Kiavi Review 2026: Fix-and-Flip, DSCR & Bridge Loans
Kiavi is a real estate investment lender built primarily for investors who flip, renovate, build, refinance, or hold non-owner-occupied residential property. In 2026, its lineup includes bridge and fix-and-flip loans, DSCR rental financing, new construction loans, and larger jumbo real estate loans, backed by a heavily digital underwriting and servicing platform.
Kiavi is especially compelling when speed, leverage, and property-based underwriting matter more than getting conventional-bank pricing. It is much less relevant if you are buying a primary residence, financing conventional commercial real estate, or simply shopping for the cheapest 30-year consumer mortgage.
Kiavi Review: At a Glance
Category | Kiavi |
|---|---|
Best for | Real estate investors financing flips, bridge transactions, rentals, BRRRR projects, new construction, and larger residential investment projects |
Not for | Owner-occupied homes, general consumer mortgages, many commercial or mixed-use properties, or borrowers primarily seeking conventional-bank pricing |
Bridge / fix-and-flip loans | $75,000 to $5 million with 12-, 18-, or 24-month terms |
Bridge leverage | Up to 100% of purchase price, 80% ARV, and 100% of rehab costs on qualifying transactions |
Bridge closing speed | As few as 7 business days |
DSCR rental loans | Up to 80% LTV with 30-year fixed, 5/1 ARM and 7/1 ARM options |
New construction | $150,000 to $10 million; up to 85% of total costs and 70% ARV |
Geographic reach | Kiavi says it lends in 49 states plus Washington, D.C.; product availability varies |
Business entity | Required |
Application fee | None according to Kiavi |
Income verification | Not required for Kiavi bridge loans |
Bridge appraisal | No third-party appraisal required for bridge loans; rental loans do require appraisals |
Kiavi's current bridge-loan materials advertise loans from $75,000 to $5 million, leverage up to 100% of purchase price and 80% ARV, 100% rehab financing, and closings in as few as seven business days. Source: Kiavi bridge loans
Our Verdict on Kiavi in 2026
Kiavi makes the most sense for real estate investors who value execution speed and repeatable access to specialized investment-property financing.
The strongest part of the platform is not one isolated loan product. It is the ability to finance several stages of an investor's strategy through the same ecosystem: buy, renovate, and sell — or buy, renovate, rent, refinance, and repeat.
That makes Kiavi particularly relevant to active flippers and BRRRR investors who would rather not rebuild their financing process from scratch every time the strategy changes.
The tradeoff is straightforward: this is specialized investment capital, not cheap consumer mortgage money. Rates, points, leverage and fees need to be judged against the economics of the deal—not against the mortgage advertisement your neighbor saw while refinancing his kitchen.
Bottom line: Kiavi belongs on the shortlist when the property and exit strategy justify speed, leverage and investor-focused underwriting. It should still be compared against at least one or two competing lenders before you close.
What Is Kiavi?
Kiavi is a technology-focused lender serving residential real estate investors. Its financing is designed around investment properties rather than owner-occupied home purchases. Kiavi currently markets products for fix-and-flip projects, bridge financing, rental properties, new construction and larger jumbo projects.
Kiavi reports more than $30 billion in loans originated and more than 100,000 funded projects. Those are company-reported figures rather than independent market-share measurements, but they demonstrate considerably more scale than the neighborhood hard-money shop with three cell phones and a Yahoo address. Source: Kiavi
What Changed With Kiavi in 2026?
This is one of the biggest reasons an older Kiavi review may already be outdated.
On September 1, 2026, Figure Technology Solutions completed its acquisition of Kiavi. Figure had originally announced the transaction in June. The acquisition included Kiavi's technology and operating platform, while a Figure/Sixth Street joint venture acquired loans from Kiavi's balance sheet. Source: Figure investor relations
The Kiavi brand still exists, but the legal lending structure changed.
All DSCR and rental loans are originated and funded by Figure Lending LLC dba Figure effective September 1, 2026.
Bridge-loan origination varies by jurisdiction between Figure Lending LLC and Kiavi Funding LLC.
Kiavi Funding LLC is now a subsidiary of Figure Technology Solutions.
For the average borrower, that does not necessarily change how the website or application feels. But it matters when reviewing loan documents, licensing disclosures, servicing relationships and the legal entity actually originating your loan. In other words: read the closing package, not just the logo. Source: Kiavi disclosures
What Types of Loans Does Kiavi Offer?
Kiavi Fix-and-Flip and Bridge Loans
Kiavi's bridge loan is its most obvious fit for investors buying properties that need renovation, repositioning or a short-term financing solution.
Loans from $75,000 to $5 million
Rates advertised as low as 8.25%
Up to 100% of the purchase price
Up to 80% of after-repair value
Up to 100% of rehab costs
12-, 18- and 24-month terms
Interest-only options
No application fee
No income verification
No third-party appraisal for bridge loans
Closing in as few as 7 business days
That combination is why Kiavi fits naturally into a fix-and-flip strategy. Speed matters when an investor is competing against cash. Rehab leverage matters when preserving liquidity allows the investor to run more than one project.
If fix-and-flip financing is your primary concern, also read our Best Fix and Flip Loans for 2026 comparison before choosing a lender.
Kiavi DSCR Rental Loans
Kiavi also offers long-term financing for buy-and-hold properties. Rather than primarily qualifying the loan against W-2 income, the rental program evaluates the income produced by the property using the debt service coverage ratio, or DSCR.
Rates advertised as low as 6.125%
Up to 80% LTV
30-year fixed-rate loans
5/1 and 7/1 adjustable-rate mortgages
Fully amortizing structures
Interest-only options
Cash-out refinance options
No prepayment penalty after year three on the advertised program
This product is relevant for investors who intend to hold the asset rather than flip it immediately. It also creates a logical bridge for BRRRR investors: use shorter-term financing to acquire and renovate the property, stabilize the rental, then move into longer-term DSCR financing. Source: Kiavi rental loans
Kiavi New Construction Loans
Kiavi is not limited to rehabbing existing houses. Its new-construction product currently advertises:
Loan amounts from $150,000 to $10 million
Rates advertised as low as 9.00%
Up to 85% of total project costs
Up to 70% ARV
12-, 18- and 24-month terms
Three- or six-month extension options
Build-to-sell and build-to-rent strategies
No third-party appraisal required for closing under the advertised program
Construction financing introduces contractor risk, budget risk, draw management, permitting and execution risk. Cheap money cannot rescue an expensive mistake. Source: Kiavi new construction loans
Kiavi Jumbo Loans
For larger projects, Kiavi markets jumbo real estate investment loans ranging from approximately $3 million to $5 million. The current program advertises up to 90% of purchase price, up to 75% ARV, 100% of rehab costs, and 12-, 18- and 24-month terms. Source: Kiavi jumbo loans
How Does the Kiavi Loan Process Work?
Kiavi's process is designed to be more digital than a traditional bank loan. For a bridge loan, the process generally begins online with information about the borrower, business entity, property and proposed project.
Online pre-qualification
Soft credit review
Property and project information
Scope-of-work review
Feasibility analysis
Property valuation
Processing and underwriting
Closing
Rehab draws where applicable
Kiavi says its system uses a soft credit pull during bridge pre-qualification, which does not affect the borrower's credit score. That does not mean upload nothing and money appears. Incomplete entity documents, title problems, insurance issues and unrealistic rehab scopes can still derail the timeline. Source: Kiavi bridge loan process
What Are Kiavi's Requirements?
You Need a Business Entity
Kiavi states that it lends to business entities in the states where it operates. These are business-purpose investment loans—not consumer home loans. Source: Kiavi FAQs
The Property Must Fit the Program
Single-family residences
2–4 unit properties
Condos
Planned Unit Developments
Certain manufactured homes
Kiavi says it generally does not lend on mixed-use properties, conventional commercial property, mobile homes, or certain rural or agriculturally zoned properties. Product-specific exceptions and expanded jumbo eligibility can apply.
Credit Still Matters
Asset-based does not mean credit is irrelevant. Kiavi performs a soft credit pull during bridge pre-qualification, and its own DSCR education states that credit score can affect rate and leverage. Public thresholds vary by product and program, so we would not treat one internet number as Kiavi's universal minimum score.
For example, Kiavi reported a 680 FICO minimum for broker-sourced bridge loans after a 2026 program change, while its Enterprise program lists a 720 minimum. Get the actual requirements for your product and deal. Source: Kiavi Investor Pulse
Bridge Loans Do Not Require Income Verification
Kiavi's bridge product advertises no income verification, W-2s or pay stubs and no third-party appraisal. Rental financing is different: Kiavi says rental loans require an appraisal and are underwritten around the property's cash flow and DSCR.
What Are Kiavi's Rates and Fees?
Kiavi publishes promotional starting rates, but borrowers should treat those numbers as starting points, not promises.
8.25% advertised starting rate for bridge loans
6.125% advertised starting rate for DSCR rental loans
9.00% advertised starting rate for new construction
8.25% advertised starting rate for jumbo loans
Kiavi says rates depend on factors including loan terms, borrower qualifications, leverage and property characteristics. It does not charge an application fee, while origination fees depend on the final loan amount.
Compare interest rate, origination points, processing and third-party fees, extension fees, draw mechanics, interest calculation, prepayment provisions, cash required at closing, rehab reserve structure, late fees, default provisions, personal guarantee language, and total cost through your realistic exit date.
Kiavi Pros and Cons
Advantages
Fast bridge-loan execution: Kiavi advertises bridge closings in as few as seven business days.
High leverage on qualifying flip deals: Up to 100% of purchase price, 80% ARV and 100% rehab financing can preserve investor liquidity.
Multiple investor loan products: Bridge, DSCR rental, new construction and jumbo products address several investor strategies.
Property-focused underwriting: No bridge-loan income verification and property-driven DSCR underwriting can fit self-employed investors.
Digital workflow: Kiavi has invested heavily in technology, automated valuation and online account management.
Large operating scale: Kiavi reports more than $30 billion in loans originated and more than 100,000 funded projects.
Drawbacks
Specialized rather than universal financing: Owner-occupied homes, mixed-use properties and many commercial assets need a different lender.
Rates can be higher than conventional financing: The speed and flexibility of private real estate financing usually come at a price.
Published rates are moving targets: Use your live personalized terms rather than an old article or screenshot.
Rental financing has additional requirements: The no-appraisal language associated with bridge loans does not extend to every rental loan.
Fast closing is not guaranteed: As few as seven business days describes potential speed, not a promise for every file.
The Figure integration is still relatively new: Borrowers should pay attention to the legal lender, servicing information and documents associated with their specific loan.
What Do Kiavi Customer Reviews Say?
Third-party reviews are mixed. Trustpilot currently presents a predominantly positive profile, while BBB presents a more negative one. Treat both as context rather than a substitute for reviewing your own term sheet and closing process.
Positive Trustpilot reviews frequently mention responsive account managers, straightforward processes, quick closings and smooth rehab draws. Negative reviews describe issues including closing delays, difficulty reaching specific team members, repeated document requests, coordination problems and frustration over fees or closing terms. Trustpilot profile
The BBB profile reviewed for this article lists Kiavi Funding Inc. as not accredited and showed an F rating at the time of review. BBB ratings use BBB's own methodology and complaint allegations should not be treated as independently proven facts. BBB profile
How to Protect Yourself Before Closing
Get the full term sheet in writing.
Confirm cash-to-close.
Ask which fees can change before closing.
Verify the rate and points.
Confirm the expected closing timeline.
Ask what borrower documents remain outstanding.
Confirm appraisal or valuation requirements.
Understand how rehab draws work.
Have title and insurance moving early.
Keep enough contingency in the deal that one delay does not kill it.
Real estate investors should underwrite the lender almost as carefully as the lender underwrites them.
Kiavi vs. Other Real Estate Investment Lenders
Provider | Worth comparing if you need |
|---|---|
Kiavi | Bridge/fix-and-flip, DSCR rental, new construction, jumbo projects, digital execution |
New Silver | Another technology-forward option for fix-and-flip, construction and DSCR rental financing |
Lima One Capital | Broad investor product lineup including FixNFlip, rental DSCR, Fix2Rent, Build2Rent and construction |
Visio Lending | A more concentrated focus on long-term rental and DSCR lending |
The right comparison is not which lender is best. It is which lender gives this specific deal the best combination of leverage, cost, certainty, timeline and exit flexibility.
Who Is Kiavi Best For?
Fix-and-flip investors
BRRRR investors
Buy-and-hold rental investors
Self-employed real estate operators
Investors who need to close faster than a traditional bank
Borrowers seeking high leverage on qualifying rehab projects
Investors using business entities
Ground-up residential builders
Experienced investors scaling multiple projects
Larger investors seeking multimillion-dollar residential project financing
Who Is Kiavi Not For?
Someone buying an owner-occupied primary residence
Someone needing a conventional consumer mortgage
A borrower financing a property type Kiavi does not support
A mixed-use or general commercial real estate transaction
A borrower whose only objective is the absolute lowest available interest rate
Someone who cannot borrow through an eligible business entity
A transaction where traditional financing is materially cheaper and timing is not important
There is nothing wrong with expensive capital if the capital makes a profitable transaction possible. There is something very wrong with expensive capital attached to a bad deal.
Is Kiavi Legit?
Yes. Kiavi is an established real estate investment lending platform with a long operating history, significant reported origination volume, broad geographic reach and active licensing disclosures. In September 2026, Figure Technology Solutions completed its acquisition of Kiavi.
Legit should not be confused with automatically right for your deal. A legitimate lender can still offer terms that do not make sense for your project. Run the numbers.
Kiavi Review 2026 FAQs
Does Kiavi offer fix-and-flip loans?
Yes. Kiavi offers short-term bridge and fix-and-flip financing for qualifying non-owner-occupied investment properties. Its current bridge program advertises loans from $75,000 to $5 million and can finance up to 100% of rehab costs on qualifying deals.
How fast can Kiavi close?
Kiavi advertises bridge-loan closings in as few as seven business days. Actual timing depends on the borrower, property, title, insurance, documentation, underwriting and other closing conditions.
Does Kiavi require an appraisal?
Kiavi says it does not require third-party appraisals for bridge loans. Rental loans do require appraisals.
Does Kiavi verify income?
Kiavi's bridge product advertises no income verification. Rental and DSCR financing is designed around the cash flow of the investment property rather than conventional personal-income underwriting.
Does Kiavi do DSCR loans?
Yes. Kiavi offers rental-property loans qualified using the property's cash flow and debt service coverage ratio. Current options include 30-year fixed loans and 5/1 and 7/1 ARMs, subject to eligibility.
Can a first-time real estate investor use Kiavi?
Potentially. Kiavi maintains financing options marketed toward new real estate investors, although pricing, leverage and qualification depend on the borrower and deal.
Does Kiavi lend nationwide?
Kiavi currently says it lends in 49 states plus Washington, D.C., although specific loan products and property eligibility vary by location.
Does Kiavi lend to individuals or LLCs?
Kiavi states that borrowers must use a business entity. These are business-purpose investment loans rather than consumer home mortgages.
Is Kiavi now owned by Figure?
Yes. Figure Technology Solutions completed its acquisition of Kiavi on September 1, 2026. The Kiavi brand remains active, while origination and funding entities vary by loan product and jurisdiction.
Final Verdict: Is Kiavi Worth Considering in 2026?
Kiavi remains one of the more substantial technology-driven financing platforms built specifically around residential real estate investors.
Its appeal is strongest when you need some combination of speed, high leverage, rehab financing, property-focused underwriting, DSCR rental financing, a bridge-to-rental strategy, new construction capital, larger investment-property loans, or a digital lending workflow.
Its weaknesses are equally important. Private real estate financing can be more expensive than conventional debt. Not every property qualifies. Advertised rates change. Customer experiences are not universally positive. And the recent Figure acquisition means borrowers should pay extra attention to the entity originating and servicing the loan.
The smartest move is not blind loyalty to Kiavi—or any lender. Price the actual deal. Compare the total economics. Then choose the capital that gives your project the best chance of working.
Funding is subject to underwriting, eligibility, property requirements and lender approval. Rates, fees, leverage and program terms can change. This article is for informational purposes and is not a commitment to lend, legal advice, tax advice or investment advice.
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