Hard Money Lenders Macon

Rates Starting at 10%

West Forest Capital operates as a Macon hard money lender, supporting real estate investors with loans reaching up to $3 million. We’ve built a reputation as the fastest hard money lender in Macon because we know that speed makes all the difference in today’s competitive real estate scene.

We are a direct lender, not a broker
Same day pre-approval
Funding in 3–5 days, and in some cases within 1 day
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. Banks are often slow, dragging out the loan process for weeks or even months. West Forest Capital, on the other hand, offers same-day loan approvals and can fund deals in just 3 to 5 days—or even 1 day if needed.
If the property isn’t stabilized. Sometimes a deal doesn’t qualify for conventional lending because of the asset itself. Rehab projects, buildings without a CO, or properties without a rental track record often get declined. That’s when West Forest Capital, a hard money lender, can get you funded.
If you have poor credit. Credit challenges can happen to anyone, and West Forest Capital understands that. We place more weight on the property’s value than your credit profile, making loan approval possible even with low scores or complex financials.
If you don’t want to take a loan in your personal name. Traditional financing often requires the borrower to be an individual. But if you’re looking to buy in an LLC or already have several properties in your name, a hard money loan provides a more practical solution.

Why Choose A Macon Hard Money Lender

Our goal is simple: to be the best hard money lender in Georgia. Specifically, we focus on Macon and the broader Middle Georgia region. With our deep understanding of this area’s real estate opportunities—from revitalization zones to income-generating rentals—we deliver fast capital to investors who want to move quickly.

In Macon, we provide direct hard money financing for both residential and commercial properties in neighborhoods like Vineville, Ingleside, Downtown Macon, and East Macon. We also lend in surrounding communities within Bibb County, including Lizella, Dry Branch, and Rutland. Whether you’re restoring historic homes or acquiring undervalued rental stock, we help investors execute quickly in a market where timing is everything.

Macon’s affordability, central location, and cultural revitalization make it a strategic target for real estate investors—and we’re here to fuel that growth.

Financing your Macon Investment Property

Macon, located in the heart of Georgia, has experienced meaningful economic revitalization, backed by strategic development initiatives and a low cost of living that continues to attract new residents and businesses. Its central location and access to key transportation routes make it an increasingly important link in Georgia’s broader economic engine. This uptick in economic activity has naturally led to population growth—which, while not without growing pains like heavier traffic on major roads—signals real and lasting opportunity for real estate investment across Bibb County.

We encourage investors to take a closer look at the unique fundamentals shaping Macon’s real estate market, alongside Georgia’s supportive regulatory and investment environment. Whether your goal is to purchase distressed residential stock, renovate value-add multifamily units, or secure long-term income from stabilized commercial assets, we’re prepared to assist with the funding. We work across property categories—from historic single-family restorations in Downtown Macon to industrial holdings on the city’s outskirts.

Asset-backed Lender Focused on Customized Solutions

West Forest Capital brings a strong command of Macon’s residential and commercial lending environment, allowing us to craft hard money financing packages that are both innovative and tailored. We base our loans primarily on the property’s value, which means we can often finance up to 100% of the purchase and rehab costs when backed by additional collateral.

We also proudly offer the longest hard money loan term in today’s market—up to 3 years. This extended timeline is ideal for Macon investors who may need extra breathing room to stabilize a property, pursue rezoning, or complete phased renovations before exiting or refinancing the asset.

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 Macon: Frequently Asked Questions

What are hard money lenders?

Hard money lenders offer a non-traditional, asset-first approach to real estate financing. Unlike banks, which rely heavily on the borrower’s credit profile, hard money lenders in Macon are chiefly concerned with the collateral property itself. This focus allows for a dramatically faster funding process—often within 7 days—compared to the multi-month timeline typically required by banks.

This type of financing is particularly useful in Macon for real estate investors seeking to acquire distressed or auctioned properties that require rapid closings. Since traditional banks may not finance properties without a Certificate of Occupancy or in poor condition, hard money lenders step in to fill that gap. They also cater to borrowers with low credit scores or unconventional financial profiles, providing refinancing options and access to equity via cash-out loans.

As a top-tier hard money lender serving the Macon area, we’re committed to helping local investors move quickly on real estate opportunities—regardless of the obstacles traditional lenders might pose.

How do hard money loans work?

Hard money loans, including those available in Macon, are a much quicker and simpler alternative to traditional bank loans, but they come with higher interest rates. Typically, the interest rates range between 10% and 12%, and borrowers can expect an additional 2 points at closing. These loans usually have terms of 1 or 2 years, and the funds are provided in two separate components:

Funds for the purchase of the property, usually covering 70 to 85% of the purchase price.
Funds for the rehab or renovation of the property, which can cover up to 100% of the necessary renovation costs.

If the property requires repairs, funds are disbursed in phases, after completing parts of the renovation work. For example, if $50,000 is allocated for rehab costs, the borrower might complete $15,000 worth of work before requesting $15,000 in funding from the lender, continuing in this manner until the rehab is completed. In Macon, hard money loans are commonly used for bridge loans, fix-and-flip projects, and even commercial property investments. These loans are structured to ensure that the combined loan amount (both purchase and rehab) does not exceed 65% of the property’s after-repair value (ARV). In Macon’s competitive market, where speed and access to funds are crucial, hard money loans offer a vital solution for real estate investors looking to close deals quickly.

What do hard money lenders look for?

Hard money loans are considered commercial loans, which means that lenders won’t lend directly to individuals, but only to LLCs. If you don’t have an LLC yet, don’t be concerned. It’s easy to set one up, and you can do so with just one member (you).

When evaluating the loan, hard money lenders take into account both the purchase price and the after-repair value (ARV) to ensure they will be repaid for the loan they provide. It’s crucial that the property is acquired at or below market value for the loan to be approved. If the loan also includes funds for rehabilitation, the lender will ensure that the repairs are being carried out according to the agreed timeline. A clean title is also crucial when applying for a hard money loan. Any outstanding judgments or liens on the property or the LLC taking out the loan (remember, it must be an LLC) must be settled before the loan can be processed.

Hard money lenders are interested in ensuring that the borrower’s real estate investment is profitable. This is because the lender’s repayment depends on the borrower’s success. The lender will make sure that there is enough “spread” in the deal, meaning the ARV will cover the purchase price, rehab costs, interest charges, closing costs, and other fees, leaving enough profit margin for the investor.

What is hard money used for?

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

To buy and repair properties (including rental homes) in neighborhoods like downtown Macon or along Riverside Drive, where banks may be reluctant to lend, either because of the property’s condition or the borrower’s credit score. These properties are typically sold to retail buyers after renovation, in what is commonly referred to as a “fix and flip” project.
To purchase and renovate properties that are ineligible for bank loans, often in residential areas near Mercer University or The Vineville District, which are then rented out. Once stabilized, these properties may be refinanced with traditional financing at lower rates.
To fund real estate purchases in Macon that need to close quickly, such as properties at foreclosure auctions, where the quick closing times required by banks may not be feasible. Hard money lenders can close deals within a week, while banks might take months.
To quickly obtain cash-out refinancing using an existing Macon property as collateral, especially in neighborhoods with rising property values.
To refinance mortgages that are coming due on properties in Macon, particularly in the historical or commercial districts, where timely action is necessary.