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Piedmont's real estate market moves fast. The East Bay restaurant boom—with new Filipino, burger, Mexican, and coffee spots opening across the region—signals neighborhood confidence and buyer demand.
Typical Piedmont purchases run well above the conforming limit of $1,249,125. Hard money fills the gap when conventional lenders won't move fast enough or when a property needs work before appraisal.
10–21 days
Typical Closing
8–12%
Rate Range
20–30%
Down Payment
620+
Minimum FICO
2–4%
Fees & Points
Hard Money Loans in Piedmont
Hard money lenders care about the property, not your credit score. Most want 20–30% down and a clear exit strategy—sale, refinance, or repair-and-resell. FICO floors vary by lender but typically start around 620, much lower than conventional.
Alameda County's median household income of $126,240 buys a solid home here, but Piedmont's median sits higher. Hard money borrowers are often investors or buyers in transition. Proof of funds matters more than W-2s.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect hard money loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Piedmont.
Piedmont's real estate market moves fast. The East Bay restaurant boom—with new Filipino, burger, Mexican, and coffee spots opening across the region—signals neighborhood confidence and buyer demand.
Typical Piedmont purchases run well above the conforming limit of $1,249,125. Hard money fills the gap when conventional lenders won't move fast enough or when a property needs work before appraisal.
Hard money lenders care about the property, not your credit score. Most want 20–30% down and a clear exit strategy—sale, refinance, or repair-and-resell. FICO floors vary by lender but typically start around 620, much lower than conventional.
California's hard money market splits between local portfolio lenders and larger institutional players. Local lenders know Bay Area property values and move faster on rehab deals.
Rates run 8–12% depending on loan-to-value, property condition, and exit strategy. Points and origination fees add 2–4% to the cost. Closing takes 10–21 days for a clean deal, 3–4 weeks if the property needs inspection or appraisal waiver negotiation.
Hard money makes sense in Piedmont when you're buying a fixer-upper, bridging between sale and purchase, or racing against other cash buyers. If you have 25% down and a solid exit plan, hard money beats conventional by 30+ days.
Hard money doesn't make sense if you're buying a move-in-ready home and can qualify for a jumbo loan. Conventional jumbo rates run 0.5–1% lower than hard money, and the monthly payment difference is real over a 30-year hold.
Hard money vs. jumbo conventional: jumbo rates run lower and payments are cheaper over time, but closing takes 45 days. Hard money closes in 3 weeks and doesn't require a full appraisal, but you pay 2–4% more in fees and a higher rate.
Choose hard money if speed is worth the cost. Choose jumbo if you have time and want the lowest monthly payment. Most Piedmont buyers with strong credit and a clean property pick jumbo. Investors and fixer-uppers pick hard money.
Piedmont's school district and neighborhood stability attract long-term owners, not flippers. If you're buying to live here, hard money doesn't fit—jumbo or FHA makes more sense. If you're buying to rehab and resell, hard money's speed aligns with the market.
The region's affordable housing push (Measure W in Berkeley, Dublin's 113-unit senior project) signals investment in the broader East Bay. That confidence supports property values for buy-and-hold investors using hard money as a bridge to permanent financing.
Rates run 8–12% depending on loan-to-value, property condition, and your exit strategy. Add 2–4% in origination fees and points. Call for a quote on your specific deal.
No. Most hard money lenders accept FICO 620+. The property value and your down payment matter far more than your credit score. Proof of funds is what lenders verify.
10–21 days for a clean deal. If the property needs inspection or appraisal waiver negotiation, plan 3–4 weeks. That's still 30+ days faster than conventional jumbo.
Yes, but it doesn't make financial sense. Jumbo conventional rates run 0.5–1% lower, and your monthly payment will be cheaper over 30 years. Save hard money for fixers and bridge situations.
You refinance into a permanent jumbo loan once the property is repaired or after you've owned it 6–12 months. That's your exit strategy. Hard money is a bridge, not a long-term loan.