In commercial real estate, timing is everything. Whether you’re up against a tight closing window, a 1031 deadline, or an auction countdown — if you can’t close fast, you lose the deal.
That’s where bridge loans come in. At Copper River Funding (CRF), we specialize in first-lien bridge financing that helps investors and business owners move quickly when banks can’t keep up.
In this post, we’ll explain:
What a bridge loan is
When to use one
How CRF structures fast bridge financing
And how you can use a bridge loan to close fast — without the bank
🏗️ What Is a Bridge Loan?
A bridge loan is a short-term, asset-backed loan designed to "bridge the gap" between now and a future event — like the sale, refinance, or stabilization of a property.
Bridge loans are commonly used to:
Buy time for renovations or lease-up
Acquire a property quickly, then refinance later
Close a deal while waiting on permanent financing
Fund opportunistic purchases or distressed assets
Unlike banks, bridge lenders like CRF focus on speed, collateral, and exit strategy — not tax returns, W-2s, or perfect credit.
⏱️ Why Use a Bridge Loan to Close Fast?
Traditional lenders can take 45–90 days (or more) to close. That doesn’t work for:
Auction purchases with 10-day closing requirements
1031 exchanges where time is legally limited
Distressed sellers demanding fast closings
Off-market opportunities that require decisive action
CRF can close in as little as 5–10 business days, depending on the complexity of the deal and title readiness.
🔍 When a Bridge Loan Makes Sense
Here are examples of situations where a bridge loan is the perfect tool:
✅ Short-Term Holding Strategy
Buying a property with plans to sell or refinance in 6–12 months? A bridge loan gives you flexibility without a long-term commitment.
✅ Rehab or Stabilization Needed
If the property is vacant, under construction, or not producing income, banks will pass — but CRF will underwrite the potential.
✅ Cross-Collateral Deals
Have equity in other properties but limited cash? CRF can cross-collateralize multiple assets to help you close.
🧩 How CRF Structures Fast Bridge Loans
At Copper River Funding, all of our loans are first-lien only, and every deal is underwritten with common-sense logic.
Our bridge loan process includes:
✅ No income verification required
✅ No seasoning or experience minimums
✅ Focus on property value, equity, and exit plan
✅ Option to cross-collateralize to increase leverage
Loan terms typically range from:
6 to 24 months
Interest-only payments
LTV up to 70% depending on asset and exit strategy
🧠 Real Example: Fast Bridge Loan in Action
Scenario:
An investor has 12 days to close on a distressed office building for $2.4M. They’re planning to convert it into medical suites and refinance once leases are in place.
Problem:
The bank says they need 60 days — minimum.
Solution:
CRF underwrites the deal based on future value and closes in 9 days using a first-lien bridge loan. Renovation starts the following week.
🏁 The Exit Strategy: What Happens After the Bridge?
Bridge loans are not permanent financing — they’re a tool to get in fast so you can refinance, sell, or complete your business plan.
Common bridge loan exits include:
Refinance into a DSCR or SBA loan
Sale of the property at a profit
Lease-up followed by long-term debt placement
Construction-to-perm financing once stabilized
CRF always underwrites with the exit in mind.
Why Use CRF for Your Bridge Loan?
Copper River Funding isn’t just fast — we’re precise.
We help borrowers close quickly with:
✅ First-lien only commercial bridge loans
✅ Flexible structures including cross-collateralization
✅ No income or experience requirements
✅ Transparent, relationship-based lending
