A hard money loan is a short-term real estate loan secured by the value of the property—not your credit score or tax returns. These loans are ideal for time-sensitive deals where traditional financing falls short.

Unlike conventional bank loans, which often involve lengthy approval processes, strict documentation requirements, and heavy scrutiny of your credit history and income, hard money loans are asset-based. This means the loan is secured by the real estate itself, and approval is based largely on the property's current value or its after-repair value (ARV) if renovations are planned.