Can’t buy a new home until you sell yours?
A bridge loan could be the solution.

A bridge loan is what you need.

If you’ve decided to sell your current home and buy a new one, you might find yourself in limbo. It can be difficult to secure a contract to sell and close on another property all in the same time period. A bridge loan is a short-term mortgage used to bridge the gap.

Are you unable to make a down payment on the new home before you receive money from the sale of your current one? A bridge loan will cover those costs. With a bridge loan, you’ll also be able to make an offer without a sales contingency — making your offer much more attractive. An offer that relies on the buyer selling their home first is risky for a seller.

Bridge loans have a 8-month term and must be paid off in full at the end. The loans have limited eligibility and a high credit score is needed.

A bridge loan is a good option for borrowers who:

  • Can’t afford a down payment until they sell their current home
  • Have their house on the market but already found another home they love
  • Are being transferred to a new location immediately

Qualifications and terms:

  • Current home must be listed for sale
  • 8-month, interest-only term followed by a balloon payment
  • 80% CLTV max on current home
  • DTI max will be based on current mortgage payment, bridge loan payment, and mortgage payment for new property
  • Not available in all states

Frequently asked questions

What are the pros and cons of getting a bridge loan?

Pros
  • A bridge loan offers you the opportunity to buy a new house before you’ve sold your current home.
  • You can make an offer on a new home without having to implement a sale contingency.
  • A bridge loan provides additional funds in the event of a sudden or time-sensitive transition.
  • It presents a helpful short-term solution for financing during periods of uncertainty.
  • There is often the prospect of no monthly payments for the first few months.
  • There is potential for interest-only payments, or payments that are deferred until you sell.
Cons
  • Bridge loans come with higher interest rates and APR.
  • Most lenders require a homeowner to have at least 20% home equity built up before they’ll extend a bridge loan offer.
  • Many financial institutions will only extend a bridge loan if you also use them to obtain your new mortgage.
  • You may own two houses for a time – and managing two mortgages at once can be stressful.
  • Trouble selling your property can lead to future issues or in a worst-case scenario, even foreclosure.

Imagine you found your dream home, but you haven’t yet sold your current residence. The seller of your dream home is receiving multiple offers, and you don’t want to risk losing the opportunity by making your offer contingent on the sale of your current home. In this scenario, a bridge loan can be a great solution.

You decide to apply for a bridge loan, which allows you to access the equity built up in your current home. Let’s say your current home is appraised at $300,000, and you still owe $150,000 on your mortgage. With a bridge loan, you can borrow against the equity in your current home, enabling you to use a portion of the $150,000 as a down payment for your new home.

Bridge loans are typically used by sellers who find themselves in a tight spot or need to make a sudden change of locale. Bridge loan terms, conditions, and fees can vary greatly between individuals and lenders. Some of these financing vehicles are designed to pay off your first mortgage at the time that the bridge loan closes, while others add new debt onto the total overall amounts owed. Costs can also vary considerably between lenders, and bridge loans can differ greatly in payment structure. For example, some may require you to make monthly payments, while others may be structured to require a mix of upfront and/or end-term or lump sum payment charges.
The primary difference between a bridge loan and a traditional mortgage lies in their purpose and structure. A bridge loan serves as temporary financing, enabling borrowers to bridge the gap between the purchase of a new property and the sale of an existing one. It has a shorter loan term, higher interest rates, and often requires collateral. On the other hand, a traditional mortgage is a long-term loan used to finance the purchase of a property and is repaid over an extended period, typically 15 to 30 years.
Yes, bridge loans can be utilized for renovations or improvements on existing properties. This allows homeowners or real estate investors to enhance the value of the property and potentially increase its selling price. By using a bridge loan for renovations, borrowers can access the necessary funds to complete the project before selling or refinancing the property.
While having a good credit score increases the likelihood of obtaining a bridge loan, borrowers with less-than-perfect credit may still be eligible. Lenders consider various factors beyond credit scores, such as the borrower’s income, collateral, and overall financial situation. However, it’s important to note that having bad credit may result in higher interest rates and more stringent qualification requirements. It’s recommended to explore multiple lending options and work with a mortgage broker who specializes in bridge loans to increase the chances of approval.

Bridge loans are typically reserved for borrowers with a strong credit history and credit score. While the minimum credit score will vary by lender, a higher credit score will always mean a lower interest rate.

With a bridge loan, you’re likely to experience a faster application time, as well as a faster approval and funding process than you would with a traditional loan. Therefore,you won’t have to wait as long to get the funds needed to move forward with your second home purchase.

Debt-to-income ratio, loan-to-value ratio, credit history, and credit score (FICOⓇ Score) all matter when seeking a bridge loan. You’ll need to have a lot of equity in your current home to qualify, and since you can borrow up to 80% of your home’s value, this math doesn’t always work. It only works if your home has appreciated from when you purchased it or you’ve made a significant dent in the principal balance owed.

"He was there whenever I needed to talk to him and ask questions. He is just a great person." - Carlton, NC
Social Survey
Zillow Logo
Google Rating