Everything you need to know about Axios financing

A bridge loan is a short-term real estate loan — typically 6 to 24 months — used to finance the acquisition or repositioning of a property until permanent financing or a sale is executed. Axios bridge loans range from $5M to $30M with rates starting at 8.5%, up to 75–80% LTV, and a typical close timeline of 3–4 weeks. We issue same-day term sheets. The loan "bridges" the gap between acquisition and stabilization, sale, or permanent financing.

In 2026, private bridge loan rates range from 8.5% to 12% depending on loan size, leverage, property type, and borrower experience. Axios starts at 8.5% — among the lowest in the private lending market — with escrowed interest so you make no monthly payments during the hold period. Bank bridge loans may quote lower rates but typically require 60–90 days to close. Hard money lenders often charge 10–13% with high origination fees.

Axios typically closes bridge loans in 3–4 weeks from term sheet to funding. We issue same-day term sheets. This compares to 60–90 days at traditional banks. The deals we're best suited for — $5M to $30M acquisition and repositioning plays — often require speed to win. Our entire process is engineered to move at the pace of competitive commercial real estate markets.

Bridge loans and hard money loans are both short-term, asset-based financing, but differ in size, sophistication, and cost. Hard money lenders typically handle smaller deals ($500K–$3M), charge higher rates (10–14%), and have lower leverage caps. Bridge loan lenders like Axios operate in the institutional middle market ($5M–$30M+), offer more flexible structures, lower rates (starting at 8.5%), higher leverage, and more sophisticated underwriting — including escrowed interest and custom exit strategies.

Axios finances bridge loans across a wide range of property types: multifamily (5+ units), mixed-use, office-to-residential conversions, retail repositioning, industrial, self-storage, hospitality, single-tenant net lease, and land bridge loans for entitled parcels. Our focus is the $5M–$30M deal range where we can be a decisive capital partner.

Axios bridge loans range from $5M to $30M, with leverage up to 75–80% of the as-is purchase price and up to 85% of total capitalization depending on the deal structure. Above $30M, we provide mezzanine debt and JV equity structures. Our sweet spot is the $5M–$30M range where most institutional bridge lenders are too slow and hard money shops are too small.

Typical bridge loan fees include an origination fee (1–2% of the loan amount), an appraisal fee, title and closing costs, and potentially an exit fee on some structures. At Axios, all fees are disclosed on the term sheet before you commit to anything. There are no hidden fees or surprises at closing. For most $5M–$15M deals, total transaction costs run 2–3% of the loan amount including all third-party costs.

Construction financing funds the development of new buildings or major renovations. At Axios, construction loans range from $500K to $100M with up to 90% loan-to-cost (LTC). Funds are disbursed in draws as construction milestones are reached — typically within 24–48 hours at Axios versus 7–14 days at banks. Interest is escrowed at closing so you make no monthly payments during the build phase.

A draw schedule is the structured disbursement plan for a construction loan. Funds are released in stages as defined construction milestones are completed — foundation, framing, rough mechanical, drywall, finishes, and final completion. At Axios, draws are typically released within 24–48 hours of a completed draw request and inspection, compared to the industry standard of 7–14 days. Fast draws are a core advantage of Axios construction lending.

LTC (loan-to-cost) measures the loan amount relative to total project cost — land plus construction budget. LTV (loan-to-value) measures the loan relative to the appraised value of the completed property (as-stabilized value). LTC is the primary underwriting metric for construction loans. Axios lends up to 90% LTC, meaning we can fund up to 90 cents of every dollar in your total project budget.

Typical Axios construction loan requirements include: approved building plans and permits, a licensed general contractor with experience on comparable projects, a detailed budget with line-item breakdown, a project timeline, an independent appraisal of as-completed value, and borrower financial statements. New developers are considered — project merit and contractor experience weigh heavily.

Construction loan rates in 2026 typically range from 9% to 13% depending on leverage, project type, and borrower profile. Axios construction loans start at 9.5% with escrowed interest so there are no monthly payments during the build. The escrowed structure means your effective monthly cash requirement is zero during construction — a significant advantage over lenders requiring monthly interest payments on an unproductive asset.

Axios structures loans around three primary exits: (1) refinance to permanent financing after stabilization — DSCR loan, agency debt, or conventional mortgage; (2) sale at completion or upon stabilization; (3) construction takeout into permanent financing after the certificate of occupancy. We underwrite the exit at loan origination and structure the term to match the most realistic exit timeline.

With escrowed interest, your interest payments are built into the loan at closing instead of being due monthly. During a value-add repositioning or active construction phase, you typically have below-market occupancy and reduced cash flow — yet traditional lenders expect monthly interest payments. With Axios's escrowed structure, you pay $0 per month during the repositioning period. If you exit ahead of schedule, the unused interest reserve is credited back to you at payoff.

The interest reserve is calculated at closing based on the full loan term and interest rate. This amount is funded as part of your loan proceeds and held in a dedicated escrow account. Each month, the interest payment is automatically debited from the reserve — you write no checks. The reserve is sized to cover the full anticipated loan term, giving you a complete buffer even if the project encounters delays.

If you exit the loan before the full term — through a sale or refinance — the unused balance in the interest escrow account is credited back to you at payoff. Early exits do not forfeit the unused interest reserve. This makes escrowed interest financing particularly advantageous for projects with uncertain timelines: you are protected against delays, and you recapture the reserve if you execute ahead of schedule.

The gross loan balance is larger because the interest reserve is financed, but the all-in cost is comparable to a conventionally serviced loan — and the cash flow advantage is real. For a value-add investor running a repositioning with below-market occupancy, the ability to carry the property without a monthly payment is worth more than the nominal increase in loan balance. If you exit early, unused interest is returned at payoff.

Yes. Axios offers escrowed interest on both bridge loans and construction loans. For bridge financing, the interest reserve is calculated based on the loan term and rate at closing. The reserve is funded into escrow as part of the loan proceeds. Monthly interest payments are drawn from the reserve automatically — you write no checks during the hold period.

Escrowed interest is most valuable for: (1) Value-add investors repositioning a below-market property with reduced occupancy during renovation; (2) Construction developers who are building a non-income-producing asset; (3) Borrowers who need to preserve cash flow for capex, stabilization costs, or carry on other assets; (4) Any deal where predictable zero monthly carry simplifies the capital stack and investor waterfall.

To receive a same-day term sheet, have ready: property address and asset type, purchase price or current appraised value, loan amount requested, use of proceeds (acquisition, repositioning, construction), your target close date, and a brief description of the exit strategy. We don't require a formal package to issue a term sheet — a one-page summary or a direct conversation with George or Jason is sufficient to get started.

Submit your deal through our contact form or call George Tsemberlis directly at 973-865-9937. If the deal fits our parameters — $5M to $30M, commercial real estate, credible exit — you'll receive a term sheet the same day. No commitment required at the term sheet stage.

Yes. Axios has an active broker program. We protect your client relationships, pay competitive broker fees at closing, and provide the same speed and service as a direct relationship. Visit our Broker Partners page for program details and to register as an approved broker.