Real Estate Financing for Real Estate Agents

With more than $30+ billion in funded loans, Kiavi is one of the nation’s largest private lenders to residential real estate investors (REIs). Kiavi harnesses the power of data & technology to offer REAs a simpler, more reliable, and faster way to access the capital they need to scale their businesses. Formerly known as LendingHome, Kiavi is committed to helping its customers revitalize the approximately $25 trillion worth of aged U.S. housing stock to provide move-in ready homes and rental housing for millions of Americans across the country. For more information, visit www.kiavi.com. NMLS ID #1125207.

Kiavi offers bridge and rental loans for purchases or refinances. A bridge loan is a short-term loan for real estate investors who prefer to finance the purchase and/or rehabilitation of their investment property rather than buying it fully in cash or taking a traditional bank loan. Real estate investors renovate these properties to either quickly sell back in the market or refinance into a rental loan.

A rental loan is for investment properties in which the real estate investor will buy and hold (and rent out to generate passive income), rather than fixing and flipping it quickly for a profit. These need to be turn-key, livable condition properties. Real estate investors use both bridge and rental loans for the BRRRR strategy to increase their portfolio and long-term cash flow.

Kiavi offers single asset bridge and rental property loans for 2-4plex, attached/detached-pud, manufactured homes, and single-family properties. We are rapidly growing and anticipate adding more property types and portfolios soon. At the moment, we do not lend on mixed-use, commercial, mobile homes, and rural properties (zoned as agricultural/rural property with 4+ acres).

We currently offer loans in AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, NE, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, and WY as well as Washington D.C. We are continuing to add states to our portfolio. Learn more about the States we lend in.

Yes. Licensed real estate agents can apply for Kiavi loans as direct borrowers for their own investment properties. Being a licensed agent does not disqualify you from borrowing, and your market knowledge and deal access could be an advantage in identifying and underwriting the properties you finance. Kiavi's loans are available for non-owner-occupied residential properties only.

Kiavi typically does not require traditional income verification such as W-2s or tax returns for bridge, fix-and-flip, or new construction loans, which may be particularly relevant for agents whose income is commission-based or variable. For DSCR rental loans, qualification is typically based on the property's projected rental income rather than your personal income, which could make long-term financing more accessible regardless of how your commission income appears on paper.

Closings on Kiavi bridge loans may occur in as few as 7 business days for qualified borrowers, and pre-qualification through Kiavi's online portal may take minutes. The speed advantage could be meaningful for agents who identify deals before they hit the MLS and need to move before other buyers. New construction loans may have longer timelines depending on project complexity and construction phase. Actual closing timelines may vary depending on property type, deal complexity, and the completeness of submitted documentation.

Kiavi's loan application asks about your role and experience with real estate investing as part of its underwriting process. Being a licensed real estate agent is not a disqualifying factor, and your professional experience in the market may be relevant context regardless of which loan product—bridge, new construction, or DSCR rental—you are applying for. If you have questions about how your license or professional status may interact with your application, Kiavi's team can walk you through the process when you get pre-qualified at kiavi.com.