Hard Money Lenders: How They Work and How CR Equity AI Compares
Hard money lenders make short-term real estate loans based mainly on property value, usually interest-only for 6–24 months with a balloon at maturity. This guide covers what hard money really costs, when it’s the right tool, and how CR Equity AI compares as a direct lender: rates from 10.99%, terms in about 5 minutes on a soft pull, and a typical close in 9–15 days.
What a Hard Money Lender Actually Does in 2026 (And What Has Changed)
If you are searching for a hard money lender, you have probably already been told the rate and almost nothing about the process. The label is dated and the mechanics moved on. This is what the work looks like now, what the underwriter is testing, and how to tell a real balance sheet from a middleman.