Hard money lenders in New York

Jul 7 – Oct 19, 2026Updated Oct 19, 2026Reviewed by

How we measure

AI summary

has a wide lead for short-term, secured hard money loans and small construction projects in New York.

It depends

For experienced operators seeking high-leverage new construction or multifamily bridge loans, is also cited.

Which brands AI mentions

#BrandMentioned in
#1Manhattan Bridge Capital74%

Short-term secured loans, fix-and-flip projects, and small construction in New York

#2tiedLima One Capital43%

High-leverage new construction and multifamily bridge loans for experienced operators

#2tiedInstaLend38%
#2tiedMoFin Lending36%
#2tiedRCN Capital33%

Fix-and-flip loans with high loan-to-cost and after-repair-value limits

Mentioned in

ChatGPTChatGPTGoogle AI ModeGoogle AI Mode

Widest split: MoFin Lending, 71% on ChatGPT and 0% on Google AI Mode.

Questions and answers

  • Google AI ModeOct 10, 2026

    1. 1Lima One Capital
    2. 2Easy Street Capital
    3. 3Stratton Equities
    4. 4Yieldi
    5. 5Malve Capital

    There is no single "best" hard money lender for developing a lot in New York City, as the right choice depends on your specific project type (ground-up residential vs. commercial/mixed-use), experience level, and required loan-to-cost (LTC) ratio . Ground-up lot development in NYC requires specialized construction-to-permanent or ground-up bridge financing rather than a standard fix-and-flip loan, as zoning laws, DOB (Department of Buildings) approvals, and draw schedules add unique layers of complexity.

    Top private and hard money lenders active in the New York market that handle ground-up construction and lot development include:

    • Lima One Capital : A prominent nationwide private lender operating heavily across the five boroughs offering dedicated New Construction and build-to-sell loan programs tailored for ground-up developments with reliable institutional backing.
    • Easy Street Capital : Known for competitive leverage on new construction projects, providing statewide coverage including NYC with programs scaling up to high LTC thresholds for qualified developers.
    • Stratton Equities : A direct nationwide and regional hard money/non-QM lender providing bridge and asset-based financing for multi-family, commercial, and mixed-use land or property developments ranging from $100K to $5M+.
    • Yieldi : Frequently utilized for fast-paced NYC real estate transactions, offering streamlined deal-centric underwriting for ground-up construction, land acquisition, and commercial value-add projects.
    • Local Boutique / Regional Lenders : Smaller New York-tri-state private debt funds (such as Malve Capital or local balance-sheet lenders) often provide more flexible terms for difficult NYC urban infill lots where local market knowledge of neighborhood zoning is crucial.

    If you can share:

    • The borough and zoning of the lot
    • Whether the plan is for residential, multi-family, or commercial use
    • Your approximate developer experience level

    I can help narrow down which of these lenders matches your specific project requirements.

    Sources cited in this answer4

    ChatGPTOct 10, 2026

    1. 1S3 Capital
    2. 2We Lend
    3. 3Express Capital Financing
    4. 4InstaLend
    5. 5Anchor Loans

    If you're developing in NYC, the right hard money lender depends on what you're building, how much capital you need, and how quickly you need to close. In New York, I'd focus on lenders with a proven track record in ground-up construction, gut renovations, and multifamily or mixed-use projects rather than lenders that primarily finance single-family flips.

    The key is to compare the total cost of capital and certainty of closing — not just the advertised interest rate. A lender offering a slightly higher rate may still be a better fit if they fund construction draws reliably and understand NYC permitting, zoning, and building costs.

    NYC hard money lenders I'd put on your shortlist

    These are options worth getting competing term sheets from, especially if you're financing development rather than just purchasing a property to flip.

    • How One Construction Lender Raising A $650M Fund Is Navigating Macroeconomic Instability

    1. S3 Capital

    (Ground-up & larger projects)

    A strong candidate for more substantial development deals. S3 focuses on construction and bridge lending for housing-oriented commercial developers and reports an in-house construction management team. Its site lists completed and financed projects in Brooklyn, including Carroll Gardens, Boerum Hill and Gowanus.

    Official website

    • We Lend LLC Provides $1.57M Acquisition And Fix And Flip Loan In Brooklyn | Traded

    2. We Lend

    (NYC-focused financing)

    Worth comparing for local residential development, renovation and bridge financing. Its September 2026 lender comparison discusses construction scope, New York market experience, leverage and draw processes. Confirm the current program limits and whether the company is the direct funder for your deal.

    Official website

    • Express Capital Financing Provides $1.37M Bridge Loan For Multifamily Property In Crown Heights | Traded

    3. Express Capital Financing

    A Brooklyn-based option to investigate for ground-up construction, bridge financing, and multifamily or mixed-use projects. Its published program describes loans for both acquisition and construction; ask for a written breakdown of draw conditions and fees.

    Brooklyn, NY · (718) 285-0806

    Official website

    • Homepage | We Lend

    4. InstaLend

    Worth considering for investor-focused financing on smaller residential projects and investment properties. It is NYC-based and also offers longer-term rental and multifamily financing, so it's worth asking whether your project qualifies for construction funding or a bridge-to-permanent strategy.

    115 Broadway, 5th Floor, Manhattan · (646) 844-4069

    Official website

    • Anchor Loans | Tailored Lending for Builders and Investors

    5. Anchor Loans

    An established national direct lender with New York coverage. Its published offerings include ground-up construction, land acquisition and development, bridge loans, and multifamily value-add financing. It's worth including if you want to compare a national lending platform with NYC-focused firms.

    New York lending programs

    These are a deal-specific shortlist, not a verified ranking of the cheapest lenders or a guarantee that each will approve your project. Published terms, leverage and closing timelines need to be confirmed directly.

    What I'd negotiate before choosing

    For each lender, request a written term sheet that spells out:

    • Leverage: loan-to-cost (LTC), loan-to-value (LTV), and how much cash equity you must contribute.
    • Interest and fees: interest rate, origination points, legal fees, inspection charges, and extension fees.
    • Construction draws: how quickly funds are released after inspections and what documentation is required.
    • Exit strategy: whether you can refinance into a permanent loan or repay from a sale, and what happens if the project runs late.
    • NYC experience: recent closings on comparable projects, including similar boroughs, property types, and permitting situations.

    Let me narrow this down to the best fit for your deal

    The single most useful detail is what kind of development you're financing.

    1. What are you developing?

    Ground-up construction / vacant lot

    Gut renovation or conversion

    Multifamily value-add (5+ units)

    Fix and flip (1–4 units)

    Commercial or mixed-use development

    2. How much do you need to borrow?

    Under $500K

    $500K–$1M

    $1M–$5M

    $5M–$15M

    $15M+

    3. Where is the property?

    Manhattan

    Brooklyn

    Queens

    Bronx

    Staten Island

    Outside NYC

    4. Where are you in the process?

    Under contract / acquiring the property

    Own the property; permits pending

    Permits approved; ready to build

    Construction underway

    [Find lenders for my project]

    With those details, I can narrow the list to lenders that actually fit your project size and stage, instead of giving you a generic list of hard money companies.

    Sources cited in this answer8

Also asked as

  • I am looking for hard money financing for a real estate development project in New York. Can you recommend some reputable lenders?
  • I am looking for hard money lenders that operate in New York for development projects.