DC, Maryland & Virginia hard money & DSCR rate report — Q2 2026
A source-verified snapshot of private-lending rates and housing conditions across the DMV for real estate investors. Because the Washington market spans three jurisdictions that price and regulate differently, we report hard money rates for the District, Maryland, and Virginia separately rather than as a single metro number.
DMV hard money rates by jurisdiction
Lightning Docs averages for Q2 2026 funded short-term loans (bridge, rehab, and ground-up construction).
| Jurisdiction | Avg. rate | Avg. loan | Loans sampled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, DC | 10.24% | $581,060 | 23 |
| Maryland | 9.96% | $371,976 | 142 |
| Virginia | 9.97% | $434,726 | 130 |
The pattern is telling. Maryland and Virginia price almost identically — around 9.96%–9.97% — on deep samples of well over a hundred loans each, which makes those averages reliable market signals. The District's 10.24% sits higher on a much larger average loan ($581,060) but only 23 funded loans, so DC's quarterly figure swings more and should be read as directional, not precise. For a borrower, the takeaway is that DMV hard money clusters right around 10% for qualified files, and where you land inside the range is driven by leverage, experience, and exit certainty far more than by which side of the border you are on.
How these rates are measured
These are Lightning Docs quarterly averages — a widely cited benchmark because Lightning Docs prepares loan documents for a large share of the private-lending market, so the sample reflects real funded loans rather than advertised teaser rates. The figures cover short-term, business-purpose loans only: bridge, rehab, and ground-up construction. They exclude long-term DSCR rental loans, which price differently — Jaken Finance Group's DSCR programs run 5.75%–10.5% because they are amortizing, income-qualified holds rather than short-term, interest-only credit. Treat each jurisdiction's average as a market baseline, not a quote.
DMV home prices & days on market
| Area | Median sale price | YoY | Median DOM | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington, DC | $695,000 | -0.8% | ~49 | Spring 2026 (3-mo) |
| Montgomery County, MD | $695,000 | +6.6% | 32 | May 2026 (3-mo) |
| Prince George's County, MD | $440,000 | -2.2% | 67 | Early 2026 |
| Alexandria, VA | $688,000 | -1.7% | — | Apr 2026 (3-mo) |
Figures are the most recent available per jurisdiction; days-on-market are trailing/rolling. Verify current data via the linked sources.
Reading the DMV submarkets
The spread across the region is the whole story. Prince George's County (about $440,000) is the affordable-entry market where hard-money-to-DSCR BRRRR math works best, though homes sit longer than in the pricier suburbs. Montgomery County (about $695,000, rising 6.6% and selling in ~32 days) is the fast, premium Maryland collar. The District itself (about $695,000) moves more slowly at ~49 days and carries the region's heaviest regulatory load — rent control and TOPA — so exit timelines need real cushion. Northern Virginia (Alexandria near $688,000, with Arlington higher) is premium and comparatively landlord-friendly. Underwrite to the jurisdiction and the specific submarket, not to a regional average.
How to use this report
- Sanity-check a quote. DMV hard money clusters near 10%; a rate far above that without a leverage or risk reason deserves a question.
- Underwrite by jurisdiction. DC, Maryland, and Virginia differ on rent control, taxes, and exit friction — use the county or city closest to your property.
- Price the exit and the rules. In DC, budget calendar for TOPA and rent-control compliance; in Virginia, exits are typically cleaner. See the cross-border detail below.
- Match capital speed to the deal. A 7–10 day hard money close wins competitive files that a 45-day bank approval loses.
What it means for investors
With DMV hard money near 10.24% and jurisdictions that behave very differently at the exit, the edge is matching the right structure to the right side of the border. Jaken Finance Group funds fix-and-flip and bridge deals at 8.99%–13.5% (Up to 100% LTC on qualified files) and DSCR rental holds at 5.75%–10.5%, with closings in days rather than weeks. See our Washington DC hard money loans page, DC DSCR loans, the DC rent-control and TOPA compliance guides, or the full program parameters.
Sources
- Private Lender Link — Washington DC hard money stats via Lightning Docs (Q2 2026)
- Private Lender Link — Maryland hard money stats via Lightning Docs (Q2 2026)
- Private Lender Link — Virginia hard money stats via Lightning Docs (Q2 2026)
- Redfin — Washington, DC housing market
- Redfin — Montgomery County, MD housing market
- Redfin — Prince George's County, MD housing market
- Redfin — Alexandria, VA housing market
DMV rate report FAQs
- What is the average hard money loan rate in the Washington DC area?
- In Q2 2026, Lightning Docs averages were 10.24% in Washington DC (23 loans), 9.96% in Maryland (142 loans), and 9.97% in Virginia (130 loans) for short-term bridge, rehab, and ground-up loans. DC's rate and loan size run higher on a much smaller sample. Jaken Finance Group's fix-and-flip and bridge programs run 8.99%–13.5% depending on leverage, sponsor, and exit.
- How much are homes selling for across the DMV?
- Most recent medians: Washington DC about $695,000, Montgomery County MD about $695,000, Prince George's County MD about $440,000, and Alexandria VA about $688,000. Prince George's is the affordable-entry submarket; the District and the close-in Maryland and Virginia suburbs command a premium.
- Why do DC, Maryland, and Virginia differ for investors?
- They are three separate jurisdictions with different taxes, rent-control regimes, and lending law. DC has rent control and TOPA; Virginia is comparatively landlord-friendly; Maryland sits in between. The same rent can pencil very differently across the border, which is why DMV investors underwrite by jurisdiction, not by metro average.
- How do Jaken Finance Group rates compare to the DMV average?
- These are program parameters, not a market average: Jaken Finance Group's fix-and-flip and bridge loans run 8.99%–13.5% and DSCR rental loans 5.75%–10.5%. Your rate depends on the property, leverage, and exit — request a quote for a deal-specific number.
- Where does this DMV data come from and how often is it updated?
- Hard money figures are Lightning Docs quarterly averages for DC, Maryland, and Virginia short-term loans; home-price and days-on-market figures are Redfin data, shown as the most recent available per jurisdiction. Every source is linked at the bottom of the page, and the report is refreshed quarterly.
Financing a DC, Maryland, or Virginia investment property?
Get a deal-specific hard money or DSCR quote — closings in days, not weeks.
Or call (833) 264-7776