Unlock the equity in your current home before you sell.
Use your current Arizona home's equity to make a strong, non-contingent offer on the next one — without waiting to sell first. Stop losing houses because your money is trapped.
What a bridge loan actually does
A bridge loan gives you short-term access to the part of your current home you've already paid off, before it sells. Most buyers use it for:
- The down payment on the next home
- Closing costs
- Money set aside in savings that you need to qualify
Once your current home sells, the bridge loan is paid off in full from the proceeds — no long-term carry, no double mortgage forever.
Best fit: you can afford the new payment, your money is just trapped in your current home.
How an in-house bridge loan works
- 1
See how much equity is available
We look at what your current home is worth and subtract what you still owe on it (your mortgage and any other loans against the home). What's left is the part you can actually use.
- 2
Build the down-payment strategy
We size the bridge so that, combined with any cash you have, it covers the down payment, your closing costs, and any money you need set aside in savings for the next home.
- 3
Close together
The bridge funds at or before you close on the new home. You make a strong, non-contingent offer using the bridge money as your down payment.
- 4
Sell & pay off
You list and sell your old home on your timeline. Net proceeds pay the bridge in full at that closing.
When a bridge loan is the right tool
| Your situation | Good fit? |
|---|---|
| You can afford both payments, but your down-payment cash is trapped in your current home. | Yes, primary use case. |
| You need money from your current home to buy the next one. | Yes. |
| Your current house payment is too big to also carry the new one on paper. | You may need our qualify-without-selling options instead (or both together) so the old payment stops counting against you. |
| You've paid off very little of your current home. | Probably not, there's not much to borrow against. |
| Your home may take a long time to sell. | Use caution, the bridge is short-term; let's talk options. |
Example scenario
A homeowner in Chandler finds the next home in Scottsdale before listing their current house. Their income comfortably supports both payments on paper, but most of their cash is tied up in their current home's equity.
A bridge loan lets them access that equity immediately. They make a strong, non-contingent offer on the new home, close, move in, and then list the old home at their pace. Once the Chandler home sells, the bridge loan is paid off in full from the proceeds.
Hypothetical example for illustration only. Actual outcomes vary based on individual financial profile, property value, market conditions, and program qualification. Not a commitment to lend.
Bridge loan + backup contract, when to stack them
The bridge loan solves the cash problem. Our qualify-without-selling options (including the backup contract) solve the qualifying problem by letting many buyers qualify without their current house payment counting against them. If you're blocked on both, the two tools work together in one loan file.
Bridge loan vs. HELOC vs. cash-out refinance
| Tool | Speed | Term | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridge loan | Fast, closes alongside purchase | Short, paid at sale | Move-up buyers who will sell soon |
| HELOC | Slower | Long, revolving | Long-term equity access while staying put |
| Cash-out refinance | Slow, full new first mortgage | Long-term | Refinancing your full loan + accessing equity at the same time |
Bridge loans are designed specifically for homeowners moving from one property to another. HELOCs and cash-out refinances usually aren't.
Bridge loan FAQ
What is a bridge loan and how does it work?
A bridge loan is a short-term loan that lets you use the part of your current home you've already paid off to buy your next one before the first sells. When your home sells, the loan is paid back in full from the sale proceeds.
How long does a bridge loan last?
It's short-term, usually six to twelve months. That gives you a clear window to sell your current home and pay the bridge off, so you're never stuck carrying it long-term.
Do you make payments on a bridge loan?
It depends on how it's set up. Some bridge loans are interest-only each month; some let you wait and pay the whole thing back in one lump sum when your home sells. We pick the setup that makes your new-home loan easiest to qualify for.
What are the requirements for a bridge loan?
Generally you need meaningful equity (the part of your current home you've paid off, usually 20% or more), a solid credit history, income that supports the deal, and a realistic plan to sell your current home.
What are the costs and fees on a bridge loan?
Beyond the cost of the financing itself, expect standard closing items: an origination fee, processing, an appraisal, title, and recording. We walk through every line with you before you commit, so there are no surprises.
What if my home doesn't sell quickly?
Two answers. First, the bridge has an end date and we plan a fallback from day one. Second, pairing the bridge with our Guaranteed Backup Contract gives you a 180-day backstop, where a backup buyer purchases at a known price if the open market doesn't come through.
Compete stronger. Stop losing houses because your equity is locked up.
A bridge loan lets you make stronger, non-contingent offers in Arizona's market. Send your numbers and we'll tell you what's realistic.
Free consultation