Hard Money Lenders in Palm Beach County — 2026 Rates & Terms

What Hard Money Actually Costs in Palm Beach County Right Now

Hard money is priced for speed and risk, not for cheapness — and in 2026, Palm Beach County flippers are generally seeing interest rates in the roughly 10.5%–11.5% range from local and regional hard money lenders, with points typically starting around 1.5%–3% of the loan amount. That's meaningfully higher than a conventional mortgage, which is exactly the trade-off: a 7–10 day close and no income verification, in exchange for a materially higher cost of capital.

How Loan-to-Cost Structures Typically Work

Most hard money lenders serving this market structure deals around loan-to-cost (LTC) rather than loan-to-value, meaning the loan is sized against your purchase price plus rehab budget, not the after-repair value. Typical structures:

• First-time or newer investors: commonly around 80% of purchase price plus 100% of rehab costs, funded in draws as work completes.
• Experienced investors with a track record: some lenders offer enhanced programs up to roughly 90% of purchase price plus 100% of rehab, reflecting lower perceived execution risk.
• Credit and documentation: most programs look for credit scores in the 660+ range and proof of liquidity for reserves and the down payment, but skip the income/tax-return underwriting a bank requires.

Draws for rehab funds are typically released against inspected progress, not paid up front — which is another reason an accurate, defensible rehab estimate matters going into the loan application, not just for your own underwriting.

Florida's Usury Law and Why It Rarely Applies Here

Florida's civil usury statute (F.S. § 687.02) caps interest rates on most consumer loans, but business-purpose loans — which is how essentially all fix-and-flip hard money loans are structured, typically to an LLC or other entity rather than to an individual — fall under a separate, higher-ceiling framework. This is part of why hard money for flips is almost always closed in an entity's name rather than a personal name: it's both a liability-protection practice and part of how these loans are correctly classified as business-purpose credit.

What Actually Drives Your Rate and Terms

Insurance and Financing Are More Connected Than Investors Expect

One detail that catches out-of-state and newer investors: a property's insurability directly affects both your hard money terms and your exit. An older roof can trigger higher premiums or coverage restrictions that show up in your holding-cost math — and depending on the property's wind mitigation features, you may be eligible for meaningful premium credits after renovation. If roofing is part of your rehab scope, it's worth reading our Wind Mitigation Credits guide alongside your financing plan, not after it.