Hard Money

Hard Money in Irvine, CA

Irvine homebuyers trust Custom Mortgage for their Hard Money needs. With deep knowledge of the local market, from Turtle Rock to Woodbridge, we provide tailored solutions with rates as low as 9.875%.

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Key Facts About Hard Money

CMRE hard money loans fund in as fast as 7 business days from application.

CMRE hard money requires no minimum FICO — the property equity is the qualifier.

CMRE hard money LTV reaches 80% as-is value or 90% ARV for fix-and-flip.

CMRE hard money rates start at 9.875% with 1–3 origination points.

CMRE hard money closes in LLC, trust, or corporate name with no personal title required.

CMRE hard money covers single-family, multifamily, commercial, and distressed properties.

CMRE hard money loans include 48-hour draw disbursement for rehab budgets.

CMRE is a direct hard money lender licensed in 13 states — NMLS #1556995.

Program Benefits

Close in as fast as 7 business days — same-day term sheets available.

No minimum FICO — approval based on property equity and investor exit strategy.

Up to 80% LTV on as-is value; up to 90% ARV for rehab projects.

No personal income documentation required — hard money is purely asset-based.

Loan amounts from $100K to $5M — single-family, multi-family, commercial, and land.

Interest-only payments during the term — no amortization impact during project.

No prepayment penalty after month 3 — pay off early without penalty.

48-hour draw disbursement for fix-and-flip rehab budgets.

LLC, corporation, and trust vesting accepted — no personal name required.

Bridge, fix-and-flip, ground-up construction, and foreclosure buyout programs available.

Program Highlights

Max LTV

70%

Min Credit Score

600

Max DTI

50%

Loan Amount Range

$50K - $5M

Amortization Options

6 Month12 Month18 Month24 Month

Eligible Properties

  • Single Family
  • Multi Family
  • Condo
  • Townhouse
  • Commercial

Program Requirements

Income Documentation

  • Proof of funds to cover closing costs and initial project expenses.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage the project, if applicable (e.g., for fix-and-flips).
  • Stable income or resources to support the loan, even if the property is not immediately generating revenue.

Asset Verification

  • Clear title to the property being financed.
  • Appraisal of the property to determine its current market value and after-repair value (ARV), if applicable.
  • Other assets may be considered to strengthen the application.

Insurance & Title

  • Hazard insurance policy covering the full replacement value of the property.
  • Liability insurance to protect against potential claims.
  • Builder's risk insurance may be required for renovation projects.

Property Requirements

  • Minimum FICO score of 600.
  • Review of credit history to assess risk and past financial behavior.
  • Emphasis on recent credit history and any prior real estate investment experience.

Hard Money in Irvine: The Complete Guide

What Is a Hard Money Loan?

A hard money loan is a short-term, asset-backed real estate loan where the property collateral — not the borrower's income or credit — is the primary qualification factor. CMRE hard money loans are designed for investors who need fast capital for acquisitions, renovations, bridge financing, or distressed property purchases. Unlike conventional mortgages, which require W-2s, tax returns, and 30+ day underwriting, CMRE hard money loans approve based on the property's current value, condition, and the investor's exit strategy. Terms run 6 to 24 months. Funding in as few as 7 business days.

Who Uses Hard Money Loans?

  • Fix-and-flip investors needing fast acquisition capital and rehab draws.
  • Bridge borrowers buying a new property before their current one sells.
  • Auction buyers who need proof of funds and 10–14 day closing capability.
  • Distressed property investors purchasing REO, short sales, or foreclosures.
  • Investors declined by banks due to income complexity (self-employed, foreign national, recent credit event).
  • Developers needing bridge financing between construction completion and permanent loan.

Hard Money Loan Terms and Rate Structure

  • LTV: 65%–80% of current as-is value. Fix-and-flip: up to 90% of ARV (After Repair Value).
  • Loan amounts: $100K–$5M. Loans above $2M may require additional equity.
  • Terms: 6 months to 24 months — short-term bridge structure.
  • Rates: 9.875%–13.99% depending on LTV, property condition, and investor experience.
  • Origination: 1–3 points. No prepayment penalty after month 3.
  • Payments: Interest-only during the term. Principal due at maturity or exit.
  • Reserves: 3–6 months PITIA required at closing depending on LTV.

ARV Calculation — How CMRE Sizes Your Loan

ARV (After Repair Value) is the estimated market value of the property after all renovations are complete. CMRE uses ARV to set the maximum loan amount on fix-and-flip projects. Example: Purchase price $300K + Rehab budget $80K = Total project cost $380K. Estimated ARV = $520K. CMRE's maximum loan = 70% × $520K = $364K. Since $300K + $80K = $380K total need, CMRE covers $364K and the investor brings $16K to closing. The lower the LTV relative to ARV, the better the rate. Investors with documented track records (3+ closed flips in the last 24 months) may access higher LTV tiers.

Hard Money vs. Conventional Investment Loans

  • Approval basis: Hard money = property equity + exit strategy. Conventional = credit score + income + DTI.
  • Minimum FICO: Hard money = none (600+ preferred). Conventional investment = 620 minimum.
  • Close time: Hard money = 7–14 business days. Conventional = 21–30 days.
  • Maximum LTV: Hard money = 80% as-is / 90% ARV. Conventional = 75% investment.
  • Loan term: Hard money = 6–24 months. Conventional = 15 or 30 years.
  • Property condition: Hard money = distressed, non-warrantable, vacant. Conventional = must appraise in current condition.
  • Best for: Hard money = time-sensitive acquisitions, distressed assets, auction buys. Conventional = stabilized rentals held long-term.

How to Apply for a Hard Money Loan with CMRE

  • Step 1: Submit property details — address, purchase price, as-is value estimate, scope of work (if rehab), and exit strategy.
  • Step 2: CMRE issues a term sheet within 24–48 hours — rate, LTV, origination, and timeline.
  • Step 3: Property appraisal or BPO (Broker Price Opinion) ordered — fast-track available in 3–5 days.
  • Step 4: Underwriting review of property value, title, and exit strategy. No personal income verification.
  • Step 5: Funding in as few as 7 business days. First draw released at closing. Subsequent draws in 48 hours.

Current Mortgage Rates

30-Year Fixed Rate

6%

as of 3/5/2026 · FRED

Est. Monthly Payment in Orange County

$5,708/mo

Based on $1,190,000 median · 20% down · P&I only

15-Year Fixed Rate

5.43%

as of 3/5/2026 · FRED

Est. Monthly Payment in Orange County

$7,743/mo

Based on $1,190,000 median · 20% down · P&I only

Rates are national averages and may differ from your actual rate. Contact us for a personalized quote.

Get Your Rate →

Live Market Data: Orange County

Source: Redfin · 2026-01-31

Median Sale Price

$1,190,000

-0.1% YoY

Median List Price

$1,250,000

Price / Sq Ft

$672.928

Days on Market

61

Active Listings

3,840

Homes Sold

1,262

Sale-to-List Ratio

98.5%

2025 Conforming Loan Limits: ORANGE

ORANGE, CA is a designated high-cost area with limits above the national baseline of $806,500.

1-Unit (SFR)

$1,209,750

2-Unit (Duplex)

$1,548,480

3-Unit (Triplex)

$1,871,483

4-Unit (Fourplex)

$2,326,349

Source: FHFA 2025 Conforming Loan Limits. Loans above these limits require jumbo financing.

Local Market Insights

Hard Money in Irvine, CA

Median Home$1,450,000
Population3.2M
MarketPremium
Median Income$113,702
Homeowners56%
Median Rent$2,352/mo

Irvine mortgage loans for Orange County homebuyers. Jumbo and conventional programs for South OC. Custom Mortgage & Real Estate specializes in providing high-fidelity Hard Money solutions tailored to the unique economic landscape of Irvine and the surrounding Orange County.

Our FinTech-driven approach allows us to offer competitive rates and streamlined processing for homeowners and investors across the entireIrvine metropolitan area.

Loan Officer Insight

Luxury market lead; our Super Jumbo programs offer industry-low rates for OC estates.

Service Areas & Neighborhoods

WoodbridgeNorthwoodTurtle RockUniversity ParkQuail HillPortola Springs926029260392604

Our Irvine Presence

Local Knowledge. Global Rates.

16501 Ventura Blvd STE 400

Encino, CA 91436

Direct Line

877-976-5669
View All CA Locations

Recent CMRE Closings in California

Funded Transactions
Conventional Cash-Out Refinance

Conventional Cash-Out Refinance, Los Angeles CA

Loan $410,000
LTV 75%

Los Angeles, CA

Hard Money JR LIEN

Hard Money JR LIEN, Willowbrook CA

Loan $1,100,000

Willowbrook, CA

Commercial Property Financing

Commercial Property Financing, Silicon Valley CA

Loan $2,800,000
LTV 70%

Silicon Valley, CA

Application Process

Six simple steps from application to funding

STEP 1

Application

Complete our streamlined online application form with your financial information

STEP 2

Document Review

Submit required documentation for verification and processing

STEP 3

Pre-Approval

Receive conditional approval and loan terms based on your profile

STEP 4

Title & Escrow

Open escrow and complete title search and insurance requirements

STEP 5

Appraisal & Final Review

Property appraisal completed and final underwriting approval received

STEP 6

Funding

Sign final documents and receive your loan funds

Why Choose Custom Mortgage?

Your trusted partner in real estate financing

Extensive Experience

Over 25 years of proven expertise in mortgage lending and real estate financing

Comprehensive Loan Options

Wide range of programs from conventional to specialized non-QM and hard money solutions

Nationwide Coverage

Licensed in multiple states with the ability to fund loans across the country

Flexible Solutions

Customized financing options for unique situations that traditional lenders decline

Competitive Rates

Access to wholesale pricing and volume discounts passed directly to our clients

No Upfront Fees

Transparent pricing with no application fees or upfront costs to get started

Not Sure Which Program Fits?

Get Matched in 60 Seconds

Our AI Instant Advisor analyzes your situation — credit, loan amount, property type — and matches you to the right program. No credit pull. No obligation.

Free Tool

ARV Loan Calculator

Estimate your maximum hard money loan amount based on After Repair Value (ARV). CMRE lends up to 70% ARV for fix-and-flip projects.

Common Questions About Hard Money in Irvine

CMRE funds hard money loans in as fast as 7 business days from completed application. Same-day term sheets are available. Experienced investors with prior CMRE loans may qualify for expedited underwriting in 3–5 days.

CMRE allows up to 80% LTV on current as-is value for stabilized properties. For fix-and-flip, CMRE lends up to 90% of ARV (After Repair Value), subject to the total loan not exceeding 80% of the as-is purchase price plus 100% of approved rehab budget.

No minimum FICO is required for most CMRE hard money programs. Approval is based on property equity and exit strategy, not personal credit. A credit score of 600+ may unlock better rate tiers. Borrowers with prior bankruptcy, foreclosure, or recent credit events are eligible.

CMRE hard money rates start at 9.875% and range to approximately 13.99% depending on LTV, property condition, borrower experience, and loan term. Origination points range from 1–3. No prepayment penalty after month 3. Interest-only payments during the term.

CMRE hard money loans cover single-family (1–4 units), condos, townhomes, small multifamily (5+), mixed-use, commercial, vacant land, and non-warrantable properties. Distressed, non-conforming, and auction properties are eligible — conventional lender required condition standards do not apply.

Yes. CMRE hard money loans close in LLC, corporation, or trust name — personal title is not required. Personal guaranty from the managing member or principal is required. This structure protects personal assets from liability and is preferred by most active investors.

Hard money is faster (7–14 days vs. 21–30 days), more flexible (no income docs, no FICO minimum), and works for distressed or non-conforming properties that conventional lenders decline. The tradeoff is rate — hard money runs 9.875%–13.99% vs. 7%–8.5% for conventional. It is a short-term tool for acquisition and value-add, not a long-term hold product.

CMRE funds hard money loans from $100K to $5M. Loans above $2M typically require additional equity (lower LTV) and may involve a lender syndicate for large projects. Commercial hard money loans for properties above $5M are available through CMRE's commercial lending desk.

The current national 30-year fixed rate is 6.00% (Freddie Mac PMMS). Hard Money rates in Irvine vary by loan amount, LTV, and credit profile — CMRE provides locked quotes within 24 hours of application.

CMRE typically closes Hard Money loans in Irvine within 21-30 days from application. The Orange County market has seen home prices fall 0.1% year-over-year — buyers currently have more leverage, but rate locks still protect you from market moves. Our CA-licensed team coordinates title, escrow, and appraisal concurrently to minimize time-to-close.

CMRE funds hard money and bridge loans in Irvine in as fast as 7 business days. Experienced investors in Orange County with strong equity positions may qualify for expedited underwriting.

Hard Money from CMRE in Irvine typically requires 65-80% LTV depending on property type and borrower experience. Fix-and-flip investors in Orange County may access higher leverage with track record documentation.

TESTIMONIALS

Success stories from families and investors across the nation who achieved their goals with CMRE.

"I've been working with Custom Mortgage and Real Estate for over five years now, and they've totally helped me get through a bunch of tricky transactions. Their team is super helpful all the way through, making sure everything goes off without a hitch. I seriously recommend Custom Mortgage to anyone who needs financing or a solid real estate broker."

RENE M

RENE M

"I just worked with Custom Mortgage and Real Estate, and seriously, I can't recommend them enough. They have helped my family and me with a bunch of transactions, always receiving results that nobody else could. Their team is super responsive and really experienced, which made everything go through smoothly with no stress at all."

ARTHUR G

ARTHUR G

"As an investor in real estate and an agent, I totally count on Custom Mortgage and Real Estate for my deals since they've got loads of experience. They have these unique programs that I just can't find anywhere else, and it really gives me an advantage. After researching a number of companies, the offers from Custom Mortgage were the best out there."

FERESHTEH B

FERESHTEH B

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