Frequently Asked Questions
AAPL Member · Direct Lender Since 2016 · NMLS #1979189
Most questions investors ask us fall into the same handful of buckets — what these loans cost, who qualifies, how fast they close, and how the products differ. This page collects the answers in one place, organized by topic, with links to the full detail where you want to go deeper. If your question isn’t here, the glossary covers the terminology and a quick call covers the rest. We’ve answered these as a direct lender since 2016.
About Tidal Loans
Are you a direct lender or a broker?
A direct lender. We underwrite in-house and fund with our own capital, which means faster decisions, real certainty of close, and no broker markup or middleman shopping your file.
What areas do you lend in?
We’re based in Houston and lend across a wide and growing set of states, with dedicated programs for major investor markets. Tell us where your deal is and we’ll confirm coverage.
What are your credentials?
We’ve operated as a direct lender since 2016, are a member of the American Association of Private Lenders (AAPL), and lend under NMLS #1979189.
Qualifying
What credit score do I need?
There’s no minimum credit score on our loans. We pull a hard credit report, but a lower score adjusts your terms — rate, leverage, or reserves — rather than disqualifying you. The property carries the underwriting.
Do you require tax returns or proof of income?
No. All our investor loans are underwritten on the property rather than your personal income, so there are no tax returns, W-2s, or pay stubs, and no debt-to-income limit.
Can a first-time investor qualify?
Yes. We work with first-time investors and underwrite the deal, not your résumé. Experience helps you reach the highest leverage, but a well-analyzed first deal with a clear plan can qualify.
Is there a limit on how many properties I can finance?
No. Unlike conventional mortgages, our DSCR and investor loans have no property limit, so building a portfolio doesn’t cap you the way a bank’s debt-to-income rules would.
Can I close in an LLC?
Yes, and most investors do. These are business-purpose loans secured by the property, so closing in an LLC is fully supported and usually recommended for liability protection.
Rates, Costs, and Terms
What are your rates?
Rates vary by deal and move with the market, so we quote live rather than posting a number that wouldn’t apply to your specific deal. Your rate depends on leverage, the deal’s strength, your experience, and your credit.
What are points?
A one-time origination fee charged as a percentage of the loan at closing, separate from the interest rate. When comparing lenders, always weigh rate and points together against how long you’ll hold the loan.
How much can I borrow?
It depends on the product: up to 90% of purchase plus 100% of rehab on a qualifying fix and flip (within 70% of ARV), up to 80% of value on a DSCR purchase, and up to 90% of cost (within 75% of completed value) on construction.
Are payments interest-only?
Short-term loans (hard money, bridge, construction) are typically interest-only, keeping monthly carry low. DSCR loans offer fixed, ARM, and interest-only structures.
Speed and Process
How fast can you close?
Often days to about two weeks on a clean file — far faster than a bank, because we underwrite the asset, not your income. Transactional funding can close same-day; DSCR loans take a bit longer for the appraisal and rent analysis.
What slows a closing down?
Usually missing documentation or a valuation issue. Both are preventable — submit a complete file up front and bring comps that support your value. See our lending process for the full path.
Which Product Do I Need?
Hard money vs. fix and flip?
Fix and flip is a type of hard money that specifically funds purchase plus renovation. “Hard money” is the broader category of short-term, asset-based loans.
DSCR vs. hard money?
A DSCR loan is long-term financing for a rental, qualified on the property’s rent. Hard money is short-term financing for acquisition and rehab. Many investors use hard money to buy and renovate, then refinance into a DSCR loan — the BRRRR strategy.
Bridge vs. hard money?
A bridge loan specifically spans a timing gap — buying before you sell, or holding until permanent financing is ready. It’s exit-driven; hard money is more often acquisition-and-rehab.
Cash-out refinance — when?
Use a cash-out refinance to pull equity out of a property you own (up to 75% of value) to fund your next deal. With no seasoning required after a renovation, it’s the refinance step in BRRRR.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. There’s no minimum credit score. We pull a hard credit report, but a lower score adjusts your terms rather than disqualifying you, because the property’s value and income carry the underwriting.
No. Our investor loans are underwritten on the property, not your personal income, so there are no tax returns, W-2s, or pay stubs, and no debt-to-income calculation.
Often within days to two weeks on a clean, prepared file, and same-day for transactional funding. Speed comes from asset-based underwriting and being a direct lender — no income verification and no outside committee.
Hard money is short-term financing for acquisition and rehab; a DSCR loan is long-term financing for a rental, qualified on the property’s rent. Investors often combine them: buy and rehab with hard money, then refinance into a DSCR loan.
Yes. We underwrite in-house and lend our own capital, which means faster decisions, certainty of close, and no broker chain between you and your funding.
Still have questions?
We’d rather answer straight than bury it in fine print. Reach out and we’ll walk through your specific deal.