What is a bridge loan?
A bridge loan is short-term financing secured by business-purpose real estate. It "bridges" you to a sale, a refinance into permanent financing, or the completion of a renovation or lease-up. Private and balance-sheet lenders underwrite the property and your exit plan, so they can often move faster and take on deals that a bank will not.
Common uses
- Time-sensitive acquisitions of investment or commercial property.
- Refinance or cash-out on a property that is not yet stabilized.
- Renovation, repositioning, and lease-up.
- Recapitalization or partner buyouts on investment property.
Bridge loan terms at a glance
| Loan amount | From smaller investor loans to larger commercial deals, depending on the lender |
| Leverage | Commonly up to 75% to 80% of value; lower for special-use property |
| Term | Typically 12 to 36 months |
| Payments | Interest-only is common |
| Property types | Multifamily, mixed-use, retail, industrial, office, 1 to 4 unit investment |
| Where we serve | Illinois and Texas; other states by request |
What lenders look for
- A clear exit: sale, refinance, or stabilization plan with realistic numbers.
- Equity in the deal and liquidity after closing.
- Experience with similar properties, or a strong team.
- Investment or commercial property only. Bridge loans are not available on a home you live in.
Figures are general examples drawn from current lender programs, not an offer or commitment to lend. Actual terms are set by the lender and depend on the deal, the borrower, and underwriting.
How it works with US Funding
- Initial review. Tell us the deal and the numbers. You get a fast, honest read at no cost.
- Engagement. If we can help, we sign a short engagement letter and a business-purpose certification. No fee is due unless your loan closes.
- Strategy & placement. We match your file to the lenders most likely to approve it and compare the term sheets with you.
- Close. Documents, signatures, and funding, managed to the finish. Our fee, if any, is paid at closing through the closing statement.
FAQs
How fast can a bridge loan close?
Private lenders can often close faster than banks, but timing depends on the lender, the appraisal, title, and how quickly documents come together. We will give you a realistic timeline after review.
Can I use a bridge loan on my home?
No. We arrange business-purpose loans only, on investment or commercial property. We do not arrange loans on owner-occupied homes.
What happens at the end of the term?
You repay the loan by selling the property or refinancing, often into a DSCR, conventional, or SBA loan. Some lenders offer extensions for a fee.
Do you charge a fee up front?
No. Any fee to US Funding is paid only at closing, after you accept a binding lender commitment. Appraisal and title costs are paid directly to those providers.
See if a bridge loan fits your deal
Start your application in minutes, or let our quick tool point you to the right program. No upfront fees to find out.