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.
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 hard money terms (2026)
| Term | Florida range |
|---|---|
| Leverage | Up to ~90% of purchase + rehab, capped to ARV |
| Rate | Interest-only, ~10%–13% + 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
Insurance and hazard diligence matter in Florida:
- 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
- Proof of funds for down payment and reserves
- Entity documents (LLC operating agreement, EIN) for vesting
- A credible exit — resale comps or projected rent
- Purchase contract or auction confirmation
- Comps or a desktop valuation toward ARV
Bring those and a Florida file can move to term sheet quickly — the asset and the exit do the talking.
Recent Florida deal
Tampa Bay flip closed in 9 days with hurricane-resilient rehab scope funded 100%. The pattern repeats: speed on acquisition, a clean scope, and a defined exit.
Define the exit before you borrow
Hard money is a bridge, not a destination. In Florida that means one of two exits:
- Resale — finish and sell via fix and flip loans Florida economics
- Refinance — stabilize and hold with a Florida DSCR loan
Florida DBPR and local wind/flood requirements affect insurance timelines — plan builders risk early.
Florida hard money FAQ
How fast can a Florida hard money loan close?
With clear title and a workable scope, Florida deals can fund in roughly 7–14 days — fast enough for Jacksonville auction and estate deadlines.
What leverage do Florida hard money lenders offer?
Commonly up to ~90% of purchase plus rehab, capped against ARV (often the $295,000 – $450,000 band in Florida). Pricing reflects speed and asset risk, not your credit score alone.
What is the exit on a Florida hard money loan?
Either resale via fix and flip, or refinance into a Florida DSCR loan on stabilized rent. Define the exit before you fund.
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.