San Diego prices make it hard for an existing rental to cover a long-term loan. Adding a unit and renovating the rest often changes that, and a bridge loan pays for the purchase and the work until the rent can carry a DSCR refinance.
In short: Our top pick for bridge loans in San Diego is LendingStreet. We fund 1-8 unit investor purchases and renovations from $150,000 to $5M+, with rates from 7.99%, closings in as little as 10 days and up to 100% of rehab, including ADU work, on some programs. Once the units are leased, we refinance into a 30-year DSCR loan that qualifies on rent. In San Diego, check ADU rules, tenant protections and reassessed taxes before you buy.
LendingStreet is our top pick for San Diego investors financing 1-8 unit purchases, renovations and ADU additions. Bridge loans run from $150,000 to $5M+, with rates from 7.99% and closings in as little as 10 days. They are short-term and interest-only, some programs fund up to 90% of cost and up to 100% of the rehab, and there is no appraisal on some bridge programs. Larger balances usually need a full valuation.
After the work is done and the units are leased, we can refinance into a 30-year DSCR loan that qualifies on rent, including ADU rent, with no tax returns and LLC borrowers standard. Get a quote with the form below or call (877) 298-1001.
Investors searching for bridge lenders often compare national names like CoreVest, Dominion Financial, Lima One and Roc Capital. Here is how LendingStreet stacks up on the scenarios that matter most for investors in San Diego, CA. In every scenario below, LendingStreet is the best fit.
Figures for other lenders are as stated on each lender's own website as of November 2026. Lender terms change, so verify current terms with any lender before you apply. Ready to see your numbers? Use the form below or call (877) 298-1001.
| Scenario | Best fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Bridge loan above $3M | LendingStreet | Our bridge program runs from $150,000 to $5M+. CoreVest states single-asset bridge loans from $75K to $2M+, and Roc Capital states stabilized bridge loans up to $3,000,000. |
| Bridge close in about 10 days | LendingStreet | We can close in as little as 10 days. CoreVest states its bridge loans typically close within 2 to 4 weeks. |
| Property in any state, including DC | LendingStreet | We lend in all 50 states and DC. Lima One states it lends across 46 states, and Dominion Financial lists 49 states plus DC. |
Most San Diego investors compare a bank or credit union, a local hard money lender and private money. This general comparison covers short-term residential investor loans.
| What investors need | LendingStreet | Typical bank or credit union | Typical local hard money lender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Close fast in a competitive market | As little as 10 days | Often 30 days or more | Often fast |
| Fund renovation and ADU work | Up to 100% of rehab on some programs | Limited on major renovations | Varies |
| Leverage | Up to 90% of cost on some programs | Usually lower | Varies |
| Exit to a long-term loan | In-house 30-year DSCR refinance | Possible, with full income review | Usually none |
| Loan sizes common here | $150,000 to $5M+ | Varies | Often capped |
| LLC borrowers | Standard | Sometimes | Usually |
In the city, bridge deals cluster in older neighborhoods with Craftsman bungalows, Spanish revival homes and small 1950s and 1960s apartment buildings: North Park, Normal Heights, City Heights, University Heights, Golden Hill, Logan Heights, Sherman Heights, Encanto, Clairemont and Linda Vista. Many lots have room for an ADU or a junior ADU, and California's ADU laws have made adding units more practical.
Elsewhere in the county, investors buy in Chula Vista, National City, El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley, Santee, Escondido, Vista and Oceanside. The large Navy and Marine Corps presence and the region's universities and hospitals support steady rental demand. Buildings with 9+ units are commercial; see /commercial.html.
In a market where well-located homes draw multiple offers, a short closing period can matter as much as price. A bridge loan lets you write a clean offer and close in as little as 10 days. It also fits estate sales and homes that need too much work for a bank.
California trustee sales are non-judicial and usually require certified funds at the sale, so they are rarely financed directly. Some 1-4 unit trustee sales also give eligible tenants and owner-occupant buyers a period to outbid the winning bidder. Bridge loans also work well for paying off a maturing construction or private loan while you finish units and lease up.
The city's ADU rules have been revised several times, including changes to the bonus program that allowed extra units on some single-family lots. Confirm current rules, permit fees and timelines with the city before you price a deal on added units.
State law caps annual rent increases on many rentals and requires just cause for most evictions, and the city's own tenant protection ordinance adds notice and relocation rules for no-fault terminations. Property taxes reset to roughly 1% of the purchase price plus local assessments, and new construction such as an ADU is added to the assessed value. Wildfire risk in East County and canyon-adjacent areas can make insurance harder to place, and coastal properties may need flood coverage or coastal permits. Confirm local costs and rules before you commit.
This example is illustrative and not a quote. An investor buys a dated duplex in City Heights for $900,000. The $200,000 budget renovates both units and converts the detached garage into a permitted ADU. The bridge loan funds 85% of the price and 100% of the work, $965,000, about 88% of cost. Fully drawn, the estimated interest-only payment is about $8,444 a month, about $50,662 over six months.
With the ADU finished, the three units lease for $3,100, $2,900 and $2,400, a combined $8,400, and the property appraises at $1,400,000. A DSCR cash-out refinance of $1,000,000, about 71% LTV, pays off the bridge with about $35,000 left before closing costs. Estimated principal and interest is about $6,653. Taxes are budgeted at $1,150 a month, reassessed on the purchase price plus the new ADU, and insurance at $300. The payment is about $8,103 and DSCR is about 1.04x. Without the ADU rent, the same loan would fall well short of 1.0x.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Purchase price | $900,000 |
| Rehab budget | $200,000 |
| Total project cost | $1,100,000 |
| Bridge loan (85% of price plus 100% of rehab) | $965,000 |
| Loan-to-cost | About 88% |
| Estimated monthly interest-only payment, fully drawn | $8,444 |
| 6 months of interest-only payments | $50,662 |
| After-repair value | $1,400,000 |
| DSCR refinance loan | $1,000,000 |
| Refinance LTV | About 71% |
| Estimated principal and interest | $6,653 |
| Property taxes | $1,150 |
| Insurance | $300 |
| Total monthly payment | $8,103 |
| Monthly rent | $8,400 |
| DSCR | About 1.04x |
The City of San Diego licenses short-term rentals by tier and caps whole-home licenses for hosts who do not live on site at roughly 1% of the city's housing units, with a separate cap in Mission Beach. Licenses are limited, so do not assume one will be available. Other cities in the county have their own rules.
For most deals, plan the exit on 12-month leases. The DSCR refinance has a 1.0x standard minimum, cash-out up to 75% LTV, up to 80% on some rate-and-term programs and 30-year terms. Sub-1.0 DSCR programs can help when rents are tight relative to price.
Ask each lender for written answers to these questions:
Our top pick is LendingStreet: bridge loans from $150,000 to $5M+, rates from 7.99%, closings in as little as 10 days, rehab and ADU funding on some programs and an in-house refinance into a 30-year DSCR loan.
Yes. We finance non-owner-occupied 1-8 unit investment property throughout San Diego County, and in all 50 states and DC.
Yes, as part of the rehab budget on some programs. Have plans and a permit path ready, since the ADU only counts toward rent once it is permitted and leased.
Yes, for a legal, permitted unit with a lease or supportable market rent.
Only with a license, and whole-home licenses for hosts who do not live on site are capped. Most investors plan on long-term leases.
Usually. California reassesses at your purchase price, and new construction such as an ADU adds to the assessed value.
Rarely directly, since funds are usually due at the sale. Bridge loans fit REO, estate and listed sales with a normal closing period.
In as little as 10 days when title, insurance and entity documents are ready.
2-3 competing quotes from 30+ capital sources. No credit pull. No commitment.
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