Underwrite the opportunity
We review sponsorship, property performance, business plan, and priorities before approaching the market.
Hard Money financing
Fast Hard Money Loans for Commercial Real Estate
Quick answer: Hard money loans provide asset-based, short-term financing for commercial real estate acquisitions, repositionings, and distressed property purchases where speed and flexibility matter more than rate. Commercial Lending Solutions works with a vetted network of private hard money lenders who can close in as little as one to two weeks, with underwriting driven by property value rather than borrower financials.
NationwideMarket coverage
1,000+Capital relationships
$2MM+CLS engagement floor
24 hoursInitial response
When it fits
When Hard Money financing fits.
Hard money lending is the fastest capital available in commercial real estate. Unlike bank or agency financing, hard money lenders focus almost entirely on the asset: the current value, the after-repair value (ARV), and the exit strategy. Borrower credit and income documentation requirements are minimal by design. This makes hard money ideal for auction purchases, foreclosure acquisitions, time-sensitive off-market deals, and properties that need work before qualifying for conventional financing. The tradeoff is higher rates and fees relative to institutional capital, which is why hard money is almost always used as a bridge to a permanent loan or sale. Commercial Lending Solutions matches each deal with the right private lender based on asset type, market, loan size, and timeline to ensure competitive terms even in this space.
Structure before pricing: leverage, recourse, reserves, prepayment, and closing certainty can matter as much as the headline coupon. We test those trade-offs before recommending a path.
01
Auction and foreclosure property acquisitions
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Distressed assets requiring rehab before permanent financing
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Time-sensitive off-market acquisitions
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Properties that do not yet qualify for bank or agency financing
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Fix-and-flip commercial and mixed-use projects
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Bridge to construction or permanent loan on value-add assets
Lender selection
How We Source Hard Money Capital
We do not treat the lender list as a directory. We target the desks whose current appetite fits the asset, sponsorship, market, and business plan, then compare the full execution, not only the rate.
| Capital source | Where it may fit |
|---|---|
| Private Hard Money Lenders | Flexible capital for transitional, complex, leveraged, or time-sensitive executions where conventional credit boxes may not fit. |
| Family Offices | Program-specific capital evaluated for current appetite, proceeds, pricing, recourse, flexibility, and certainty of close. |
| High-Net-Worth Individual Lenders | Program-specific capital evaluated for current appetite, proceeds, pricing, recourse, flexibility, and certainty of close. |
| Specialty Debt Funds | Flexible capital for transitional, complex, leveraged, or time-sensitive executions where conventional credit boxes may not fit. |
| Asset-Based Lending Platforms | Program-specific capital evaluated for current appetite, proceeds, pricing, recourse, flexibility, and certainty of close. |
How we work
One process. Multiple capital sources.
We position the transaction, identify the lenders most likely to compete, and compare proposals on economics and execution risk, not just headline rate.
A well-structured financing process should create real choices for the borrower, not simply deliver the first term sheet.
Target the right lender desks
The transaction is matched to lenders whose current appetite fits the property, market, and structure.
Create a comparable field
Proposals are evaluated across rate, proceeds, recourse, reserves, prepayment, and closing certainty.
Manage execution through closing
We coordinate lender diligence, third-party reports, and issue resolution until the loan funds.
National reach
Market knowledge where the deal requires it.
We arrange hard money financing nationwide while matching each transaction to capital sources active in that market and property type.
Atlanta, GABoston, MAChicago, ILDallas, TXDenver, COHouston, TXLos Angeles, CAMiami, FLNashville, TNNew York, NYPhoenix, AZSan Diego, CASan Francisco, CASeattle, WATampa, FL
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Questions
Hard Money financing, clarified.
The final structure depends on the asset, sponsorship, and market. These are the starting parameters we discuss most often.
Working out equity? Our commercial property down payment guide covers typical requirements by loan type: 20% to 30% conventional, 10% for SBA owner occupied.
A hard money loan is asset-based short-term financing secured by the commercial property itself rather than the borrower's creditworthiness. Hard money lenders focus primarily on the property's value and the deal's equity position, allowing faster approvals and more flexible underwriting than traditional banks. Hard money loans are commonly used for fix-and-flip projects, bridge financing, distressed asset acquisitions, and time-sensitive deals requiring speed that institutional lenders cannot provide.
Hard money loan rates for commercial real estate currently range from 9.00% to 13.00%, depending on the lender, leverage level, property type, and loan-to-value ratio. Rates are higher than conventional financing to compensate for the speed, flexibility, and higher risk profile. Interest is typically paid monthly on the outstanding balance with no amortization.
Hard money loans can close in as little as 5 to 15 business days, compared to 45 to 90 days for conventional bank financing. Some hard money lenders can approve and close in under a week for strong deals with complete documentation ready. This speed is the primary competitive advantage of hard money and is worth the premium rate for time-sensitive acquisitions, auctions, and distressed purchases.
Hard money and bridge loans are both short-term financing tools, but hard money lenders are typically private individuals or small funds with highly flexible underwriting and the fastest closings. Bridge loans come from institutional debt funds and select banks, with more structured underwriting, slightly lower rates, and larger loan sizes. For deals under $5M needing the fastest possible close, hard money is often the right tool. For larger or more complex transitional deals, institutional bridge lenders are usually a better fit.
Hard money lenders typically offer 60 to 75 percent LTV on as-is property value. For fix-and-flip projects, lenders may base the loan on after-repair value (ARV), providing up to 65 to 70 percent of ARV. Lower leverage (50 to 60 percent LTV) is available at lower interest rates, while higher leverage may require additional collateral from other properties in the portfolio.
Hard money lenders place far less emphasis on credit scores than conventional lenders. While most prefer a minimum 600 to 620 credit score, the primary underwriting focus is on the property value, the equity position, and the feasibility of the exit strategy. Borrowers with credit challenges, prior foreclosures, or complex financial situations can often access hard money financing when conventional lenders decline.
Let's evaluate the right hard money structure.
Share the property and financing request. We will respond within 24 hours with an initial view.