Quick Bridge Loans for Real Estate

Gelt Financial LLC is a nationwide private non-bank commercial and investment real estate lender. We offer bridge loans, which are a form of short-term financing for real estate investors. Bridge loans tend to have higher interest rates and unique features compared to traditional funding. We also offer discount note payoffs, DIP, value-added opportunities, bankruptcy exit financing, repositioning, and stabilization financing. Fast approvals and fast closings!

What is a commercial bridge loan?

A commercial bridge loan is a short-term commercial real estate loan, usually 6 to 24 months, that provides fast bridge financing secured by a commercial or investment property. It is designed to cover the gap between an immediate need, such as purchasing or refinancing a property, and your long-term financing or sale strategy. In other words, bridge loans are specifically structured to bridge the gap between immediate financial needs and long-term solutions.

Commercial real estate investors use bridge loans to close quickly on time-sensitive opportunities, pay off maturing or distressed debt, complete value-add renovations, or stabilize cash flow before moving into permanent financing. Approval is primarily driven by property value, equity, and an exit strategy rather than by strict bank-style income and credit requirements.

Who offers bridge loans?

Banks, credit unions, mortgage companies, and private bridge or hard money lenders offer bridge loans. Banks may offer lower rates, but they are slower, harder to qualify for, and heavily focused on income and credit scores. Unlike bridge loans, traditional mortgages usually have much longer approval timelines and less flexibility, making them less suitable for borrowers who need quick access to funds.

Gelt Financial is a direct private bridge lender that uses its own funds to serve real estate investors and commercial property owners, so you deal with decision makers who can approve and close quickly, even when traditional lenders have already said no.

When does a bridge loan make sense for investors?

A bridge loan makes sense for real estate investors when there is a profitable, time-sensitive opportunity and a clear exit strategy through sale or refinancing. Common examples include acquiring undervalued or off-market properties, closing quickly before competitors, paying off maturing or distressed debt, or funding value-add renovations that will increase rents and property value.

When planning your exit strategy, consider how the timing of a home sale can directly impact the repayment of a bridge loan, as delays in the home sale may affect your ability to pay off the loan on schedule. Additionally, be aware of the payment structure—whether the loan requires interest-only payments, monthly payments covering both principal and interest, or a balloon payment at the end—as this will influence your financial planning and risk management.

Advantages of bridge loans

The most significant advantage of a bridge loan for real estate investors is speed; you can access capital in days instead of waiting weeks or months for a traditional bank mortgage. That speed lets you lock up undervalued properties, solve maturing or distressed debt, and move fast on time-sensitive opportunities before competitors do.

Bridge loans can also help cover upfront costs such as the down payment and other expenses related to acquiring or improving a property.

Bridge loans****are also more flexible than conventional financing, with short terms, interest-only payments, and underwriting that focuses on property value, equity, and an exit strategy rather than rigid tax return and income requirements. Used correctly, commercial bridge financing gives investors time to complete renovations, improve cash flow, or stabilize a property, then refinance into long-term permanent financing or exit through a profitable sale.

Bridge loan interest rates and costs

Bridge loan interest rates are higher than conventional mortgage rates because they are short-term, fast-closing, and based on asset value rather than full income underwriting. Investors should expect higher rates and origination points in exchange for speed, flexible terms, and the ability to close deals that banks will not finance.

When evaluating the overall cost of a bridge loan, investors should carefully review origination fees and be aware of any potential balloon payment due at the end of the loan term, as these can significantly impact the total financial obligation. The key is to compare the total cost of capital against the upside of the opportunity, such as buying at a discount, avoiding foreclosure, or unlocking equity to fund more deals. If the projected profit or savings comfortably exceeds the interest and fees over the 6 to 24-month term, bridge financing can be an innovative tool in an investor’s capital stack.

How do bridge loans work through Gelt Financial?

Commercial bridge loans from Gelt Financial provide short-term, asset-based financing secured by commercial and investment properties when traditional bank capital is unavailable or too slow. As a direct private lender, we focus on property value, equity, and a clear exit strategy, offering flexible terms up to 5 years, interest-only payments, and options with no income verification so investors can keep more cash available for projects and operations.

Bridge loans can be used to finance the acquisition of a new property or facilitate a new purchase, including covering the payment on your new investment while you wait for long-term financing or the sale of an existing asset.

Our process is built for real estate investors and business owners who need to close quickly on purchases, refinances, partner buyouts, or renovation deals. You submit your scenario, a decision maker reviews it, issues terms, and we work with you to close as fast as possible. At the same time, you either refinance into permanent financing or sell the property at a profit.