Easy Street Capital holds a clear lead as the primary recommendation for fast, simple loans targeting Iowa fix-and-flip opportunities. For investors seeking localized financing tailored specifically to Des Moines and central Iowa projects, Crebrid frequently enters the conversation as a strong alternative.
BridgeWell Capital and Hills Bank are top options for fix-and-flip and real estate acquisition financing in Central Iowa.
BridgeWell CapitalBridgeWell Capital provides private and hard money loans tailored for the Greater Des Moines MSAGreater Des Moines MSA and surrounding communities like Ames and Ankeny, offering fast funding timelines and fix-to-flip programs.
Hills Bank offers commercial real estate development and small business commercial loans suited for acquisition and construction.
U.S. Bank features local Central Iowa branch consultations (such as the Ankeny location) to discuss structured commercial real estate financing and lines of credit.
If you can share your target loan amount and estimated rehab budget , I can help you narrow down which of these lenders fits your project scope best.
Absolutely. For fix-and-flip and acquisition financing in Central Iowa, I’d start with a mix of local private lenders, hard-money lenders, and commercial real estate financing specialists. The right fit depends on whether you're buying a single-family property to renovate and resell, acquiring a rental, or purchasing a multifamily or commercial property.
I found several lenders and financing firms serving the Des Moines area and broader Iowa market. I've separated them by the type of deal they're best positioned to discuss, and noted where a firm is a broker rather than a direct lender.
1. Lenders to contact first
Coverage includes Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ames, Ankeny, Waukee and other Iowa markets, subject to each lender's property and program criteria.
Little Guy Loans
(Local specialist)
A Central Iowa private lender focused on real estate investors. Its website describes experience with rehabs, acquisitions and common title or property-condition complications. A strong starting point for fix-and-flip and value-add rental inquiries.
A Des Moines-based financing firm whose listed services include fix-and-flip, rental acquisition, refinance and fix-and-hold financing. Ask whether it can fund your property type directly or arranges financing through partners.
Phone: 515-974-6908
3839 Merle Hay Rd, Suite 274, Des Moines
Mortava
A direct lender advertising statewide Iowa fix-and-flip financing, including purchase and renovation funding. Its published programs advertise up to 95% loan-to-cost and 100% of eligible rehab costs, subject to underwriting and after-repair value limits.
Advertises Iowa-wide financing for fix-and-flip, bridge, new construction and rental investments. Worth comparing if you need short-term acquisition capital or financing that can accommodate a renovation plan.
A broker rather than a direct lender. It advertises access to a network of lenders for Iowa fix-and-flip, bridge and rental loans. This can be useful when you want multiple financing offers rather than approaching lenders individually.
2. For commercial property acquisitions and larger investments
These are worth contacting if you're acquiring multifamily buildings, mixed-use properties, apartment portfolios or other commercial real estate.
Howell Investment Finance
Ames, Iowa · Commercial mortgage broker
Specializes in commercial investment financing, including multifamily, senior housing, bridge loans, construction, and agency or HUD financing. Its website lists commercial loan amounts from $1.5 million to $100 million or more, so ask about its minimum for your project.
Offers business lending, including commercial real estate financing and bridge loans. Contact its commercial lending team to discuss acquisition financing, particularly if you're seeking a conventional bank loan rather than short-term hard money. Investment-property eligibility will depend on the deal.
A financing broker that advertises fix-and-flip loans, bridge loans and other investor financing. Its published Iowa program discusses loan sizes from $300,000 to $10 million, making it worth investigating for larger renovations and acquisition projects.
These are suggested starting points based on advertised services, not verified approvals or a ranking of lender quality.
4. Questions to ask every lender
For each property, request a written term sheet that specifies:
Leverage: Maximum percentage of purchase price, total project cost and after-repair value (ARV).
Renovation funding: Whether rehab costs are funded upfront or reimbursed through draws.
Total borrowing cost: Interest rate, origination points, broker fees, appraisal fees, extension fees and exit fees.
Cash needed to close: Down payment, closing costs, interest reserves and renovation float.
Timeline: Actual underwriting and closing time for an Iowa property.
Exit strategy: Whether you can refinance into a longer-term rental loan or pay off the loan when the property sells.
Recourse and guarantees: Personal guarantees, cross-collateralization and default provisions.
Advertised rates and leverage are not guaranteed offers. Verify current terms, Iowa lending eligibility and all fees before committing.
5. Let's narrow this down to lenders that fit your deals
I can make the next shortlist much more targeted if I know a little about your investment strategy.
What type of financing are you seeking?
Fix-and-flip only
Buy-and-hold rental acquisitions
Both flips and rentals
Multifamily or commercial acquisitions
What property type?
Single-family or 2–4 units
Apartments with 5+ units
Mixed-use or commercial
Land or new construction
Typical loan amount per property
Under $100,000
$100,000–$500,000
$500,000–$2 million
$2 million or more
Your investment experience
First investment deal
Some completed deals
Experienced investor with multiple properties
Most important financing priority
High leverage / less cash down
Lowest total borrowing cost
Fast closing
Flexible underwriting
[Find matching lenders]
With those details, I can focus the next search on lenders whose advertised programs match your deal size, experience and preferred financing structure, rather than giving you a generic list of hard-money companies.
For a Des Moines rental rehab, I’d start with Little Guy Loans. It’s a local West Des Moines private lender specifically focused on investor rehabs, rather than a conventional mortgage shop. They say they review applications within 24 hours and can close in about 5 days once approved and title is ready.
My shortlist
Lender
Why I’d call
Published terms / speed
Little Guy Loans
Best local fit for your situation; investor/rehab specialist with hundreds of local rehabs
Typically 6–9 months; up to 70% ARV; typical 10–25% down; no prepayment penalty; 24-hour application review, ~5-day closing target
Lima One Capital
Strong alternative if you want rehab → rental/BRRRR financing
Up to 95% LTC / 75% LTARV on eligible fix-and-flips; up to 100% rehab budget; 13/19/24-month terms; Fix2Rent can transition into long-term rental financing
Capital Kings
Useful if you want a broker to shop multiple lenders rather than taking one quote
Says it shops 400+ lenders; current Des Moines programs advertise roughly 9%+ rates, rehab draws, and 7–14 day closes for qualifying experienced borrowers
Halo Capital
Local Des Moines option with investor financing, including fix/flip and fix/hold
More of a broad mortgage/finance shop; I'd use it as a comparison quote rather than my first hard-money call.
One thing I'd check before taking hard money
If the property is inside one of Des Moines' Special Investment Districts, check Invest DSM's Rental Rehab Program. Eligible rental properties with ≤10 units can potentially receive forgivable funding up to $75,000, with amounts above $75k potentially structured as a 0% loan. There are requirements including at least 20% owner equity, eligible improvements, and affordability/rent restrictions.
If you give me purchase price + rehab budget + ARV + your credit score + number of previous rehabs, I can run the deal math and tell you what leverage/rate/points you should be pushing these lenders for.
For a rehab project in Des Moines, you have a few active and well-regarded hard money lenders that specialize in fast funding for fix-and-flips and rental property acquisition. Average short-term rates in Iowa hover around 10% - 10.5%, with typical loan-to-value (LTV) ratios around 71%.
Top hard money lenders active in the Des Moines market include:
BridgeWell Capital - A licensed, A+-rated boutique private lender that specifically covers the Des Moines metro area. They focus on residential rehab and rental loans, offering extensive local market familiarity and structured win-win terms.
Easy Street Capital - A prominent statewide lender offering fast programs like "EasyFix" for purchasing and rehabbing investment properties. They feature high leverage options (up to 93% loan-to-cost for fix-and-flips) and fast, streamlined closings without appraisal hassles on certain programs.
Local Private Portfolios / Brokers - Checking regional networks like the Greater Des Moines Real Estate Investors Association can also connect you with hyper-local private portfolio lenders who can fund even faster if you need an emergency close.
If you want to narrow down the best fit, tell me:
What is the purchase price and estimated rehab budget?
What is your timeline for closing?
Do you plan to flip the property or hold it as a long-term rental?
