A hard money loan in Florida is collateral-first, short-term financing for time-sensitive deals — auction buys, distressed acquisitions, and BRRRR rehabs in Jacksonville and beyond. Speed and certainty of close are the product.
When Florida deals need hard money
| Deal type | Why speed matters |
|---|---|
| BRRRR acquisition + rehab start | Bridge to Florida DSCR after lease-up |
| Non-warrantable or distressed collateral | Asset-based decision when agencies decline |
| Probate or estate sale | Certainty of capital when title is messy |
| Courthouse auction in Jacksonville | Proof of funds and 7–14 day close beat financed buyers |
| Gap between purchase and permanent debt | Short-term bridge until refi or resale |
What Florida investors use hard money for
- Distressed / non-warrantable assets a conventional lender will not touch
- BRRRR starts — acquire and rehab, then exit to Florida DSCR
- Auction and trustee-sale buys — close on the courthouse timeline, not a 45-day bank clock
- Estate and probate acquisitions in Jacksonville that need certainty of funds
Why speed matters here: Florida foreclosure is judicial — judicial foreclosure can run a year or more — bridge timing matters. Asset-based capital lets you act on that inventory before financed buyers can.
Florida ARV bands and leverage caps
Investor ARV on Tampa sold comps commonly runs $245,000 – $385,000 with $28,000 – $68,000 rehab scopes. Wind mitigation and Citizens depopulation — bind coastal quote on exact parcel, not inland county average.
No state income tax strengthens after-tax returns on Florida hold and flip exits. Property tax at ~0.86% (no homestead cap for investors; model tax at purchase price) flows into carry on every month you hold bridge capital.
Florida hard money terms (2026)
| Term | Florida range |
|---|---|
| Scope risk | Wind mitigation and Citizens depopulation — bind coastal quote on exact parcel, not inland county average |
| Leverage | Up to ~90% of purchase + rehab, capped to ARV |
| Rate | Interest-only 8.99%–13.5% + points |
| Term | 6–18 months |
| Close | As fast as 7–14 days |
| Basis | Asset-based; $295,000 – $450,000 typical ARV |
Florida metros we fund
| Metro | Typical basis | Rent band | On-the-ground notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville | $270K–$390K | $1,750–$2,350 | lowest major-metro basis; military demand |
| Tampa Bay | $320K–$450K | $2,000–$2,700 | 9-day closings on hurricane-resilient rehab scopes |
| Orlando | $330K–$460K | $2,000–$2,650 | STR-vs-LTR decision drives DSCR math |
Florida has no state income tax, which strengthens after-tax returns on the eventual hold or flip exit.
Diligence before you fund in Florida
Florida carries specific physical-risk lines you must price before close:
- Hurricane wind and storm surge
- Flood-zone (AE/VE) insurance that can swing DSCR by 0.10+
- Rising property-insurance premiums statewide
What we need to issue a Florida term sheet
- Comps or a desktop valuation toward ARV
- Entity documents (LLC operating agreement, EIN) for vesting
- Purchase contract or auction confirmation
- Proof of funds for down payment and reserves
- A credible exit — resale comps or projected rent
Clean documents on these points are what compress a Florida closing to days, not weeks.
Recent Florida deal
Tampa Bay flip closed in 9 days with hurricane-resilient rehab scope funded 100%. Asset and exit drove the approval — not a personal income file.
BRRRR pathway: hard money → DSCR in Florida
The compounding play in Florida is not the flip check — it is recycling capital. Acquire distressed stock in Jacksonville with hard money, rehab on draws, place a tenant at market rent, then exit to Florida DSCR when the ratio clears at target LTV.
On Tampa acquisitions, model IO carry from close through rehab; court timelines on some Florida distressed stock extend hold beyond the initial bridge term.
Define the exit before you borrow
Hard money is a bridge in Tampa, not a destination. Underwrite one of two exits before you draw:
- Tampa resale — fix and flip Florida when spread clears
- Tampa hold — Florida DSCR on executed lease and investor tax
Florida DBPR and local wind/flood requirements affect insurance timelines — plan builders risk early.
When hard money is the wrong tool in Tampa
- Stabilized Tampa rental with executed leases — use DSCR Florida
- Owner-occupied strategy — business-purpose bridge does not apply
- No credible exit — hard money is a bridge; underwrite the resale or refinance exit before you borrow
Florida hard money FAQ
What does Florida hard money cover?
Business-purpose acquisition and rehab on Tampa SFR and small multifamily — sized to $245,000 – $385,000 sold comps, not listing aspirational pricing.
What diligence is Florida-specific?
Wind mitigation and Citizens depopulation — bind coastal quote on exact parcel, not inland county average.
What is the typical Florida exit?
Resale via fix and flip Tampa or stabilize into Florida DSCR when stabilized market rent is reflected in the rent roll.
Florida bridge acquisition checklist
Wind mitigation and Citizens depopulation — bind coastal quote on exact parcel, not inland county average.
Size Florida bridge exposure to $245,000 – $385,000 sold-comp discipline on Tampa, Jacksonville, and Orlando exurban acquisitions. Scope rehab to $28,000 – $68,000 bands on qualified files; front-load mechanical and rough-in draws so inspections are not wasted on cosmetic passes. Permanent exit: Florida DSCR.
Florida hard money bridge gates — Tampa Bay acquisition (2026)
- Wind mitigation and Citizens depopulation — bind coastal quote on exact parcel, not inland county average.
- Bridge 8.99%–13.5% IO on $295,000 – $450,000 sold-comp discipline in Tampa Bay — 9-day closings on hurricane-resilient rehab scopes.
- $40,000 – $110,000 rehab bands — front-load mechanical and rough-in draws before cosmetic inspection passes.
Orlando bridge 8.99%–13.5% IO on $295,000 – $450,000 comps · DSCR Florida · (833) 264-7776.
Get Your Florida Hard Money Quote · (833) 264-7776
Rates, terms and conditions offered only to qualified borrowers and are subject to change at any time without notice. All loans are subject to full underwriting. Jaken Finance Group only finances non-owner occupied investment properties.