Bridge Loans in Florida
Close Faster, Invest Smarter.

5–15 Days

Typical Close Time

$0

Junk Fees

6–36 Months

Flexible Terms

Acquiring Before You Sell

You have found the right investment property but your current one has not sold yet. A bridge loan lets you purchase now using the equity in your existing property as collateral, then repay once the sale closes. This is the most classic bridge loan scenario — and one of the most common in Florida's competitive markets.

Funding Renovations Before Refinancing

You have acquired a property that needs work before it qualifies for permanent financing. A bridge loan covers the rehabilitation costs and carries the property until it is stabilized and generating income — at which point you refinance into a lower-rate DSCR or conventional loan. This is the backbone of the BRRRR strategy.

Closing Fast to Beat the Competition

In markets like Miami, Tampa, and Orlando, desirable investment properties attract multiple offers within days. A bridge loan lets you make a fast, clean offer that competes with all-cash buyers. While other investors wait weeks for bank approvals, you can close in 5 to 15 business days and secure the deal.

Transitioning from Flip to Hold

Market conditions change. Sometimes a property you planned to flip makes more sense as a long-term rental. A bridge loan gives you the flexibility to hold the property while you arrange permanent financing — without being forced to sell on someone else's timeline.

Land Acquisition Before Construction

Securing land in Florida's growing corridors — from the Harmony and Kissimmee area to Charlotte County and Cape Coral — often requires moving before construction financing is fully arranged. A bridge loan lets you lock in the land now and transition to a construction loan once plans and permits are in place.

Residential Bridge Loans

The most common bridge loan type in Florida. Used for single-family homes, condos, and townhomes — typically by investors buying a property before selling their current one, or acquiring a distressed asset to renovate before refinancing. Residential bridge loans are also popular with foreign national investors who need asset-based underwriting rather than U.S. income documentation. Loan amounts generally range from $50,000 to several million dollars, with most Florida residential bridge loans closing within 5 to 15 business days.

Commercial Bridge Loans

Short-term financing for office buildings, retail space, industrial properties, mixed-use developments, and multifamily assets. Commercial bridge loans are commonly used for acquisitions where speed is critical, repositioning existing assets to increase value, or bridging a cash flow gap during lease-up. In markets like Brickell, Fort Lauderdale, and downtown Tampa, fast closings protect contract timelines and give investors the ability to compete with institutional capital. Terms typically run 12 to 36 months.

Construction Bridge Loans

A specialized bridge loan that provides temporary funding for new construction and major redevelopment projects until permanent financing is secured. Construction bridge loans fund both residential and commercial builds, with capital released in draws as construction milestones are met. In Florida's active development markets — from spec homes in South Florida to planned communities in Central Florida — construction bridge financing is essential for builders who need to break ground before long-term loans are finalized.

Multifamily Bridge Loans

Bridge financing for 2- to 4-unit properties, small apartment buildings, and larger multifamily assets. Commonly used to acquire underperforming buildings, renovate units, increase rents, and then refinance at a higher valuation. Florida's sustained population growth and rental demand make multifamily one of the most active segments for bridge lending in the state. Paperfree connects you with lenders who understand the stabilization timeline and can structure terms around your specific business plan.

Hard Money Loans in Florida
Our pillar guide — rates, terms, and how the marketplace works

Fix and Flip Hard Money Marketplace
Dedicated financing for renovation and resale projects

The Process of Hard Money Lending
Step-by-step walkthrough from application to funding

Direct Lender vs. Broker: Pros and Cons
Choose the right lending channel for your deal

Six Tips for Selecting a Hard Money Lender
What to look for and red flags to avoid

How Long Can You Finance Using Hard Money?
Term lengths, extensions, and timing your exit

What is a bridge loan in real estate?

A bridge loan is a short-term, asset-based loan that provides temporary financing while a borrower transitions between real estate transactions. It bridges the gap between purchasing a new property and selling or refinancing an existing one. Terms typically range from 6 to 36 months with interest-only payments.

How fast can I close on a bridge loan in Florida?

Most Florida bridge loans close within 5 to 15 business days, depending on the complexity of the deal and how quickly title work and appraisal are completed. Some lenders can close in as few as 3 to 5 days for straightforward deals with clean title. Compare that to 30 to 60 days for a traditional bank loan.

What are current bridge loan rates in Florida?

Bridge loan rates in Florida currently range from approximately 8% to 14.5%. Most funded residential bridge deals land between 10% and 12%. Commercial bridge loans for well-qualified borrowers can start as low as 8.5%. Your specific rate depends on LTV, property type, experience, and exit strategy strength.

What is the difference between a bridge loan and a hard money loan?

Bridge loans are a type of hard money loan. Hard money is the broader category of short-term, asset-based private lending. Bridge loans specifically refer to financing that bridges a gap between two transactions or between a purchase and permanent financing. Other types of hard money include fix-and-flip loans, construction loans, and cash-out refinances. At Paperfree, we fund all of these.

Do I need good credit to get a bridge loan?

Not necessarily. Bridge loans are asset-based, meaning the property value and the strength of the deal are the primary focus. Most private bridge lenders in Florida do not impose strict minimum credit score requirements. Having reasonable credit can help you negotiate better rates, but a low score is rarely disqualifying if the deal has strong collateral and a clear exit plan.

Can I get a bridge loan for a commercial property in Florida?

Yes. Commercial bridge loans are available for office buildings, retail space, industrial properties, mixed-use developments, and multifamily assets across Florida. These loans are commonly used for acquisitions, repositioning, lease-up periods, and transitioning to permanent financing. Terms and LTV may differ from residential programs.

What is a bridge-to-DSCR strategy?

This is a two-step financing approach popular with Florida rental investors. First, you use a bridge loan to acquire and renovate a property quickly. Once the property is stabilized and generating rental income, you refinance into a DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) loan — a long-term, lower-rate loan based on the property's income rather than your personal finances. This strategy lets you move fast while securing favorable long-term terms.

Can foreign nationals get bridge loans in Florida?

Yes. Florida is one of the most active markets for international real estate investment, and many bridge lenders offer programs specifically designed for foreign nationals. Because bridge loans are asset-based, they do not require U.S. credit history or domestic income documentation. South Florida in particular has a deep ecosystem of lenders experienced in working with international buyers.

Does Paperfree charge prepayment penalties on bridge loans?

No. Never. If you finish your project ahead of schedule and want to pay off the loan early, we encourage it. You keep the profit — we do not penalize you for being efficient. Many lenders in Florida do charge prepayment penalties. At Paperfree, zero prepayment penalty is standard.

What areas of Florida do you cover?

We fund bridge loans across the entire state of Florida — Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Naples, Sarasota, Harmony, Kissimmee, Cape Coral, and everywhere in between. If the deal is in Florida, we can look at it.

How much can I borrow with a bridge loan?

Bridge loan amounts in Florida typically range from $50,000 to several million dollars for residential properties, and can reach $25 million or more for commercial deals. The maximum you can borrow is primarily determined by the property value and the lender's LTV limits. Average bridge loan sizes in Florida fall between $377,000 and $539,000 depending on the metro area.

What do I need to get started?

Book a free discovery call using the form on this page. We will ask about your deal, the property, your timeline, and your exit strategy. No credit pull is required to start the conversation. If the deal makes sense, we will send you a clear, honest term sheet within 24 to 48 hours with every cost disclosed.

Can I use a bridge loan for new construction?

Yes. Construction bridge loans provide temporary funding for ground-up builds and major redevelopment projects. Funds are released in draws as construction milestones are hit. This type of bridge loan is commonly used in Florida's growth corridors where builders need to break ground before long-term construction financing is fully arranged.