California hard money lender since 1997

Hard Money Loans in California

FROM 9.5% · UP TO 75% ARV · CLOSE IN DAYS

Fast, asset-based financing for California real estate investors. No tax returns, no debt-to-income hurdles — just property, equity, and a clear exit. Fix and flip, bridge, new construction, and rental loans on non-owner-occupied property statewide.

(951) 780‑1000

What a hard money loan does that a bank loan can't

A hard money loan is short-term financing secured by California real estate. The property carries the loan, so approval turns on value, equity, and how the loan gets paid off — not on income documentation. For investors, that means closing on distressed property, funding rehab budgets, and beating slower buyers to the deal.

Why California investors use hard money

Speed conventional lenders can't match

A California hard money loan closes in days, not months. When you're competing with cash buyers on a distressed listing, at a trustee sale, or on a short escrow, funding speed is the deal.

Underwritten on the property

Hard money is asset-based. Value, equity, and a credible exit carry the file — not tax returns, W-2s, or debt-to-income ratios that stall self-employed investors at a bank.

Rehab money included

Purchase and renovation funds in one loan, released in draws as work is completed, so you can buy properties a conventional lender would call unfinanceable.

Straight terms, no surprises

Rate, points, term, and fees in writing up front. In-house underwriting means no broker chain and no repricing three days before your close date.

Hard money vs. conventional financing

Two different tools. Hard money buys speed and flexibility; conventional debt buys cheap long-term money. Most California investors use both, in that order.

	Hard money	Bank loan
Time to fund	5–10 business days	30–60 days
Underwriting basis	Property value and exit	Borrower income and DTI
Income docs	Not required	Tax returns, W-2s, bank statements
Condition of property	Distressed is fine	Must be habitable
Rehab funds	Available in draws	Rarely available
Typical term	6–24 months	15–30 years

When a hard money loan is the right call

Buying a fixer at auction or off-market and rehabbing it for resale

Bridging a purchase before your current property sells

Funding ground-up construction on an infill lot

Acquiring and stabilizing a rental before a long-term refinance

Cashing out equity in an investment property for the next deal

Closing fast on a short-fuse escrow other lenders can't meet

California markets we lend in

We lend across California, with deep experience in Southern California and the Inland Empire — the markets we've tracked and funded through multiple cycles.

Los Angeles County

Orange County

Riverside & San Bernardino

San Diego County

Ventura & Santa Barbara

Sacramento & the Valley

Bay Area

Central Coast

California hard money loan rates

Current interest ranges, origination points, LTV limits, and what moves your rate.

See rates

California hard money loan program

Loan types, requirements, document checklist, and the step-by-step funding process.

See rates

California hard money loan FAQs

What is a hard money loan in California?

A hard money loan is a short-term real estate loan secured by property rather than by the borrower's income documentation. In California, these loans are used by investors to buy, renovate, or bridge non-owner-occupied property, typically for 6 to 24 months, with the loan paid off by a resale or a refinance.

How much does a California hard money loan cost?

Pricing generally starts around 9.5% interest with 2 to 4 origination points, plus normal escrow, title, and valuation costs. Your actual rate depends on leverage, property type, term, and experience. Our California hard money loan rates page breaks the ranges down in detail.

How fast can a hard money loan close?

Most clean California files fund in five to ten business days once valuation, title, and insurance are complete. Submitting a full package up front — contract, rehab budget, comparable sales, and proof of funds — is the biggest factor in a fast close.

How much do I need to put down?

Plan on 25% to 35% of the purchase price, or equivalent equity if you already own the property. Fix and flip loans generally go up to 75% of after-repair value, and bridge loans up to 70% of current value.

Can I get a hard money loan on my own home?

No. These are business-purpose loans on non-owner-occupied property. Owner-occupied consumer mortgages fall under different regulations and are not part of this lending program.

Does credit matter for hard money?

Credit is one factor, not the deciding one. Equity, the quality of the deal, and a credible exit strategy carry the most weight. Recent foreclosures, open judgments, or unresolved liens can lower leverage or require additional reserves.

Is hard money legal and regulated in California?

Yes. California hard money lending is regulated, and lenders must be properly licensed. The Norris Group has been funding California real estate investors since 1997 and lends only on business-purpose, non-owner-occupied property.

What happens at the end of the loan term?

The loan is paid off by your exit: selling the finished property or refinancing into long-term financing. Because terms are short, the exit is underwritten at the start — we want to know how the loan gets repaid before it's funded.

Get a California hard money quote

Send us the address, purchase price, rehab budget, and your exit plan. You'll get loan amount, rate, points, and a realistic closing timeline — in writing.