Best Hard Money Lenders in St. Louis (2026): 10 Picks Compared

For a St. Louis flip, the money often decides the deal. A bank takes weeks to close, while a seller of a dated brick two-family wants an offer that can close this month. Hard money lenders fill that gap. They’re private lenders who fund the purchase, and often the rehab, based on what the house will be worth when it’s done. But terms vary a lot: rates, points, how much of the after-repair value they’ll lend, and whether a person in St. Louis makes the decision or an underwriter in another state.

Short answer: One West Hard Money is our #1 pick among hard money lenders in St. Louis for 2026. It makes its lending decisions locally on Manchester Road, publishes its terms (12% interest, a 12-month renewable term, up to 65–70% of ARV), and lends across St. Louis City and six surrounding counties. FasterFunds Lending in O’Fallon, which holds the highest Google rating on the list, and Sweetgum Loans in South County round out the top three. The rest of the list covers three more local lenders and four national lenders that make hard money loans in St. Louis and across Missouri.

We checked every lender’s loan programs, terms, address, and phone number against its own website in November 2026. The one exception is FasterFunds’s address and phone, which come from its Google Maps listing. We checked every Google rating on the lender’s Google Maps profile in November 2026. Ratings are shown as published and don’t decide the order. The order reflects our editorial judgment about local decision-making, published terms, how well a lender fits St. Louis deals, and track record.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and isn’t financial, legal, or investment advice. Loan terms, rates, fees, and lending areas change often and depend on your credit, experience, and deal. Verify all current terms directly with each lender, and talk to a qualified professional before you borrow. No lender paid for placement on this list.

Best Hard Money Lenders in St. Louis at a Glance

1. One West Hard Money

Google rating: 4.8 stars from 46 reviews (checked Nov 2026). 12095 Manchester Road, Suite 2A, St. Louis, MO 63131. Phone: (314) 907-1081. Email: loans@onewesthardmoney.com. Website: onewesthardmoney.com.

Why it’s #1: One West is a St. Louis lender that makes its own decisions locally. The company’s own line is “Local Financing. No Out Of Town Approvals.” It lends in St. Louis City and St. Louis, St. Charles, Jefferson, Franklin, Lincoln, and Warren counties, and it publishes its terms up front, which few private lenders do.

Published terms: 12% annual interest, paid monthly and interest-only, on a 12-month term that can be renewed. Origination runs 2–4 points (its example uses 3%), plus a $750 application fee. Loans go up to 65–70% of after-repair value (ARV), on a first lien. There’s no prepayment penalty and no appraisal fee. Rehab money is held by the title company and released in draws, at $295 per draw, after One West checks the work in person. Borrowers carry builder’s risk insurance (6 months prepaid) and $1 million in general liability.

Loan types: fix and flip, BRRRR, buy and wholesale, cash-out, and joint ventures. One West says it has helped sell more than 2,000 homes. For a St. Louis investor who wants to talk to the person who actually approves the loan, it’s the first call to make.

2. FasterFunds Lending

Google rating: 4.9 stars from 70 reviews (checked Nov 2026). 830 Waterbury Falls Dr #201, O’Fallon, MO 63368 (address and phone from the company’s Google Maps listing). Phone: (636) 223-4262. Website: fasterfundslending.com.

FasterFunds has lent to St. Louis investors since 2015 and keeps its focus local. It lends on the Missouri side of Greater St. Louis: St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and St. Charles County, and occasionally Jefferson, Lincoln, and Warren counties. It funds non-owner-occupied 1–4 family properties.

Its program is a 6-month, interest-only loan at 12% annualized interest, with a 3% origination fee that’s paid at payoff instead of at closing. It lends up to 75% of ARV and up to 100% of eligible purchase and rehab costs within that cap. There’s no prepayment penalty, and a property walkthrough replaces a traditional appraisal. Pre-approval costs $50 and asks for recent tax returns, three months of bank statements, and generally about $10,000 in reserves. Once a deal is approved, FasterFunds says it can close in 3–5 business days. It holds the highest Google rating on this list.

3. Sweetgum Loans

Google rating: not listed (checked Nov 2026). 3245 Lemay Ferry Rd, St. Louis, MO 63125. Phone: 314-202-7202. Email: loans@sweetgumloans.com. Website: sweetgumloans.com.

Sweetgum is a South County lender for non-owner-occupied rehab and construction projects. It has no minimum loan amount, which makes it a fit for the lower-priced houses that many St. Louis flips start from. Rates start at 12%. Terms run 3, 6, or 9 months, and loans go up to 70–75% of ARV. Sweetgum doesn’t require an appraisal and takes a first lien. Rehab money is paid out in 3–5 draws, and pre-approved borrowers can be funded in as little as 7 days. Note that it doesn’t lend in Illinois. We couldn’t find a separate Google Maps profile for Sweetgum Loans; the listing at this address is for a related company, Sweetgum Properties.

4. Westre Financial Group

Google rating: not listed (checked Nov 2026). PO Box 411035, St. Louis, MO 63141. Phone: (314) 626-4442. Email: barb@bbwhomes.com. Website: westrefinancial.com.

Brad and Barb Westre have lent their own money to St. Louis investors since 2001. They report more than 2,775 loans totaling $154.5 million. Westre lends 100% of the purchase price for 2 points, at 1% per month interest-only for 6 months. After that, the loan renews automatically at 2% per month, so plan to finish on time. There’s no prepayment penalty. Know the limits before you apply: Westre lends only in St. Louis City and St. Louis County. It doesn’t fund rehab costs or lend in flood plains, and it requires 6 months of prepaid insurance. We couldn’t find a Google Maps profile for Westre Financial Group.

5. REIFunding.com (Capri Capital)

Google rating: not listed (checked Nov 2026). 2025 Zumbehl Road, Suite 18, St. Charles, MO 63303. Phone: 314-750-5880. Website: reifunding.com.

Shari Peterson founded REIFunding.com, run by Capri Capital LLC, in St. Charles in 2009. Its standout product is transactional funding: short-term money that lets a wholesaler close a double closing. It also offers hard money fix-and-flip loans, buy-and-hold rental loans, BRRRR financing, and refinances. REIFunding doesn’t publish rates on its site, so ask for a term sheet. We couldn’t find a Google Maps profile for REIFunding.com. The Google listing at its street address belongs to a shipping store in the same building.

6. STL Investor Loans

Google rating: not listed (checked Nov 2026). Phone: 636-887-6341. Website: stlinvestorloans.com.

STL Investor Loans is a smaller local operation, run by Jenn, that funds fix-and-flip, rental, and BRRRR deals for St. Louis investors. It doesn’t publish rates, loan-to-value limits, or an office address, so ask for written terms and compare them with the lenders above. We couldn’t find a Google Maps profile for STL Investor Loans.

7. Kiavi

Google rating: 4.4 stars from 725 reviews (Pittsburgh office profile) (checked Nov 2026). 271 N Shore Drive, Suite 201, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. Phone: (844) 415-4663. Website: kiavi.com.

Kiavi is one of the largest national fix-and-flip lenders, and Missouri is on its list of states. It lends to business entities only. Its fix-and-flip loans run from $100,000 to $5 million, with rates advertised as low as 8.25%. Kiavi lends up to 100% of the purchase price and 100% of rehab costs, capped at 80% of ARV, on terms of 12, 18, or 24 months. There’s no application fee, no appraisal, and no income verification, and it says it can close in as little as 7 days. The trade-off for St. Louis: a $100,000 minimum loan rules out many lower-priced city houses, and you won’t sit across a desk from your lender.

8. RCN Capital

Google rating: 4.2 stars from 251 reviews (Connecticut office profile) (checked Nov 2026). 75 Gerber Rd East, Suite 102, South Windsor, CT 06074. Phone: 860.432.5858. Email: info@rcncapital.com. Website: rcncapital.com.

RCN Capital is a national direct lender founded in 2010. It lends in most states, and its list of excluded states doesn’t include Missouri. Its company blog has featured a St. Louis rental refinance. RCN’s ARV program covers up to 100% of the purchase price and 100% of renovation costs, capped at 75% of ARV, on a 12-month term. Loans run from $75,000 to $2 million on 1–4 family homes, with rates starting at 9.49%. Interest is charged only on money you’ve drawn, not on the rehab holdback. Borrowers need at least a 650 credit score, and experience isn’t required, though it affects pricing and leverage. RCN also offers DSCR rental loans and lends on 5+ unit buildings.

9. Lima One Capital

Google rating: 4.2 stars from 311 reviews (Greenville office profile) (checked Nov 2026). 300 E McBee Ave, Suite 200, Greenville, SC 29601. Phone: (800) 390-4212. Email: hello@limaone.com. Website: limaone.com.

Lima One has a Missouri page and says it serves investors statewide, from St. Louis to Kansas City. It finances fix-and-flip projects, new construction, rental properties and rental portfolios, and multifamily bridge loans. Its fix-and-flip program lends up to 95% of total cost and 75% of ARV, on loans of $100,000 to $5 million with terms of 13, 19, or 24 months. It generally asks for a 660 credit score and one investment-property sale in the past 36 months. That makes it a better fit for investors who already have a track record and plan to refinance flips into long-term rentals.

10. Ridge Street Capital

Google rating: 4.1 stars from 13 reviews (Miami office profile) (checked Nov 2026). 1111 Brickell Ave, Floor 10, Miami, FL 33131. Phone: 786-304-2751. Email: cohen@ridgestreetcap.com. Website: ridgestreetcap.com.

Ridge Street lends in 36 states, Missouri included, and has a page just for St. Louis. It quotes St. Louis fix-and-flip rates of 10.5–11.5%, with origination fees starting at 1.5%. Its loans run from $50,000 to $3 million, covering up to 90% of the purchase price and 100% of rehab, on a 12-month term. One St. Louis sample deal on its site was a $167,300 loan at 10.85% with 2.3 points that closed in 13 days. Borrowers need a credit score of 660 or higher and must borrow through an LLC or corporation. Ridge Street also offers DSCR rental and ground-up construction loans.

How We Picked These Hard Money Lenders

We looked for lenders that actually make hard money, private money, or fix-and-flip loans on St. Louis properties. We put local lenders first, because a lender that makes decisions in town knows the neighborhoods, can walk the house, and can release rehab draws quickly. We included a national lender only if its own website shows it lends in Missouri. For each lender, we checked its loan programs, terms, address, and phone on its own website in November 2026. Google ratings and review counts are shown as published on each lender’s Google Maps profile, also checked in November 2026. They didn’t set the order. For national lenders, the rating comes from the profile of their main office. If we couldn’t find a Google Maps profile for a lender, the rating says “not listed.”

Before You Take a Hard Money Loan: What to Know

Compare the total cost, not just the rate. Add up the points, application fee, draw fees, extension or renewal costs, and any exit fees. A 12% loan with 4 points can cost more than an 11% loan with 1.5 points.

Know the ARV cap. Most lenders cap the loan at 65–80% of after-repair value. A low appraisal or a conservative walkthrough can leave you short on cash, so plan reserves.

Understand the draw process. Rehab money is usually paid out after the work is inspected, so you or your contractor front each stage. Ask how fast draws are released and what each one costs.

Plan your exit and your timeline. Short terms and rate increases after maturity are common. Westre’s rate, for example, doubles to 2% per month after 6 months. Build delays into your budget.

Check the footprint and property type. Some lenders skip Illinois, flood plains, rural land, or houses under a minimum value or loan size. Confirm your property qualifies before you sign a purchase contract.

Get it in writing. Ask for a written term sheet. Read the note, deed of trust, and personal guarantee before closing, and have a Missouri real estate attorney review them if anything is unclear.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a hard money loan?

A hard money loan is a short-term loan from a private lender, secured by the property itself. Investors use them to buy and renovate houses they plan to sell or rent. The lender cares more about the deal and the after-repair value than about your income. Terms on this list run from 3 to 24 months, and rates are higher than a bank mortgage.

What are typical hard money loan rates in St. Louis?

Among the lenders on this list in November 2026, local lenders published about 12% a year: One West, FasterFunds, and Sweetgum, which starts at 12%. Westre charges 1% per month. Most local lenders add 2–4 points, though FasterFunds charges 3% at payoff instead of at closing. National lenders advertise starting rates from about 8.25% (Kiavi) to 11.5% (Ridge Street’s St. Louis range), but those depend on your credit score and experience. Always get a written term sheet.

How much will a hard money lender lend on a St. Louis flip?

Most lenders cap the loan at a share of after-repair value (ARV). Local lenders on this list publish caps of 65–75% of ARV. National lenders go as high as 75–80% of ARV, and some fund up to 100% of the purchase price and rehab for experienced borrowers. Westre lends 100% of the purchase price but doesn’t fund rehab.

Which St. Louis hard money lenders don’t require an appraisal?

One West charges no appraisal fee. Sweetgum Loans says it doesn’t require an appraisal. FasterFunds uses a property walkthrough instead of a traditional appraisal. Kiavi also advertises no appraisal on its fix-and-flip loans.

How fast can a hard money loan close in St. Louis?

FasterFunds says approved deals can close in 3–5 business days. Sweetgum can fund pre-approved borrowers in as little as 7 days, and Kiavi advertises closings in as little as 7 days. Getting pre-approved before you make an offer is the best way to close fast.

Can I get a hard money loan for my own home?

Generally, no. The lenders on this list make business-purpose loans on investment properties, not owner-occupied homes. Sweetgum and RCN, for example, lend only on non-owner-occupied properties, and Kiavi lends only to business entities.

Who is the best hard money lender in St. Louis?

Our #1 pick is One West Hard Money. It makes decisions locally, publishes its terms, and lends across six counties plus St. Louis City. FasterFunds Lending in O’Fallon holds the highest Google rating on the list, 4.9 stars from 70 reviews (checked Nov 2026). The best lender for you depends on your deal size, how much you need for rehab, and your experience.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and isn’t financial, legal, or investment advice. Loan terms, rates, fees, and lending areas change often and depend on your credit, experience, and deal. Verify all current terms directly with each lender, and talk to a qualified professional before you borrow. No lender paid for placement on this list.

Last reviewed: November 2026.