Investing in the District of Columbia comes with a few rules worth knowing early. Deeds of trust and mortgages both secure debts on land, and foreclosure sales under a power of sale in a deed of trust carry a notice step to the Mayor at least 30 days before the sale. The recordation tax schedule lists a 1.1% rate for security interest instruments, and the District's environment agency notes riverine, stormwater and tidal flooding.
World's Fair Capital makes business purpose loans to real estate investors in the District of Columbia: fix and flip, DSCR rental, bridge and ground-up construction. This page covers points that most often matter to an investor there, each checked against the statute or agency that publishes it. It is general information, not legal or tax advice, and terms for any loan are set at underwriting.
Prepared by the WFC editorial team. Facts checked against the cited sources, last reviewed 2026-10-11.
Which describes you?
Place your client's District of Columbia deal through our portal.
See the broker programHow a District of Columbia loan works with us
- 1Start your application
Fill out a short application in our secure portal.
- 2Review the term sheet
We prepare a term sheet for you to review and e-sign.
- 3Underwriting
Our team works the file and sends a clear document checklist.
- 4Closing
We close and fund through the title or closing agent.
What investors should know about District of Columbia
Foreclosure under a power of sale
DC Code section 42-815 addresses foreclosure sales under a power of sale in a deed of trust. It calls for notice to the Mayor at least 30 days before the sale, counted from the Mayor's receipt of the notice.
Source: DC Code 42-815, checked 2026-10-11
Mortgages and deeds of trust
DC's recording statute treats mortgages and deeds of trust as instruments that secure debts on land.
Source: DC Code 42-801, checked 2026-10-11
Recordation tax on security instruments
DC Code section 42-1103 sets a recordation tax rate of 1.1% for security interest instruments. Other rates in the section apply to deeds, so check the text for the instrument at hand.
Source: DC Code 42-1103, checked 2026-10-11
Three kinds of flooding
DC's Department of Energy and Environment says the District faces riverine, stormwater and tidal or coastal storm surge flooding.
Source: DC Department of Energy and Environment, checked 2026-10-11
Eviction notice and unpaid rent
For rental properties, DC Code section 42-3505.01 says a housing provider may not issue a certain eviction notice when unpaid rent is under $600.
Source: DC Code 42-3505.01, checked 2026-10-11
General information, not legal or tax advice. Confirm details with your own counsel or title agent.
For brokers
Placing a deal in District of Columbia?
Your client stays your client. We work the deal with you, not around you.
Your compensation is written into the Letter of Intent your client reviews and e-signs, before underwriting begins.
Register in the portal to submit deals online, use program sheets and calculators, and track every file.
Questions on a District of Columbia deal? Call 800-590-7911 (Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST).
What to send for a first look
- Property address and type
- Purchase price, or current value on a refinance
- Loan amount requested and what it is for
- Rehab or construction budget, if any
- Current or expected rent on a rental
- The borrower's experience and estimated credit score
- Your timeline to close
Loan programs for District of Columbia investors
- Hard Money Loans
- Fix & Flip Loans
- Rental / DSCR Loans
- Ground-Up Construction Loans
- Commercial Bridge Loans
- Multifamily Bridge Loans
- Small Balance Commercial Loans
- Foreign National Loans
- FlexCap Business Bridge Loans
Program availability varies by property and borrower. Business purpose loans only.
Have a deal in District of Columbia?
Call 800-590-7911 (Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST) or start online.
Nothing on this website constitutes a commitment, approval, or guarantee of financing.
Rates, fees, terms, timelines, and program descriptions are subject to change without notice.
Any investor-related or capital discussion is not an offer to sell, a solicitation to buy, or a recommendation of any security or investment product.