💰Investor

Hard Money Loans in California

Fast, asset-based financing for real estate investments. Approval in as little as 24 hours.

Apply for Hard Money Loans Call (888) 703-1840

Bottom Line Up Front

Hard money loans are short-term, asset-based loans secured by the property itself rather than the borrower's creditworthiness. Ideal for real estate investors who need quick funding for purchases, fix-and-flips, bridge situations, or projects that don't qualify for traditional financing. Our recommended broker is a top-rated California hard money lender with turnaround times as fast as 24 hours for business purpose loans.

✓ Approval in as little as 24 hours✓ No W-2s, tax returns, or pay stubs required✓ Bad credit OK — asset-based approval✓ Up to 75% LTV (90% possible in some cases)✓ 12-24 month flexible terms

Overview

Hard money loans are short-term, asset-based loans secured by the property itself rather than the borrower's creditworthiness. Ideal for real estate investors who need quick funding for purchases, fix-and-flips, bridge situations, or projects that don't qualify for traditional financing. Our recommended broker is a top-rated California hard money lender with turnaround times as fast as 24 hours for business purpose loans.

Who Qualifies?

Property value (up to 75% LTV/LTC). No minimum FICO for many programs. Stated income accepted. Good or bad credit OK. 1st liens up to 75% LTV, 2nd liens up to 65% CLTV.

Key Benefits

✓Approval in as little as 24 hours
✓No W-2s, tax returns, or pay stubs required
✓Bad credit OK — asset-based approval
✓Up to 75% LTV (90% possible in some cases)
✓12-24 month flexible terms
✓Retail, industrial, office, and residential properties

✅ Pros

Lightning-fast funding
Minimal documentation
Credit-flexible
Ideal for time-sensitive deals

⚠️ Considerations

Higher interest rates (from 10%)
Short repayment terms (12-24 months)
Prepayment penalties (3-6 months)
Points and origination fees

California-Specific Information

Save Financial is one of California's top-rated hard money lenders on Google. We fund commercial and residential hard money loans statewide for purchases, refinances, fix-and-flips, bridge financing, and development projects.

Rates & Pricing

Starting from 10% for purchases, 10.5% for refinances. Rates vary based on LTV, property type, and borrower scenario.

Why Work with Our Recommended Broker for Hard Money Loans?

Our recommended broker, Save Financial, Inc. (Sponsored by Save Financial, Inc. (NMLS #377740)), is a trusted California mortgage brokerage with 45 years of combined experience and relationships with 20+ wholesale lenders. They specialize in finding the best hard money loans rates and terms for California borrowers. Their $500 price guarantee means if they can't beat another lender's offer, you get $500. Our recommended broker serves 168+ California cities from offices in Newport Beach and Marina del Rey, and the team speaks English and Spanish.

Call (888) 703-1840 or get a free quote online — open 7 days a week, 9AM–8PM.

🏆

Our Recommended Broker's $500 Price Match Guarantee

Our recommended broker, Save Financial, guarantees to beat any written offer for the same product, we pay you $500 cash.

Sponsored by Save Financial, Inc. (NMLS #377740) · DRE #01875766 · Call (888) 703-1840

Claim Guarantee →

MB

Reviewed By

Mike Baasti, Licensed Mortgage Broker

Expert contributor to Mortgage Guide California. Licensed mortgage broker (Sponsored by Save Financial, Inc. (NMLS #377740), DRE #01875766) and founder of Save Financial, Inc. in Newport Beach, CA. 20+ years originating conventional, FHA, VA, jumbo, and specialty loans across California.

Verify Sponsored by Save Financial, Inc. (NMLS #377740) →LinkedIn →DRE #01875766

Get Your Free Quote

No obligation · No hard credit pull

1

2

3

What's your goal?

🏆

$500 Price Match Guarantee

We beat any lender's written offer or pay you $500.

🛡️ Equal Housing Lender

✓ NMLS Licensed

⭐ 5-Star Rated

🏆 BBB Accredited

How Hard Money Loans Work in California

Hard money loans are asset-based — the property's value secures the loan, not your income or credit history. California hard money lenders evaluate the property's as-is value and, for renovation projects, its after-repair value (ARV). Typical loan-to-value ratios are 65-75% of the as-is value or 70-75% of ARV. On a $500,000 property, a 70% LTV provides $350,000 in financing with the borrower contributing $150,000 in equity or down payment. Closings happen in 7-14 business days — compared to 30-45 days for conventional loans — because there is no income verification, no employment confirmation, and minimal credit analysis.

Hard money interest rates in California range from 9-13% with 1-3 origination points, and terms of 6-24 months. While these costs are significantly higher than conventional financing, hard money serves situations where speed and certainty of closing outweigh interest costs: auction purchases requiring 24-48 hour closings, properties in poor condition that don't qualify for conventional financing, bridge loans covering the gap between buying a new property and selling an existing one, and fix-and-flip investments where the holding period is 3-9 months. The interest cost on a $400,000 hard money loan at 11% for six months is approximately $22,000 — acceptable when the flip profit target is $80,000-$120,000.

Hard Money Exit Strategies

Every hard money lender requires a defined exit strategy before funding. The three most common exits are: sell the property after renovation (fix-and-flip), refinance into a permanent loan (DSCR for investment properties, conventional for owner-occupied), or pay off from the sale of another asset. The exit strategy must be realistic and documented — a fix-and-flip exit requires a detailed renovation budget, contractor estimates, and comparable sales supporting the projected ARV. A refinance exit requires evidence that the borrower will qualify for permanent financing once the project is complete. Lenders who fund without a clear exit strategy expose both themselves and the borrower to default risk when the short-term loan matures.

Last updated: July 2026. Sources: California Department of Real Estate broker licensing requirements. California Finance Lenders Law regulations for hard money lending.

Frequently Asked Questions — Hard Money Loans

What credit score do I need for a hard money loan?

Many hard money lenders have no minimum credit score. The loan is secured by the property value, not your creditworthiness. Some require 550+ as a baseline.

How fast can a hard money loan close?

7-14 business days. Some lenders can close in 3-5 days for repeat borrowers with clear title and a recent appraisal.

What is the typical interest rate for hard money?

9-13% with 1-3 origination points. Rates vary by LTV, property type, borrower experience, and loan term.

What LTV do hard money lenders offer?

65-75% of as-is value for purchases. 70-80% of after-repair value (ARV) for fix-and-flip projects. Higher leverage available for experienced investors.

Can I use hard money for a primary residence?

Rarely. Most hard money loans are for investment properties. Consumer-purpose hard money loans exist but have additional regulations and longer timelines.

What is an exit strategy and why does it matter?

Your plan to repay the short-term loan: sell the property, refinance to permanent financing, or pay from other assets. Every hard money lender requires a documented exit strategy.

Do hard money lenders require an appraisal?

Most require either a formal appraisal or a broker price opinion (BPO). Some accept a desktop appraisal for faster closings on lower-leverage deals.

Can I get hard money for a commercial property?

Yes. Commercial hard money is available for office, retail, industrial, and multi-family properties. Terms are similar to residential hard money.

What happens if I can't pay off the hard money loan on time?

Most lenders offer extensions (1-6 months) for a fee (typically 1% of the loan balance). Defaulting results in foreclosure since the property secures the loan.

Are hard money loans regulated in California?

Yes. Hard money lenders in California must be licensed by the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) or the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI).

Related Loan Programs

🏗️

Apply for Hard Money Loans Today

Get a free consultation and find out if Hard Money Loans are right for your situation.

Get Free Expert Guidance Call (888) 703-1840