# What Is a Bridge Loan? | Key Real Estate Capital *A bridge loan is short-term real estate financing used when timing matters. See how bridge financing works, when investors use it, and Key Real Estate Capital's bridge loan terms.* ## What is a bridge loan? A bridge loan is short-term real estate financing that provides capital for a property or project when timing matters — for example, closing on a new property before an existing one sells or before long-term financing is in place. KREC bridge loans run 6 to 24 months, start at 8.5%, go up to 75% LTV, and can close in 7 to 14 days. Answered by the Key Real Estate Capital lending team · Updated August 2026 ### How it works Bridge financing is asset-based. Instead of building a decision around lengthy personal income documentation, the lender underwrites the property's value and the borrower's exit strategy — the specific way the loan will be repaid, whether that is a sale or a refinance into longer-term financing. Because the review is narrower and faster, a bridge loan can close in days rather than months. In exchange, the term is short and pricing sits above conventional mortgage rates. KREC bridge loans are interest-only options with no prepayment penalties, and cross-collateralization is available. ### Key considerations - The exit strategy is the core underwriting question — a clear, documented exit is required. - Terms run 6 to 24 months, so the plan needs to be executable inside that window. - Leverage reaches 75% LTV, with loan amounts from $100K to $5M. - Minimum credit score is 620, and the property must be non-owner occupied. - Title and property insurance are required, along with adequate cash reserves. ### Who it may be for Investors who need to close on a time-sensitive acquisition before conventional financing could be arranged. Owners buying a replacement property before an existing property sells. Borrowers holding a property that is not yet stabilized enough for permanent financing. ### Related KREC financing options #### Bridge Loans Rates from 8.5%, $100K to $5M, 6 to 24-month terms, up to 75% LTV, closings in 7 to 14 days. #### Fix & Flip Loans For bridge situations that also include a renovation budget funded through draws. ### Frequently asked questions Common follow-up questions about bridge loans. #### How does a bridge loan work? #### When should an investor use a bridge loan? #### What properties qualify for bridge financing at KREC? #### How fast can a bridge loan close? #### Related questions - [Bridge loan vs conventional loan: what is the difference?](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/answers#bridge-vs-conventional) - [Construction financing vs bridge financing](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/answers#construction-vs-bridge) - [What information do lenders typically review?](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/answers#what-do-lenders-review) - [How does private real estate lending work?](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/answers#how-does-private-real-estate-lending-work) ### Ready to talk through your deal? Share the property and your plan, and a KREC loan specialist will outline the financing structures that fit. Flexible, creative lending solutions to help real estate investors scale their portfolios. 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All rights reserved. Service Hours: 24/7 | Monday - Sunday ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How does a bridge loan work? The lender sizes the loan against the property's value, funds quickly, and is repaid when the property sells or refinances. KREC bridge loans run 6 to 24 months with interest-only options and no prepayment penalties. ### When should an investor use a bridge loan? When speed or timing makes conventional financing impractical — a fast-closing acquisition, a purchase ahead of a pending sale, or a property that needs work or lease-up before permanent financing is available. ### What properties qualify for bridge financing at KREC? Non-owner-occupied investment properties across multiple property types. The property must be an investment property, and title and property insurance are required at closing. ### How fast can a bridge loan close? KREC bridge loans can close in 7 to 14 days. Approval and loan terms are typically returned within 24 to 48 hours of a complete submission. ## Links - [View bridge loans details](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/loan-products/bridge) - [View fix & flip loans details](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/loan-products/fix-and-flip) - [Browse all real estate lending answers](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/answers) - [Contact KREC](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/contact) - [Call (619) 369-4444](tel:619-369-4444) - [San Diego](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/locations/san-diego) - [Phoenix](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/locations/phoenix) - [Dallas-Fort Worth](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/locations/dallas-fort-worth) - [Houston](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/locations/houston) - [Atlanta](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/locations/atlanta) - [Tampa](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/locations/tampa) - [Orlando](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/locations/orlando) - [Miami](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/locations/miami) - [Las Vegas](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/locations/las-vegas) - [Denver](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/locations/denver) - [Charlotte](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/locations/charlotte) - [Nashville](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/locations/nashville) - [Sacramento](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/locations/sacramento) - [Riverside](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/locations/riverside) - [Jacksonville](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/locations/jacksonville) - [San Antonio](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/locations/san-antonio) - [Columbus](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/locations/columbus) - [Indianapolis](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/locations/indianapolis) - [Kansas City](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/locations/kansas-city) - [Memphis](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/locations/memphis) - [Birmingham](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/locations/birmingham) - [Cleveland](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/locations/cleveland) - [Austin](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/locations/austin) - [Privacy Policy](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/privacy-policy) - [Terms & Conditions](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/terms-of-service) - [Anti-Spam Policy](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/anti-spam-email-policy) --- Canonical URL: https://keyrealestatecapital.com/answers/bridge-loans Markdown URL: https://keyrealestatecapital.com/answers/bridge-loans.md Agent overview: https://keyrealestatecapital.com/llms.txt Full reference: https://keyrealestatecapital.com/llms-full.txt Sitemap: https://keyrealestatecapital.com/sitemap.xml Related Key Real Estate Capital resources: - Loan programs: https://keyrealestatecapital.com/loan-products - Questions answered: https://keyrealestatecapital.com/answers - Loan calculator: https://keyrealestatecapital.com/calculator - Contact: https://keyrealestatecapital.com/contact Key Real Estate Capital — nationwide private capital lender. 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