Hard money lenders in North Dakota for small projects

Jul 8 – Oct 19, 2026Updated Oct 19, 2026Reviewed by

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#1tiedEquityMax67%
#1tiedYieldi67%
#3tiedDakota Business Lending40%
#3tiedBank of North Dakota33%
#3tiedBravera Bank28%

Mentioned in

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Widest split: Bank of North Dakota, 50% on ChatGPT and 14% on Google AI Mode.

  • #1tiedEquityMaxChatGPT 82%Google AI Mode 52%
  • #1tiedYieldiChatGPT 73%Google AI Mode 62%
  • #3tiedDakota Business LendingChatGPT 27%Google AI Mode 52%
  • #3tiedBank of North DakotaChatGPT 50%Google AI Mode 14%
  • #3tiedBravera BankChatGPT 23%Google AI Mode 33%

Questions and answers

  • Google AI ModeOct 10, 2026

    1. 1EquityMax
    2. 2Red View Investment Company
    3. 3BNC National Bank
    4. 4Barrett Financial Group
    5. 5Mountain State Financial Group

    Finding a dedicated, physical "brick-and-mortar" hard money lender physically stationed right inside Bismarck, ND, can be tricky, as true private asset-based lenders for real estate flips or small commercial projects usually operate statewide from regional hubs (like Fargo or Minneapolis) or nationwide.

    When looking at private financing or short-term bridge/hard money options servicing the Bismarck area, typical terms average around a 10.5% to 14% interest rate, 3% to 5% origination points , and roughly a 65% to 75% LTV (Loan-to-Value) depending on the asset and scope.

    Options for funding a small project or fix-and-flip in Bismarck include:

    • Regional/Statewide Private Lenders: Companies like EquityMax actively fund projects across North Dakota (including Bismarck) with fast asset-based approvals and high LTV options without traditional tax return or W2 red tape. Specialized private investment firms like Red View Investment Company also service the North Dakota fix-and-flip market.
    • Local Commercial/Community Banks: For small local projects, building relationships with community institutions like BNC National Bank or local portfolio lenders in Bismarck can often yield flexible short-term bridge financing or local commercial real estate lines that beat out high-cost out-of-state hard money.
    • Top Local Mortgage Brokers (for lighter bridge/fix-and-flip or transition loans): If your "small project" is a residential investment or lighter transitional property, top-rated local brokers like Travis Lang at Barrett Financial Group or local teams at Mountain State Financial Group can help navigate non-QM or investor-specific portfolio products if hard money ends up being more expensive than necessary.[1][2]

    To help narrow down who fits best, tell me:

    • What is the nature of the project (e.g., residential fix-and-flip, ground-up build, commercial, equipment purchase)?
    • Roughly how much capital/loan amount do you need?
    • Do you have cash for the down payment/renovation reserve (usually 20–30%)?

    Sources cited in this answer2

    ChatGPTOct 10, 2026

    1. 1Loan Goat
    2. 2StartCap
    3. 3Anchor Loans
    4. 4Bank of North Dakota
    5. 5Business Development Loan Program

    For a small project in Bismarck, North Dakota, my first choice would depend on whether you're financing a real-estate investment, a renovation, or a small business project. If you mean a short-term, asset-backed loan for an investment property, I'd start by comparing these three lenders.

    Best hard money lenders to contact

    • Milad Shamoun – CEO & Founder of Loan Goat | USMC Veteran

    1. Loan Goat

    (My first call)

    A direct private lender that explicitly serves Bismarck and the rest of North Dakota. Offers bridge, fix-and-flip, construction, rental-property and commercial real-estate financing. Its website advertises bridge rates starting at 9% and closings in 5–7 days, subject to qualification.

    Best for: investors who need direct access to private capital.

    Website and loan inquiry

    • StartCap: The domain name StartCap.com is for sale

    2. StartCap

    Advertises hard-money financing specifically for Bismarck, including residential and commercial real-estate projects. It emphasizes asset-based underwriting and a quick online prequalification process.

    Best for: smaller projects where speed and flexible underwriting matter.

    Website and loan inquiry

    • Anchor Loans | Tailored Lending for Builders and Investors

    3. Anchor Loans

    An established private lender that explicitly serves North Dakota investors, with financing for fix-and-flips, ground-up construction, bridge loans and rental portfolios. It advertises closings in as little as five business days for qualifying deals.

    Best for: renovation, construction and repeat investment projects.

    North Dakota lending page

    These are my initial candidates, not a verified ranking of the lowest rates or highest customer satisfaction. I would request written quotes from all three before choosing.

    What rates and fees should you expect?

    For context, a Bismarck hard-money listing reports average rates around 10.5% and origination fees around 4.5%, though actual offers vary significantly by property, leverage and borrower experience.

    Before signing, compare:

    • Interest rate and whether payments are interest-only.
    • Origination points and all closing fees.
    • Loan-to-value or loan-to-cost limits and how renovation costs are funded.
    • Term and exit strategy — can you repay through a sale or refinance?
    • Extension fees and prepayment penalties, plus whether the lender actually funds projects in Bismarck.

    If this is a business project rather than an investment property, also consider the Bank of North Dakota Business Development Loan Program, which can support eligible business purchases, remodeling, equipment and working capital through a participating lender.

    Let me narrow it down to the best fit

    What kind of small project are you financing?

    1. Project type

    Fix-and-flip or renovation

    Rental property

    Ground-up construction or land

    Small business or commercial project

    Other

    2. How much do you need to borrow?

    Under $100,000

    $100,000–$250,000

    $250,000–$500,000

    Over $500,000

    3. How soon do you need the money?

    Within 2 weeks

    Within 30 days

    Flexible timeline

    [Find my best lender options]

    Sources cited in this answer5

  • Google AI ModeOct 19, 2026

    1. 1EquityMax
    2. 2Yieldi
    3. 3Center Street Lending
    4. 4Choice Financial Group
    5. 5North Dakota Development Fund

    Finding hard money or private lenders for small-scale projects (like single-family residential fix-and-flips, small commercial developments, or local business gap funding) in North Dakota typically involves looking at regional private lenders, national alternative platforms that service the state, or state-backed economic programs.

    Options for small-scale project financing in North Dakota include:

    • EquityMax : A long-standing private lender that services North Dakota. They cater to smaller residential and investment property scenarios (including lower-cost purchase and rehab projects) with fast processing and minimal traditional documentation.
    • Yieldi : A private direct lender offering asset-based hard money loans across various property types in North Dakota. They evaluate deals flexibly based on property value, leverage, and exit strategies rather than rigid W-2 or tax return criteria.
    • Center Street Lending : Specializes in residential investor loans, fix-and-flips, and short-term real estate bridge financing with in-house underwriting, making them accessible for smaller independent real estate projects.
    • Choice Financial Group & Local Community Banks : While technically traditional institutions, local and regional banks like Choice Financial actively fund high volumes of regional short-term and portfolio real estate loans in North Dakota, sometimes bridging the gap for local developers.
    • North Dakota Development Fund (NDDF) : If your small-scale project is a commercial, industrial, or primary-sector business venture rather than pure residential flipping, the state-backed North Dakota Development Fund offers flexible gap financing and participation loans when conventional financing falls short.

    Could you share a bit more about your project so I can point you toward the best fit?

    • Is it residential real estate (like a fix-and-flip) or a small business/commercial project?
    • Roughly how much funding do you need?

    Sources cited in this answer6

    ChatGPTOct 19, 2026

    1. 1Loan Goat
    2. 2Anchor Loans
    3. 3StartCap
    4. 4OfferMarket
    5. 5Stephens Capital Group
    6. 6North Dakota Development Fund

    For small-scale real estate projects in North Dakota, hard money loans are typically available through private real estate lenders, regional investment lenders, and asset-based financing companies. These loans can be useful for fix-and-flip properties, small rental acquisitions, distressed properties, and short-term bridge financing when conventional bank loans are too slow or restrictive.

    The best lender depends on whether your project is residential or commercial, how much you need to borrow, and whether the property is in Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, or a rural area.

    Hard money lenders to contact in North Dakota

    These are the strongest starting points I found for real estate investment projects, including smaller rehabs and construction deals.

    • Get a Term Sheet in Under 3 Minutes – Real Estate Investors | PrivateLender.com

    1. Loan Goat

    (Good first call)

    Lends across North Dakota, including Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks and Minot. Offers bridge, fix-and-flip, construction and rental-property loans. Its published bridge program starts at $150,000, so ask about the minimum for your project.

    Phone: (619) 617-2797

    North Dakota lending programs

    • Anchor Loans | Tailored Lending for Builders and Investors

    2. Anchor Loans

    A national direct lender serving North Dakota real estate investors, builders and developers. Offers fix-and-flip, ground-up construction, bridge, land development and multifamily financing. A useful option for comparing financing on a development or renovation.

    North Dakota loan programs

    • StartCap: The domain name StartCap.com is for sale

    3. StartCap

    Advertises asset-based hard money loans in both Fargo and Bismarck for residential and commercial real estate projects. Ask specifically about minimum loan amounts, eligible property types and whether your project qualifies.

    Bismarck loans

    Fargo loans

    • Escrow Calculator | OfferMarket

    4. OfferMarket

    Offers hard money financing for one-to-four-unit residential investment properties throughout North Dakota, including acquisition and renovation projects. Its published program describes 12–24 month terms, with borrower and property eligibility requirements.

    North Dakota hard money loans

    • Dakota Capital Group

    5. Stephens Capital Group

    Based in Fargo, with private-money financing options for real estate investors. Worth contacting for a regional perspective on fix-and-flip and rehab financing. Confirm its current minimum loan size and geographic coverage directly.

    Phone: (701) 353-0929

    Fix-and-flip lending

    What if your project is very small?

    Hard money lenders can have minimum loan amounts that make them unsuitable for a modest project. Before paying for an appraisal or application, ask whether the lender will finance your specific deal size.

    Also, if this is a small business project rather than an investment property, consider North Dakota Development Fund. It provides flexible gap financing for eligible new and expanding businesses, which may be a more affordable route than hard money.

    Let me narrow this down for your project

    The most important detail is what you're financing.

    1. What kind of project is it?

    Renovation or fix-and-flip

    Small new construction

    Land purchase or development

    Commercial real estate

    Small business project (not necessarily real estate)

    2. How much financing do you need?

    Under $25,000

    $25,000–$75,000

    $75,000–$150,000

    $150,000–$500,000

    Over $500,000

    3. Where is the project?

    Fargo area

    Bismarck area

    Grand Forks or Minot area

    Rural North Dakota

    4. What collateral can you offer?

    Real estate

    Land

    Equipment or business assets

    No collateral

    [Find the best lender matches]

    With those details, I can focus on lenders that are more likely to handle your project size rather than just listing large national lenders.

    Sources cited in this answer13

Also asked as

  • I'm looking for a hard money loan for a small project in North Dakota. Who should I contact?