Kiavi Review: My No-BS Take on This Private Lending Powerhouse

Looking for real feedback on Kiavi? You’re in the right spot. I’ve closed deals with
Kiavi and worked with over 100 lenders nationwide — so I know when a lender’s a game-changer, when
they’re just hype, and when it’s time to move on. In this Kiavi review, I’ll break
down everything you need to know, no fluff, no sales pitches — just real talk about their strengths,
weaknesses, ideal deals, and alternatives if Kiavi isn’t the right fit.

Is Kiavi the Real Deal? Here’s What I Know

First off, is Kiavi legit? Yes, Kiavi is a legitimate private lender with a strong
reputation in the real estate investment space. They specialize in fast, asset-based loans
primarily targeting fix-and-flip investors and landlord borrowers. Their tech-driven platform
streamlines the underwriting and approval process, which means you can get funding quickly if you
check the boxes. But let’s be clear — quick and easy doesn’t mean it’s perfect for every deal or
every investor.

Kiavi has made a name as a transparent, user-friendly option for those who want to move fast on
rehab projects or rentals using DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) loans. However, like all
lenders, they come with trade-offs. Understanding where Kiavi shines and where it falls short is key
to knowing if it’s right for your deal.

The Good: What Kiavi Actually Does Right

Kiavi scores big on speed and simplicity — two must-have traits in private lending. Their online
portal is slick, allowing borrowers to upload docs, check loan statuses, and communicate with
their underwriters without all the back-and-forth calls. If you’re a fix & flip investor looking
for a quick bridge loan or rehab financing, Kiavi’s automated process can get you an approval in
just a few days with funding often landing within a week.

Their fix and flip loans and DSCR loans stand out. Kiavi’s
underwriting focuses heavily on the asset, which means your credit and income don’t have to be
spotless, a huge advantage if you’re rebooting after a tough patch or scaling fast. Their max
LTVs and LTC (Loan-to-Cost) ratios are competitive—usually up to 70-75% LTV, which makes financing
solid deals straightforward without excessive out-of-pocket capital.

Also worth noting: Kiavi’s customer service is solid. Their dedicated loan teams understand the
investing space well enough to offer guidance without trying to up-sell unnecessary products — a
breath of fresh air.

The Bad: Where Kiavi Falls Short

No lender is perfect, and Kiavi has its limits. For starters, if your deal is a ground-up
construction project or something highly creative and non-standard, Kiavi’s product suite may
struggle to fit. They lean heavily towards rehab and rental deals backed by current or soon-to-be
completed real estate assets. Complex commercial properties or non-owner occupied commercial real
estate usually require a different lender.

Another sticking point is the pricing. Kiavi’s interest rates, while reasonable for the speed and
ease you get, aren’t the lowest. If you have pristine credit and strong financials, other private
lenders or traditional banks can offer better terms. Additionally, some borrowers report that Kiavi
can be rigid at times with underwriting guidelines — meaning if your deal strays from their
norm, they’re quick to pass rather than negotiate.

Lastly, some might grumble about their explicit focus on residential investment properties;
commercial buyers should be prepared to look elsewhere.

What Kinds of Deals Kiavi Is Best For

Simply put: Kiavi excels with fix and flip loans, rental DSCR loans,
and quick bridge financing. If your focus is rehabbing single-family homes or
small multifamily properties for resale or portfolio builds, Kiavi is a solid go-to. Their fast
funding cycle and digital process mean you won’t get bogged down by red tape — ideal for investors
who need to move quickly to lock deals.

Kiavi also works well for investors who don’t qualify for traditional financing due to credit or
income documentation challenges but have solid projects with good equity.

If you’re doing new construction, commercial multifamily over 10 units, or ground-up development,
Kiavi’s offerings likely won’t meet your needs. In those cases, options with specialized experience
in those verticals offer better results.

Real Talk: What I Do When Kiavi Isn’t the Right Fit

Having access to more than 100 lenders means I know exactly when to bring Kiavi into the toolbox and
when to look elsewhere. For investors requiring ultra-flexible terms, longer hold periods, or
unconventional property types, I trigger conversations with niche private lenders or non-QM
mortgage sources. Likewise, if a borrower demands lower rates and can qualify for more traditional
lending, I lean into credit unions or banks with investor programs.

Bottom line: Kiavi is one strong player, but it’s not the only fish in the sea. I always advise
borrowers to keep options open — because no single lender covers every angle.

Need alternatives to Kiavi? Absolutely—if you want to avoid a funding dead end, check out your
extensive lending options by submitting your deal to multiple lenders. Access to a competitive
marketplace means better terms and faster closes.

Submit Your Deal. Let the Lenders Compete.

The quickest way to find your right lender match is to submit your deal here and let a
network of vetted lenders vie for your business. Whether Kiavi is the perfect fit or just one of
several contenders, having options means better leverage, faster responses, and ultimately, more
closed deals.

Don’t wait — funding windows close fast, and your next project deserves the best shot at success.
Click here
to apply now. Get seasoned lenders competing so you can win with confidence.

Kiavi Review: Is Kiavi Legit, and Should You Work With Them?

If you’ve read my initial Kiavi review, you already
know my general take: Kiavi is a solid lender with some clear strengths — but it’s not the right fit
for everyone. This follow-up article dives deeper into what really sets Kiavi apart, who qualifies
for their loans, where they fall short, and how you can leverage my network to get not just Kiavi,
but multiple private lending options competing for your deal.

Is Kiavi Actually a Good Lender? Let’s Call Out the Elephant

Here’s the candid truth: Kiavi is legit. They’ve built an effective technology
platform that simplifies fix-and-flip and rental DSCR loans, and they fund deals quickly. That right
there is a game-changer in the private lending space. But “good” isn’t just about speed or tech —
it’s about whether the lender flexes to fit your unique deal and if they treat you like a valued
partner versus just another application in the queue.

Kiavi’s underwriting is strict, focused heavily on asset quality and deal type. If you fit their
mold, the process feels smooth and straightforward. But if your deal or credit situation has
wrinkles, you might hit a dead end with Kiavi. So yes, they’re good — but not a one-size-fits-all
solution. That’s where knowing the landscape and having options becomes essential.

Kiavi vs. The Average Lender: Where They Shine and Where They Lag

When Kiavi Is Perfect — And When It’s a Dead End

Perfect scenarios for Kiavi:

• You’re rehabbing single-family homes or small multifamily properties to flip fast.
• You need a quick bridge loan or rental DSCR loan and want a clean, digital application experience.
• Your credit or income documentation isn’t perfect, but you have strong equity and a solid asset.
• You want to avoid the red tape and slow turnaround of traditional banks or hard money lenders.

Where Kiavi usually isn’t the answer:

• You’re doing ground-up construction or complex new builds that don’t match Kiavi’s product suite.
• Your deal is a commercial property beyond small multifamily or has unique zoning/use complexities.
• You have stellar credit and want the absolute lowest rates — traditional lenders or credit unions may serve better.
• Your deal requires longer loan terms or more negotiable underwriting guidelines.
• You need niche loan programs — for example, portfolio loans, foreign national financing, or mixed-use development.

Why Most People Don’t Qualify with Kiavi — and How I Make It Work

A lot of borrowers come to me frustrated that Kiavi either denies their loan or offers terms that don’t
meet their needs. Usually, it’s because the deal doesn’t hit all the boxes — maybe LTV is too high,
property type is off, or income documentation doesn’t fit their model.

Here’s the deal: I don’t rely solely on Kiavi. I use Kiavi as one tool in a bigger toolbox. I leverage
my access to over 100 private lenders so that if Kiavi isn’t the right fit, there’s always another
lender who sees the opportunity. This approach results in:

• Better chances of approval (because lenders vary on risk tolerance and focus)
• Competitive terms from lenders who actually want your deal
• Faster funding by avoiding dead ends and repetitive applications

Getting approved with Kiavi isn’t about forcing your deal to fit — it’s about finding the right lender
that fits your deal, and I help make that happen.

3 Examples Where Clients Scored Better Deals Than Kiavi Offered

Let me give you real scenarios where borrowers initially considered or were turned down by Kiavi but
ended up with better outcomes through my lender network:

1. High-LTV Multifamily Fix & Flip: A client had a 75%+ loan-to-value rehab deal on a
   6-unit multi-family unit. Kiavi’s max LTV was capped lower for small multifamily, but I connected
   them with a lender specializing in small multifamily rehab loans who approved at 80% LTV with
   slightly better terms.
2. Non-Standard Construction Project: A borrower needed financing for a ground-up build
   with a creative escrowing budget. Kiavi declined due to product restrictions, but I paired them
   with a non-QM lender who structured a staged construction draw loan that fit their needs.
3. Credit-Challenged Rental Investor: Someone rebooting after credit challenges wanted
   a DSCR rental loan. Kiavi’s automated underwriting didn’t accept their credit file, but I found a
   private lender willing to overlook credit blemishes for asset strength and rental cash flow —
   loan funded in under 10 days.

Here’s the Smarter Way to Use Kiavi

Kiavi isn’t a crutch — it’s a powerful component in a broader strategy of lender competition. When you
submit your deal through my platform, you:

• Get Kiavi in the mix alongside 100+ vetted private lenders.
• Enable real-time competition that drives better pricing and terms.
• Remove the guesswork of who to call, what programs fit, and how to package your deal.
• Benefit from expert deal packaging and negotiations with lenders who actually want to lend.

This approach ensures you never get stuck chasing just one lender’s decision. Instead, you maximize
your leverage and close deals faster.

Final Word: Don’t Settle — Get Your Deal in Front of Lenders Who Actually Compete

If you’ve been asking yourself, “Is Kiavi a good lender for me?” or searching for alternatives
to Kiavi, now you have a clear path:

👉 Submit your deal here and let a competitive marketplace of 100+ vetted lenders,
including Kiavi, compete for your business.

Don’t waste time battling slow banks or dead-end denials. Real estate investing moves fast, and your
funding source should do the same. Click here to apply now and get expert lenders hustling on your
behalf today.