Hard Money Lender in Nassau County

At West Forest Capital, we’re proud to be a hard money lender—offering asset-based private loans secured by real estate, not reliant on personal credit metrics. Unlike conventional banks, our underwriting centers on the property itself: we evaluate your deal based on the purchase price and the after-repair value (ARV). That allows us to move quickly, with funding available in as little as five days, whereas banks often require months.

Investors—including those active in fast-paced markets—turn to us when they need speed, flexibility, or financing for deals traditional lenders avoid, such as properties without a Certificate of Occupancy. We support those rebuilding credit, needing fast refinancing, or bidding at auction. As a private money lender, we frequently help clients close urgent flip transactions.

Hard money loans are structured as commercial financing, so all loans are made to LLCs. If you haven’t formed one yet, it’s simple to do—even a single investor can handle it. In addition to entity setup, we require a clean title and carefully review your full project scope, including rehab timelines when renovations are involved.

If you’re serious about real estate investment—and timing is critical—a hard money loan from West Forest Capital can give you the edge needed to keep your deal on track.

Hard money loans offer a fast and convenient alternative to conventional mortgages, making them ideal for time-sensitive deals. However, this efficiency comes with a higher cost—interest rates generally range from 9% to 12%, and borrowers will also be charged 1 to 3 points at the time of closing. The loan duration is relatively short, typically spanning one to two years.

Our typical loan structure includes two parts: (1) purchase financing, which often represents 70% to 85% of the property’s sale price, and (2) renovation financing, which provides capital to make property improvements. At West Forest Capital, we often fund up to 100% of the renovation budget when needed.

If the property requires no work, rehab funds will not be included in the loan. When rehab is necessary, we release the funds after each phase of work is done. So, if you have $50,000 budgeted for renovations, you might complete $15,000 of the project and receive that amount from us. This cycle continues in stages. Importantly, the total amount loaned—acquisition plus renovation—must not exceed 65% of the estimated after-repair value (ARV) of the property.

At West Forest Capital, our approach to lending revolves around a singular mission: enabling you to close on profitable real estate investments while ensuring the deal remains financially sound from every angle.

Because hard money loans are considered commercial transactions, we provide financing only to legal business entities, specifically LLCs—not to individual borrowers. That said, if you don’t currently have an LLC in place, there’s no need to worry. Forming a single-member LLC is a relatively quick and easy process, and our team is more than willing to guide you through the necessary steps.

When evaluating a loan request, we primarily assess two figures: the property’s acquisition price and its projected after-repair value (ARV). To make the project viable, the purchase should ideally be made at or below current market value. If the loan includes funding for renovations, we’ll carefully examine your proposed scope of work and the timeline for completion to ensure it supports the estimated ARV.

A title free of any encumbrances is required to move forward with funding. This means any outstanding liens or legal judgments tied to either the property or your LLC must be resolved prior to closing. While we pride ourselves on being adaptable, we also need a clear and realistic plan for repayment.

Ultimately, our focus remains on strong investment opportunities where the projected ARV sufficiently covers the purchase, rehab, interest, and closing costs—and still allows for a worthwhile return. If the numbers align, we’re prepared to move quickly and help you close with certainty and speed.

A hard money loan is frequently used when dealing with real estate in Nassau County under the following circumstances:

• To purchase and renovate a property located in Nassau County that a traditional lender would decline to finance—either due to the current condition of the property or the creditworthiness of the borrower—with the intent of reselling it to a retail buyer. This strategy is widely known as a “fix and flip.”
• To acquire and improve a Nassau County property that does not qualify for bank funding, which will then be rented out. Once the rental income stabilizes, the property is considered “stabilized” and may become eligible for refinancing through a conventional mortgage at a reduced interest rate.
• To purchase Nassau County real estate under a tight deadline, such as during a foreclosure auction or distressed sale. While banks may require several months to close, a hard money lender can typically fund the transaction within a week.
• To extract equity from a property already owned in Nassau County by utilizing it as collateral for a fast cash-out refinance.
• To refinance an existing mortgage on a Nassau County asset that is nearing its maturity date and requires swift resolution.
• To fund urgent construction or significant repair projects on properties in Nassau County where traditional lenders are unwilling to provide financing.
• To acquire a property in Nassau County under the name of an LLC, as most banks are hesitant to fund loans that are not in a personal borrower’s name.