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Red Tower Capital is committed to common sense underwriting for both residential and commercial loans. We take the time to see your vision and your dreams. Unlike banks and other conventional lending sources, we strive to see your needs from your point of view. With competitive rates and terms and a real-world approach to underwriting, we can help make your goals a reality. 

Bridge Loans

RTC’s Bridge Program provides lending on assets that are in transition with less documentation than traditional financing options.

Owner-Occupied Bridge

Our Owner Occupied Bridge Loan Program allows Buyers to be very competitive when buying a home. With our Owner Occupied Bridge Loan Program, buyers can purchase their new home before selling their existing home,  without having to meet the stringent debt to income ratios of a conventional lender.

At this time, we only make Owner Occupied Bridge loans in California.

Customized Lending Solutions

When nothing else seems to fit, a Customized Lending Solution may be just what the borrower needs.

Investor Cash Flow

RTC’s Investor Cash Flow Loan Program provides investors financing options for income properties.  Even if they can't qualify for a bank loan, they can get relatively good rates to hold income producing real estate.

Fix & Flip

For experienced fix & flip developers, RTC’s Fix & Flip Loan Program reduces down payment requirements, greatly increasing their ability to acquire, improve, and rehab properties.

Recently Closed Loans

$960,000

San Mateo

Refi Cashout
Office / Light Industrial
$1,800,000

Berkeley

Purchase
Multifamily
$705,000

Seaside

Refinance
Adult Care Facility
$700,000

Oakland

Refi Cashout
Fourplex
$2,000,000

San Francisco

Purchase
Industrial
$1,300,000

San Francisco

Refinance
Fourplex
$2,750,000

Desert Hot Springs

Refi Cashout
Warehouse + Greenhouse
$3,100,000

Long Beach

Construction
Retail
$325,000

Chowchilla

Purchase
SFR
$875,000

San Pablo

Purchase
Mixed-Use
$8,500,000

Richmond

Refi Cashout
Warehouse
TESTIMONIALS

What They Say About Us:

Having known Red Tower Capital for over 10 years, I can safely say, they are the most reliable private lender in the market.

Red Tower Capital solved my financing problem. They are great!  Thank you!

Red Tower has done the easy loans for our clients.  But when needed, they have also provided custom solutions to our borrower's needs.  Thanks again!

Although I also invest in stocks, real estate and gold, I keep some of my funds in Red Tower's mortgage fund to provide me consistent income.

Red Tower Capital provided multiple loans to me over the years.  They are easy to work with and very responsive.  Thank you!

We have placed a handful of loans successfully with the Red Tower team over the years.  Thank you for funding our deals!

Scott G.

Investor

Lucy A.

Borrower

Russ M.

Mortgage Broker

Rob B.

Private Investor

Justin R.

Borrower

Chris M.

Mortgage Broker

Borrower FAQs

What is a private lender or hard money lender?

A private lender is a lender who makes loans secured by real estate and typically charges a higher rate than a bank in exchange for making loans that a bank would not make, funding more quickly and/or requiring less documentation.

What differentiates private lenders from banks?

Private lenders differ from banks in that they often fund more quickly, with fewer requirements. Private lenders are sometimes called “asset-based lenders” because they focus mostly on the collateral for the loan, whereas banks require both strong collateral and usually strong credit and solid cash flow from the borrower.

Why do private lenders exist?

Private lenders exist because many borrowers often need a quick and reliable loan to secure a real estate transaction. Banks and other more traditional lenders that offer the lowest interest rates don’t provide the same combination of speed and transparency in their decision making and closing process as private lenders.

Where does the money come from for a private loan?

The funds come from investors who are seeking a secure return on their capital, including:

  • A mortgage fund, funded many investors or 
  • A group of investors who each invest in a fraction of a loan or
  • An individual investor.

What are the advantages of borrowing privately?

  • Fewer requirements than more conventional lenders.
  • A simpler and quicker application and closing process.
  • Being able to borrow against vandalized and seriously damaged properties.
  • Less scrutiny of the borrower’s personal financial situation, including income and historical tax returns.
  • Borrowers can allocate less time to seeking financing and instead concentrate on other activities.
  • Focus on the merits of the specific loan under consideration vs. the borrower's credit and documentable income.
  • Borrowing by self-employed borrowers is easier.

What is the typical term of a private loan?

This varies based on loan type and lender. For Red Tower Capital:

  • SFR Owner-Occupied Bridge Loans - usually 11 months.
  • Licensed Cannabis loans - 1-5 years. 
  • Most other loans are for 6, 12 or 24‐months.

Can a private loan be extended?

Yes, usually private loans can be extended with a modest fee.

What type of properties does Red Tower Capital loan on?

  • Single Family Homes
  • Duplexes/Triplexes/Fourplexes
  • Apartment buildings
  • Condos
  • Office
  • Retail
  • Industrial
  • Licensed Cannabis
  • Land/lots
  • Special purpose properties, including places of worship, event spaces, etc. 

What are the requirements to qualify for a private loan?

This varies a lot based on property type, loan scenario, LTV and loan amount.  Smaller loans with lower LTV on more traditional properties have less documentation requirements.  We look at the “exit strategy” of the loan scenario also.

How long does a private loan take to close?

This varies based on the loan scenario.  For simpler residential and already well-documented commercial loans, we can often close in 5 or 10 business days and can sometimes close even more quickly when necessary.  More complicated commercial loans requiring new environmental reports and with multiple tenants often take much longer.

What is an appraisal?

An appraisal is a report from a licensed appraiser, containing their opinion of the value of the subject property based on standard measures of property value.

Who does the appraisal?

Red Tower Capital uses a rotation of licensed, qualified and independent appraisers to value the property.  We will also review existing recent appraisals. 

What is a BPO?

A Broker Price Opinion.  This is a cheaper, faster and more streamlined 3rd party valuation than an appraisal.  It is used more commonly for residential property loans vs. commercial ones.  Red Tower Capital accepts and/orders these in some cases.  

Does Red Tower Capital require an appraisal?

This depends on the loan scenario.  We can always review existing appraisals and BPOs and go from there.  For most programs we need a written 3rd party appraisal or BPO for the file.  For higher LTV and larger loans, in general we prefer to order these reports.

Also, we need recent environmental reports (e.g. Phase I's) for commercial property.

How does Red Tower Capital determine the loan amount?

At Red Tower Capital, we determine loan amount by internal underwriting taking into account any 3rd party appraisal or BPO.

How are funds dispersed for rehab and construction loans?

The draws are dispersed based on completed work.

How does Red Tower Capital know that the work has been completed?

There is an initial inspection to determine the scope of work, and subsequent inspections when draws are requested to determine if the appropriate work has been completed.

Will credit issues prevent a borrower from qualifying for a standard private loan?

No, a borrower can still qualify with credit issues, as we can also look at income, assets, LTV and/or exit strategy to help qualify the borrower.

What is the minimum credit score to qualify for a landlord loan?

We don’t have a minimum credit score.

Does Red Tower Capital lend to self‐employed borrowers?

Yes.  Often.

What is the minimum and maximum loan amount?

Usually between $100,000 and $20,000,000.

Can Red Tower Capital lend to an LLC or other entity?

Yes, RTC will lend to most types of entities, including LLCs.

Does a borrower have to go to an escrow/title company to close?

No, escrow can arrange for a signing agent to bring the documents to the borrower for signing.

What are the fees associated with a private loan?

All of the fees customary to real estate loan transactions such as odd-days interest, escrow, title recording and notary fees, etc. Most of these are charged by or collected by the escrow company. Red Tower Capital – and other private lenders – charge loan origination fees, which are a flat percentage of the loan amount and processing, underwriting, and documentation fees. Our fees (and other loan terms) are very competitive with other private lenders.

Will borrowing a private loan affect my credit?

Red Tower Capital does not report loan status to the credit bureaus. However, during the underwriting process, we will do a “hard pull” of your credit (like conventional lenders and other private lenders).

Are banks statements and financial documents always required?

Here at Red Tower Capital, we may or may not ask for these, depending on loan size, LTV and other factors.

Is a private loan considered “same as cash”, and what does that mean for buying distressed properties?

Many sellers will consider a private loan – and private loan approval from a reliable non-bank lender like Red Tower Capital – as the same as cash. This allows a borrower to purchase short sales and other distressed property that is sold as‐is more reliably. 

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