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    How Much Does a Bridge Loan Cost?

    Bridge loan cost — 8.99%–13.5% IO plus 0–3 points on 12–24 month terms. Worked example for a $350K acquisition bridge.

    Updated Rates as of August 2026

    Bridge loans for investors typically cost 8.99%–13.5% interest-only with 0–3 origination points on 12–24 month terms. On a $350,000 bridge at 11% for 12 months with 1 point, budget roughly $42,000 in interest plus $3,500 in points before exit or refi costs.

    Jaken Finance Group bridge programs fund up to 90% of purchase with 7–10 business day closes on qualified files. Bridge loans overview.

    Bridge vs DSCR — when each product fits

    FactorBridgeDSCR permanent
    Rate (Jaken Finance Group)8.99%–13.5% IO5.75%–10.5% fixed/ARM
    Term12–24 months30 years
    Best useAcquisition, value-add, BRRRR step 1Stabilized rental hold
    Close speed7–10 business days~14 business days
    LeverageUp to 90% purchaseUp to 85% purchase

    Bridge is short-term carry — model total cost through your exit (sale, DSCR refi, or payoff).

    Worked example — 18-month BRRRR bridge

    $280K bridge at 11% IO, 1 point, 14 months to DSCR refi

    LineAmount
    Interest (14 mo)~$36,050
    1 point$2,800
    Valuation + title~$3,200
    Bridge finance friction~$42,050
    DSCR refi at 7.5% (long hold)Spread cost over years

    Bridge loans for investors · hard money to DSCR refinance · fees schedule

    Bridge for BRRRR — total carry through DSCR exit

    MonthEventBridge balanceMonthly IO at 11%
    0Close acquisition$280K~$2,567
    1–4Rehab draws$310K peak~$2,842
    5–8Lease-up$310K~$2,842
    9DSCR refi payoff$0

    Total bridge IO (9 months avg on $295K): **$24,500** plus 1 point ($2,800) = ~$27,300 before DSCR closing costs.

    Minimum interest trap

    If your bridge note has 6-month minimum interest but you refi at month 4, you owe 2 extra months IO (~$5,700 on $310K at 11%). Read the term sheet. Bridge overview · hard money to DSCR

    Bridge vs hard money — when labels change the quote

    Some lenders use bridge for light-rehab acquisitions and hard money for heavy gut jobs — pricing may sit in the same 8.99%–13.5% IO band but points and LTV caps differ. Bridge files with no rehab holdback often cap at 75%–80% LTV; heavy rehab may reach 90% LTC with draws. Ask whether your quote includes inspection fees per draw before you compare two term sheets.

    Exit math — don’t ignore DSCR refi friction

    Budget bridge carry plus DSCR closing costs on the back end. A nine-month BRRRR at 11% IO on $310K ($27K) plus DSCR refi at 3% ($9K) = ~$36K total transition cost before you hold long-term at 5.75%–10.5%. If stabilized rent does not clear 1.0 DSCR after refi, you may need a low-DSCR program or another extension. Bridge loans hub · hard money to DSCR · BRRRR case study

    Bridge cost components — line by line

    Cost lineTypical rangeWhen it hits
    Origination points0–3 pts on loan amountClosing
    Interest (IO)8.99%–13.5% annual on UPBMonthly
    Minimum interest3–6 months if early payoffPayoff
    Extension fee0.25%–1% of UPBMaturity extension
    Valuation$450–$900Before close
    Title + recording0.5%–1.5% of purchaseClosing
    Draw inspections$250–$400 each (if rehab)Per draw

    Bridge on a light-rehab acquisition (no holdback) skips draw fees but still carries full IO from day one.

    Worked example — DC row home acquisition bridge

    LineAmount
    Purchase$425,000
    Bridge at 85% LTC$361,250
    Rate10.75% IO
    Term14 months to DSCR refi
    1 point$3,613
    IO (14 mo avg on $365K)~$45,800
    Extension (none taken)$0
    DSCR refi closing (~3%)~$10,800
    Total bridge-to-permanent cost~$60,200

    Stabilized rent: $3,200/mo duplex. DSCR refi at 75% LTV on $520K appraised = $390K loan — pays off bridge with ~$28K cash out for next deal.

    Bridge vs waiting for bank — opportunity cost math

    ScenarioBridge at 11% IOBank denial at week 8
    Off-market discount15% below ARV capturedDeal lost to cash buyer
    Finance cost (12 mo)~$38,000 on $345K$0
    ARV captured$395,000$0
    Net positionOwn asset + equityNo deal

    Bridge premium buys certainty and speed — Jaken Finance Group closes in 7–10 business days at 8.99%–13.5% IO on qualified files.

    When bridge cost exceeds the spread

    Walk away when:

    • IO + points + extension risk exceeds 25% of projected gross margin
    • Stabilized rent will not clear 1.0 DSCR at refi
    • Rehab timeline exceeds 18 months without visible exit
    • Minimum interest (6 months) exceeds your planned hold

    Model two exit dates — month 9 and month 18 — before you sign the bridge term sheet.

    Multifamily lease-up bridge — higher carry, different exit

    Small multifamily (2–8 units) bridge costs more than SFR because:

    FactorSFR bridgeMultifamily bridge
    IO basePurchase + light rehabFull commitment faster
    Lease-up1 tenantMultiple tenants staggered
    Refi exitDSCR on one leaseAggregate rent, higher reserves
    Typical hold6–10 months10–18 months

    Budget 14 months IO on multifamily bridge — not 9 — before DSCR refi at 5.75%–10.5%.

    Portfolio bridge — sequential acquisitions

    Sponsors buying three properties in 60 days stack bridge costs:

    PropertyBridge amountRate12-mo IO
    Deal A$280K11%$30,800
    Deal B$220K11%$24,200
    Deal C$195K11%$21,450
    Total annual IO$695K combined~$76,450

    Liquidity must cover IO on all three until each exits — not just one at a time.

    Cross-collateral bridge — one loan, multiple assets

    Some bridge programs cross-collateralize two properties:

    • Lower points than two separate loans
    • Both assets at risk on default
    • Exit requires payoff or release of both — partial sale is harder

    Confirm partial release provisions before you cross-collateralize a stabilized rental with a flip.

    Extension cost stack — when month 12 becomes month 15

    Extension eventCost on $310K UPB
    1% extension fee$3,100
    +0.50% rate bump+$129/mo IO
    3 extra months IO at 11.5%~$8,925
    Total extension cost~$12,000+

    One extension often exceeds origination points saved by choosing the lowest-point term sheet — model extension risk upfront.

    Bridge vs hard money label — compare the term sheet, not the name

    Feature”Bridge” quote”Hard money” quote
    Rate band8.99%–13.5%8.99%–13.5%
    Rehab holdbackOften noneUsually yes
    LTC max75%–80% purchaseUp to 90%–100% with rehab
    Points0–30–3

    Same rate band — different leverage. Light-rehab acquisition labeled “bridge” may cap LTV lower than full flip “hard money” with rehab holdback.

    Pre-qualify for bridge financing · (833) 264-7776

    Frequently asked questions

    Why are bridge loans more expensive than DSCR?
    Bridge is short-term, fast, and often used before stabilization or sale. DSCR is long-term rental debt priced on stabilized cash flow.
    What is the typical bridge loan term?
    12–24 months. Extensions are available on many investor bridge notes when exit timing slips.
    Do bridge loans have prepayment penalties?
    Most investor bridge notes allow payoff at sale or refi. Watch for minimum interest (often 3–6 months).
    What leverage does Jaken Finance Group offer on bridge?
    Up to 90% of purchase on qualified bridge files. ARV cap varies by exit strategy.

    Ready to fund your next deal?

    Get pre-qualified in minutes. Speak with a lending specialist or submit your scenario online.

    Or call (833) 264-7776