Hard Money Loan Rates California 2026 — What Borrowers Actually Pay
Everyone asks about the rate first. Fair enough. Let's talk about it — then let's talk about the parts that actually decide whether a deal pencils.
What are hard money loan rates in California right now?
In 2026, hard money loan rates in California typically run 9% to 13%, plus 1.5 to 3.5 points in origination fees, depending on the deal. California tends to sit at the lower end of the national range — more lenders competing for the same deals keeps pricing tighter here than in less saturated markets.
At South County Capital, we'll give you a real number the same day, based on your actual deal — not a teaser rate that changes once we look at the file.
What actually moves your rate
The headline range is wide because "hard money" covers a lot of different deals. Here's what pushes you toward the top or bottom of it.
Loan-to-value (LTV). Lower leverage means lower risk for the lender, which means a better rate. A borrower asking for 55% LTV is going to see a meaningfully better number than one asking for 80%.
Property type. A straightforward single-family rehab prices differently than a ground-up construction deal or a commercial property. More moving parts and longer timelines generally mean higher pricing.
Exit strategy. A clear, well-supported plan — sell in six months, refinance into a DSCR loan, whatever it is — reads as lower risk than "we'll figure it out." Lenders price uncertainty.
Experience. A borrower with a track record of completed flips or successful rehabs is a known quantity. A first-time investor is not, and that gets reflected in pricing.
Speed of close. The faster you need funds, the less room a lender has to shop the file for the best possible terms on your behalf. Rush jobs cost a little more.
Points vs. rate trade-off. Some lenders let you pay more points for a lower rate, or vice versa, depending on how long you expect to hold the loan. A shorter hold usually favors fewer points even at a slightly higher rate, since you won't be paying that rate for long.
Rate isn't the only number that matters
This is the part that trips people up. A slightly lower rate from a lender who's slow, unclear on fees, or unreliable on extensions can cost you far more than a point or two of interest — a blown closing date, a missed deal, or an expensive scramble for a bridge extension usually costs more than the rate difference ever would have.
Before you compare rates across lenders, compare:
Total points and fees, not just the rate
How fast they can actually close — ask for a real number, not "usually fast"
Draw process, if the loan includes rehab funds
Extension terms, in case your timeline slips
A rough example
Say you're borrowing $400,000 at 65% LTV for a 9-month fix and flip, with a clear resale exit and some flipping experience behind you. That's a strong file — expect to land toward the lower end of the range, likely 9% to 10.5%, with 1.5 to 2 points.
Now take the same $400,000 at 80% LTV, first flip, tight timeline. Expect something closer to 12% to 13%, with 2.5 to 3.5 points. Same loan amount, very different risk profile, very different price.
Rates by market
Pricing is fairly consistent statewide, but property type mix and deal volume vary by region — what's typical in Orange County can look a little different from Los Angeles County, the Bay Area, or Sacramento County. If you want a number specific to where you're buying, that's the fastest way to get an accurate one.
Bottom Line
Hard money rates in California are running 9% to 13% right now, with points on top. The exact number depends on your leverage, your property, your exit, and your experience — not just what a lender advertises on their homepage.
If you want a real, same-day number based on your actual deal, get a quote and tell us what you're working with.
