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Millbrae sits on the Peninsula with strong job growth nearby—Burlingame's 220 Park office tower just hit 100% occupancy with tenants like Confluent and Upstart. That kind of employment density supports home values here.
San Mateo County's median household income of $156,000 reflects a high-cost market where traditional financing timelines don't always fit. Hard money closes in weeks, not months.
8–12% typical
Hard Money Rates
1–3 points
Origination Points
2–4 weeks
Closing Timeline
15–30%
Typical Down Payment
$1,249,125
2026 Conforming Limit
Hard Money Loans in Millbrae
Hard money lenders care about the property value and your equity position, not your credit score or debt-to-income ratio. A 650 FICO is often acceptable. Down payment typically runs 20–30%, though some lenders accept 15% on strong properties.
San Mateo County's $156,000 median household income supports homes in the $800,000–$1,200,000 range for traditional buyers. Hard money borrowers are usually investors or buyers with non-W2 income, self-employment, or recent credit events.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect hard money loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Millbrae.
Millbrae sits on the Peninsula with strong job growth nearby—Burlingame's 220 Park office tower just hit 100% occupancy with tenants like Confluent and Upstart. That kind of employment density supports home values here.
San Mateo County's median household income of $156,000 reflects a high-cost market where traditional financing timelines don't always fit. Hard money closes in weeks, not months.
Hard money lenders care about the property value and your equity position, not your credit score or debt-to-income ratio. A 650 FICO is often acceptable. Down payment typically runs 20–30%, though some lenders accept 15% on strong properties.
California's hard money market is dominated by private lenders, REITs, and smaller institutional funds. Unlike banks, these lenders don't sell loans to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.
Rates typically run 8–12% depending on LTV, property condition, and borrower experience. Points (origination fees) range from 1–3 points. Prepayment penalties are common—often 1–2% of the loan amount if you pay off early.
Hard money makes sense in Millbrae when you're buying a fixer-upper, facing a tight timeline, or have non-traditional income. The 2026 conforming limit here is $1,249,125—if you're above that and need speed, hard money beats jumbo conventional by weeks.
It doesn't make sense if you have stable W2 income and can wait 30–45 days. Conventional financing at a lower rate is cheaper over time.
Conventional loans offer lower rates (typically 6–7%) and longer terms (30 years). But they require full income documentation, 620+ FICO, and 30–45 days to close.
If you're buying a rental property to renovate and refinance, hard money's 12–24 month term works. If you're a first-time owner-occupant with stable income, conventional wins on cost.
Reposado opened in downtown San Mateo in February 2026, and Bravo Taqueria reopened in Redwood City after a major renovation. That kind of restaurant investment signals confidence in the Peninsula's dining and retail scene.
San Mateo City Council is weighing a regional transit tax measure to fund Caltrain and BART. Infrastructure investment like that typically boosts property values over time.
Hard money lenders typically accept 650+ FICO. Credit score is far less important than property value and your equity position. A lower score doesn't disqualify you if the collateral is strong.
Most hard money lenders close in 2–4 weeks. Some can do it faster with a complete application. That's the main advantage over conventional financing, which takes 30–45 days.
Down payments typically range from 15–30%, depending on the property condition and lender. Stronger properties and experienced borrowers may qualify with 15% down.
Hard money rates run 8–12% versus 6–7% conventional. Points add 1–3% upfront. Over a 12-month bridge, the total cost is higher, but you gain speed and collateral-based approval.
Yes. Most hard money loans are structured as bridges. After renovation or stabilization, you refinance to conventional. That's the typical exit strategy for investors and fix-and-flip buyers.