Cleveland, OH’s Trusted Hard Money Lender for Real Estate Investors

Investment opportunities move faster than traditional financing allows. When you discover a value property in Tremont, a development site in Ohio City, or a multifamily opportunity in Lakewood, waiting weeks for bank approvals means watching competitors secure the deal instead. Unitas Funding provides private money loans engineered for Cleveland real estate investors who recognize that capital accessibility determines which opportunities you capture and which ones you lose to faster-moving competition.

We deliver more than transactional financing. Backed by $4.5 billion in institutional capital and a track record of 4,718 successfully funded transactions, we bring the financial stability of major institutions paired with the personalized attention of a dedicated partner. Our Cleveland hard money lenders possess deep construction knowledge, institutional lending experience, and genuine understanding of the challenges investors navigate. From first-time renovators to experienced operators managing multiple concurrent projects, we structure financing solutions around your specific objectives rather than forcing your opportunities into inflexible lending frameworks.

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Fast, Reliable Capital for Your Next Real Estate Deal

Real estate markets reward investors who move decisively. Desirable properties generate multiple offers within days, courthouse auctions require immediate capital commitments, and pocket listings close rapidly or vanish entirely. We provide private loans for Cleveland real estate investors with closing timelines as short as 10 business days, interest rates beginning at 9.25%, and loan-to-cost financing reaching 92.5% on qualified opportunities. Our underwriting examines property potential and your investment strategy, not rigid credit formulas that delay decisions and restrict your ability to execute profitable deals.

Fix & Flip Loans

Fix & Flip Loans

Cleveland's diverse housing stock creates consistent renovation opportunities across established neighborhoods and emerging markets. We finance acquisition and rehabilitation through fix and flip loans structured around After Repair Value (ARV), enabling you to purchase properties with confidence and complete improvements that maximize resale returns. Our terms adapt to your project requirements, offering 12-, 18-, and 24-month durations with interest-only payment structures that protect cash flow during construction. From historic restorations in Detroit Shoreway to modern updates in Shaker Heights, our construction draw system maintains capital availability throughout your timeline, processing requests within 24-48 hours following inspection verification.

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New Construction Loans

New Construction Loans

Building from the ground up requires lenders with genuine construction expertise. Our ground-up construction lending supports single-family spec developments and multifamily residential projects throughout Cleveland and Cuyahoga County. We coordinate staged capital releases aligned with construction milestones and third-party inspections, synchronizing funding with your actual project progression. Our underwriting team evaluates developments based on market analysis and your building experience, not standardized formulas that overlook the distinct characteristics of Cleveland's neighborhood-specific demand patterns.

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Bridge Loans

Bridge Loans

Timing gaps between property transactions create opportunities for investors with access to short-term capital. When you need to acquire a property immediately while arranging permanent financing, refinancing a current asset, or repositioning between investment approaches, our bridge loans deliver 6-12 month terms optimized for speed and adaptability. Cleveland investors deploy gap financing to secure time-critical opportunities, prepare properties for long-term rental conversion, or maintain momentum between asset sales and new acquisitions. We customize terms to your particular circumstances, delivering transparency and reliability when execution speed determines outcomes.

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DSCR Loans

DSCR Loans for Rental Properties

Expanding a rental portfolio in Cleveland requires financing that supports systematic growth. Our Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) loans are approved based on property cash flow capacity, eliminating personal income verification requirements. Whether you're purchasing short-term rentals in University Circle, mid-term rentals serving corporate relocations, or conventional long-term properties in Cleveland Heights, our Cleveland hard money lenders underwrite using the property's income generation ability. This asset-based methodology removes the documentation complexity of traditional lending while providing capital to scale your portfolio strategically.

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What makes Unitas different?

  1. The Power of a Bank, The Speed of a Partner
    We merge institutional financial strength with entrepreneurial responsiveness. Our $4.5 billion lending history provides the capital depth you expect from established institutions, while our direct lending structure delivers the agility and flexibility you require from a genuine partner. Traditional banks demand 30-45 days for approval processes; we close in as few as 10 business days. Smaller private money lenders face capital constraints; we possess resources to fund multiple simultaneous deals and support your expansion as your investment activity increases.

  2. More Ways to Say ‘Yes’ to Your Deal.
    Conventional lenders function within rigid underwriting parameters that automatically decline deals missing standardized benchmarks. Our methodology differs fundamentally. We evaluate each opportunity individually, analyzing property fundamentals, local market dynamics, and your specific exit strategy. This adaptability enables creative structuring for complex transactions, term adjustments matching your timeline requirements, and approval pathways when other lenders decline. Our commitment centers on clarity and transparency, not arbitrary limitations that constrain your investment capacity.

  3. Certainty from a Direct Lender.
    Unitas approvals carry genuine commitment. As a direct lender controlling our own capital and underwriting decisions, you avoid secondary approval committees and the uncertainty of conduit lenders selling loans to external parties. This direct relationship provides stability during market fluctuations and ensures approved transactions actually fund. Our institutional backing and direct lending model demonstrated particular value during the April 2022 market disruption, when conduit lenders experienced funding freezes while direct lenders like Unitas continued project funding without interruption.

  4. Faster Funding, Faster Draws
    Construction projects demand responsive capital administration. Our draw approval process features 24-48 hour processing following inspection report completion, maintaining project momentum without unnecessary bureaucratic delays. We recognize construction timelines remain inherently unpredictable and that inflexible draw schedules create cash flow complications. Our accommodating approach permits unlimited draw requests within reasonable parameters, with typical projects requiring approximately 10 draws from initiation to completion. This responsiveness distinguishes successful projects from those stalled by lender inefficiency.

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Get Pre-Approved in 24 Hours!
Prepared to advance your investment property plans? Submit the form below to initiate your pre-approval process. Our team will analyze your project specifications and deliver a preliminary term sheet within 24 hours, providing the certainty required to submit competitive offers and close transactions efficiently. Whether you're pursuing your initial fix-and-flip or your fiftieth rental acquisition, Unitas Funding supplies the capital, expertise, and partnership approach Cleveland investors depend on.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of investment properties do you finance?

We provide financing for residential investment properties including single-family residences, multifamily buildings, condominiums, and townhomes utilized for fix-and-flip strategies, rental income generation, or new construction development. Our lending focuses exclusively on business-purpose transactions, structured for LLCs and corporate entities rather than individual owner-occupants. We serve Cleveland and surrounding communities including Lakewood, Parma, Strongsville, Westlake, and Rocky River, with lending operations throughout Ohio and nationally (excluding specific states where we function as a wholesale lender exclusively).

How quickly can you close on a Cleveland investment property?

Our hard money lenders serving Cleveland complete closings in as few as 10 business days when files are complete. Pre-approvals and term sheets typically generate within 24 hours of application receipt. Final approval schedules depend on title examination and property valuation completion, but our efficient process consistently produces faster closings than traditional bank financing, which generally requires 30-45 days minimum. Speed represents a fundamental differentiator for Unitas, enabling Cleveland investors to compete effectively in time-sensitive scenarios.

What are your loan-to-cost ratios for Cleveland fix-and-flip projects?

We extend loan-to-cost ratios reaching 92.5% on qualified fix-and-flip opportunities, with precise terms varying based on property classification, location, borrower track record, and project complexity. Our asset-based underwriting emphasizes After Repair Value (ARV) and exit strategy rather than rigid calculations, allowing us to optimize leverage for strong opportunities while maintaining appropriate risk parameters. Rates begin at 9.25%, with final pricing determined by credit profile, experience level, and deal-specific variables.

Do you require personal income verification for DSCR loans?

No. Our DSCR loans qualify using the property's income capacity and debt service coverage ratio, not your personal W-2 forms, tax documentation, or employment verification. This asset-based methodology streamlines approval processes and concentrates underwriting on the critical factor: the property's capacity to generate adequate cash flow covering debt obligations. We verify down payment liquidity and business entity documentation, but eliminate the extensive personal income documentation requirements that traditional lenders impose.

What areas of Cleveland do you serve?

We serve Cleveland and the broader metropolitan region including Lakewood, Parma, Strongsville, Westlake, Rocky River, Bay Village, and surrounding Cuyahoga County areas. Our lending operations extend throughout Ohio and nationwide, with physical offices in New Jersey and Florida delivering personalized support for investors valuing in-person consultations. We also provide expedited, remote service for experienced investors preferring streamlined digital workflows.

Ready to Fund Your Next Cleveland Real Estate Investment?

Fast-paced real estate markets compensate investors who act decisively with dependable capital support. Unitas Funding delivers the speed, flexibility, and institutional strength required to build wealth through real estate investment. Contact us today to discuss your upcoming project and discover why thousands of investors trust our Cleveland hard money lenders as their long-term partner. Let's determine how to structure your deal for success.

Business-purpose loans for investment properties only. Not a commitment to lend. All loans subject to credit approval and underwriting.