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Hard Money Loan Illinois

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Last updated: May 9, 2025

At OfferMarket, we’re committed to helping you build long-term wealth through smart real estate investments across the Prairie State. Whether you’re flipping homes in Chicago’s South Side, restoring duplexes in Peoria, or building rental portfolios in Rockford, our all-in-one investor platform gives you a competitive edge:

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Our Illinois Hard Money Loan program is built for fast, reliable, and cost-effective financing of 1-4 unit residential investment properties statewide. Whether your plan is to rehab and resell in Evanston, or rent out and refinance in Springfield using a DSCR loan, we’re here to be your trusted lending partner in every stage of your real estate journey.

Let’s dive into what makes OfferMarket’s Illinois Hard Money Loan Program the right choice for you.

What is a hard money loan?

A hard money loan is a short-term, asset-backed loan used to acquire, rehab, or refinance 1-4 unit residential real estate. In Illinois, this could mean anything from revitalizing foreclosures in Decatur to repositioning undervalued multi-families in Belleville.

Hard money loans are often called “bridge loans” or “fix and flip loans.” Regardless of the term, the concept is the same — they are short-duration loans secured by the real estate itself, designed to help investors move quickly on opportunities in competitive markets.

Hard money loan scenarios

Illinois real estate investors use hard money loans for several common purposes:

  • Buy and renovate distressed properties – For example, acquiring a boarded-up duplex in Joliet and using loan funds for both the purchase and rehab without tying up your own capital.

  • Refinance and then renovate – Let’s say you snagged a South Shore triplex with cash for a quick close, now you need to free up equity and fund the reno to bring it to market.

  • Refinance an active project – If you're mid-rehab on a house in Cicero and your current lender needs to be paid off, we’ll help you refinance and finish strong.

  • Acquire without plans to renovate – For seasoned wholesalers in Aurora, buying under market and flipping as-is can be a great play.

  • Refinance a non-rehab deal – If you locked in a solid price on a Waukegan property and plan to hold it, we can unlock your equity for your next deal.

  • Take out an existing loan post-reno – Rehab already completed on a Danville property? You can refinance now and wait for the ideal time to sell or rent.

How it works

Our Illinois hard money loans are composed of two distinct components:

Initial Advance – This is the portion of your loan dedicated to acquiring the property. It’s wired directly to your title company on the day of closing.

Construction Holdback – This portion is reserved for renovation and rehab work. Funds are disbursed to you as reimbursements once each stage of work is completed and verified.

Hard Money Loan Components

Our program is intentionally flexible. Whether you're purchasing a distressed bungalow in Champaign or just funding upgrades on a property you already own in Cicero, you can choose one or both components to suit your project’s needs.

Most Illinois investors pair both components — an upfront advance and a rehab budget — to preserve cash on hand. Some prefer to fund the rehab themselves and only use the loan for acquisition, while others purchase in cash and use our program strictly for 100% rehab financing.

Whether your exit strategy is a flip or a BRRRR (Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat), our loan adapts to your plan. And if your plan changes — say you intended to rent but find a hot resale market in Naperville — that’s okay too. We encourage projects with flexible exit strategies to minimize risk.

Who uses hard money loans?

Our Illinois hard money loan program is ideal for:

Fix and flip investors (“flippers”)
From Englewood rowhomes to rural quadplexes in Southern Illinois, flippers count on our speed and flexibility.

Rental property investors (BRRRR method)
Whether you’re rehabbing in Springfield or refinancing in Elgin, we offer a hard money loan bundled with a discounted DSCR loan to streamline your BRRRR.

Many of our clients pivot between flipping and renting depending on market conditions — a hybrid approach that’s smart and common among seasoned Illinois investors.

Hard Money Loan Program Guidelines

Criteria Guideline
Loan amount (minimum) $25,000
Loan amount (maximum) $2,000,000
ARV (minimum) $100,000
Experience Not required
Credit score (minimum) 680
Borrowing entity LLC or Corporation
Initial advance up to 90%
Construction holdback up to 100%
LTARV (maximum) 75%
Interest rate get instant quote
Origination fee 1.5 to 2 points
Term 12 to 24 months
Points out None
Prepayment penalty None
Structure Interest-only with balloon payment
Recourse Full (51% of borrowing entity must guarantee)
Exit strategy: Sale minimum 30% ROI
Exit strategy: Refinance minimum 1.1 DSCR after repairs
Valuation Appraisal report or In-house valuation
SqFt (minimum) Single family: 700+
2-4 unit: 500+ per unit
Condo: 500+
Acreage (maximum) 5
Interest accrual Under $100,000 loan: full boat
$100,000+ loan: as disbursed
Advanced draws Lender discretion
Down payment (minimum) $10,000

Project Eligibility

We’re proud of our track record — fewer than 0.5% of loans have resulted in foreclosure. That’s because we emphasize risk management and partner closely with our borrowers in Illinois.

While anyone can apply, we do recommend first-time investors avoid complex renovations that can be challenging to manage. Major overhauls in cities like Aurora or rural areas in Southern Illinois can introduce delays, overruns, and market volatility.

Think of us as your capital partner and deal advisor. We want to help you grow steadily and safely.

Initial Advance

Initial advance amounts depend on your deal and experience level. We look at the number of Illinois or out-of-state investment properties you’ve completed over the last 5 years and require a minimum credit score of 680. However, those with a 720+ score receive preferred terms.

Realtors, General Contractors, and Engineers in Illinois can qualify for enhanced leverage due to their hands-on experience.

If you're buying a duplex in Normal for more than its appraised As Is value, your advance will be capped at that valuation, not your contract price.

Exit strategy affects advance, too:

  • For flips, we require a minimum projected profit of $15,000 and 30% gross margin.

  • For rentals, your post-repair DSCR must hit 1.1 or higher.

Rural properties in Illinois come with experience and leverage restrictions. For example, farm-adjacent deals may require 3+ completed projects to qualify.

Experience-based Tiers

Tier Verifiable experience
1 0
2 1 to 2
3 3 to 4
4 5 to 9
5 10+

Initial Advance by Tier

Tier Initial advance (% of purchase price)
1 80%*
2 85%
3 85%
4 90%
5 90%

(*) 85% is available to Tier 1 investors with exceptional credit and liquidity.

Adjustments to Initial Advance

Scenario Adjustments
Credit score less than 720 -5%
Full gut rehab -5%
New market -5%
Licensed Realtor up to +5%
Licensed General Contractor up to +10%
Licensed Professional Engineer up to +10%
Rural -20% (3+ experience required)

Rehab Scope Classification

Rehab Scope Definition
Light Rehab budget is <25% of purchase price
Moderate 25% to 49.99% of purchase price
Heavy 50% to 99.99% of purchase price
Extensive 100%+ of purchase price or a lopsided deal

*Note: A “lopsided” Illinois deal occurs when the rehab budget exceeds the purchase price — common with heavily discounted properties in downstate towns or West Side Chicago.

Rehab Scope Eligibility

Tier Experience Light Moderate Heavy Extensive
1 0 Eligible Ineligible Ineligible Ineligible
2 1-2 Eligible Eligible Eligible Ineligible
3 3-4 Eligible Eligible Eligible Eligible
4 5-9 Eligible Eligible Eligible Eligible
5 10+ Eligible Eligible Eligible Eligible

LTARV Limits

Tier Experience Light Moderate Heavy Extensive
1 0 70% Ineligible Ineligible Ineligible
2 1-2 70% 70% 70% Ineligible
3 3-4 75% 75% 75% 70%
4 5-9 75% 75% 75% 70%
5 10+ 75% 75% 75% 70%

LTFC Limits

LTFC applies when the rehab budget exceeds the property’s purchase price or As Is value. Here’s how we limit leverage for higher-risk deals:

Tier Experience Light Moderate Heavy Extensive
1 0 N/A Ineligible Ineligible Ineligible
2 1-2 N/A N/A N/A Ineligible
3 3-4 N/A N/A N/A 85%
4 5-9 N/A N/A N/A 90%
5 10+ N/A N/A N/A 90%

Example: No Experience

Scenario: You’re just getting started and have no verifiable prior projects in Illinois or elsewhere.

  • Purchase price: $100,000

  • Tier: 1 (0 similar verifiable experience)

  • Credit score: 695

  • Rehab budget: $24,000

  • ARV: $150,000

Item Value
Initial advance $75,000 (75%)
Construction holdback $24,000
Total loan amount $99,000
LTARV 66%
LTFC 79.8%
Interest accrual Full boat

Example: No Experience, Excellent Credit

Scenario: Same as above, but you’ve built a strong credit history.

  • Credit score: 750
Item Value
Initial advance $80,000 (80%)
Construction holdback $24,000
Total loan amount $104,000
LTARV 69.33%
LTFC 83.9%
Interest accrual As disbursed

Example: 5 Experience

Scenario: You’ve flipped five properties in Illinois — perhaps rowhomes in Joliet or quadplexes in Decatur.

  • Tier: 4

  • Credit score: 750

Item Value
Initial advance $90,000 (90%)
Construction holdback $20,000
Total loan amount $110,000
LTARV 73.33%
LTFC 91.67%
Interest accrual As disbursed

Refinance using As Is value instead of Cost Basis for Initial Advance

If you’ve owned a property in Illinois for at least 3 years and it's in rentable or livable condition (C4 or better), we may allow your loan to be based on As Is value rather than cost basis (purchase price + capital improvements). This applies to clients looking to complete new renovations on seasoned properties — for example, refreshing a long-held rental in Cicero before selling.

Requirements include:

  • Property must be habitable

  • At least 3 years of ownership

  • No default fees in payoff statement

  • Credit score 680+

  • Tier 3 or higher (at least 4 similar projects)

  • Strong comp support for the appraised value

Transactions involving wholesalers, price run-ups

OfferMarket works with Illinois wholesalers, but we impose strict limits on price run-ups to protect loan quality. We allow up to a 20% markup between the seller and wholesaler’s price. Anything beyond that is not financeable.

For example:

  • A-B contract: $100,000 (seller to wholesaler)

  • B-C contract: $125,000 (wholesaler to investor)

  • Allowable value basis: $120,000

We require:

  • Full contract chain (A-B, B-C)

  • Wholesaler’s operating agreement

  • Arm’s length transaction

  • MLS listings may disqualify the markup

We do not finance:

  • Finder fees

  • Unjustified markups

  • Referral commissions

Construction Holdback

We disburse rehab funds via draw requests, reimbursing you for progress made. Whether you’re replacing kitchens in Rockford or modernizing rentals in Springfield, the process is streamlined and fast.

Criteria Guideline
Minimum draw amount None
Maximum draw amount 100% of remaining holdback
Minimum number of draws 0
Maximum number of draws None
Materials delivered but not installed 50% (receipt or invoice required)
Draw inspection App-based (self-serve)
Draw turnaround 0 to 2 business days
Draw fee $270
Wire fee $30

Appraisal and In-house valuation

All Illinois hard money loans require a valuation. Depending on your project and experience tier, this will be an interior appraisal, exterior appraisal, or in-house valuation.

In-house valuation

Eligibility:

Criteria Requirement
Property type SFR, Duplex, Triplex, Quadplex
Tier 4 or higher
Credit score 720+
Rural Not eligible
New market Not eligible
LTARV Max 70%

Even if you meet these standards, we may still require a formal appraisal.

Exterior appraisal

Allowed if:

  • Property is an REO or foreclosure

  • Acquired via sheriff’s sale or auction

  • Sold under bankruptcy proceedings

Appraisal must be <120 days old at close. Older appraisals (120–179 days) must be recertified.

Interior appraisal

Required in all other Illinois scenarios.

Property type Appraisal forms needed
Single family 1004 + 1007 ARV w/ As Is value
2-4 Unit 1025 + 216 ARV w/ As Is value
Condo 1073 + 1007 ARV w/ As Is value

We order your appraisal through an AMC and provide a link to pay the invoice. Loan processing is paused until paid.

Appraisal transfer

Already have an appraisal? We may accept it if:

  • Ordered via an approved AMC

  • <180 days old at closing

  • Proper transfer letter and compliance with AIR provided

  • PDF, XML, and invoice all submitted

Scenario: Stabilized Hard Money Loan

In situations where your property in Illinois is already stabilized — meaning it’s in livable condition with no major rehab needed and appraised at C4 or better — we may fund up to 75% of its As Is value. For example, if you own a turnkey duplex in Skokie and want to extract equity for your next project, this could be a great fit.

Criteria Guideline
LTV (maximum) Tier 1: 70%
Tier 2: 70%
Tier 3: 75%
Tier 4: 75%
Tier 5: 75%
LTFC (maximum) Tier 1: 80%
Tier 2: 80%
Tier 3: 90%
Tier 4: 90%
Tier 5: 90%
Appraisal condition rating C1, C2, C3, or C4
Loan Term (maximum) 12 months

Key Loan Details

Criteria Details
Loan Amount $25,000 to $2,000,000
Units per Property 1 – 4
Eligible Property Types Non-owner occupied residential
SFRs, 2–4 unit multifamily
Condos, Townhomes, PUDs
Property Minimum Size SFR: ≥700 SQFT
2–4 Unit & Condo: ≥500 SQFT/unit
Max Acreage 5 acres
Loan to Cost (LTC) Up to 90% purchase, 100% rehab
Loan to ARV (LTARV) Up to 75%
Down Payment Minimum $10,000 if <$100K deal
Loan Term 12 months standard; extensions available
Points 1.5 to 2 points ($2,000 minimum)
Prepayment Penalty None
Occupancy Business purpose only
Transaction types Purchase or refinance
Geographic Region All Illinois markets
Amortization Interest-only with balloon
Interest Accrual Full Boat < $100K; As Disbursed ≥ $100K

Extensions

While Illinois hard money loans are designed for 12–24 months, we understand delays happen. That said, extensions should be avoided if possible as they incur fees and additional risk.

To avoid needing an extension:

  • Work with seasoned GCs familiar with Illinois building codes

  • Avoid overly ambitious rehabs early on

  • Ensure access to the property (no lingering tenants or evictions)

  • Choose dual-exit deals (rent or flip)

Extension Limits

Initial Loan Term Max Extension
12 months 6 months
18 months 9 months
24 months 12 months

Extension Terms and Fees

Extension Term Fee
3 months (1st) 1% of total loan amount
3 months (2nd) 1.5% of total loan amount
6 months (1st) 2.5% of total loan amount

Extension Prerequisites

  • Must maintain active builder’s risk insurance for the extension period

Ineligible Property Types

Not Eligible
Mixed-use buildings
5+ unit multifamily
Condotels, Co-ops
Mobile or manufactured homes
Commercial spaces
Cabins or log homes
Oil/gas lease properties
Farms, ranches, orchards
Short-term vacation rentals
Luxury, exotic, or unique design properties
Properties with unpaved/dirt road access

Exception Scenarios

Item Notes
Credit scores between 660–679 Considered on a case-by-case basis
Leasehold properties Eligible with ground rent documentation
Small SFRs (500–699 SQFT) Reviewed individually
Small multifamily units (400–499 SQFT/unit) Reviewed individually
Initial advance based on As Is value Must meet refinance guidelines
Non-arm’s length transactions Allowed with explanation and safeguards
Financed interest payments Available in approved cases

Borrower and Guarantor Requirements

Item Requirements / Eligibility
Borrowing Entities LLC or Corporation (no nonprofits)
Eligible Borrowers US Citizens, Permanent Residents, Qualified Foreign Nationals
Foreign Nationals Valid Passport & Visa (non-tourist), US FICO score required
Credit Requirements 680+ FICO minimum, trimerge report <120 days old
Guaranty Structure 51% of the entity must guarantee purchase loans; 100% for cash-out
Recourse Full recourse; personal guarantees required
Net Worth Aggregate net worth ≥ 50% of loan amount

Liquidity Verification

We want to ensure you have enough liquidity to close safely and manage your rehab. You must show funds equal to your estimated cash-to-close plus 25% of your rehab budget.

Eligible Liquid Assets
Personal or business bank accounts
Business account (requires operating agreement)
Brokerage accounts (personal or entity-owned)
Retirement accounts (50% haircut applied)
Notes
No need to transfer funds to a new account
New accounts are accepted (no seasoning required)
LOE required for unusually large deposits

Credit and Background Items

Credit Profile Requirement
3 scores returned Middle score used
2 scores returned Lower score used
No mortgage tradelines 6 months interest reserves required
Fewer than 5 tradelines 6 months interest reserves required
Bankruptcy (discharged > 4 years) Eligible
Foreclosure (completed > 4 years) Eligible
Bankruptcy/Foreclosure (4–7 years) 3 months interest reserves required
Late mortgage in last 12 months LOE required; approval discretionary
Past due accounts Must be paid before funding
Involuntary liens/judgments Must be cleared before closing
Civil lawsuits LOE required
Criminal background Serious or financial crimes are ineligible

Interest Reserves

We may collect interest reserves at closing depending on your credit profile.

Scenario Interest Reserve
Lender discretion 0 months
Guarantor FICO 700+ 1 month
FICO 660–699 3 months
FICO 660–699 + background issue 6 months

Financed Interest Payments

To help maintain your liquidity, you may qualify for financed interest payments, where monthly interest accrues and is paid at loan payoff.

Example:

  • Loan amount: $100,000

  • Interest: 12%

  • Duration: 9 months

  • Accrued interest: $9,000

  • Payoff: $100,000 + $9,000 interest = $109,000

Property Sourcing Guidelines

Requirement Details
New markets GC agreement or LOE required
Wholesale or price run-ups Additional documentation needed
Condo or complex renovations Engineer letters or permits required
Submission materials Purchase contract, payoff letter, entity docs, scope, appraisal

Insurance Guidelines for Hard Money Loans

Hard money loans in Illinois require proper Builders Risk Insurance to protect both the physical property and your liability.

Coverage Type Limit Required
Dwelling Replacement Cost or Loan Amount Yes
Liability $1M per occurrence / $2M aggregate Yes
Builders Risk Included Yes
Flood (FEMA Zone only) Greater of $250,000 or loan amount Yes

Insurance Details

Item Requirement
AM Best Rating A- VIII or better
Policy Type Special Form
Deductible $1,000 to $5,000
Lender Designation Must be named mortgagee & additional insured
No exclusions Wind, hail, and storm damage must be covered
Cancellation 30-day notice required

💡 Tip: As soon as you own the property, install smoke detectors, locks, and security cameras to meet policy terms and avoid denied claims.

Frequently Asked Questions

What states does OfferMarket fund hard money loans in?

We lend in nearly every U.S. state, including a full-service lending program for investors in Illinois. From Cook County to Champaign-Urbana and everywhere in between, OfferMarket helps Illinois investors access capital efficiently.

Can I have more than one hard money loan at a time?

Yes. It’s normal for Illinois clients to have multiple active loans. We'll assess your liquidity, credit, and track record to ensure you’re managing risk responsibly. If needed, we'll work together to prioritize your active projects before adding more.

Are hard money loans considered commercial loans?

Yes. These are business-purpose loans extended to your LLC or Corporation, and they’re classified as commercial — even if the property is residential.

What is the minimum loan amount?

The minimum loan amount is $25,000.

Which property types are eligible?

✅ Eligible Property Types ❌ Ineligible Property Types
Non-owner occupied 1–4 unit residential Mixed-use
Single-family homes 5+ unit multifamily
2–4 unit multifamily Condotels, co-ops
Condominiums, townhomes Mobile/manufactured housing
Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) Cabins, log homes, unique or exotic structures
Vacation/seasonal rentals
Properties with unpaved or dirt road access
Operating farms, ranches, orchards
Properties with oil/gas leases

How is Loan-To-Value (LTV) calculated?

Metric Calculation Method
LTV Loan amount ÷ Lower of purchase price or As Is valuation
LTARV (Initial advance + construction holdback) ÷ After-Repair Value (from appraisal)

What are the credit score requirements?

Scenario Requirement
Standard approval Minimum 680 FICO
Exceptions considered 660–679 FICO with additional reserves
Whose score matters Only personal guarantors

Is experience required?

No — we offer loans to first-time investors in Illinois. However, your experience tier affects how much leverage you qualify for.

Does wholesaling count toward experience?

No. We only consider direct ownership and renovation experience where you had financial responsibility.

What documentation is required?

For Purchase Loans

Document Description
Purchase Contract Fully executed by buyer and seller
Credit Report Tri-merge soft pull for all guarantors
Background Report Required for all guarantors
Track Record Verifiable history of past projects
ID Verification Government-issued photo ID
Borrowing Entity Documents Articles of Organization/Incorporation, Operating Agreement, W-9
Scope of Work Detailed rehab budget
Appraisal Report Ordered via OfferMarket, paid by borrower
Bank Statements Two most recent, personal or business
Letter of Explanation (if needed) For large deposits, late payments, or background items

For Refinance Loans

Document Description
Settlement Statement Fully executed closing disclosure
Credit Report Tri-merge soft pull for all guarantors
Background Report Required for all guarantors
Track Record Verifiable rehab experience
ID Verification Government-issued photo ID
Borrowing Entity Documents Articles of Organization/Incorporation, Operating Agreement, W-9
Sunk Costs Line-item detail of expenses to date
Scope of Work Rehab budget for remaining improvements
Appraisal Report Ordered via OfferMarket, paid by borrower
Bank Statements Two most recent, personal or business
Letter of Explanation (if needed) For large deposits, late payments, or background items

Are there special requirements for loans over $1M?

Requirement Details
Experience Minimum of 3 comparable projects completed
Market Liquidity At least 3 MLS comps within 2 miles in the past 6 months
Credit 680+ FICO and 5+ seasoned tradelines
Rural Location Ineligible if designated “rural” by CFPB or USDA
Track Record Must be documented and verifiable

Glossary of Key Terms

Term Definition
ADU Accessory Dwelling Unit on same parcel
Arms-length Fair-market transaction between unrelated parties
Non Arms-length Transaction with personal or business ties
Initial Advance Loan amount applied to purchase
Holdback Rehab budget portion of your loan
Interest Reserves Interest collected at closing and held in escrow
LOE Letter of Explanation
LTC Loan-to-Cost
LTFC Loan-to-Full-Cost (purchase + rehab)
LTV Loan-to-Value based on As Is valuation
LTARV Loan-to-After-Repair Value
Full Boat Interest charged on full loan amount
As Disbursed Interest charged only on disbursed funds
GC Agreement Contract with General Contractor
DSCR Debt Service Coverage Ratio (Rent ÷ PITIA)

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OfferMarket Capital LLC is proud to serve as a top-tier private lender for Illinois real estate investors. Whether you're flipping a bungalow on Chicago’s South Side, renovating rentals in Rockford, or scaling a BRRRR portfolio in Springfield, our mission is to help you build lasting wealth through real estate. With our streamlined process, transparent terms, and expert support, we’re ready to partner with you on your next deal.

Getting started is fast and free. Click below to request your instant hard money loan quote and take the next step toward scaling your investment strategy in Illinois.

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