Speed can make or break a real estate deal. Whether you’re trying to win a bidding war, beat a 1031 exchange deadline, or scoop up an off-market property before someone else does, timing is everything.

And when traditional lenders move at a snail’s pace, a hard money loan can be your ticket to the fast lane—if you know how to play it right.

At Lending Bee, we’ve helped clients get approved and funded in as little as 24 hours. Yes, seriously. But to pull it off, you’ve got to come prepared. Here’s exactly how to speed things up and get your deal done without the usual headaches.

1. Start with a Trustworthy Hard Money Lender

This might sound obvious, but the lender you choose matters—big time. Not all hard money lenders can move fast, and some will drag their feet with red tape and vague timelines.

✔ Look for a lender who manages own capital (not a broker who shops your deal around)
✔ Ask about their typical approval timeline and how they handle urgent closings
✔ Make sure they know your market and can underwrite quickly

Lending Bee specializes in fast approvals—we’ve built our entire process around quick turnarounds.

2. Have Your Docs Ready to Roll

The biggest bottleneck? Waiting on documents. If you want a 24-hour approval, you’ve got to come in hot with a clean, complete file.

Here’s what to gather upfront:

  • Purchase contract or term sheet (if under contract)
  • Rehab budget (if it’s a value-add or flip)
  • Property address and basic details (single-family, multi-unit, etc.)
  • Estimated ARV and current condition
  • Your experience as an investor (if any)
  • Your ID and company info (if borrowing through an LLC)

Pro tip: Send everything in one email or folder, clearly labeled. No one wants to go on a scavenger hunt just to piece together your deal.

3. Know the Numbers (and Be Realistic)

We love optimism—but in lending, numbers don’t lie. If you’re serious about closing fast, you need to know your project inside out.

✔ Be clear on your purchase price, rehab cost, and timeline
✔ Have a solid idea of your ARV (after-repair value)
✔ Be honest about risks or issues (we’ll find out anyway—better it comes from you)

The more dialed-in you are, the faster our team can underwrite and approve the loan.

4. Respond Quickly (Seriously, Don’t Ghost Us)

We’re ready to move fast—but we can’t do it alone. If our team has a question or needs clarification, the clock’s ticking until you respond.

✔ Stay close to your phone and email during the approval process
✔ Answer questions clearly and completely
✔ Don’t leave things hanging—fast replies = fast funding

It’s a team sport, and the faster we collaborate, the sooner you get the green light.

5. Be Flexible on Structure

Sometimes, to get funded fast, we may recommend tweaking the loan structure to get it over the finish line. That could mean:

✔ A slightly lower loan amount than you requested
✔ Using additional collateral
✔ A modified draw schedule for rehab funds

We’re not trying to make life harder—we’re finding the fastest, most secure way to get you the capital you need. Being open to options helps us both win.

6. Skip the Middlemen

If you’re in a true time crunch, work directly with a lender instead of going through a broker. Middlemen add time, and in a 24-hour approval scenario, every hour counts.

At Lending Bee, you deal with our in-house team—from underwriting to closing. No waiting on third parties. No mixed signals.

7. Know Your Exit Strategy

Every hard money lender wants to know how you’ll repay the loan. Have a clear, realistic plan in place:

✔ Refinance into long-term financing? ✔ Sell the property post-rehab? ✔ Use profits from another project?

The stronger your exit strategy, the quicker we can say yes.

8. Work with a Lender Who Thinks Like an Investor

You don’t have time to explain why a deal makes sense to someone who’s never stepped foot in a flip. At Lending Bee, we get it—because we’ve been there.

✔ We understand value-add plays
✔ We know time kills deals
✔ We want you to succeed—and come back again

Our job isn’t to slow you down—it’s to help you move fast, fund smart, and grow your business.

It’s All About Preparation + Partnership

Getting a hard money loan approved in 24 hours isn’t magic—it’s about being prepared, responsive, and working with a team that knows how to move.

If you’re organized, realistic, and ready to hustle, we’ll meet you there—and get the deal done.

Need fast funding? Reach out to Lending Bee now and let’s see how quickly we can get you approved and moving forward.