HARD MONEY · SAN FRANCISCO
Hard Money Loans in San Francisco
Hard money loans in San Francisco are short-term, asset-based mortgages secured primarily by the property itself — funded in roughly 7–10 days based on equity, not tax returns or debt-to-income. San Francisco investors use hard money because this is one of the country's tightest, highest-value markets: prices per square foot sit at the very top of the state, inventory is thin, and well-priced listings routinely draw multiple all-cash offers. A hard money loan lets an SF investor perform like cash to win a competitive offer, buy an older home that conventional financing won't touch, take down a trustee sale, or bridge a gap between purchase and permanent financing. Typical San Francisco hard money terms run up to 70–75% LTV or after-repair value (ARV), with rates higher than conventional, 1.5–4 points, and short 6–24 month terms — and because SF values are so high, the loan balances are large. Common San Francisco scenarios: fix-and-flips of dated Victorian and Edwardian homes, older flats, and tired condos in the Bayview, the Excelsior, the Outer Sunset, and Ingleside; value-add on 2–4 unit buildings across the Richmond and Mission; and bridge or auction purchases backed by the region's deep, tech-driven rental demand. Speed first, then refinance into a longer-term loan.
QUICK ANSWER
Save Financial places hard money and private money loans for San Francisco County investors through our California-licensed brokerage (NMLS #377740). Hard money is asset-based — secured by the San Francisco property and its equity, funded in about 7–10 days rather than the weeks conventional underwriting takes. In a market where sellers routinely field all-cash bids, that speed lets investors write a near-cash offer, finance fix-and-flips of Victorian and Edwardian stock that needs work, buy at trustee sale, or bridge between deals, typically up to 70–75% LTV/ARV. Because it is short-term and higher-cost, we plan the exit up front and pair the loan with a DSCR or conventional refinance. Get a custom San Francisco hard money quote in about 60 seconds, or call (949) 379-5320.
How hard money works
A hard money lender cares first about the property and its equity — not your tax returns, W-2s, or debt-to-income ratio. Because approval skips lengthy income underwriting, San Francisco deals can fund in about 7–10 days. The lender sizes the loan against the property's current value or, on a rehab, its after-repair value (ARV), generally up to 70–75%. The trade-off is a higher rate plus points, which is acceptable because hard money is a short-term tool: you use the speed to win or fix the deal, then refinance into a DSCR or conventional loan, or pay it off from a sale.
On a fix-and-flip, renovation dollars are usually advanced in draws against a set budget as work is completed and inspected — so you don't pay interest on the full rehab amount from day one. That structure matters in San Francisco, where restoring a Victorian or Edwardian, or bringing an older flat up to code, can carry a heavy renovation budget. Underwriting still confirms clear title, a realistic budget and scope, and a credible exit, but the file is far lighter than a conventional loan.
When San Francisco investors use it
Performing like cash on competitive offers: San Francisco inventory is thin and well-priced homes draw multiple bids, many of them all-cash. A hard money pre-approval lets an investor write a fast, near-cash offer and close in a week or two — often the difference between winning a Bernal Heights or Sunset property and losing it to a cash buyer.
Fix-and-flips and homes that need work: Conventional lenders won't finance a property with major deferred maintenance. Hard money does. SF flippers use it on dated Victorian and Edwardian homes, older flats, and tired condos and TIC units in the Bayview, the Excelsior, the Outer Sunset, Ingleside, and the outer Mission, underwriting to the ARV.
Auctions and trustee sales: San Francisco County trustee sales and courthouse-step auctions require fast, certain performance. Hard money is built for these time-sensitive, cash-like purchases.
Bridge financing: When an investor needs to buy before selling, or close before permanent financing is in place, hard money bridges the gap. Given the deep, tech-driven rental demand across San Francisco, many investors bridge into a buy-and-hold rental, then refinance onto a DSCR loan — qualifying on the building's rent rather than personal income.
Typical terms (2026)
Hard money is priced for speed and short duration, so rates sit above conventional financing. The figures below are illustrative San Francisco ranges for 2026 — actual terms vary by lender, deal, and equity, and change over time. This is not an offer.
- Basis: the property and its equity — not personal income
- LTV / ARV: up to ~70–75% of value or after-repair value
- Rate: higher than conventional, roughly ~9.5%–12%
- Points: ~1.5–4 at closing
- Term: short — typically ~6–24 months
- Speed: funding in about 7–10 days
- Loan size: often large-balance given San Francisco's high property values
- Use: investment and business-purpose property — not owner-occupied primary residences
Because the loan is short and expensive, the smart move is to plan the exit before you borrow. Save Financial lines up the fast hard money purchase and the long-term refinance at the same time — the DSCR or conventional loan you'll roll into once the property is stabilized — so you're never stuck holding a short-term loan with no way out.
Get started with Save Financial
Save Financial is licensed in all 58 California counties (NMLS #377740, DRE #01875766) with deep experience in the San Francisco County investor market. We place hard money and private money through wholesale and private lender channels — which lets us shop pricing across many lenders instead of one bank's menu — and pair every hard money deal with a planned refinance exit.
To get a real San Francisco-specific quote in 60 seconds (no SSN, no credit pull, no obligation), apply online or call 949-379-5320. You'll be connected with a California-licensed loan officer who knows the San Francisco submarkets in detail.
For related programs, see our hard money program page, fix-and-flip financing, and DSCR loans (the common refinance exit). For broader local information, visit the San Francisco overview page.
— SAN FRANCISCO FAQ
San Francisco hard money loan questions, answered
How fast can I get a hard money loan in San Francisco?
Most San Francisco hard money loans fund in about 7 to 10 days, and time-sensitive deals can close even faster because approval centers on the property and its equity rather than lengthy income underwriting. In a market where well-priced listings routinely draw multiple all-cash offers, that speed is the main reason SF investors use hard money to compete and to take down trustee-sale purchases.
What down payment do San Francisco hard money lenders require?
Hard money is sized by loan-to-value rather than a fixed down payment. San Francisco lenders typically lend up to about 70-75% of the property's value or after-repair value (ARV), so on a purchase you generally bring roughly 25-30% of the price plus closing costs and points. Because SF values are among the highest in the country, that equity requirement translates into large dollar amounts, and rehab funds are often advanced in draws against the renovation budget.
Can I use hard money for a San Francisco fix-and-flip?
Yes. Fix-and-flip is the most common use in San Francisco. Hard money finances dated Victorian and Edwardian homes, older flats, and condos that need work in areas like the Bayview, the Excelsior, the Outer Sunset, and Ingleside, where conventional loans will not lend on properties with major deferred maintenance. Lenders underwrite to the ARV and often fund renovation costs through a draw schedule.
What are typical hard money terms in San Francisco for 2026?
Illustrative 2026 terms are rates roughly in the 9.5% to 12% range, about 1.5 to 4 points, up to 70-75% LTV/ARV, and short 6 to 24 month terms, with funding in about 7 to 10 days. Rates run higher than conventional because the loan is short-term, fast, and asset-based. On SF's high property values these loans are often large-balance, and actual terms vary by lender, deal, and equity.
Can I use hard money to buy a San Francisco home at auction or as a bridge?
Yes. Hard money is well suited to San Francisco County trustee sales and courthouse auctions that demand fast, near-cash performance, and to bridge situations where you need to buy before selling or before permanent financing is in place. It is a short-term tool used to secure the property, then refinanced or paid off from the sale.
What is my exit from a San Francisco hard money loan?
Because hard money is short-term and higher-cost, you plan the exit before you borrow. On a flip, the exit is the resale. On a rental, investors typically refinance into a DSCR loan that qualifies on the property's rent, or into a conventional loan once the home is stabilized. In San Francisco, steady tech-driven rental demand supports the buy-and-hold exit. Save Financial lines up the fast purchase and the long-term refinance together so you are never stuck holding an expensive short-term loan.