Clear House Lending connects real estate investors and developers with the right lender from our network of 6,000+ private capital sources. Bridge, DSCR, SBA, hard money, and construction loans -- most borrowers get term sheets within 48 hours.
A step-by-step guide to securing bridge financing for your commercial real estate deal. Know what to expect and how to get approved.
Key Takeaways
A commercial bridge loan is short-term financing (6-36 months) that "bridges" the gap between acquiring or repositioning a property and securing permanent financing. Bridge loans are commonly used for:
Learn more about bridge loan terms and rates →
78%
of commercial real estate investors prefer bridge loans for time-sensitive acquisitions
Source: CBRE Research
5-15 days
typical closing time for bridge loans vs 60-120 days for traditional financing
Source: Mortgage Bankers Association
$89.3B
commercial bridge loan originations in 2023
Source: Mortgage Bankers Association
8-13%
typical interest rate range for commercial bridge loans
Source: Clear House Lending Market Data
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Bridge loans make sense when you need speed, flexibility, or your property doesn't qualify for traditional financing. Ask yourself:
Having documents ready speeds up approval significantly. Most bridge lenders require:
Bridge loan requirements vary by lender, but typical thresholds include:
| Requirement | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Minimum Loan Amount | $250,000 - $1,000,000+ |
| Maximum LTV | 65-80% of current value |
| Maximum LTC | 80-90% of total cost |
| Credit Score | 660+ (some lenders 620+) |
| Experience | 1-3+ similar projects preferred |
| Liquidity | 6-12 months of debt service |
| Net Worth | Often equal to loan amount |
Bridge lenders vary significantly in their focus, speed, and flexibility:
Learn more about hard money loans →
Most bridge lenders follow this process:
Timeline tip: Having your documentation ready before submitting can cut 1-2 weeks off the process.
Bridge loans require a clear exit plan. Common exits include:
Your exit strategy should be realistic and account for market conditions, lease-up timelines, and renovation schedules.
Clear House Lending connects you with bridge lenders matched to your specific deal. Share your scenario and get term sheets from multiple lenders to compare.
Financing solutions for every stage of the commercial property lifecycle
Financing for the purchase of new commercial assets
Rate, term, and cash-out solutions for existing commercial debt
Long-term, fixed-rate financing for stabilized commercial properties
Short-term funding for quick acquisitions or property stabilization
Securitized, large balance non-recourse commercial real estate mortgages
Government-backed financing for owner-occupied commercial real estate
Commercial financing
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