Commercial real estate

Commercial Bridge Loans

Short-term financing for acquisitions, renovations, and repositioning. Close in 2-3 weeks, interest-only payments, flexible exit strategies.

65-75%

Max LTV

12-36mo

Loan Term

7.5-13%

Interest Rates

2-3wks

Close Time

Overview

Common Bridge Loan Use Cases

When and why investors use bridge financing

Quick Property Acquisition

Need to close on a property in 14-30 days before permanent financing is ready

Rate

7.50% - 10.00%

Term

12-24 months

Timeline

2-3 weeks to close
6-18 months to permanent loan

Exit

Refinance

Example Scenario:

Off-market multifamily deal requires all-cash offer. Bridge loan allows quick close, then refinance to agency loan after 6 months.

Value-Add Renovation

Property needs significant improvements before qualifying for permanent financing

Rate

8.00% - 11.00%

Term

12-36 months

Timeline

2-4 weeks to close,
12-24 months renovation

Exit

Refinance

Example Scenario:

Class C apartment building at 65% occupancy. Renovate units, raise rents, increase to 90% occupancy, then refinance.

Lease-Up Financing

Property is vacant or under-occupied and cannot qualify for permanent loan yet

Rate

8.50% - 11.50%

Term

18-36 months

Timeline

3-4 weeks to close,
12-24 months lease-up

Exit

Refinance

Example Scenario:

Newly constructed office building with no tenants. Bridge loan funds acquisition, covers debt service during lease-up to 85% occupancy.

Cash-Out Recapitalization

Extract equity from stabilized property for another investment or business need

Rate

7.50% - 9.50%

Term

12-24 months

Timeline

2-3 weeks to close,
refinance when permanent rates improve

Exit

Refinance

Example Scenario:

Own property free-and-clear worth $5M. Bridge loan $3.5M (70% LTV), use proceeds for down payment on second property.

Loan Maturity Extension

Existing loan maturing, need time to improve property performance or wait for better permanent rates

Rate

8.00% - 12.00%

Term

12-24 months

Timeline

2-3 weeks to close,
12-18 months to improve property

Exit

Refinance

Example Scenario:

CMBS loan maturing with $3M balloon payment. Property DSCR only 1.15x. Bridge loan pays off maturing loan, gives time to raise rents and improve DSCR.

Construction Bridge/Gap

Construction loan ending but project not stabilized enough for permanent loan

Rate

8.50% - 12.00%

Term

12-36 months

Timeline

2-4 weeks to close,
6-18 months to stabilization

Exit

Refinance

Example Scenario:

New apartment building complete but only 60% leased. Construction lender wants exit. Bridge loan provides 6-12 more months to reach 85% occupancy.

Bridge Loan Planning

Exit Strategies

How borrowers successfully exit bridge loans

Refinance to Permanent Loan

65%

Most common exit. Once property stabilized (80%+ occupancy, 1.25+ DSCR), refinance to agency, bank, or life company loan at lower rates (5.5-7.5%).

Timeline

12-24 months

Requirements

4 items

Property stabilized

DSCR 1.25x+

Occupancy 80-85%+

Credit 680+

Property Sale

20%

Sell property after value-add improvements complete. Common for fix-and-flip or repositioning strategies.

Timeline

12-36 months

Requirements

4 items

Renovations complete

Property stabilized

Market conditions favorable

Buyer secured

Loan Extension

10%

Extend bridge loan 6-12 months if exit strategy delayed. Most bridge loans offer 1-2 extension options (at higher rates).

Timeline

+6-12 months

Requirements

4 items

Lender approval

Extension fee (0.5-1%)

Property performing

Clear exit plan

Cash-Out Refinance

5%

After improvements, property value increased. Refinance at higher amount, pay off bridge loan, extract additional equity.

Timeline

12-24 months

Requirements

4 items

Increased NOI

Higher appraised value

DSCR 1.30x+

LTV ≤75%

Borrower Requirements

Qualification Criteria

Bridge loans are underwritten based on credit strength, real estate experience, and leverage. Understanding these core qualification benchmarks helps set realistic expectations before applying.

Refinance to Permanent Loan

Medium Impact

Lower credit accepted than permanent loans, but affects rate (680+ gets 1-2% better rate)

Minimum

650

Preferred

680+

Experience

High Impact

Must demonstrate successful CRE experience. First-time investors rarely approved for bridge loans.

Minimum

2 properties

Preferred

5+ properties

Loan-to-Value (LTV)

Medium Impact

Stabilized: 75% LTV | Value-add: 70% LTC | Construction: 65% LTC. Higher LTV = higher rate.

Minimum

Varies

Preferred

65-75%

Exit Strategy

Critical Impact

Must have clear, realistic exit strategy with timeline. No exit plan = no loan.

Minimum

Required

Preferred

Detailed plan

Property Condition

Medium Impact

Property must be salvageable. Severely distressed properties may be declined.

Minimum

Fair

Preferred

Good+

Liquidity/Reserves

Medium Impact

Must have 6-12 months of interest payments in reserves. Bridge loans are interest-only.

Minimum

6 months

Preferred

12+ months

Common Questions

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common questions about our financing platform and process.

Clear answers before you apply. No credit impact during pre-screening.

What types of businesses qualify for financing?

We facilitate financing for businesses across all major industries and business structures. Qualification criteria vary by lender and product type, but generally include minimum revenue thresholds, time in business, and creditworthiness standards. Our advisors assess your specific situation to identify appropriate financing options.

What is the typical timeline from application to funding?

Preliminary decisions are typically delivered within 24 hours of completed application submission. Final approval and funding timelines vary by product type and lender requirements. Alternative financing products often fund within 3-7 business days, while SBA loans typically require 2-4 weeks due to government underwriting processes.

What credit profile is required for approval?

Credit requirements vary significantly by lender and product type. Traditional bank products typically require personal credit scores of 680 or higher, while alternative lending partners may approve businesses with scores as low as 600. We evaluate your complete financial profile to identify lenders aligned with your credit standing.

What fees does BestLoanUSA charge?

BestLoanUSA does not charge upfront application fees or consultation fees. Any fees associated with specific loan products are charged directly by the lending institution and are fully disclosed prior to loan acceptance. We maintain complete transparency regarding all costs throughout the process.

How do bank and non-bank lenders differ?

Traditional banks typically offer lower interest rates but maintain stricter qualification criteria and longer approval timelines. Non-bank lenders provide faster decisions with more flexible underwriting but may charge higher rates. Our platform provides access to both, allowing you to evaluate the full spectrum of available options.

What are the borrowing limits?

Available capital ranges from $10,000 to $10 million or more, depending on product type, business financial strength, and lender criteria. During the application review process, our advisors help determine appropriate loan amounts based on your stated needs and qualification parameters.

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Advisor-led process

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