Commercial Real Estate Bridge Loans
Need to buy, reposition, or refinance a property before permanent financing is ready? Our bridge loans give commercial investors fast, flexible capital. Borrow $100,000 to $100 million for 12, 24, or 36 months, with up to 85% of cost, an extension option, and closings in as little as 10-20 days.
- Short-term loans for commercial, multifamily, and investor-owned residential property
- Terms of 12, 24, or 36 months, with an extension that may be available
- Purchase and renovation funds in one loan
- Common-sense underwriting built on the property, the plan, and the exit
- LLCs, investors, and foreign nationals welcome
- Tell us about the propertyAddress, property type, price, and any renovation budget.
- Review your term sheetWe size the loan on value, cost, and your exit plan.
- Close and move forwardFund the purchase and start your business plan right away.
The basics
What is a commercial real estate bridge loan?
A commercial real estate bridge loan is short-term financing used to carry a property from one stage to the next. It is typically secured by a commercial property, or by an investment property such as a single family fix and flip, multifamily building, retail store, office building, mixed-use property, or apartment building. The loan “bridges” the gap between the day you need money and the day a long-term lender, or a buyer, takes over.
Terms commonly run 12, 24, or 36 months, and an extension may be available if your business plan needs more time. Because the loan is meant to be temporary, payments are usually interest-only, which keeps your monthly cash flow focused on the project rather than on principal.
Lenders like CambridgeHomeLoan.com make bridge loans to commercial real estate investors who need to span the distance between a purchase and long-term financing. A good bridge loan closes quickly and can include funds for construction or rehab work. That lets you raise the value of the property, so you can later refinance into a longer, lower-cost loan or sell for a profit.
Our approach is common-sense underwriting that looks at the big picture. We see value in every property, every business, and every borrower, and we would rather understand your plan than reject it over a single box on a form.
Property types
Properties we bridge
We finance nine property types. Each tile shows where a short-term loan fits best:
Mixed Use
Ground-floor shops with apartments or offices overhead, bought or repositioned before a long-term lender steps in.
Office
Single-tenant and small multi-tenant buildings that need leasing, renovation, or a fresh owner before stabilizing.
Light Industrial
Small-bay and flex buildings where a short hold lets you fill vacancies and grow rents.
Mobile Home Parks
Parks that need infrastructure, occupancy gains, or management changes before conventional financing is available.
Self Storage
Facilities with room for added units, upgraded security, or a lease-up period.
Warehouse
Buildings acquired quickly near highways, ports, and rail, with a plan to sign tenants and refinance.
Retail
Centers and stand-alone stores bought during a vacancy, a re-tenanting plan, or an ownership change.
Multifamily
Apartment buildings that need unit upgrades, rent growth, or a lower-cost permanent loan after improvement.
Single Family Residence
Investor-owned houses bought, rehabbed, and sold or refinanced as rentals on a short timeline.
Retail
Plazas and stand-alone stores in transition.Warehouse & Industrial
Distribution and flex buildings near freight routes.Office
Professional and medical buildings ready for lease-up.Mixed Use
Shops below and apartments or offices above.When it makes sense
Six situations where a bridge loan earns its keep
Permanent financing is cheaper, but it is slow and strict. A bridge loan trades a higher rate for speed, flexibility, and the freedom to improve a property first. These are the moments we see most often:
Buy before a bank can
Sellers favor buyers who can close in weeks. A bridge loan keeps you competitive on price and certainty.
Lease up a vacant building
Fund the carry while you sign tenants, then refinance on the strength of real income.
Renovate and reposition
Cover purchase and improvements together so the finished property supports a better loan.
Replace a maturing loan
When a balloon date nears and the bank will not renew, a bridge loan buys time to restructure.
Meet a hard deadline
Estate settlements, partner buyouts, auctions, and exchange windows rarely wait for a committee.
Fix the story first
Stabilize title, ownership, or financials on a short hold, then move to permanent financing.
How it works
The structure of a bridge loan, step by step
Every bridge loan answers three questions: what are you buying or fixing, what will it cost, and how will you pay us back? We start with the property’s current value and, where improvements are planned, the value after the work is complete. From there we size the loan against both your total cost and the property’s value, and the lower figure controls. Leverage can reach up to 85 percent of cost and up to 75 percent of value for strong deals and experienced borrowers.
When renovation is part of the plan, we split the loan into two pieces. The purchase portion funds at closing. The improvement portion is held back and released as work is finished and inspected, so you receive money as you earn the progress. Interest is charged only on funds already advanced, which keeps carrying costs lower in the early months.
The final piece is the exit. Most borrowers either sell the finished property or refinance it into a long-term loan once it is renovated or leased. We ask about your exit at the start, because a clear plan is the best protection for both of us, and we will help you think through a backup if timing slips.
| Collateral | The commercial or investment property being purchased or refinanced |
| Loan size | $100,000 to $100,000,000 |
| Leverage | Up to 85% of cost and up to 75% of value |
| Loan term | 12, 24, or 36 months, with an extension that may be available |
| Payments | Interest-only during the term |
| Renovation funds | Can be included and released against inspected work |
| Borrower | Individuals, LLCs, and investment entities, including foreign nationals |
| Speed | Same-day term sheet and closings in as few as 10-20 days |
Choose a term
12, 24, or 36 months: picking the right runway
The best term is the shortest one that comfortably fits your plan, with a little room for surprises. Here is how borrowers usually decide:
12 Months
Best for quick flips, light cosmetic work, and acquisitions where a refinance or sale is already lined up.
24 Months
A balanced runway for renovations, lease-up of a partly vacant building, and repositioning projects.
36 Months
Suited to heavier rehabs, phased improvements, and properties that need time to stabilize before refinancing.
If the market shifts or a project runs late, an extension may be available, so you are not forced to sell or refinance at the wrong moment. Talk to us early about timing, because options are broadest before the maturity date approaches.
Free tool
Bridge loan cost & yield calculator
Enter your purchase price and improvement plan to see total cost, loan size, equity, and interest, then compare projected income to your all-in investment. This estimate conservatively assumes the full loan balance is outstanding for the whole term. Illustrative only.
Your property
Illustrative only; not a commitment to lend. Excludes closing costs, insurance, taxes, and reserves. Interest rate and NOI are example inputs, not a quote or a forecast.
Our edge
CambridgeHomeLoan vs. a conventional bank loan
Banks offer low rates to borrowers who fit their boxes and can wait. Bridge capital is built for everyone else, or for anyone who needs to move first:
| Feature | CambridgeHomeLoan Bridge | Typical Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Approval based on | Property, plan, and exit | Credit history, income, and relationship |
| Paperwork | Streamlined | Extensive financials |
| Closing speed | 10-20 days possible | Often 45-90+ days |
| Renovation funds | Can be built in | Usually a separate loan |
| Vacant or transitional property | Welcome | Often declined |
| Extension | May be available | Rarely flexible |
Bank column is a generic composite of commonly seen terms in 2026, not a description of any lender.
The exit
How a bridge loan ends: four common exits
A bridge loan is only as good as its way out. We help you choose the exit that fits your property and the market:
Sell the Property
Common after a renovation or a quick flip, when a buyer pays more for a finished building.
Refinance Long Term
Replace the bridge with a conventional, agency, or debt-service-coverage loan once the building is stabilized.
Extend the Term
Use an available extension when lease-up or construction takes longer than planned.
Recapitalize
Bring in equity or restructure ownership to pay off the loan and keep the asset.
Underwriting
Common-sense underwriting that sees the big picture
Traditional lenders often start with the borrower’s tax returns and work backward. We start with the real estate. What is the property worth today, what could it be worth after the plan is carried out, and how likely is it that the plan will work? We weigh the neighborhood, the tenants or the demand, the scope of any work, and your track record with similar projects.
That approach lets us say yes to deals that look unusual on paper but make sense in person: a half-empty center with a signed anchor, a rundown building in an improving area, or an owner whose business is strong but whose personal tax returns are not. Every property, every business, and every borrower has a story, and we take the time to read it.
Be prepared
What to have ready before you call
- The property detailsAddress, property type, purchase contract or current loan balance, and a short summary of its condition.
- Your plan and budgetA simple scope of work, contractor bids if available, and a realistic timeline.
- Your exit strategyWhether you intend to sell or refinance, and roughly when you expect to do it.
- Entity and equity informationOwnership documents for your LLC or company, plus proof of the cash you are contributing.
Smart borrowing
Tips for getting the most from a bridge loan
A bridge loan is a tool, and like any tool it works best when used on purpose. A few habits separate smooth bridge deals from stressful ones.
First, build in cushion. Add a realistic contingency to your renovation budget and choose a term that leaves months to spare, since permits, contractors, and tenants rarely run on schedule. Second, line up your refinance conversation early. Knowing which long-term lender will want what, such as occupancy levels, rent rolls, or completed work, lets you aim the project at the finish line from day one. Third, keep records tidy. Receipts, invoices, and inspection reports speed up your draws and make your later refinance far easier.
Finally, call us before you sign a contract if you can. We often catch issues early, from an unrealistic timeline to a mismatched loan size, and we can shape the structure around the deal instead of forcing the deal into a structure.
Nationwide hub
Find bridge loan details for your state
Local rules, markets, and property types shape every bridge deal. Choose your state for market-by-market detail, or call us if your property is somewhere else. We lend across the country.
Process
From first call to funded in three steps
Send your scenario
Share the property, price, any renovation plan, and how you intend to exit.
Get your term sheet
We review value, cost, and experience, then send clear terms the same day.
Close and execute
We close quickly, fund the purchase, and release improvement money as work is completed.
Qualifying
What we look for on bridge deals
| Equity | Often 15-20% of total cost, depending on experience and the project |
| Credit | A 640+ score is typical, but the deal comes first and exceptions are considered |
| Income | Asset-based; personal income is not the deciding factor |
| Property documents | Purchase contract or existing loan details, plus a scope and budget for any renovation |
| Borrower entity | Individual, LLC, or investment entity; foreign nationals eligible |
| Exit plan | Sale or refinance into long-term financing |
Questions
Commercial real estate bridge loan FAQ
What is a commercial real estate bridge loan?
A commercial real estate bridge loan is short-term financing secured by a commercial property, or by an investment property such as a single family fix and flip, multifamily, retail, office, mixed-use, or apartment building. It covers the gap between a purchase and a long-term loan, so you can act now and refinance or sell later.
How long are bridge loan terms?
Typical terms are 12, 24, or 36 months, and an extension may be available when your plan needs more time. Shorter terms suit quick flips and light repairs. Longer ones fit lease-up and major renovations.
Which property types do you finance?
We lend on mixed-use, office, light industrial, mobile home parks, self storage, warehouse, retail, multifamily, and single family residences. If your property does not fit neatly, send it over and we will take a look.
How fast can a bridge loan close?
Many bridge loans close in 10 to 20 days, depending on how quickly title, insurance, and appraisal items come back. Providing clean documents on day one is the best way to protect your timeline.
How much can I borrow?
Loans range from $100,000 to $100,000,000. Leverage can reach up to 85 percent of cost and up to 75 percent of value, with the lower measure controlling, based on the strength of the deal and your experience.
Can the loan include renovation funds?
Yes. A bridge loan can combine the purchase price with a renovation or repositioning budget. Improvement money is released against inspected work, and you pay interest on what has been advanced.
What do I need to qualify?
We focus on the property, the plan, and the exit. Expect to provide the contract or current loan details, a scope and budget if work is planned, entity documents, and proof of equity. A 640+ credit score is typical, and exceptions are considered.
What is my exit strategy?
Most borrowers either sell the property or refinance into a lower-cost, longer-term loan after the property is improved or leased. Your exit plan is a core part of our review, so we will talk it through with you before we close.
© 2026 CambridgeHomeLoan.com · NMLS #1826020 · 4830 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33609 · (800) 826-5077 · Equal Housing Lender. Bridge loans are business-purpose loans and are not available for primary residences. Rates, points, leverage, terms, extension availability, draw timing, and closing speed are illustrative, can change without notice, and depend on borrower, property, and project qualification and underwriting approval. Figures such as “up to 85%” and “12, 24 or 36 months” reflect the strongest profiles and are not a quote or commitment to lend. Property values are estimates confirmed by appraisal. Calculator output is illustrative and excludes closing costs, insurance, taxes, and reserves. Comparison figures are generic composites. Illustrations are artwork and do not depict specific properties. Borrowers should confirm zoning, building code, environmental, lien, and permitting requirements with licensed professionals. This page is informational and is not financial, legal, tax, or investment advice.