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San Diego's market moves fast. Waiting to sell before you buy often means losing the home you want.
A bridge loan gives you short-term cash to close on a new property. You repay it when your current home sells.
6–12 Months
Typical Loan Term
~20% of Home Value
Min Equity Required
Non-QM Guidelines
Credit Flexibility
Non-QM / Private
Loan Type
Bridge loans are non-QM products. Lenders care more about your equity and exit strategy than your debt-to-income ratio.
Most lenders want at least 20% equity in your departing home. Strong credit helps, but it's not the only factor.
Banks rarely offer bridge loans anymore. Most come from private lenders and non-QM wholesale channels.
Rates run higher than conventional financing. Bankrate flagged rates climbing to 6.19% on conventional products — bridge loans price above that. Rates vary by borrower profile and market conditions.
The borrowers who struggle with bridge loans usually have one problem: a weak exit strategy. Lenders need to see your departing home listed or under contract.
We run these deals through lenders who specialize in short-term financing. That matters — a generalist lender will slow you down or decline outright.
Hard money loans are close cousins to bridge loans. Both are short-term and asset-based. Bridge loans are typically used for primary or move-up purchases; hard money skews toward investors.
Interest-only loans can stretch your budget temporarily but don't solve the timing gap. A bridge loan does one specific job: it funds your next purchase before your current home closes.
San Diego sellers regularly get multiple offers fast. If your offer is contingent on selling your home, you're at a serious disadvantage.
A bridge loan removes that contingency. In this market, that alone can be the difference between getting the home and losing it.
Most run 6 to 12 months. That gives you time to sell your current home and repay the loan.
Most lenders want at least 20% equity in your departing property. More equity means better terms.
Yes, condos qualify. The lender will look at the property type, your equity, and your exit strategy.
Not always, but lenders want a clear plan. Having your home listed or under contract helps approval.
They're different, not necessarily harder. Lenders focus on equity and exit strategy over income ratios.
Bridge Loans in San Diego