The 100% Financing Strategy Every Real Estate Investor Should Know
Let’s walk through The 100% Financing Strategy Every Real Estate Investor Should Know — a method that combines your lender with other smart tools to fully fund your deals.
What Is “100% Financing,” Really?
You’ve probably heard lenders say, “We’ll cover up to 75% of the ARV.”
That sounds great… but it’s not true 100% financing.
Why? Because it usually only covers:
-
The purchase price
-
Some or all of the rehab
But what about everything else?
Let’s Look at a Real Example
Say you find a property that will be worth $200,000 after repairs.
You’re buying it for $110,000 and putting $40,000 into repairs.
That adds up to $150,000 — and yes, a lender might cover that.
But here’s what they don’t cover:
-
Closing costs (title, insurance, origination)
-
Escrow advances for rehab
-
Upfront contractor payments
-
Materials (windows, doors, appliances)
-
Holding costs (mortgage, taxes, HOA)
-
Surprise repairs or last-minute changes
-
Staging, cleaning, or listing prep
See the problem?
Even with a great loan, you still need extra funds on hand — and that’s where the credit stack comes in.
The Secret to True 100% Financing? Your Credit Stack
The 100% Financing Strategy Every Real Estate Investor Should Know isn’t just about a lender.
It’s about stacking other money tools as well as your loan, like:
-
A HELOC (home equity line of credit)
-
A business line of credit
-
Business credit cards
-
OPM (Other People’s Money)
-
A private partner
This stack fills the gaps so you can:
-
Move fast
-
Keep your projects on schedule
-
Avoid costly delays
-
Take on more deals without stress
Best of all? These tools often don’t cost you anything unless you use them.
Why Speed = Profit
Every day a deal drags, your profits shrink.
That’s why successful investors always keep funds ready.
Let’s say a contractor needs $5,000 upfront to start.
If you wait 10 days to figure it out, your project stalls.
Now it’s not a 3-month flip — it’s a 6-month flip.
That delay costs you:
-
More interest
-
More taxes
-
More stress
-
And maybe even the next great deal
But if you have your credit stack set up? You fund it, keep the job moving, and finish strong.
How to Set Up Your Own Stack
Everyone’s stack looks a little different. Here’s how to start building yours:
First, Start with your main lender
- Hard money can fund up to 75% of the ARV
Second, Add a HELOC or line of credit
-
Use this for materials, escrows, or delays
Third, Get a business credit card
- Great for contractors or emergency purchases
Forth, Tap into OPM or partnerships
-
Know anyone with $20K–$50K sitting idle? Give them a better return than the bank.
Finally, Keep it all ready — not running
-
These should be available, not maxed out
What Happens After the Flip?
Here’s the smart part:
When you sell the property, you pay off everything — including your credit stack.
You’re not adding more debt.
You’re just using tools temporarily to get your project across the finish line.
Let’s Recap
The 100% Financing Strategy Every Real Estate Investor Should Know comes down to this:
✅ Use a lender for the purchase and rehab
✅ Stack other tools to cover the rest
✅ Set everything up before you start
✅ Move fast, reduce stress, and stay profitable
If your money is ready, your deals will go smoother — and your profits will grow.
Ready to Build Your Stack?
We’ve helped thousands of investors set this up.
Download our free guide, grab your spot in our upcoming workshop, or reach out with questions.
Visit Hard Money Mike
Or email us at info@hardmoneymike.com
Let’s get your money lined up — so you can focus on finding great deals and making real progress.
Watch our most recent video to find out more!