customer
Disappointing Experience as a Long-Time Real Estate Investor
As a real estate investor with over 15 years of experience, I understand that every lender has its own underwriting guidelines, risk tolerance, and internal processes. I’ve completed many transactions over the years, including flips, rehabs, long-term rentals, and DSCR financing. I’m sharing this review to help other investors make informed decisions based on my experience. Unfortunately, my experience with Kiavi was very disappointing. I submitted two deals, and only one was able to close after significant delays and constant intervention on my end. The second loan that was ultimately declined involved a fully renovated income-producing property already leased at $3,960 per month. The reason given was that the appraisal comps were considered too far from the subject property. While I understand appraisal guidelines and lender requirements, this decision felt disconnected from the actual market conditions in that area. For context, I own 7 rental properties in that immediate market, and over 30 additional rental properties within roughly a 45-mile radius, many financed through DSCR loan programs. This is not my first time working with investment lending, which made this outcome even more difficult to understand. The larger concern, however, was the overall process: * Closing dates were changed 4 times * The funded deal was delayed approximately 20 days * The underwriting team repeatedly requested documents that had already been submitted * Communication felt highly disorganized, as though prior emails and attachments were not being properly reviewed * At one point, the wrong title company was copied into the transaction communications * I had to personally step in multiple times to coordinate between title, insurance, and the lending team just to keep the process moving I want to be fair: I cannot say with certainty whether this reflects Kiavi as a company overall or simply the specific team assigned to my files. However, as a borrower, the experience left me feeling like my business was not a priority. I do not leave negative reviews lightly, especially after decades in real estate. My intention is not to criticize unfairly, but to provide honest feedback so other investors know what they may potentially encounter.
Response from KiaviMay 12, 2026
Hi there. We appreciate you sharing this feedback regarding your experience with our team. Clear, proactive communication is a pillar of our service, and it is clear we fell short in this instance. Please be assured that your comments have been shared with our leadership team as we take active steps to improve our responsiveness and support standards.