When looking for a hard money lender in North Carolina, compare their reputation, location, and loan terms.  It makes sence to work with a local or regional company that knows your market.   Referrals from other investors are a great way to find hard money lenders or private lenders.   Most lenders attend real estate investor groups and Meetup groups.  Mortgage Brokers work with direct lenders or you can ask Real Estate Agents, and Title Companies.  Finally, you can search for ‘hard money lenders near me’ online.   Make sure to check their online reviews and if they are local.  Most hard money lenders are actively involved in helping real estate investors succeed by providing content on youtube, social media or through podcasts.