Hard Money Lenders Atlanta

Rates Starting at 10%

West Forest Capital stands out as an Atlanta hard money lender, offering funding solutions for real estate investments up to $3 million. Our clients consider us the fastest hard money lender in Atlanta because we understand how vital timing is in Atlanta’s fast-moving real estate environment.

We are a direct lender, not a broker
Same day pre-approval
Funding in 3–5 days, with next-day funding possible
Loan amounts up to $5 million

Property Types

Lending Parameters

Loan Size	$100,000 to $5,000,000
LTC	Up to 80% of purchase price
Rehab Funding	100%
LTV	Up to 70% of the ARV
Term	Standard is 12 months. 24-36 months is available
Lien	First lien; second lien as additional collateral only
Interest Rate	10%–12.5%
Points	1.5–2% of the loan amount

Counties Covered

West Forest Capital lends in the following counties in Georgia:

Fulton County
Gwinnett County
Cobb County
DeKalb County
Chatham County
Clayton County
Cherokee County
Forsyth County
Henry County
Hall County
Richmond County

Recently Funded Hard Money Loans

Jersey City, NJ

Newark, NJ

Elizabeth, NJ

Why Use a Hard Money Loan

If you need funding fast. Traditional banks may take weeks—or even months—to process a loan application. In contrast, West Forest Capital provides same-day hard money loan approvals and delivers funds in as little as 3 to 5 days. For urgent cases, we’re able to close in just 1 day!
If the property isn’t stabilized. It’s not always about speed—sometimes the property itself doesn’t meet a bank’s criteria. For instance, if it needs significant repairs, lacks a Certificate of Occupancy (CO), or doesn’t have rental income history, a traditional lender may decline it. West Forest Capital and other hard money lenders step in when banks step away.
If you have poor credit. West Forest Capital knows that life happens—and so do credit issues. We prioritize the asset’s value over your credit score or financial ratios, making it easier to qualify for funding despite past setbacks.
If you don’t want to take a loan in your personal name. Most banks will insist the loan be in the name of an individual owner. If you’re aiming to hold the property under an LLC or already have multiple loans in your name, a hard money loan can offer the flexibility banks won’t.

Why Choose An Atlanta Hard Money Lender

Our goal is simple: to be the best hard money lender in Georgia. Specifically, we focus on the city of Atlanta and its surrounding metro area. With deep insight into Atlanta’s real estate patterns, population growth, and investment potential, we tailor our services to meet the demands of this fast-paced market.

In Atlanta proper, we offer direct hard money financing in areas like Buckhead and Midtown, including commercial loans along Peachtree Street and Roswell Road, as well as investment properties in Collier Heights. We also regularly fund fix-and-flip deals in northern suburbs such as Marietta, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Smyrna, and Sandy Springs. To the south, we serve areas like Peachtree City, Conley, and College Park—key spots for residential and mixed-use investment opportunities.

Whether you’re revitalizing a historic neighborhood or acquiring income-generating rental properties, our Atlanta lending programs are built for speed and flexibility.

Financing your Atlanta Investment Property

Atlanta has been at the center of Georgia’s robust economic expansion in recent years. As the state’s capital and largest metro, Atlanta has benefited immensely from a business-friendly climate that has welcomed innovation and attracted major companies across diverse industries. This thriving ecosystem has built a solid economic foundation that continues to support the area’s residents and newcomers alike. The city’s sustained growth is also clearly visible—just look at the daily traffic volume increasing on I-75 and I-285. While congestion may be a drawback, the accompanying real estate opportunities—residential, commercial, and mixed-use—are both substantial and promising.

We encourage investors to leverage the strong fundamentals driving Atlanta’s real estate market and to take advantage of the state’s pro-investor policies. Whether your investment strategy involves distressed properties, value-add opportunities, or stabilized income-producing assets, we’re here to support your financing needs. Our expertise is not limited by property type—we work with everything from single-family rehabs in East Atlanta to large-scale commercial redevelopments in Midtown or Buckhead.

Asset-backed Lender Focused on Customized Solutions

With a deep understanding of the Atlanta residential and commercial real estate markets, West Forest Capital is uniquely equipped to structure flexible and innovative loan solutions tailored to your hard money financing requirements. Because we focus on asset value rather than borrower financials, we’re often able to finance up to 100% of the purchase and renovation costs—especially when additional collateral is available to secure the loan.

In addition, West Forest Capital provides the longest hard money loan term available anywhere in the market—up to 3 years. This extended timeframe is particularly advantageous for Atlanta-based investors seeking the extra time needed to stabilize or reposition properties. It also serves as a practical bridge between short-term hard money loans and conventional financing options.

Don’t hesitate to reach out—we’d be glad to discuss your next Atlanta real estate opportunity.

Borrower interview

Interview with our client, Mike, in Massachusetts

Listen to our interview with Mike, a software engineer from Massachusetts, who started in real estate to provide himself with some passive income.

Hard Money Lender in Atlanta: Frequently Asked Questions

What are hard money lenders?

Hard money lenders are asset-focused, non-bank financiers. Though both banks and hard money lenders issue mortgage loans, the standards they apply are vastly different. Traditional banks scrutinize the borrower, while hard money lenders are primarily concerned with the value of the real estate. As a result, the approval process is significantly quicker—loans can be closed in as little as a week, unlike the 60 to 90-day timeline of a conventional bank.

In Atlanta’s fast-paced real estate market, hard money loans are especially useful for investors purchasing foreclosures or properties at auction, where quick closings are mandatory. These lenders also step in to finance properties that a bank might decline—such as those lacking a Certificate of Occupancy. If your credit is less than perfect, you’ll also find hard money lenders far more flexible, as decisions are based more on the asset than your credit score. Whether you’re refinancing, cashing out, or acquiring a unique asset, hard money financing fits the bill.

As a leading hard money lender serving Atlanta, we’re dedicated to helping investors fund a wide range of property ventures—fast.

How do hard money loans work?

Securing a hard money loan, such as an Atlanta hard money loan, is often quicker and simpler than going through traditional banks, though it comes with higher interest rates. On average, interest rates range from 10 to 12%, with an extra 2 points typically charged at closing. These loans generally have a term of 1 or 2 years, and the funding is often structured in two distinct portions:

Funds for the property purchase, which usually cover 70 to 85% of the purchase price.
Funds for renovations, if required, which can cover up to 100% of the rehabilitation costs.

For properties needing rehab, the distribution of funds takes place in stages, based on the work completed. For example, if $50,000 is set aside for renovations, the borrower can request $15,000 in funding after completing $15,000 worth of the rehab work, continuing this process until the entire project is finished. Hard money loans in Atlanta are commonly used for bridge loans, flip loans, and commercial real estate deals. The loan structure ensures that the total funding (purchase and rehab) doesn’t exceed 65% of the property’s after-repair value (ARV). These types of loans are particularly beneficial in Atlanta’s fast-moving real estate market, where quick funding is critical to closing deals efficiently.

What do hard money lenders look for?

Since a hard money loan is classified as a commercial loan, it’s important to note that hard money lenders won’t lend directly to individuals. Instead, they will only offer loans to LLCs. However, if you don’t yet have an LLC, don’t worry—forming one is a simple process, and you can set it up with just one member, yourself.

When evaluating the loan, hard money lenders consider both the purchase price and the after-repair value (ARV) to ensure that they can recover their funds. It’s essential that the property is acquired at or below market value for a loan to be approved. If you are securing a loan for renovation purposes, the lender will expect the repairs to follow a pre-established schedule and be completed on time. Additionally, a clean title is vital when obtaining a hard money loan. Any outstanding judgments or liens on the property or the LLC taking out the loan (remember, the loan must be made to an LLC) must be cleared before the loan funds are released.

Hard money lenders are keen to make sure the borrower’s investment is profitable. They want you to succeed, as their repayment depends on your success. To ensure a solid return for the borrower, the lender will ensure there’s sufficient “spread” in the deal. This means that the ARV should cover the purchase price, rehab costs, interest, closing costs, and any additional fees, leaving enough profit for you as the investor.

What is hard money used for?

Hard money lending is most often used by Atlanta real estate investors in the following scenarios:

To acquire and renovate properties (including rental properties) in prominent areas such as Buckhead, Midtown, or Collier Heights, where traditional banks may hesitate to lend due to property issues or the borrower’s credit, with the intention of selling these homes to retail buyers. This process is often referred to as a “fix and flip” strategy.
To purchase and renovate properties that are not eligible for bank financing, often located in neighborhoods like East Atlanta Village or Virginia Highlands, before turning them into rental properties. Once rented, these properties are considered “stabilized” and may be refinanced with a traditional bank at a lower interest rate.
To fund real estate purchases in downtown Atlanta or surrounding regions that require a faster closing time than a conventional bank can offer, such as those occurring at foreclosure auctions. While hard money lenders can typically provide funding in a week, banks often take 2 to 3 months or more to process the deal.
To secure a fast cash-out refinance using a previously owned property as collateral, especially in areas with high demand like Midtown or Buckhead, where the property has significant equity.
To quickly refinance another mortgage coming due on investment properties in high-growth neighborhoods such as Old Fourth Ward or West End.