
This guide helps solo contractors, small business owners, and real estate investors in Durham County, North Carolina find trustworthy financing options close to home. It covers who qualifies, what documents to gather, which local lenders and community organizations actually serve Durham residents, and how to protect yourself from predatory traps. Federal programs like SBA loans are useful context, but the real focus is on the local intermediaries — CDFIs, credit unions, and community lenders — who understand Durham's economy and work with borrowers at every stage.
Ask Iris. She'll explain it the way it should have been explained the first time.