I’m Michael DiVita — DRE #01372066 | NMLS #241655, DiVita Home Finance (DRE #01818285 | NMLS #323700), Tiburon, CA. I’ve been in California mortgage lending since 2000 and founded DiVita Home Finance in 2007. Call (800) 239-1103.
Bridge loans aren’t just for homeowners managing a buy-sell timing gap. California real estate investors use them in a dozen different ways — from funding rapid acquisitions to bridging construction completion to accessing equity while a property lease-up. Here’s the investor playbook. See also: California Bridge Loans and Hard Money Loans California.
Top Bridge Loan Uses for California Investors
BRRRR execution. Buy distressed property with bridge/hard money, rehab, rent, then refinance to a DSCR loan once stabilized. The bridge funds the gap between acquisition and when the property qualifies for conventional financing.
Portfolio equity release. You own 5 properties, all with equity but all mortgaged. A bridge loan against one property funds the down payment on a sixth acquisition — without selling anything.
Value-add acquisition. A multifamily building at 60% occupancy doesn’t qualify for agency financing. Buy it with a bridge loan, lease up to 90%+, then refinance at the stabilized value.
1031 exchange timing. Your relinquished property sold but you haven’t identified a replacement. A bridge loan can fund the acquisition of the identified property while your 1031 exchange funds are processing.
Commercial acquisition. Office, retail, or mixed-use property that’s between tenants. Bridge it through lease-up to permanent financing.
Investor Bridge Loan Terms (2026)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Rate | 9.50% – 12.00% |
| LTV | Up to 70–75% |
| Term | 6–24 months |
| Income docs | Not required |
| Properties owned | No limit |
Bridge vs. Hard Money: Investor Perspective
The distinction matters for deal structure. Hard money (fix-and-flip) includes renovation draw financing — the lender holds rehab funds in escrow and releases them in draws. Bridge loans don’t typically include renovation draws; they’re for stabilized or near-stabilized properties where you need speed and flexibility, not a construction component. If your deal involves significant rehab, a hard money fix-and-flip loan is the right structure. If the property is in reasonable condition and you’re bridging a timing or equity gap, a bridge loan is cleaner and often slightly cheaper.
Bridge Your Next Investment Deal
I work with investors at every experience level — from first-time BRRRR buyers to portfolio operators with 20+ properties. Tell me your deal and I’ll find the right structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a bridge loan to execute a BRRRR strategy in California?
Yes — bridge loans (and their close cousin, hard money fix-and-flip loans) are the primary financing tools for California BRRRR investors. The typical BRRRR sequence: acquire a distressed property with hard money or a bridge loan (fast close, no income verification, distressed condition OK), renovate and stabilize, rent to a qualified tenant, then refinance into a DSCR loan at the higher stabilized value once you have 3–6 months of rent history. The DSCR refinance pays off the bridge, and you repeat the cycle with the equity you’ve created. I help investors execute both phases — the bridge acquisition and the DSCR refinance — so you’re not finding a new lender mid-project.
Can I use equity in one investment property to fund the purchase of another?
Yes — this is one of the most powerful uses of bridge financing for California investors. If you own an investment property with significant equity, a bridge loan against that property provides capital for a new acquisition without selling. Example: you own a Riverside property worth $700,000 with a $250,000 mortgage. A bridge at 70% LTV gives you $490,000 total capacity; subtract the $250,000 existing mortgage = $240,000 bridge loan available. Use that $240,000 as the down payment on your next acquisition. No tax event (no sale), no capital gains, and your existing property continues generating rental income. Once the new property is performing, you refinance both at stabilized values and continue scaling.
How do bridge loans work for value-add multifamily acquisitions in California?
A value-add multifamily property — one that’s underperforming due to below-market rents, deferred maintenance, or high vacancy — typically doesn’t qualify for agency financing (Fannie/Freddie) or DSCR loans based on current income. A bridge loan finances the acquisition at current income levels, giving you time to execute the value-add plan: renovate units, raise rents to market, lease up to 90%+ occupancy. Once stabilized, you refinance into a DSCR or agency loan at the higher stabilized NOI — often at a significantly higher appraised value than your purchase price. The bridge loan cost (9.5–12% for 12–18 months) is funded by the value creation, not out-of-pocket. I work with California investors on exactly this strategy across all property sizes.
Talk to Michael Directly
DiVita Home Finance | Tiburon, CA | In lending since 2000, founded DiVita Home Finance in 2007. Michael DiVita DRE #01372066 | NMLS #241655. Company DRE #01818285 | NMLS #323700.
💬 Text: (310) 849-9124
