Your Local Kansas City Hard Money Lender
Accessible. Honest. Invested.
When your lender is rooted in the same community, your success is personal.
At North Oak, we’ve been part of Kansas City real estate for over 40 years — lending with wisdom, heart, and straight talk. We’re not a call center three time zones away. We apply our expertise to fund deals in Missouri and Kansas. We’re here, accessible when you need us, building real relationships that go far beyond a single transaction. That means you get more than capital — you get a partner invested in your success.
Local lending also means fairness and clarity at every step.
We don’t stack on document fees or hidden charges that eat away at your margins. What we quote is what you close, often at a lower cost than our competitors. With fast, free draws, flexible funding structures, and deal assessments that show you a clear P&L upfront, we move at the speed of your project and keep you in control. That’s why hundreds of Missouri and Kansas investors have trusted North Oak to fund their flips — and why we’re still here, nearly five decades strong.
PEOPLE-FIRST
Real relationships, not transactions.
TRANSPARENT FUNDING
No extra, hidden fees. Ever.
why choose NORTH OAK
A Legacy of Local Lending
Rooted in Kansas City. Growing with our investors.
For more than four decades, North Oak has combined stability with innovation — serving Missouri and Kansas investors with the trust of experience and the vision to keep moving forward.
1972
Founded
Established by Bernie Richter, with over 40 years of expertise in money lending and real estate investment throughout the Kansas City market.
2017
Formal LLC Structure
When Tommy led the modernization of operations, streamlining lending to meet the needs of fix-and-flip investors.
2023
REIT Launch
In Kansas City, we pioneered an industry-first structure designed specifically for local fix-and-flip projects.
meet expert advisors.
Navigating your financial horizon with our professionals
Chief Executive Officer
Head Corporate Affairs
Head Investment & Capital
Head Marketing & Stock
Senior Member, MEA
Senior Member, EU
Senior Member, USA
Senior Member, AF
FAQs
Straight answers. Clarity you can count on.
We believe lending should be simple and transparent. Here are clear answers to the questions we hear most often, so you know exactly what to expect before, during, and after your loan.
North Oak Investment is a direct, local hard money lender based in Kansas City. Since 1972, we’ve provided fast, fair, and transparent funding for real estate investors in Missouri and Kansas. With 900+ local deals funded since 2017, we’re invested in helping investors flip stronger, build wealth, and create lasting freedom.
A hard money loan is a short-term real estate loan secured by the property itself rather than by traditional income or credit factors. This is called asset-based lending — meaning the strength of the deal, the value of the property, and the borrower’s exit strategy matter more than a credit score. Hard money loans are popular for fix-and-flip projects and other real estate investments that need fast funding.
We’re a direct lender, not a broker. That means we use our own capital to fund your deal. You’ll work directly with our team here in Kansas City, which makes approvals faster, fees lower, and support more accessible.
We specialize in residential rehab and fix-and-flip properties, including single-family homes and small multi-family properties. See examples of our projects here. For experienced investors, we will consider alternative concepts.
Our standard loan term is 6 months, though some projects may be structured for up to 12 months. Hard money loans are designed to be short-term solutions that help you buy, renovate, and sell quickly. Give us a call at 816-249-1001 to speak to a North Oak loan officer or fill out a loan application to start the conversation with us about your deal.
The loan-to-value ratio for a North Oak Investment loan can vary depending on the property and the borrower’s creditworthiness. Our repeat customers can get up to 80% LTV. We’d love to talk through your deal with you to see what is possible for you.
Most borrowers receive a decision within 2–3 business days of submitting a complete application. Once approved, we can usually fund your deal within 7–10 days — faster than most traditional lenders.
It’s simple. Submit your loan application with details about you, the property, and your project plan. Our team reviews your information, call you to discuss any questions, and provide you with a loan offer tailored to your specific needs within our criteria.
WWe only have two: an origination fee and an appraisal fee. We have no other fee charges for the six-month loan.
Yes, possibly. Because we’re an asset-based lender, we look at the deal first. We do a soft credit pull, but we can often work with borrowers who don’t qualify for traditional financing.
Reviews
Our investors’ success is the measure of our own — here’s what they have to say.
Rating 4.6 / 5.0 (38 total reviews) on Google
I have used North Oak Investments for 15+ years on my rehab loans. They are extremely easy to work
with and would highly recommend them.
Ben Carter
USA
Awesome guys always quick to close and open to “out of the box” thinking. Bernie and Tommy are stand
up guys! Transactions are always smooth and on time.
Mike Dyer
USA
I have used North Oak Investment several times in the past 5 years. Bernie makes this process easy and
fast . I would recommend him to my mother even. I work 65-70 hours weekly. Time is something I have
very little of to waste.
Steve Cochran
USA
I am a realtor with Keller Williams in the KC Metro area. I have closed over 1500 short sales. Just 24
hours ago a buyer back out on a sale that had a scheduled foreclosure in 48 hours. Bernie Richter and
Northoak Investments, LLC pulled off magic with the Back up Rehabber buyer we had and got it closed and funded avoiding the foreclosure and the lost sale. It is not the first time I have worked with Bernie and his team they DELIVER THE GOODS!
Thank you Bernie
Russell Bouknight
USA
I have done multiple deals with North Oak Investments they always are smooth and quick closings
which is a must in my line of work. Closings are smooth and without issues. These guys have this
business down to a fine science. Will continue to use them exclusively!
Matt Magel
USA
North Oak Investment and Bernie Richter has been extremely valuable to the growth of my Real Estate Business. We started our business back in 1998 and Bernie was one of the first connection we were fortune enough to secure. It has been the knowledge and experience of Bernie and North Oak that has allow our business to have successfully completed over 50 deals. We continue our relationship with North Oak now because when you have something that works, why change it. The customer service is best that I have experienced in real estate lending. I highly recommend North Oak and Bernie for all of your real estate investment needs.
Robert Brooks
USA
I obtained my 1st construction loan , with the first house of my 45 year career in the construction
industry. With Bernie Richter at north oak investment co. In 1972 , obviously I didn’t know what I was
doing , I depended on Bernie to walk me through the loan process on that first house. I’ve since had
numerous New and rehab construction loans , with north oak investment co . It’s always very easy and
convenient to work with Bernie.
Dean Chester
USA
Several Reece Nichols agents sell rehabbed homes financed by North Oak Investment all over the
metropolitan area. Bernie made construction and rehab loans to my husband Charlie and others in our
family for over 25 years. Bernie is the greatest with service to his clients.
Kathy Koehler
USA
Bernie has been very easy to do business with!
Jason Gingrich
USA
We’ve always worked with Bernie and he is great to work with! He’s always very responsive,
knowledgeable and friendly. We’ve never had a bad experience!
Nancy Ross
USA
