Navigating Bridge Financing: Your Key to Real Estate Investment Success

Securing financing for a real estate investment doesn’t have to be a difficult task. Often times, traditional lenders like banks or credit unions have a lengthy application process and many hoops to jump through before you can be approved for a loan. Alternatively, private lenders in the real estate space can provide financing to investors through bridge loans. These loans are easier to qualify for, have flexible terms, and can be used to fund a wide range of real estate projects. Have you been considering a bridge loan for your next investment? Continue reading to learn how bridge financing can be your key to real estate investment success.

Bridge Loan Basics

Bridge loans, sometimes also called bridging loans, are a form of short-term financing intended to “bridge” a gap in funding. They are typically used for acquiring property when immediate funding is not available, giving time to the borrower to secure more permanent financing. Bridge loans can be a great solution for short-term projects like fix & flips, but their speed and flexibility also makes them good for securing time-sensitive opportunities. Unlike traditional mortgages, bridge loans are secured by collateral, which allows lenders to be more lenient with approval. Your personal credit and the condition of the property are less of a factor, but due to their short-term nature, these loans also come with elevated interest rates.

The Benefits of Bridge Financing

Bridge financing gives investors access to more opportunities than when only using traditional bank loans. For starters, these loans prioritize speed; the application process is designed to be completed quickly, and funding can be delivered in as little as two weeks when working closely with your lender. Since these loans are secured by collateral, the application process is less stringent, meaning those with less-than-perfect credit can still be approved for funding. Lenders will generally be more interested in the property being financed and whether it makes for a sound investment. This also allows investors to use bridge loans for funding renovation projects which banks may deem too risky.

When to Utilize Bridge Financing

There are a few scenarios where a bridge loan can be the perfect financing solution:

• For time sensitive deals: bridge loans have a short application process allowing you to secure any lucrative opportunities you may come across, and pay the loan back when you have more permanent funding in place.
• For purchasing a property off market: At auction and foreclosure sales, deals tend to go fast. The speed and flexibility of bridge financing gives investors a better chance to acquire one of these discounted properties.
• For funding fix & flips: the short-term nature of bridge loans makes them suited to quick investments like flips, and they can provide funds for renovations on top of covering acquisition expenses.
• For upgrading an existing investment: bridge loans are a great way to inject cash into an existing investment of yours. If you already own a multifamily rental property, you can make use of a bridge loan to fund renovations and increase your cash flow.

Mitigating Risks

Before you can utilize a bridge loan for your next investment, you need to be aware of some of the potential risks when using one. For starters, bridge loans come with higher interest rates than standard loans, so you may have to factor these higher expenses in when calculating your return. You should also be aware of the shorter loan term, and plan your project accordingly. If you aren’t sure about your ability to secure financing before the loan term ends, you may be better off avoiding a bridge loan. As with any real estate investment, due diligence will be the key to your project’s success.

Choosing the Right Bridge Lender

There are various options to choose from when you’re selecting a financing partner, so how can be sure you’ve picked a reliable one? A trustworthy lender will be established in the real estate space and will have a proven track record of delivering funding to projects. Be sure to compare various options to find the one that best fits the needs of your project. You will know you’re working with a quality lender based on how smoothly their funding process operates, and a lender that goes above and beyond will be able to provide you with additional resources and connections to help you find success with your investment.

RCN Capital

Do you have a real estate project you would like to obtain financing for? RCN Capital lends to real estate professionals, commercial contractors, developers & small business owners across the nation. We provide short-term fix & flip financing, long-term rental financing, and new construction financing for real estate investors. If you are looking to finance an investment with a bridge loan, RCN Capital has competitive loan options available.