Bridge loans

“Hard money” is a common term for short-term real estate loans from private lenders or private funds. These loans are generally underwritten with significant weight on the property, its value, and the borrower’s plan for it, rather than relying primarily on personal income documentation.

Hard-money and other private loans are often used for acquisitions, renovations, and bridge situations where speed or flexibility matters. They typically carry higher rates and fees than conventional bank financing and shorter terms. We refer to this broader category as private and alternative real estate financing.

Timing depends on the transaction, the lender, and how quickly items such as the appraisal, title, insurance, and borrower documentation are completed. Private financing can often move faster than conventional bank lending, but no closing date can be guaranteed.

If you are working against a contract deadline, tell us the date when you submit the request so it can be factored in from the start.

Terms are set by the lender, not by us, and reflect the full transaction: loan amount and leverage, property type, location and condition, the business plan and exit, the borrower’s experience, credit, and liquidity, and prevailing market conditions.

Rates, fees, loan term, and other conditions vary by transaction and lender. Any terms are subject to lender underwriting and final approval.

To start, our financing request form asks for the property address and type, purchase price or current value, requested loan amount, loan purpose, renovation budget if any, your experience, an approximate credit range, and your timeline.

If the transaction moves forward, lenders commonly request items such as a purchase contract, a scope of work and budget, entity documents, bank statements, a schedule of real estate owned, and leases or rent rolls for rental properties. Exact requirements vary by lender.