Short-Term Financing,
Explained Honestly
Hard money and bridge financing can solve real problems — and create new ones if used carelessly. We help you evaluate whether short-term financing genuinely fits your situation before you commit.
“The right financing solves a temporary problem — the wrong financing creates a permanent one.”
What Hard Money Financing Is
Hard money loans are short-term loans secured primarily by the property itself rather than the borrower's income or credit profile. They fund fast, they're flexible — and they cost significantly more than conventional financing. That trade-off makes sense in some situations and not in others.
We connect property owners and investors with licensed private lenders and help you evaluate each quote honestly.
Situations Where It May Fit
- Bridge financing — buying your next property before the current one sells
- Fix-and-flip or renovation projects with a defined resale plan
- Investment property purchases that need to close quickly
- Properties that don't qualify for traditional loans due to condition
- Using available equity to solve a short-term, clearly-defined financial problem with a realistic exit plan
The Costs — In Plain Terms
Expect materially higher interest rates than a conventional mortgage, origination points paid up front, additional fees, and a short repayment term — often 6 to 24 months, sometimes with a balloon payment. The single most important question is the exit: how, exactly, will this loan be repaid? If there's no realistic answer, the loan isn't a solution.
- Interest rates well above conventional mortgage rates
- Origination points and lender fees paid at closing
- Short terms with balloon payments — refinancing or sale required at the end
- Default risk: the property secures the loan, and it can be lost if the plan fails
A Note for Homeowners in Financial Trouble
If your goal is keeping your home, borrowing against your equity is one option among several — and not automatically the best one. A high-cost loan that can't realistically be repaid can leave you worse off than the problem it was meant to solve. Before recommending anything, we'll review whether a loan modification, a repayment plan, a sale that protects your equity, or another path serves you better. Financing is an option to be evaluated — never a promise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a hard money loan help me keep my house if I'm behind on payments?
Sometimes it's an option worth evaluating — but only when there's a realistic plan to repay it. Because these loans carry high costs and short terms, we always review alternatives (modification, repayment plan, or a sale that protects your equity) side-by-side before anyone commits. No responsible professional can promise a loan will let you keep your home.
How fast can hard money loans close?
Often in 1–3 weeks, since approval is based mainly on the property and equity rather than lengthy income documentation. Speed is the main reason investors use them.
What do hard money loans typically cost?
Costs vary by lender, property, and risk, but expect double-digit interest rates, 1–4 points at origination, plus fees. We'll help you gather and compare actual quotes so nothing is hidden.
Do you lend money yourselves?
No — we are not a lender. We help you define the need, connect with licensed lenders, compare terms, and evaluate whether the financing genuinely fits your plan.
Let's Run the Numbers Together
Rates, fees, timeline, exit plan — we'll lay it all out so you can decide with clear eyes.
Explore Financing Options