What Is a Bridge Loan?
A bridge loan is short-term commercial real estate debt — typically 12 to 36 months, interest-only — used to finance a property until it qualifies for permanent (long-term) financing. Bridge loans fill the gap between acquisition and stabilization, between deal velocity and traditional bank approval cycles, and between current property condition and stabilized cap rate.
When to Use a Bridge Loan in Florida
Value-Add Acquisitions
The most common bridge use case: buy an underperforming multifamily, office, retail, or industrial property; renovate, lease up, and push rents; refinance into permanent debt at a higher stabilized value. Bridge lenders can underwrite the stabilized pro forma where traditional lenders won't.
Distressed Asset Acquisitions
Bridge capital allows you to move on REO, short sale, foreclosure auction, and off-market distressed opportunities where speed of close and flexibility on condition are essential. Traditional lenders often can't close fast enough.
Lease-Up & Stabilization
New construction, recently completed properties, or major renovations need time to lease up before they can support permanent debt. Bridge financing carries the property through the stabilization period.
Hotel & Hospitality Repositioning
Branded conversions, PIPs, and hotel repositioning often require bridge debt because hospitality CMBS lenders need stabilized RevPAR before underwriting permanent financing.
Bridge-to-Stabilization: Linton Global Capital's Sweet Spot
Linton Global Capital specializes in bridge-to-stabilization financing for Central Florida commercial real estate. Our approach: fund both the acquisition AND the value-add capex needed to bring the property to stabilization. One loan, one lender, one closing — versus the complexity of a senior bridge + mezzanine + capex line structure.
We focus on multifamily, industrial, hotel, and select retail across the Orlando–Tampa I-4 corridor where Michael Linton's 39 years of market knowledge informs the underwriting.
Bridge Loan Terms — What to Expect
- Loan Size: $1M to $100M+ depending on lender
- Rate: 7.5–9.5% (varies with SOFR and risk profile)
- Term: 12–36 months with extension options
- Payment: Interest-only typically; some pay-rate / accrual structures available
- LTV: 70–80% of as-is value, or 75% of LTC on value-add
- Origination: 1–2 points typically
- Exit: Either permanent refi or sale at stabilization
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a commercial real estate bridge loan?
A bridge loan is a short-term commercial real estate loan typically used to finance acquisitions or repositioning before a property qualifies for permanent (long-term) financing. Bridge loans are interest-only, range from 12 to 36 months, and are sized based on either current value (LTV) or stabilized value (LTC). They're ideal for value-add plays, distressed acquisitions, and lease-up scenarios.
What are typical bridge loan terms in Florida?
Florida commercial bridge loans typically range from 7.5% to 9.5% (currently), 12–36 months, interest-only payments, 70–80% LTV based on as-is value, and often include extension options. Most bridge lenders require a clear takeout plan — either a refinance into permanent debt or a sale at stabilization.
When should I use a bridge loan vs. permanent financing?
Use a bridge loan when the property doesn't yet qualify for permanent debt — typically because of vacancy, lease-up risk, deferred maintenance, value-add upside, or repositioning. Once you stabilize NOI to support agency, CMBS, or bank debt requirements, you refinance into permanent.
What is bridge-to-stabilization financing?
Bridge-to-stabilization is a specific bridge strategy where the lender funds both the acquisition and the value-add capex needed to stabilize the property — getting it to a point where it can be refinanced into long-term permanent debt or sold at a stabilized cap rate. It's Linton Global Capital's sweet spot.
Who can help me source a bridge loan in Florida?
Michael R. Linton at Linton Global Solutions provides direct access to bridge capital through Linton Global Capital and through 100+ active bridge lender relationships across Florida. Whether you need $1M or $50M, we can structure and place the loan.
Interest rates, loan terms, leverage levels, and pricing references shown on this page are estimates only, based on current Florida commercial real estate market conditions and lender feedback as of the page's last update. They are not commitments to lend, are not loan approvals or pre-qualifications, and do not guarantee any specific loan terms or that financing will be available to any particular borrower or property. Actual interest rates, fees, leverage, amortization, prepayment terms, and other loan terms depend on borrower qualifications (credit, net worth, liquidity, experience), property characteristics, lender-specific underwriting requirements, third-party reports, and market conditions at the time of application. All loans are subject to lender credit approval, underwriting, and applicable federal, state, and local lending regulations. Linton Global Solutions is a Florida-licensed commercial real estate brokerage (FL Broker #BK703722); it is not a lender. Financing is sourced through third-party lender relationships, and final loan terms are determined by the originating lender. This page does not constitute consumer credit advertising under Federal Reserve Board Regulation Z (12 CFR Part 1026) and is intended for informational purposes only for commercial real estate professionals, investors, and owners considering commercial mortgage financing. Past loan terms or transactions do not guarantee future results.