Real estate hard money loan is a type of short-term loan secured by real estate. It is typically used by investors to purchase, rehab, and resell properties for a profit. The loan is typically provided by a private lender or a group of private investors and is secured by the real estate itself. Hard money loans are typically shorter in duration than traditional mortgages, usually expected to be paid back within a year or two. The loan is usually secured with a higher interest rate than traditional mortgages, to compensate the lender for the higher risk associated with real estate investments. Hard money loans also often require a larger down payment than a traditional mortgage.