Asset Lift Lending

    Savannah, GA

    Hard Money Loans in Savannah

    Business-purpose financing review for qualifying non-owner-occupied investment properties in Savannah, Georgia. AssetLift reviews fix-and-flip, bridge, DSCR rental, and residential construction scenarios; eligibility, terms, and timing depend on the property, file, program, and underwriting.

    Apply Now Call (929) 639-2284

    Local market evidence for Savannah

    Savannah population

    149,440

    U.S. Census Bureau estimate, July 1, 2025.

    Source: U.S. Census QuickFacts

    Owner-occupied housing rate

    45.4%

    U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024.

    Source: U.S. Census QuickFacts

    Median owner-occupied home value

    $248,900

    U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024; a household measure, not an investor comp or ARV.

    Source: U.S. Census QuickFacts

    Median gross rent

    $1,382

    U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024; not a rent comp for a particular unit.

    Source: U.S. Census QuickFacts

    These are citywide figures for different periods. They are market context, not comps, parcel values, or unit-level rent support.

    MPC: Certificate of Appropriateness and HDBR applicationSavannah City Council, Oct. 24, 2024: flood ordinance adoptionSavannah flood damage protection ordinanceSavannah short-term vacation rental rulesHistoric District Board of ReviewSavannah codes, forms, and flood rulesSavannah Development Services: permits and COsO.C.G.A. 36-74-30: no local rental registration

    Real Estate Investing in Savannah

    Savannah is a Chatham County port city with a large historic core, older housing stock in neighborhoods like Thomas Square and the Victorian District, and coastal flood exposure. AssetLift reviews qualifying business-purpose fix-and-flip, bridge, DSCR rental, and residential construction financing for non-owner-occupied Savannah properties. Historic district review, short-term vacation rental limits, and flood elevation rules shape most deals here.

    Investment Highlight

    The Census Bureau estimates Savannah's population at 149,440 on July 1, 2025. Its 2020-2024 ACS reports a 45.4% owner-occupied housing rate, a $248,900 median owner-occupied value, and $1,382 median gross rent. A historic Downtown house and a Southside ranch home are different markets, so underwriting relies on nearby, matched comps.

    Popular Investment Neighborhoods in Savannah

    Downtown Historic District
    Victorian District
    Thomas Square
    Starland District
    Canal District
    Eastside
    Mid-City
    Hudson Hill/Bayview

    Savannah Hard Money Loan Fit

    AssetLift is best fit for business-purpose investment property loans where the borrower can document the property, the numbers, and the exit. These pages are not built for owner-occupied or consumer mortgage requests.

    $100K+ loan requests

    660+ credit preferred

    Non-owner-occupied property

    Fix and flip, bridge, DSCR, or construction exit

    Savannah deal checks: historic review, STVRs, and flood rules

    In the Savannah Historic District, exterior changes visible from a public right-of-way, including lanes, need a Certificate of Appropriateness; smaller changes may get staff review, while larger or combined scopes, demolition, and work on non-contributing buildings typically go to the Historic District Board of Review. A short-term vacation rental needs a City certificate and must be in the STVR overlay; non-owner-occupied STVRs are capped at 20% of parcels per ward in the Downtown and Victorian historic districts, with waiting lists where wards are full. Under Savannah's flood ordinance effective January 1, 2025, new or substantially improved buildings in a flood hazard area must be built two feet above base flood elevation, and Savannah adds up improvement costs over five years when applying the 50% substantial-improvement test.

    What to verify on this deal

    • •Check whether the property is in a historic district; plan for Certificate of Appropriateness review before exterior work
    • •Don't underwrite STVR income unless the parcel is in the overlay and the ward has capacity or the certificate is grandfathered
    • •Check the flood zone, and count prior improvements over five years before scoping a major renovation
    • •Order an insurance quote that reflects flood coverage before sizing a DSCR loan
    • •Pull permits through Development Services and plan for inspections before the certificate of occupancy
    • •Use comps from the same district and property type; historic and suburban values differ sharply
    MPC: Certificate of Appropriateness and HDBR applicationSavannah City Council, Oct. 24, 2024: flood ordinance adoptionSavannah flood damage protection ordinanceSavannah short-term vacation rental rulesHistoric District Board of ReviewSavannah codes, forms, and flood rulesSavannah Development Services: permits and COsO.C.G.A. 36-74-30: no local rental registration

    Loan Programs Available in Savannah

    Fix & Flip Loans

    Published terms may allow up to 95% LTC on purchase and up to 100% of approved rehab, subject to a total 70-75% ARV cap, property and borrower review, and underwriting.

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    DSCR Rental Loans

    Qualifying purchases may reach up to 85% LTV and cash-out refinances up to 80% LTV. Supported rent, full payment, property, reserves, and program rules determine actual terms.

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    Bridge Financing

    For eligible transitional investment-property scenarios. Leverage, title, valuation, borrower, file complexity, and payoff plan are reviewed for the specific request.

    Learn more

    Ground-Up Construction

    Qualifying residential investment projects are reviewed with plans, permits, budget, contractor, equity, valuation, and exit; draw structure and leverage depend on underwriting.

    Learn more

    Savannah Hard Money Lending FAQ

    AssetLift reviews qualifying business-purpose fix-and-flip and bridge loans for non-owner-occupied Savannah properties. Strong files include a contract or target price, line-item scope, district-matched comps, historic review plan where it applies, borrower experience, reserves, and a realistic exit.

    Only with a City STVR certificate inside the STVR overlay. In the Downtown and Victorian historic districts, non-owner-occupied STVRs are capped at 20% of parcels per ward, and full wards have a waiting list. Some certificates issued before September 28, 2017 have protections on renewal and sale.

    Under Savannah's flood ordinance effective January 1, 2025, new or substantially improved buildings in a flood hazard area must be built two feet above base flood elevation. Work costing 50% or more of the building's pre-improvement value, added up over five years, counts as substantial improvement.

    Since July 1, 2025, Georgia's intangible recording tax applies only to long-term notes, meaning any part of the principal is due more than 62 months after the note date. Most short-term bridge and fix-and-flip loans fall outside it. A long-term loan such as a 30-year DSCR loan pays $1.50 per $500 of the note, capped at $25,000. Confirm the amount with your closing attorney.

    No. Georgia law bars cities and counties from regulating rents on private residential property and from requiring registration of residential rental property. Local property maintenance codes still apply.

    No. The programs described here are business-purpose financing for non-owner-occupied investment properties only.

    More Georgia markets we cover

    Local lending pages for nearby Georgia investor markets, plus the statewide hub.

    Atlanta, GAColumbus, GABrunswick & Glynn County, GAMacon-Bibb County, GAAugusta, GAAthens, GAAll Georgia lending

    Ready to Invest in Savannah?

    For an initial Savannah review, send the address, purchase basis, historic district status, flood zone, photos, line-item scope, nearby sales or supported rent, taxes and insurance, and your exit. Or call 929-639-2284. A review is not approval or a commitment to lend.

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