Hard Money Lenders Savannah

Rates Starting at 10%

West Forest Capital is your reliable Savannah hard money lender, providing fast financing for real estate projects up to $3 million. Our reputation as Savannah’s fastest hard money lender stems from our ability to act quickly in a highly competitive property investment market.

We are a direct lender, not a broker
Same day pre-approval
Funding in 3–5 days, with 1-day funding available
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. With banks taking their time to review and approve loans, delays are common. West Forest Capital offers a faster route—same-day approval with funds typically wired in 3–5 days, and in emergencies, within 1 business day.
If the property isn’t stabilized. Not all properties are bank-friendly. Those in need of major repairs, without a Certificate of Occupancy, or lacking stable rental income often get turned away. Hard money lenders like West Forest Capital can fund these properties when banks won’t.
If you have poor credit. At West Forest Capital, we understand that financial hardship or life events can affect credit. That’s why we base loan approvals mostly on the asset itself—not on your FICO score or personal income data.
If you don’t want to take a loan in your personal name. Banks generally require personal ownership of a property before issuing a loan. But if you want the asset held in an LLC or already have several properties under your name, hard money lending offers greater flexibility.

Why Choose A Savannah Hard Money Lender

Our goal is simple: to be the best hard money lender in Georgia. Specifically, we concentrate on the Savannah area and its surrounding coastal communities. With deep familiarity in Savannah’s historic neighborhoods, population trends, and investment potential, we provide real estate investors with flexible, fast funding options.

In Savannah, we offer direct hard money loans for properties in Historic Downtown, Midtown, and Ardsley Park, as well as financing for coastal assets on Skidaway Island and Wilmington Island. We also serve western Savannah communities like Richmond Hill, Port Wentworth, and Garden City, offering capital for both residential and commercial ventures.

With a booming tourism industry, port-related growth, and increasing rental demand, Savannah is a powerful market for real estate investment—and we’re your go-to lender to make it happen.

Financing your Savannah Investment Property

Savannah’s economy has seen impressive growth, fueled by a combination of expanding port activity, a thriving tourism sector, and targeted business development efforts. These forces have cultivated a diversified and resilient economy that continues to attract both residents and investors. The resulting population increase is hard to miss—especially during peak travel hours along major thoroughfares. While more traffic may be an unwelcome byproduct, the surge in housing demand and business expansion presents clear and lucrative opportunities for real estate investment throughout Chatham County.

We invite you to take full advantage of Savannah’s dynamic economic landscape and Georgia’s favorable policies for real estate investors. Regardless of your investment focus—whether acquiring rehab properties, pursuing high-yield value-add projects, or expanding a portfolio of stabilized assets—we can provide the lending you need. Our financing solutions apply across asset classes, from charming downtown flip projects to large-scale developments near the Port of Savannah or suburban build-to-rent communities.

Asset-backed Lender Focused on Customized Solutions

With firsthand insight into Savannah’s unique real estate dynamics, West Forest Capital is able to structure hard money loans that reflect both local conditions and investor needs. Because we lend based on asset value, not credit, we’re often able to cover 100% of the acquisition and renovation costs when there is additional property pledged as collateral.

Savannah investors also benefit from our market-leading loan term—up to 3 years. This gives developers, fix-and-hold investors, and commercial property owners the added flexibility needed to stabilize or reposition assets in an evolving market. It’s a perfect solution for those not quite ready for long-term financing but needing more time than typical hard money terms allow.

Reach out to us and let’s talk about your next investment in the Savannah area.

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 Savannah: Frequently Asked Questions

What are hard money lenders?

Hard money lenders provide fast, flexible financing that’s based on the value of the property rather than the borrower’s financial history. While banks require lengthy paperwork and credit checks, hard money lenders in Savannah can approve and fund loans in under a week. This makes them a preferred option for real estate investors who need to move fast—especially in Savannah’s competitive investment market.

These loans are often used to purchase properties sold at auction or foreclosure, where timing is everything. Hard money lenders also offer solutions when banks won’t—such as financing for properties lacking a Certificate of Occupancy or those in need of major rehab. Even with poor credit, borrowers can qualify, since approval is asset-based. These lenders also serve investors looking to refinance existing loans or tap into their property’s equity with a cash-out loan.

For real estate investors in Savannah, our team is here to offer dependable and prompt funding solutions tailored to your investment strategy.

How do hard money loans work?

When it comes to securing financing for real estate, a hard money loan—such as one available in Savannah—is often far more straightforward and quicker to obtain than a traditional mortgage. However, this convenience comes at a cost, as interest rates tend to be higher, typically ranging between 10% and 12%, with an additional 2 points charged at closing. The typical loan term is 1 or 2 years, and the loan is divided into two parts:

Funds to cover the purchase, usually between 70 and 85% of the property’s purchase price.
Funds to finance renovations, if needed, which can cover up to 100% of the rehab costs.

If the property requires significant work, funds are disbursed in stages, as portions of the rehab are completed. For instance, if $50,000 is allocated for renovations, the borrower will complete $15,000 worth of work before requesting $15,000 in funding, repeating this process until the project is fully funded. In Savannah, hard money loans are frequently used for bridge loans, property flips, and commercial real estate investments. These loans are carefully structured so that the total loan amount, combining both purchase and rehab funds, does not exceed 65% of the property’s after-repair value (ARV). With Savannah’s competitive real estate market, hard money loans provide the speed and flexibility needed to seize lucrative investment opportunities when timing is crucial.

What do hard money lenders look for?

A hard money loan is a type of commercial loan, meaning hard money lenders will not provide loans to individuals, but only to LLCs. If you don’t yet have an LLC, there’s no need to worry. Forming one is a quick and easy process, and it can be established with just one member (you).

When reviewing the loan application, hard money lenders consider both the purchase price and the after-repair value (ARV) to ensure that they can get their loan repaid. Purchasing the property below or at market value is an essential factor in securing the loan. If you are borrowing funds for renovation purposes, the lender will want to ensure that the repairs are completed according to the predetermined schedule and within the agreed timeframe. Furthermore, a clean title is essential. Any judgments or liens against the property or the LLC applying for the loan (remember, the loan must be made to an LLC) must be cleared before the lender disburses the funds.

The lender’s main goal is to ensure that the borrower’s investment will be profitable, as their repayment depends on your success. To ensure profitability, the lender will ensure that there is enough “spread” in the deal. This means that the ARV should cover the purchase price, rehab costs, interest, closing fees, and any other associated costs, leaving enough profit for you as the investor.

What is hard money used for?

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

To buy and renovate properties (including rental homes) in historic areas like Savannah’s Historic District or along River Street, where banks might not offer financing due to the unique nature of the property or the borrower’s credit history. These properties are typically flipped to retail buyers after renovation, in a classic “fix and flip” method.
To purchase and improve properties that banks would normally avoid, such as those in areas like Forsyth Park or Ardsley Park, which are then rented out. Once these homes are rented, they are considered “stabilized” and can be refinanced with traditional banks at better rates.
To fund real estate purchases in Savannah that need to close in a much shorter time frame than a traditional bank can accommodate, such as distressed properties at auction. Hard money lenders often fund loans within a week, while banks may take 2 to 3 months to process the same deal.
To secure a quick cash-out refinance on a property in Savannah, using the property’s existing equity as collateral, especially in fast-growing or revitalized neighborhoods.
To refinance other loans that are expiring on properties in Savannah, such as in rapidly gentrifying areas like Starland District or Thomas Square.