When a real estate opportunity appears, time always matters. Traditional financing often moves too slowly to meet the needs of investors, flippers, and buyers working on a tight timeline. That is where private real estate loans come in. At West Forest Capital, we regularly approve and fund private real estate loans in five days or less. The key lies in streamlined underwriting, clear documentation, and working with a lender who knows how to move fast without sacrificing quality.
Learn exactly what a private real estate loan is, why investors choose this route, and how you can get approved in under a week.
What is a Private Real Estate Loan?
A private real estate loan is a type of financing provided by non-bank lenders. Instead of going through a traditional institution like a bank or credit union, you work directly with a private lender who uses their own capital to fund your deal. These loans are asset-based, meaning approval depends more on the value of the property than your credit score or financial history.
Private loans are commonly used for investment properties, fix and flips, bridge loans, or situations where conventional financing would take too long or fall through entirely.
Advantages of a Private Real Estate Loan
Private real estate loans offer speed, flexibility, and accessibility. That makes them an ideal choice for buyers operating in competitive or time-sensitive markets. Some key advantages include:
- Fast approvals: Many deals close in five to seven days
- Flexible requirements: Credit score and income are not the primary factors
- Competitive edge: Move quickly on properties before other buyers can
- Property-based underwriting: The asset matters more than your financial history
According to ATTOM Data, investors flipped over 300,000 properties in 2023 alone.Many of those deals would not have been possible without access to private capital.
How To Get Approved For a Private Real Estate Loan in Less Than a Week
At West Forest Capital, we specialize in moving quickly. While traditional loans can take weeks to process, our private money lending process focuses on speed, clarity, and property value. You can get approved and funded in five days or less by having a few core items ready to go.
Unlike conventional loans, private lenders do not require tax returns, W-2s, or a strong income history. Our team primarily evaluates the property itself. That is why real estate investors who might not qualify for traditional mortgage options still close on profitable deals.
Below is what you need to move forward with a private loan and increase your chances of getting approved in less than a week:
Down Payment
Private loans are asset-based, but you will still need a down payment. This serves as collateral and shows commitment to the project. The loan amount you qualify for depends on the Loan to Value ratio. If you are buying a $300,000 property and the LTV offered is 70 percent, you will need to bring $90,000 to the table. Depending on the asset, the required down payment can range from 20 to 40 percent.
Appraisal
We order an appraisal to confirm the property’s value. This is a key part of the underwriting process.
Insurance Coverage
An active insurance policy is required, with West Forest Capital listed as the loss payee and additional insured. If the project involves major renovations, we also require builder’s risk insurance.
Title Insurance
We require a lender title insurance policy with West Forest Capital listed as the beneficiary. This protects the loan against potential title issues.
Credit Score
While a minimum credit score of 600 is preferred, it is not a dealbreaker. In many cases, we fund projects with borrowers who have lower scores, as long as the deal makes sense. We focus more on equity, strategy, and property value than on credit history.
Clear Exit Strategy
Whether you plan to refinance, sell, or hold, having a defined exit strategy helps us assess risk and make fast approval decisions. Our short-term loan structures are designed to support these types of real estate investments.
By preparing these items in advance, real estate investors can get approved for a private loan quickly and stay competitive in fast-moving markets.
How Are Private Real Estate Loans Used?
Private loans support a wide range of real estate projects. Investors commonly use them for:
- Fix and flip loans
- Bridge loans between purchases or refinances
- Cash-out refinance for investment properties
- Short-term financing for time-sensitive deals
- Construction loans for ground-up or heavy rehab projects
Whether you are buying distressed property, repositioning an asset, or bridging a financing gap, private lenders offer the speed and flexibility to keep your real estate ventures on track.
How Are Private Real Estate Loans Different From Traditional Bank Loans?
Private loans differ from traditional loans in several ways. First and most significantly, private lenders move much faster. At West Forest Capital, we approve most hard money loans within five business days. Traditional financial institutions can take a month or longer to complete underwriting.
Second, private money lenders structure loan terms based on the deal, not a preset formula. We offer flexible monthly payments, shorter timelines, and interest-only options tailored to the project. Traditional lenders often favor long-term loans with rigid terms and slower funding windows.
Finally, private loans rely less on income or credit history. Traditional lenders tend to scrutinize borrower profiles, but our focus stays on the asset and your real estate investing plan. That opens the door for real estate investors who might not qualify for conventional loans but have profitable opportunities ready to go.
When it comes to hard money loans, real estate is our expertise. We work with experienced investors, first-time flippers, and those who need a lender that acts fast. Our team at West Forest Capital brings the financing speed and flexibility that traditional lenders cannot match.
States That We Finance Loans:
West Forest Capital lends in the following states:
- New York
- New Jersey
- Connecticut
- Massachusetts
- Rhode Island
- New Hampshire
- Pennsylvania
- Georgia
- Florida
Private Real Estate Loans with West Forest Capital
West Forest Capital provides private money loans to real estate investors and others looking to finance non-owner-occupied real estate. We fund property types that include apartments, single-family, multi-family, commercial, industrial, and land.
We provide rehab funds or full construction costs as needed. As hard money lenders, we also provide fast closings, almost always less than 14 days, and often as quickly as 3 to 5 days. We’ve even previously closed a brand new loan in one day. Our loans are 1-2 years in duration, and extensions can be provided for up to 6 months or longer on a case-by-case basis.
