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Hard Money Loans in Pasadena

Pasadena's older homes are its charm — and sometimes its financing problem. A dated home may not pass a conventional appraisal as-is. Asset-based hard money funds the purchase and the renovation in days, so you can buy it, fix it, then refinance into a conventional loan.

Days to fundAs-is OK65–75% LTVRenovate & refi
MBReviewed by Mike Basti, Mortgage Broker & Founder · NMLS #377740
Quick Answer

Hard money is short-term, asset-based financing secured by the Pasadena property — funded in days, based on equity not income. Typical: ~9.5–15% rate, 1.5–4 points, 65–75% LTV, 6–24 months. Ideal for buying/renovating older homes that won't pass a conventional appraisal, then refinancing. Full program details.

How hard money works

A hard money lender cares first about the property and its equity, not your tax returns. Because approval skips lengthy income underwriting, funds can arrive in days. The higher rate and points are the cost of speed — fine, because it's a short-term tool: use it to acquire and improve, then refinance into a conventional or DSCR loan, or sell.

The Pasadena use case: older homes that won't pass as-is

Here's a very Pasadena problem hard money solves cleanly: you find a beautiful older home — but it won't pass a conventional appraisal in its current condition, so a normal loan can't close on it. Hard money can. Pasadena's historic and older housing stock is a gift and a hurdle. A 1920s Craftsman with knob-and-tube wiring, an aging roof, foundation settling, or a long-deferred kitchen may be exactly the home you want — but a conventional lender will often require those repairs before funding, which a seller won't allow and you can't do before you own it. That's a stalemate hard money breaks: it lends on the property as-is (and can often fund part of the renovation), so you buy the home, complete the work, and then refinance into a conventional loan at the improved value and condition. It's the standard playbook for value-add and even owner-occupant buyers chasing a fixer in a great neighborhood. One Pasadena-specific caution: if the home is in a designated historic district or uses the Mills Act, confirm designation, permits, and requirements before you plan the renovation. Plan my buy-renovate-refi →

Typical terms (2026)

FeatureTypical
BasisProperty & equity — not income; as-is OK
Rate~9.5–15%
Points~1.5–4
LTV~65–75%
Term~6–24 months
ExitRefi to conventional/DSCR, or sell

Terms vary by lender, deal & equity; illustrative for 2026, not an offer. Confirm historic designation/permits independently.

Hard money FAQs

What is it?

Short-term, asset-based financing secured by the property.

Why for an older home?

Funds an as-is buy a conventional lender won't; renovate then refinance.

Historic districts?

Confirm designation, Mills Act, and permits before renovating.

Typical terms?

~9.5–15% rate, 1.5–4 pts, 65–75% LTV, 6–24 mo. Illustrative.

Offer it in Pasadena?

Yes — with a conventional or DSCR refinance exit.

Save Financial is a California-licensed mortgage brokerage (NMLS #377740, DRE #01875766), serving Pasadena from its Marina del Rey office. Confirm historic designation, Mills Act status, and permits independently.

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Found an older Pasadena home that won't finance? Let's fund it fast.

We'll line up hard money to buy it as-is and fund the renovation and set up your conventional or DSCR refinance exit, so a condition problem never costs you the house. Free, no obligation.