California’s Best Hard Money Lenders
SDC Capital
North Coast Financial
Archway Capital
Val-Chris Investments
Wilshire Quinn
Lantzman Lending
Talimar Financial
Best Hard Money Lenders Across the United States
Kiavi
Conventus
RCN Capital
What is Hard Money?
Hard money is a short-term real estate financing option secured by a physical asset—typically the property being purchased or developed.
Hard money loans are provided by private money lenders, who focus primarily on the value of the property rather than the borrower’s creditworthiness or financial history.
For borrowers, hard money loans offer the advantage of fast funding for time-sensitive real estate projects. On the other hand, investors in hard money lending can enjoy higher returns on their capital due to the elevated interest rates associated with these loans.
Whether you're considering borrowing or investing, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the best hard money lenders in California.
In this article, we'll highlight the top hard money lenders in California and across the United States, helping you make informed decisions in the world of hard money lending.
6 Best Hard Money Lenders in California
Here are the top hard money lenders based in California:
SDC Capital
SDC Capital is California’s premier real estate bridge lender, with almost four decades of experience in the industry. Our dedicated team is committed to guiding you through every step of the lending process, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience.
We specialize in providing hard money loans for a variety of purposes, including:
Residential Bridge Loans: Secure quick funding to bridge the gap between selling your current home and purchasing a new one.
Residential Rehab Loans: Finance renovations and improvements on residential properties to maximize their market value.
Commercial Bridge Loans: Get the necessary capital for commercial real estate investments, enabling you to act quickly in a competitive market.
New Property Construction Loans: Fund your new construction projects with our flexible financing solutions tailored to your needs.
To explore our recently funded loans and see how we've helped clients achieve their real estate goals, click here.
North Coast Financial
North Coast Financial offers fast approvals and funding for real estate investors and homeowners in California.
Based in San Diego, this hard money lender provides bridge loans, trust loans, fix and flip/rehab loans, and commercial hard money loans.
Archway Capital
Archway Capital, a Los Angeles-based alternative investment manager, provides short-term capital for real estate projects across the United States. The firm funds various property types, including multifamily, medical office, industrial, student housing, and retail.
Val-Chris Investments
Val-Chris Investments is a hard money lender based in Irvine, California. The firm’s management has a combined real estate experience of over 100 years – making them a reliable provider of creative loan solutions.
Wilshire Quinn
Wilshire Quinn has been a leading hard money lender since its inception in 2004. The firm takes pride in its “fairly diverse” customer base, which range from corporations looking for quick financing to individuals looking to refinance an investment property.
While primarily focused on California, the firm also lends nationwide, particularly in major metropolitan areas.
Lantzman Lending
Lantzman Lending is a direct private money lender with over 50 years of combined experience. The firm offers financing for fix and flip/rehab projects, construction, commercial properties, and refinances.
Further, Lantzman Lending is licensed for both Nevada and California hard money loans.
Talimar Financial
Based in San Diego, Talimar Financial is trusted for its direct, fast, and aggressive hard money lending programs.
While the firm finances both residential and commercial properties, it currently specializes in bridge loans and 30-year rental loans.
Best Hard Money Lenders Across the United States
If you're seeking financing outside of California, consider these hard money lenders that specialize in nationwide lending:
Kiavi
Kiavi, formerly known as LendingHome, is one of America’s largest private lenders. Since 2013, the firm has funded over $23 billion in loans for 85,000+ real estate projects nationwide.
As of this writing, Kiavi focuses on financing residential real estate investors and does not lend on mixed-use, commercial, rural properties, or mobile homes.
Conventus
Founded in 2015, Conventus provides private money lending solutions nationwide, excluding Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa. The firm offers various loan types, including bridge loans, construction loans, long-term rental financing, and custom business-purpose loans.
RCN Capital
RCN Capital has been a trusted nationwide private lender for over two decades. The firm, headquartered in South Windsor, Connecticut, focuses on providing rehab loans, commercial loans, long-term rental financing, and fix and flip loans.
RCN Capital lends in most U.S. states, excluding Alaska, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Vermont
Should I Use a Hard Money Lender?
Deciding whether to use a hard money lender depends on your specific financing needs, the urgency of your project, and your investment strategy.
Here are some factors to consider when evaluating whether a hard money loan is the right choice:
Speed of Funding. Hard money loans are the solution if you need fast access to capital.
Flexible Qualification Requirements. Hard money lenders focus on the property’s value rather than the borrower’s credit history, making these loans accessible to investors who may not qualify for traditional financing.
Short-Term Financing Needs. Hard money loans are ideal for projects where the borrower plans to repay within a few months to a few years. If your investment strategy involves a quick turnaround, a hard money loan may align well with your goals.
Higher Interest Rates. Due to the higher risk that hard money lenders take on, these loans usually come with 2-3% higher interest rates compared to conventional loans. If the cost of higher interest fits your needs and you’re confident in your exit strategy, the flexibility and speed may outweigh the added expense.
Property-Specific Funding. Hard money lenders focus on the value and potential of the property itself. This can be beneficial for borrowers who may not meet traditional lending criteria but have high-potential properties.
Hard money loans are a powerful tool for real estate investors who need fast, asset-based financing for time-sensitive projects.
If you are comfortable with short-term, higher-interest financing and have a clear repayment plan, hard money lending could be a smart alternative to traditional financing methods.
For more information about hard money lending, reach out to our team at info@sdccap.com.