Bridge loans are uniquely sensitive to lender match — a 7-day closing requirement, an unusual exit strategy, or a deal that needs maximum leverage all push you toward different lenders. A clean fix-and-flip bridge wants a different lender than a value-add commercial bridge, or a jumbo $5M+ bridge, or a bridge-to-DSCR refinance.
The short version: Kiavi dominates standard fix-and-flip bridge for experienced investors. Gelt Financial and Stormfield Capital win on speed (3-7 days). Stratton Equities offers nationwide non-QM bridge. Clout Capital leads in the Northeast. LendingStreet wins where deals need multi-source shopping — jumbo bridge ($2M+), non-standard exit strategies, first-time investors, or properties that fall outside any single lender’s box.
Bridge loan terms vary widely — close times from 3 days to 30 days, maximum LTV from 65% to 80%, loan sizes from $50K to $50M+, and exit strategies that range from refinance to sale to construction takeout. The lender that’s "best" depends on which of those parameters your deal needs.
Bridge loan lending pools are deeper than DSCR or construction — dozens of credible nationwide and regional lenders compete — but variation in closing speed, exit-strategy flexibility, and loan-size capacity means match quality matters enormously. The scenarios below map common investor profiles to the lender that fits each best.
Each scenario describes a real investor profile or deal type. The lender listed is our best-fit recommendation for that scenario based on publicly available lender terms — credit minimums, LTV/LTC ceilings, loan size ranges, product specialties, geographic coverage — as of May 2026, plus LendingStreet’s broker experience placing real investor deals. This is fit-for-scenario analysis, not an absolute ranking. Loan terms change frequently; verify current terms directly with each lender before deciding.
Last updated: . Refreshed quarterly with updated competitor terms.
Kiavi’s bridge product supports purchase plus up to 100% of rehab costs, soft credit pull pre-qualification, and refinance-ready within six months of holding. 46 states + DC. For experienced fix-and-flip investors with clean credit, Kiavi’s automated process closes faster than relationship-driven lenders.
Compare Kiavi vs LendingStreet →Gelt closes hard money and bridge loans in as little as 3 to 7 business days once required information and title work are received. They lend in 38 states on non-owner-occupied commercial and investment properties, with streamlined underwriting and direct access to decision-makers. Strongest fit when speed is the dominant requirement.
Stormfield has deployed over $2 billion in commercial and residential bridge loans with 7-10 day in-house closings, in-house servicing, and a team with 15+ years of credit and structured finance experience. Strongest fit for borrowers wanting institutional capital stability with relationship-driven service.
Clout closes bridge loans in as little as 5 business days at up to 70% LTV / 65% on cash-out, 12-month term with four 3-month extensions available. Every deal personally reviewed by managing partner with 35+ years of experience. Strongest fit for Northeast multifamily and small-balance bridge needs.
Stratton positions as a leading nationwide private money and non-QM platform with broad bridge eligibility, 12-24 month terms, and 24-hour pre-approval turnaround. Strongest fit when you need a recognized nationwide non-QM brand and flexible underwriting on borderline deals.
Most direct bridge lenders prefer clean, predictable exits — sale or refinance into permanent. Deals with non-standard exits (bridge-to-construction, bridge-to-DSCR after stabilization, gap funding between sale and purchase) often need specialty capital sources. LendingStreet’s 30+ network includes bridge lenders specifically built for transitional and non-standard exit structures.
Bridge Loan Programs →Standard bridge programs cap around $2-3M. Above that, lender appetite varies enormously — some institutional bridge sources actively want $5M+ deals while others have hard caps. LendingStreet’s broker network reaches sources that specifically target jumbo bridge, with confirmed deal experience above $3M.
Bridge Loan Programs →Most direct bridge lenders prefer experienced borrowers with prior closings on record. First-time investors often face decline or significantly worse pricing at direct platforms. LendingStreet’s network includes bridge sources that place first-time investors based on deal strength and exit plan rather than borrower track record.
Bridge Loan Programs →Quick reference on each lender named above:
Licensed broker (NMLS #1734316) placing bridge loans through 30+ direct capital sources. 48 states. Strongest fit for jumbo $2M+, non-standard exit strategies, first-time investors, transitional bridge-to-perm structures, multi-source shopping.
Tech-driven direct lender. Bridge loans for SFRs, manufactured homes, 2-4 units, condos, and PUDs. Purchase plus up to 100% of rehab. 46 states + DC. Strongest fit for tech-forward experienced fix-and-flip investors.
Direct private lender. Hard money and bridge loans close in 3-7 business days. 38 states on non-owner-occupied commercial and investment properties. Boca Raton + Pennsylvania offices. Strongest fit for speed-critical deals.
Institutional bridge platform. $2B+ deployed in commercial and residential bridge loans. 7-10 day in-house closings with in-house servicing. Strongest fit for institutional-quality bridge with experienced sponsor profile.
Northeast-focused bridge lender. 5-day close, up to 70% LTV (65% cash-out), 12-month term, four 3-month extensions. Every deal reviewed by managing partner. Strongest fit for Northeast small-balance bridge.
Leading nationwide private money and non-QM platform. Bridge terms 12-24 months, 24-hour pre-approval. Broad property eligibility. Strongest fit for nationwide non-QM bridge with brand recognition.
MFA Financial-backed direct lender. Bridge loans available alongside fix-and-flip and rental products. Institutional capital stability, A+ BBB. Strongest fit for bridge as part of integrated fix-and-flip/rental relationship.
National direct lender. Bridge available alongside DSCR, fix-and-flip, and construction. ~$55K minimum loan, free rate locks. Strongest fit for small-balance bridge or unusual property types.
The fastest direct lenders — Gelt Financial, Stormfield, Clout Capital — close bridge loans in 3-10 business days once title work and required information are received. Kiavi typically closes in 7-14 days. Industry average is 14-21 days. Closings under 7 days require lenders using desktop or in-house valuations rather than full third-party appraisals.
Most institutional bridge lenders cap at 65-70% LTV (or 65% on cash-out). Kiavi reaches up to 100% LTC on fix-and-flip bridge with rehab costs included. Through specialty sources in LendingStreet's broker network, higher LTV is available on qualified deals with experienced sponsors.
Yes, but you have fewer lender options. Most direct bridge lenders prefer experienced sponsors with at least one prior closing. LendingStreet's network includes bridge sources that place first-time investors based on deal strength and exit clarity rather than borrower track record. Expect tighter terms than experienced-sponsor pricing.
The terms overlap substantially. Bridge typically describes short-term financing structured around a specific transition — sale, refinance, or stabilization. Hard money typically describes asset-based short-term financing on non-owner-occupied properties. In practice, most bridge loans are hard money loans, and vice versa. The distinction is more about how the loan is positioned than how it’s structured.
Most direct bridge platforms operate in the $200K-$3M range. Below $200K, smaller specialty lenders compete. Above $3M, the lender pool narrows materially and pricing becomes deal-by-deal. LendingStreet has placed bridge loans above $3M through specialty sources in the broker network.
One application, shopped across 30+ capital sources. Match your specific bridge scenario — timeline, leverage, exit strategy, loan size — to the lender that fits.
Get Pre-Qualified → Bridge Loan ProgramsAbout this comparison: This comparison reflects publicly available information from each lender’s website and independent sources as of May 2026. Bridge lender terms (close times, LTV, loan size, geographic coverage) change frequently — verify current terms directly with each lender before deciding. This is not an exhaustive list of bridge lenders in the market and is not a paid ranking or sponsored placement. Inclusion does not imply endorsement of LendingStreet by any lender named.
About LendingStreet: LendingStreet is the d/b/a of JRS Home Loans LLC, NMLS #1734316. We are a licensed mortgage broker, not a direct lender, placing loans through 30+ direct capital sources. LendingStreet earns a broker fee on placed loans. Loan availability, rates, and terms vary by deal, borrower qualifications, and capital source. All loan offerings subject to underwriting and qualification.
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