Lender Matching Criteria Guide

Core lender matching criteria

Lender matching starts with a simple question: does this deal fit the lender's box? A broker needs structured criteria to answer that quickly.

• Loan purpose and property type.
• State, county, or market coverage.
• Minimum and maximum loan amount.
• Loan-to-value, loan-to-cost, and after-repair-value limits.
• Borrower experience, credit profile, liquidity, and entity requirements.

Property and geography criteria

Some lenders are strong in certain markets or property types and avoid others. Track this clearly so the broker does not waste time sending a mismatch.

Loan structure criteria

• Minimum and maximum loan size.
• Maximum leverage based on purchase price, value, cost, or ARV.
• Interest rate, points, fees, and minimum yield requirements.
• Term length, extension options, draw structure, and prepayment terms.
• Whether the lender funds rehab, construction, or only acquisition.

Borrower profile criteria

Private money lenders often care about borrower experience and execution capacity. Brokers should capture this early in the application.

• Borrower track record and similar completed projects.
• Credit, liquidity, and reserves where required.
• Entity structure and guarantor expectations.
• Exit strategy credibility and timeline.

Document and workflow criteria

Lender matching is not only about whether a lender likes the deal. It also includes whether the broker can deliver the right package in the lender's preferred format.

• Lender-specific document templates.
• Required application fields and underwriting forms.
• Quote request process and preferred contact method.
• Turnaround time and decision process.