may signal tightening rental supply ahead.

Additional Resources

• Bridge Loans for Fix-and-Flip Investors: Kiavi's bridge loan program with current terms and eligibility details
• DSCR / Rental Loans: Kiavi's DSCR loan program for long-term hold and rental investors
• Kiavi Broker Program: How to submit bridge deals as a broker, including compensation and program details
• The 7 Best Fix-and-Flip Markets for 2026: Kiavi's market-by-market analysis of top fix-and-flip opportunities heading into Q2