Compare private lenders on total cost over your realistic hold period, not the headline rate. Add interest, origination points, underwriting, draw and extension fees for each quote. Then compare leverage, draw speed and closing time. On a $286,750 six-month loan, a 1% rate difference is about $1,400; a 2-point fee difference is about $5,700.
What Should You Put Side by Side?
| Item | Quote A | Quote B |
|---|---|---|
| Rate | 10.0% | 11.0% |
| Points | 2.5 | 1.0 |
| Other fees | $1,995 | $999 |
| 6-month interest on $286,750 | $14,338 | $15,771 |
| Points cost | $7,169 | $2,868 |
| Total cost | $23,502 | $19,638 |
Quote A has the lower rate. Quote B is about $3,900 cheaper. Read the whole quote. Price the whole loan.
Which Non-Price Terms Matter Most?
- Leverage. How much of purchase and rehab is funded.
- Draw speed. How fast inspections and funding happen.
- Extensions. Cost to add months if the project runs long.
- Prepayment or minimum interest. Charges if you sell early.
- Closing time. Days from term sheet to funding.
A loan that funds less leverage needs more of your cash, which has its own cost.
How Does Hold Time Change the Answer?
Points are paid once. Interest builds every month. On short holds, low points win. On long holds, a low rate wins. The typical flip took 161 days from purchase to resale in Q2 2026 (attomdata.com), so run the comparison at six months and again at nine.
What Is Happening With Lender Pricing in 2026?
Benchmark rates are elevated. The average 30-year fixed rate for primary homes was 7.32% on October 22, 2026 (freddiemac.com). Construction credit costs rose in Q2 2026, with speculative single-family construction loans averaging 11.82% in NAHB’s survey (eyeonhousing.org).
In that environment, small fee differences add up quickly across several deals a year.
How Does Clion Capital Compare?
Our fix-and-flip rates start as low as 9.00%, new construction 9.25% and rental 7.00%. Origination starts at 1.00%, the underwriting fee is a flat $999, and we lend up to 92.5% of cost with draw inspections within 24 hours.
Read common mistakes when choosing a lender, private vs. hard money lenders and how to find a reputable lender. Get your rate at apply.clioncapital.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to compare private lender quotes?
Add up interest, points and every fee over your realistic hold period, then compare leverage, draw speed and closing time.
Are points or rate more important?
On short holds, points usually matter more. On long holds, the rate matters more. Run both six-month and nine-month scenarios.
What fees should I ask about?
Origination points, underwriting or processing fees, draw or inspection fees, extension fees and any minimum interest or exit fees.
How long should I assume a flip will take?
At least six months. The typical flip took 161 days from purchase to resale in Q2 2026.
What are Clion Capital’s fees?
Origination from 1.00% and a flat $999 underwriting fee.
Last updated October 27, 2026.
Sources and References
- ATTOM: Q2 2026 U.S. Home Flipping Report
- Freddie Mac: Primary Mortgage Market Survey
- NAHB Eye on Housing: Cost of Credit for Builders Up Since the End of 2025 (AD&C Survey, Q2 2026)
- Clion Capital: rates and fees
About the Author
Clion Capital is a direct private lender for professional real estate investors, offering fix-and-flip, bridge, new construction and DSCR rental loans. Our principals work directly with every borrower, and 70% of our business comes from repeat clients. See your rate instantly at apply.clioncapital.com or learn more about Clion Capital.