1) Confirm your equity. 2) Prove a credible exit. 3) Plan the carry & reserves. 4) Check credit (650+) / net worth. 5) Price the departing home to sell. 6) Shop & test the LTV. 7) Order valuation & close (7–30 days). See Requirements.
On this page
The 7 steps to qualify
Confirm your equity
Value − mortgage balance = equity. The loan caps at 65–80% of value. Calculator →
Prove a credible exit
Sale of the departing home or a refinance. No exit, no bridge.
Plan the carry & reserves
Budget the interest-only payment + possible two payments; hold reserves for a slow sale.
Check credit & net worth
650+ typical; investor recourse loans may want net worth ≈ loan + 6–12 mo reserves.
Price the departing home to sell
A fast, realistic sale shortens the carry and strengthens the file.
Shop the deal & test the LTV
Lenders quote differently; a lower LTV prices 1–2 points better. Rates →
Order valuation & close
Appraisal or BPO confirms value, then fund — often 7–30 days. Process →
Strengthening a weak file — the routing table
| If your weak spot is… | Route around it by… |
|---|---|
| Not enough usable equity | Lower the target loan, or pledge additional property |
| High LTV pricing | Bring the LTV down to a better tier |
| Thin reserves | Add liquid funds, or reduce the loan size |
| Weak/slow exit | Price the home to sell, or line up a refi pre-approval |
| Credit below target (for refi exit) | Improve credit now so the takeout loan qualifies |
| Investor net-worth shortfall | Add a co-sponsor or offer additional recourse/equity |
| Soft local market | Extend the timeline assumption & hold more reserves |
Bridge qualifying FAQs
First step to qualify?
Confirm your equity — the loan caps at 65–80% of value. Equity + a credible exit is the foundation.
Need income or good credit?
Equity-based, so no full income docs; lenders want ~650+ credit and, for investor recourse loans, net worth near the loan.
How much equity?
Enough that 65–80% of value minus your mortgage gives the cash you need. Investors bring 20–35%.
Weak file?
Route around it — lower LTV, price the home to sell, add reserves, firm the exit, or improve credit.
How do I strengthen the exit?
Price the home realistically, prep it to show well, or line up a refi approval — the best way to improve odds and pricing.
Reviewed by the licensing team at Save Financial, a California-licensed mortgage brokerage (NMLS #377740, DRE #01875766) founded in 2009 and serving all 58 counties from offices in Newport Beach and Marina del Rey.