Asset Lift Lending

    Austin, TX

    Hard Money Loans in Austin

    Business-purpose financing review for qualifying non-owner-occupied investment properties in Austin, Texas. 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 Austin

    Austin population

    1,002,632

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

    Source: U.S. Census QuickFacts

    Owner-occupied housing rate

    43.4%

    U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024.

    Source: U.S. Census QuickFacts

    Median owner-occupied home value

    $555,300

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

    Source: U.S. Census QuickFacts

    Median gross rent

    $1,729

    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.

    Texas Comptroller: property tax exemptionsCity of Austin: HOME code amendmentsCity of Austin: short-term rental licensingCity of Austin: certificate of occupancyCity of Austin: floodplain management and Atlas 14City of Austin: Repeat Offender ProgramTravis Central Appraisal District: value protestsTexas Local Government Code 214.902: rent control limits

    Real Estate Investing in Austin

    Austin is a large, renter-heavy Central Texas market, mostly in Travis County, where investors work on flips, small infill projects, and long-term rentals. AssetLift reviews qualifying business-purpose fix-and-flip, bridge, DSCR rental, and residential construction financing for non-owner-occupied Austin properties. Three local issues shape the numbers most: the City's HOME code changes that allow more units on single-family lots, short-term rental licensing, and floodplain rules updated for heavier rainfall data.

    Investment Highlight

    The Census Bureau estimates Austin's population at 1,002,632 on July 1, 2025. Its 2020-2024 ACS reports a 43.4% owner-occupied housing rate, a $555,300 median owner-occupied value, and $1,729 median gross rent. Most households rent, which supports long-term rental demand, but values swing widely between neighborhoods, so underwriting uses nearby comps and rents.

    Popular Investment Neighborhoods in Austin

    East Austin
    South Congress
    Hyde Park
    Mueller
    Travis Heights
    Windsor Park
    Crestview
    Montopolis

    Austin 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

    Austin deal checks: HOME units, STR licenses, and floodplain rules

    Austin's HOME amendments, adopted in December 2023, allow up to three housing units on lots zoned SF-1, SF-2, and SF-3, and a May 2024 change cut the minimum lot size for one home to 1,800 square feet. That opens infill and lot-split plays, but each still needs permits and a certificate of occupancy after final inspection. Every short-term rental needs a City license, and one operator may run only a limited number of STR units per site, for example two on a single-family site. Since November 2019 the City has based floodplain rules on the current FEMA 500-year floodplain, pending Atlas 14 map updates, which can bring more properties under floodplain rules. Austin has no general rental registration, but rentals with repeated serious code violations must join its Repeat Offender Program.

    What to verify on this deal

    • •Confirm the zoning (SF-1, SF-2, or SF-3) before underwriting a HOME-based second or third unit, and budget permit time for each unit
    • •Look up the property on ATXFloodPro; floodplain rules apply to remodels too and require a cost estimate for all work
    • •Don't underwrite short-term rental income without a City STR license that fits the property and the operator's density limits
    • •Check whether the property is in the Repeat Offender Program; a new owner has 30 days to register after a sale
    • •For DSCR, use the actual tax bill: the homestead exemption applies only to an owner's principal residence, and protests to Travis CAD are due by May 15 or 30 days after the notice, whichever is later
    • •Use comps from the same neighborhood and product type; Austin's citywide medians aren't underwriting inputs
    Texas Comptroller: property tax exemptionsCity of Austin: HOME code amendmentsCity of Austin: short-term rental licensingCity of Austin: certificate of occupancyCity of Austin: floodplain management and Atlas 14City of Austin: Repeat Offender ProgramTravis Central Appraisal District: value protestsTexas Local Government Code 214.902: rent control limits

    Loan Programs Available in Austin

    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.

    Learn more

    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.

    Learn more

    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

    Austin Hard Money Lending FAQ

    AssetLift reviews qualifying business-purpose fix-and-flip, bridge, DSCR rental, and construction loans for non-owner-occupied Austin properties. Strong files include the contract or target price, zoning, line-item scope, nearby comps, borrower experience, reserves, and a credible exit.

    Austin's HOME amendments allow up to three housing units on lots zoned SF-1, SF-2, and SF-3, and a later change allows one home on lots as small as 1,800 square feet. Each project still needs City permits and a certificate of occupancy after final inspection. Confirm the lot's zoning and any limits with Austin Development Services.

    Austin requires a City license for every short-term rental and limits how many STR units one operator can run on a single site, for example two on a single-family site. A DSCR file should be underwritten on long-term rent unless a valid STR license is in place for the property. Confirm license eligibility with the City before buying for STR use.

    No. Texas Local Government Code 214.902 allows a city to adopt rent control only during a disaster-related housing emergency with the governor's approval. Rents are otherwise set by the market and the lease.

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

    More Texas markets we cover

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

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    Ready to Invest in Austin?

    For an initial Austin review, send the address, purchase basis, zoning and certificate of occupancy, floodplain status, photos, line-item scope or site plan, 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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