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California Hard Money & Private Money Loans

Business-Purpose Financing for Investment and Commercial Real Estate

SUBMIT A LOAN SCENARIO

Real Estate Financing Solutions


Hard Money Loans

Hard money loans are generally short-term, business-purpose loans secured by real estate. They are commonly used when the property, transaction structure, condition, or timeline does not fit conventional lending guidelines.

Hard money financing may be considered for:

  • Investment-property acquisitions
  • Fix-and-flip projects
  • Properties requiring renovation
  • Distressed or undervalued properties
  • Auction or foreclosure purchases
  • Time-sensitive transactions
  • Short-term refinancing
  • Property stabilization or repositioning

Underwriting varies by lender. In addition to the property and available equity, lenders may consider the borrower’s credit, liquidity, experience, income or cash flow, project feasibility, and exit strategy.


Private Money Loans

Private money loans are real estate-secured loans funded through private individuals, investment groups, mortgage funds, or other private capital sources.

Private money financing may provide alternative underwriting or loan structures for transactions that do not fit traditional bank programs. These loans are commonly used for investment and commercial real estate, unusual properties, renovation projects, and short-term financing needs.

Loan terms are determined by the lender and may vary based on the property, requested loan amount, available equity, borrower qualifications, and proposed repayment plan.


Bridge Loans

Bridge loans are short-term financing solutions used to address a temporary gap between a property acquisition and a future sale, refinance, stabilization, or permanent loan.

Bridge financing may be used to:

  • Purchase an investment property before permanent financing is available
  • Complete repairs or renovations
  • Stabilize occupancy or income
  • Reposition a commercial property
  • Pay off a maturing loan
  • Resolve a temporary financing issue
  • Acquire a property before selling another investment asset

A clearly defined exit strategy is an important part of bridge-loan underwriting.


Fix-and-Flip and Renovation Loans

Fix-and-flip and renovation financing may be available for investors purchasing or refinancing properties that require repairs, rehabilitation, or other improvements.

Depending on the lender and project, financing may include:

  • Property acquisition
  • Renovation costs
  • Construction draws
  • Interest reserves
  • Contingency reserves
  • Refinancing of an existing project

Lenders may evaluate the current property value, estimated after-repair value, renovation budget, project timeline, borrower experience, available liquidity, and exit strategy.

Renovation funds may be released in stages as work is completed and verified. Draw procedures, inspection requirements, borrower-contribution requirements, and eligible improvements vary by lender.


Construction Financing

Construction financing may be available for qualifying ground-up construction, substantial rehabilitation, redevelopment, and value-add projects.

Construction lenders may review:

  • Plans and specifications
  • Project budget
  • Permits and entitlements
  • Contractor qualifications
  • Borrower and developer experience
  • Land or property value
  • Market feasibility
  • Available borrower equity
  • Construction timeline
  • Exit strategy

Construction financing is generally subject to inspections and draw-based funding. Approval of the initial loan does not guarantee the release of future construction draws. Each draw remains subject to the lender’s requirements.


Rental-Property Financing

Financing may be available for the purchase or refinance of qualifying residential investment properties.

Depending on the lender and program, underwriting may consider:

  • Current or projected rental income
  • Debt-service coverage
  • Property value
  • Loan-to-value ratio
  • Borrower credit and liquidity
  • Property condition
  • Lease or occupancy status
  • Ownership structure
  • Exit strategy

Potential property types may include single-family investment properties, condominiums, townhomes, and two-to-four-unit residential investment properties.

Certain rental-property programs may qualify based primarily on the property’s cash flow rather than the borrower’s personal income. Program availability and documentation requirements vary by lender.


Commercial and Multifamily Real Estate Financing

Christy’s California Capital & Realty arranges financing for qualifying commercial and multifamily real estate transactions throughout California.

Potential property types may include:

  • Apartment and multifamily properties
  • Mixed-use buildings
  • Office properties
  • Retail properties
  • Industrial properties
  • Warehouses
  • Self-storage facilities
  • Hospitality properties
  • Special-purpose properties
  • Development sites
  • Other qualifying commercial real estate

Financing structures may include acquisition, refinance, bridge, renovation, construction, stabilization, repositioning, and cash-out transactions.

Commercial financing is evaluated individually. Property type, location, occupancy, income, sponsor experience, liquidity, requested leverage, and exit strategy may affect program availability.


Investor Purchase Financing

Business-purpose purchase financing may be available for investors acquiring non-owner-occupied residential or commercial properties.

Before reviewing potential loan options, we generally request:

  • Property address
  • Property type
  • Purchase price
  • Requested loan amount
  • Estimated property value
  • Renovation budget, when applicable
  • Borrower experience
  • Available down payment
  • Closing deadline
  • Proposed exit strategy

Proof of funds, purchase documentation, entity documents, credit information, and other supporting documentation may be required as the transaction progresses.


Investor Refinance and Cash-Out Financing

Real estate-secured refinancing may be available for qualifying investment and commercial properties.

Common uses may include:

  • Paying off an existing mortgage
  • Replacing a maturing private or bridge loan
  • Completing renovations
  • Stabilizing a property
  • Repositioning an asset
  • Accessing equity for a qualifying business purpose
  • Preparing for permanent financing
  • Consolidating qualifying real estate-secured obligations


Cash-out availability depends on property value, existing liens, requested loan amount, property performance, borrower qualifications, and lender guidelines.

Who We Help


Our financing services are designed for qualifying:

  • Real estate investors
  • Fix-and-flip investors
  • Rental-property owners
  • Landlords
  • Developers
  • Builders
  • Commercial property owners
  • Multifamily investors
  • Business owners using qualifying real estate collateral
  • Borrowers refinancing maturing real estate-secured loans
  • Real estate professionals seeking financing alternatives for clients


Common Uses of Hard Money and Private Money Financing


Business-purpose real estate financing may be used for:

  • Purchasing an investment property
  • Refinancing an investment or commercial property
  • Renovating or rehabilitating a property
  • Completing a value-add project
  • Acquiring a property requiring substantial repairs
  • Paying off a maturing bridge or private loan
  • Stabilizing an income-producing property
  • Repositioning a commercial asset
  • Completing ground-up construction
  • Addressing a time-sensitive acquisition
  • Transitioning to longer-term financing
  • Accessing real estate equity for a qualifying business purpose

The appropriate loan structure depends on the property, borrower qualifications, requested loan amount, proposed use of funds, and exit strategy.


How the Financing Process Works


1. Submit the Initial Transaction Details

Provide the basic information about the property and proposed transaction, including:

  • Purchase or refinance
  • Property address
  • Property type
  • Purchase price or estimated value
  • Requested loan amount
  • Occupancy
  • Project or renovation details
  • Closing deadline
  • Exit strategy


2. Preliminary Scenario Review

We review the information provided to identify potential loan categories and capital sources. A preliminary review is not a loan approval, credit commitment, rate lock, or guarantee of financing.


3. Potential Lender Placement

When an appropriate program is identified, the transaction may be presented to one or more potential lenders. The lender may request additional information before providing preliminary terms.


4. Review Proposed Terms

Available loan terms may address:

  • Loan amount
  • Interest rate
  • Origination points or fees
  • Loan term
  • Monthly payment
  • Required borrower contribution
  • Prepayment provisions
  • Renovation or construction draws
  • Reserves
  • Collateral requirements
  • Closing conditions

Preliminary terms may change after underwriting, valuation, title review, document verification, or discovery of additional information.


5. Underwriting and Property Review

The lender may review:

  • Borrower credit
  • Borrower liquidity
  • Investment or project experience
  • Property value
  • Property condition
  • Rental or operating income
  • Purchase contract
  • Renovation or construction budget
  • Appraisal or other valuation
  • Preliminary title report
  • Insurance
  • Entity documents
  • Exit strategy
  • Other lender-required information


6. Closing

A transaction may proceed to closing only after all lender, underwriting, property, title, insurance, documentation, and funding conditions have been satisfied. No approval or closing timeline is guaranteed.


What Lenders May Consider

Although hard money and private money lenders often place significant emphasis on the property and available equity, they may also consider:

  • Borrower credit history
  • Borrower liquidity
  • Investment experience
  • Income or property cash flow
  • Existing liabilities
  • Property location
  • Property type
  • Current property condition
  • After-repair value
  • Loan-to-value or loan-to-cost ratio
  • Renovation or construction budget
  • Project feasibility
  • Title and lien information
  • Insurance availability
  • Repayment ability
  • Exit strategy

Requirements vary considerably among lenders and programs.


Important Considerations


Rates and Fees

Hard money, private money, bridge, renovation, and construction loans may have higher interest rates, points, fees, and closing costs than conventional bank financing. Borrowers should review the complete proposed terms and determine whether the expected benefit of the transaction justifies the financing cost.


Short-Term Loan Structure

Many hard money and bridge loans are short-term financing tools. Borrowers should understand the maturity date and have a reasonable plan to sell, refinance, or otherwise repay the loan.


Equity and Borrower Contribution

Lenders commonly require sufficient equity, a down payment, or another borrower contribution. Maximum loan-to-value and loan-to-cost limits vary by lender.


Prepayment Provisions

Some loans may include minimum-interest requirements, exit fees, prepayment penalties, or other payoff provisions. These terms should be reviewed before accepting a loan.


Renovation and Construction Draws

Renovation or construction funds may not be advanced in one lump sum. Draws may be released after work is completed, inspected, and approved.


Property Condition and Valuation

The property’s current condition, marketability, estimated after-repair value, and proposed improvements may significantly affect the amount and structure of the loan.


Exit Strategy

A lender will generally want to understand how the loan will be repaid. Common exit strategies include:

  • Sale of the property
  • Refinance into permanent financing
  • Refinance after renovation or stabilization
  • Repayment from qualifying investment or business proceeds

An exit strategy is a proposed plan and does not guarantee that a sale or refinance will occur.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the difference between a hard money loan and a private money loan?

Both are generally real estate-secured financing options. “Private money” refers to the private source of capital, while “hard money” commonly describes a short-term, asset-focused loan used for investment or commercial real estate.

The terms are sometimes used interchangeably. The actual lender, underwriting standards, loan structure, and documentation requirements are more important than the label.


Are these loans available for owner-occupied properties?

No. The financing described on this page is intended for business-purpose transactions secured by non-owner-occupied or commercial real estate.

It is not offered for the purchase or refinance of a borrower’s primary residence or for personal, family, or household purposes.


Do I need perfect credit?

Not necessarily. Credit requirements vary by lender and loan program.

Some lenders place greater emphasis on the property, available equity, borrower liquidity, experience, and exit strategy. Credit history may still affect eligibility, pricing, required equity, and other loan terms.


How quickly can a loan close?

Closing time depends on the lender, property, documentation, appraisal or valuation, title, insurance, borrower responsiveness, and transaction complexity.

Certain transactions may receive expedited review when the file is complete, but no particular approval or funding timeline is guaranteed.


What types of properties may qualify?

Potential property types may include:

  • Single-family investment properties
  • Condominiums and townhomes held for investment
  • Two-to-four-unit investment properties
  • Multifamily properties
  • Mixed-use properties
  • Office buildings
  • Retail properties
  • Industrial properties
  • Warehouses
  • Development projects
  • Special-purpose commercial properties

Property eligibility varies by lender, location, condition, and intended use.


Can I obtain financing for a property that needs repairs?

Potentially. Certain lenders finance properties that require renovation or rehabilitation.

The lender may review the current value, proposed improvements, renovation budget, contractor information, estimated after-repair value, borrower experience, and project timeline.


Can renovation or construction costs be included?

Some programs may include qualifying renovation or construction costs. Those funds are commonly controlled through a draw process and released as work is completed and verified.


Can I refinance an existing hard money loan?

Potentially. Refinance options depend on the property value, existing payoff, lien position, property condition, project progress, borrower qualifications, and intended exit strategy.


What documents will I need?

Initial review may require only basic transaction information. A lender may later request:

  • Purchase contract
  • Mortgage statement or payoff information
  • Property operating statements
  • Rent roll or leases
  • Entity documents
  • Bank statements or proof of funds
  • Credit authorization
  • Renovation budget
  • Construction plans
  • Contractor information
  • Appraisal or valuation
  • Title documentation
  • Insurance information
  • Exit-strategy documentation

Please provide sensitive documents only through an approved secure delivery method.


Does Christy’s California Capital & Realty lend its own money?

Christy’s California Capital & Realty acts as a real estate and mortgage broker and arranges financing through third-party private and institutional capital sources.

The applicable lender makes the final underwriting, approval, pricing, and funding decisions.

Important Financing Disclosure

Christy’s California Capital & Realty arranges hard money, private money, bridge, renovation, construction, multifamily, and commercial real estate financing through independent third-party private and institutional capital sources. We are a California real estate and mortgage broker, not a direct lender.

The financing described on this page is limited to qualifying business-purpose transactions secured by non-owner-occupied or commercial real estate. It may be appropriate for acquisitions, refinances, renovations, construction, stabilization, repositioning, or other transactions that require short-term financing or an alternative to conventional bank underwriting. Unsecured loans, personal loans, consumer loans, and owner-occupied residential mortgage financing are not offered through this page.

Programs, interest rates, points, fees, loan amounts, leverage limits, documentation requirements, prepayment provisions, draw requirements, and closing timelines vary by lender and transaction and may change without notice. All financing is subject to lender underwriting, borrower qualification, property review, valuation, title and insurance review, documentation, and final approval. Preliminary discussions, scenario reviews, proposed terms, and expressions of interest do not constitute a commitment to lend. No approval, rate, term, property value, closing date, funding timeline, refinance, sale, or other outcome is represented or guaranteed. Not all borrowers, properties, or transactions will qualify.

California DRE License #01474985
Company NMLS ID #1714726
Individual NMLS ID #1335033

Financing Terms Glossary

Asset-Based Lending

A lending approach in which the property, available equity, and proposed exit strategy receive significant consideration. Depending on the lender and transaction, borrower credit, liquidity, experience, income, property cash flow, and other qualifications may also be evaluated.


After-Repair Value (ARV)

The estimated value of a property after proposed repairs or renovations have been completed. ARV may be considered when evaluating fix-and-flip or renovation financing, but it remains subject to the lender’s valuation and underwriting requirements.


Bridge Loan

A short-term, transitional loan used to finance a property during the period between acquisition and a future sale, refinance, stabilization, or permanent loan.


Business-Purpose Loan

A loan used primarily for a business or investment purpose rather than a personal, family, or household purpose. The financing described on this page is secured by non-owner-occupied or commercial real estate.


Debt-Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR)

A comparison between a property’s qualifying rental or operating income and its required debt payments. Some investment-property lenders use DSCR to evaluate whether the property generates sufficient income to support the proposed loan.


Draw Schedule

A process through which renovation or construction funds are released in stages as work is completed, inspected, and approved according to the lender’s requirements.


Exit Strategy

The proposed method for repaying the loan, such as selling the property, refinancing into longer-term financing, or repaying the loan from qualifying investment or business proceeds.


Hard Money Loan

A generally short-term, business-purpose loan secured by real estate. Hard money loans are commonly used for investment-property acquisitions, renovation projects, bridge financing, distressed properties, or transactions that do not fit conventional lending guidelines.

Hard money financing may involve higher interest rates, points, fees, and shorter loan terms than conventional financing.


Loan-to-Cost Ratio (LTC)

The loan amount compared with the total cost of acquiring and improving a property. Total project cost may include the purchase price, renovation costs, construction costs, and other lender-approved project expenses.


Loan-to-Value Ratio (LTV)

The loan amount compared with the lender-determined value of the property. LTV is one factor lenders may use to evaluate leverage, available equity, and transaction risk.


Liquidity and Reserves

Funds available to the borrower after closing. A lender may require the borrower to maintain sufficient liquidity or reserves to cover loan payments, construction costs, operating expenses, unexpected costs, or other financial obligations.


Non-Owner-Occupied Property

A property that is not used as the borrower’s primary residence and is generally held for rental, investment, development, or another qualifying business purpose.


Origination Points

Upfront financing charges commonly calculated as a percentage of the loan amount. One point generally equals one percent of the loan amount. Points are separate from interest and may be charged by the lender, broker, or both, as disclosed in the transaction.


Prepayment Provision

A loan term that may require a borrower to pay a fee, minimum amount of interest, or other charge if the loan is repaid before a specified date. Prepayment terms vary by lender and should be reviewed before accepting a loan.


Private Money Loan

A real estate-secured loan funded by a private individual, mortgage fund, investment group, or other private capital source rather than a traditional bank. Underwriting standards, pricing, documentation, and loan structures vary by lender.


Transitional Financing

Short-term financing used while a property is being acquired, renovated, constructed, stabilized, leased, repositioned, sold, or prepared for permanent financing.


Underwriting

The lender’s process for evaluating a proposed loan. Depending on the transaction, underwriting may include review of the property, valuation, title, borrower credit, liquidity, experience, income or property cash flow, project budget, market conditions, and exit strategy.

Copyright © 2025 Christy's California Capital and Realty - All Rights Reserved. 

Real Estate Broker, California Department of Real Estate License #01474985   Company NMLS ID #1714726   Individual NMLS ID #1335033


We acknowledge that we operate on the stolen ancestral homeland of the Ramaytush Ohlone people, specifically the Yelamu tribe.
We give respect and reverence to those who came before us.


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Christys California Capital and Realty is committed to compliance with all federal, state, and local fair housing laws. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, marital status, national origin, ancestry, source of income, disability, or any other protected status. We provide equal housing opportunities to all applicants and residents.

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