Hard money loans in Charleston, SC.
Charleston is the flagship — a market where preserved-historic charm and South-of-Broad land scarcity create some of the highest-margin flip opportunities in the Southeast. The right Charleston-single restoration can clear $300K+ in spread on a single project.
What we look for in Charleston.
Downtown Charleston (29401) is a market unto itself — pre-1860 Charleston-single homes, strict BAR (Board of Architectural Review) oversight, and resale comps that defy national patterns. Wagener Terrace (29403) and Hampton Park Terrace are the smart-money infill markets — restored 1920s-1940s bungalows that resale in the $700s-$900s. North Central and Westside (29405) offer the entry-level Charleston starter inventory at $300-$450K acquisition prices.
Built for Charleston investors.
Transparent pricing — no junk fees.
12% rate, 2 origination points. That's it. No processing fees, no document fees, no underwriting fees, no surprise line items at closing.
Same-day approvals.
We're the decision-makers. Send us a Charleston deal and you'll have a verbal approval the same day — usually by phone — and we typically fund within 5-10 business days.
Over 1,000 loans funded.
Kayak Capital has funded more than 1,000 hard money loans across 12+ years of lending. We bring that underwriting playbook to every Charleston deal we review.
Construction draws made simple.
Heavier rehab in Charleston? Our draw process is fast and unbureaucratic — most draws fund the same day the inspector clears the work.
Common questions from Charleston borrowers.
What loan-to-value will Kayak fund in Charleston?
We typically fund up to 70% of the after-repair value (ARV). For experienced borrowers and high-comp neighborhoods like Downtown / South of Broad, we sometimes go higher. Call us with the deal and we'll tell you what we can do.
How fast can you close on a Charleston property?
Standard turnaround is 7-10 business days from signed contract — sometimes faster. Same-day verbal approvals so you can move on the deal before someone else does.
Do you fund first-time investors in Charleston?
Yes — but we underwrite the deal first, the borrower second. If the Charleston property pencils out and the rehab plan is sound, we'll consider funding a first-timer.
What kind of Charleston properties don't you fund?
Owner-occupied homes (we're investment-only), raw land without a build plan, and properties outside our Lowcountry coverage. Everything else, we'll consider.