EquityMax

What EquityMax does

EquityMax, Inc. is a privately held, family-owned direct hard money lender founded in 1990 by Brad Emmer in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and operated since 2008 alongside his son Gregory Emmer. The company originates short-term, asset-based loans — including fix-and-flip, cash-out refinance, foreign national, non-recourse (Self-Directed IRA), transactional funding, small loans, and a Preferred Terms tier — to real estate investors across 47 U.S. states. As of the most recent reporting, EquityMax has originated over $2 billion in loans and served more than 10,000 investors since inception.

The company's underwriting model is differentiated by speed and flexibility rather than technology: it uses Broker Price Opinions (BPOs) in lieu of formal appraisals, requires only a three-score credit report for prequalification (completed in 10 minutes), and funds loans in as little as 48 hours using its own family capital with no bank lines, debt facilities, or external investors. Beyond its core programs, EquityMax operates 15+ specialty loan products targeting property types conventional lenders avoid — including cannabis facilities, modular/mobile homes, rural acreage, industrial warehouses, natural disaster restoration, inherited/deeded properties, auction properties, and urban revitalization deals. The company holds NMLS Mortgage Lender License (#1523517) and a Florida Real Estate Broker license.

EquityMax generates revenue through three primary streams: interest income on short-term loans (rates from 8.99% on Preferred Terms up to 11.99%+ on standard programs), origination fees of 2-3 points depending on program, and modest BPO/inspection fees around $150 per property. Distribution is direct-to-borrower via website, phone, and email (24/7/365), supplemented by a broker/realtor referral program and memberships in regional real estate investor associations (REIAs). The company employs 1-10 staff and operates with no disclosed revenue, no external funding, and no acquisition activity.

Name

EquityMax

Legal name

EquityMax, Inc.

Website

https://equitymax.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

EquityMax is a family-owned direct hard money lender (founded 1990) offering short-term, asset-based loans to real estate investors across 47 U.S. states, specializing in fast closings, niche property financing, and 15+ loan programs from fix-and-flip to cannabis and modular homes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hard Money / Private Money Real Estate Lending

SIC

Mortgage Bankers & Loan Correspondents (6162), Short-Term Business Credit Institutions (6153)

akta.pro primary industry

Asset-Based Lending (ABL) (FSANADAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Home Equity–Based Debt Consolidation (HEL/HELOC for consolidation) (FSAKAIAE)

Keywords

• Hard money lending
• Real estate financing
• Bridge loans
• Fix and flip loans
• Private money lending

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Lauderdale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Interest Income from Hard Money Loans: EquityMax generates revenue primarily through interest charged on short-term hard money loans. Rates vary by loan program, starting at 11.99% for standard fix-and-flip loans, with Preferred Terms loans ranging from 8.99%-10.99% for qualified borrowers. Loans are interest-only or fully amortized depending on structure.
2. Loan Origination Fees: The company charges origination fees on loans, typically starting at 2% of the loan amount. Transactional funding fees start at 1% of loan amount or $1,000, whichever is greater. Preferred Terms loans charge 2-3 points.
3. BPO/Inspection Fees: Broker Price Opinion inspections are conducted at approximately $150 per property, providing valuation services as part of the due diligence process.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

EquityMax is a direct, full-service licensed mortgage lender that funds short-term hard money, private money, and bridge loans for real estate investors nationwide. The company originates asset-based loans secured by residential, commercial, and niche real estate properties, closing in as little as 24-48 hours with no formal appraisal required and no minimum credit score. It supports fix-and-flip projects, foreign national purchases, transactional/wholesale funding, self-directed IRA (non-recourse) deals, and a broad portfolio of specialty property loans.

Product overview

EquityMax is a family-owned hard money lending company (established 1990) offering a comprehensive suite of real estate investment financing products. The core offering consists of short-term, asset-based loans (Fix & Flip, Foreign National, Non-Recourse/IRA, Transactional Funding, and Small Loans) designed for real estate investors nationwide. The company differentiates through speed (48-hour closings), flexibility (no minimum credit scores, no appraisals, no prepayment penalties), and lending on non-standard properties others avoid. Beyond flagship programs, the portfolio includes 15+ specialty loan products targeting niche property types (cannabis, industrial/warehouse, rural, modular/mobile homes, land, inherited properties, disaster restoration, urban revitalization, construction completion, preferred terms for experienced investors, auction properties, and other niche properties). Supporting services include streamlined prequalification with Proof of Funds letters and a broker/realtor partnership program. The company operates as a direct lender using its own capital with no bank lines or credit facilities, serving investors in all major metro markets across the United States.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fix & Flip / Cash-Out REFI Loans Short-term financing for real estate investors to acquire and rehabilitate distressed investment properties, or to execute cash-out refinances on existing properties. Offers interest-only or fully amortized rates starting at 11.99%, up to 80% LTV or 65% ARV, origination fees starting at 2%, loan amounts from $15,000 to $1MM, no minimum credit score, no appraisal required, no prepayment penalties, and closings in 2-3 days.
• Foreign National Loans Hassle-free financing for international investors who do not meet standard credit qualifications and want to purchase U.S. residential or commercial real estate. Offers up to 80% LTV or 70% ARV, no credit report required, no asset verification, no personal guarantee, 2-3% origination fee, $20,000 minimum loan amount, and 2-3 day closings.
• Non-Recourse Lending (Self-Directed IRA) Tailored financing for investors using self-directed IRA accounts to purchase properties, with no personal guarantee required, up to 80% LTV or 60% ARV, $20,000 minimum loan amount, and access to preferred real estate-focused custodian providers including AmericanIRA for IRA-held purchases, paperwork, and financial reporting.
• Transactional Funding Short-term financing for real estate wholesalers executing same-day double closings. Provides 100% of funds including closing costs from $10,000 to $1,000,000, with 1-2 day funding. Pricing is 1% of loan amount or $1,000 minimum (whichever greater) for transactions under $500,000; available in all states except UT, NV, VT, and SD.
• Small Loans Hard money financing for smaller real estate investment projects with loan amounts as low as $20,000-$25,000. Designed for investors working on projects most lenders avoid due to size, with closings in as little as 48 hours and no minimum credit score required.
• Rural Area Loans Hard money financing for real estate investment purchases and cash-out refinances in rural areas and small towns. Targets land and agricultural-heavy geographies with fewer competing investors, enabling better profit opportunities on rural investment deals.
• Modular and Mobile Home Hard Money Loans Hard money financing for modular and mobile home properties, with rates starting at 11.99%, up to 80% LTV or 60% ARV, and up to 90% LTV available on some programs. Targets profitable investment deals in the manufactured housing sector that other lenders avoid.
• Acreage & Vacant Land Hard Money Loans Hard money financing for vacant land purchases, including residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural projects. Closes in as little as 48 hours for lot or raw land acquisitions.
• Inherited, Deeded, and Non-Arms Length Property Loans Quick hard money financing for borrowers who have recently inherited or been deeded a property, allowing access to equity without credit requirements, formal applications, or verification of financials.
• First-Time Investor Loans Flexible hard money financing for new real estate investors with no experience requirements, offering quick turnaround, low-doc loans, and specialty options for niche properties starting as low as $15,000.
• Industrial & Warehouse Hard Money Loans Hard money financing for e-commerce and logistics-driven industrial and warehouse properties. Fund amounts start as low as $15,000 with no credit-score requirement and 48-hour closings.
• Cannabis Hard Money Loans Hard money financing for cannabis real estate operations including grow houses, retail dispensaries, and CBD manufacturing facilities. Rates start at 8.99% with 48-hour closings.
• Natural Disaster Restoration Loans Rapid hard money funding to rebuild properties damaged by hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods. Uses fast BPO inspections and wire transfers to provide quick capital for restoration and rebuilding efforts.
• Small Urban Revitalization Loans Hard money financing for urban turnaround projects including downtown rehabs, mixed-use flips, and neighborhood renewal in gentrifying and underserved areas.
• Construction Completion Project Loans Short-term financing to complete stalled or over-budget construction projects. Can finance up to 100% of remaining rehab/construction budget (subject to LTV thresholds), with funds available in lump sum or flexible draw schedules.
• Preferred Terms Loans Premium hard money loan program for experienced investors with 720+ credit and 2+ completed flips in 12 months (or 4 in 24 months). Offers up to 90% LTV (capped at 65% ARV), 8.99-10.99% rates, 2-3 points, $150,000-$500,000 loan size, 12-month term with extensions, and no prepayment penalty or appraisal required.
• Auction Property Loans Hard money financing for properties purchased at auction, with near-instant proof-of-funds, no appraisal requirement, no interior access needed, and fast closings to meet tight auction deadlines.
• Niche Hard Money Loans Hard money financing for non-standard properties including event halls, assisted living facilities, breweries, manufacturing facilities, medical/dental facilities, and short-term rentals that other lenders won't fund.
• Prequalification & Proof of Funds Services Streamlined prequalification process completed in 10 minutes requiring only a three-score credit report, providing borrowers with unlimited Proof of Funds letters and bank statements for offer submissions to sellers.
• Broker / Realtor Partnership Program Partner program for realtors, mortgage professionals, title companies, and real estate attorneys that provides fast closings, no appraisals, and quick underwriting with direct access to company principals. Compensation paid per written agreement to service professionals who refer clients.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10,000+ investors empowered with financing
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• AmericanIRA.comminorOthersEquityMax provides a preferred list of real estate-focused custodian providers, including AmericanIRA.com, to help Self-Directed IRA investors manage purchases, paperwork, and financial reporting for IRA-held real estate investments.
• Southeast Professional TitleminorOthersTitle company partner that works with EquityMax on closings, specifically praising EquityMax's reliability, speed, and competitive rates in enabling successful transactions.
• Florida REIA (FREIA)minorOthersLong-term business membership and active participation in Florida Real Estate Investors Association, contributing to the real estate investor community.
• Broward Real Estate Investors AssociationminorOthers
• Dade Real Estate Investors Association (DREIA)minorOthersEquityMax has been a valued business member and long-term participant with contributions to real estate investors and professionals across Florida.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Kiavi: Kiavi (formerly LendingHome) is a tech-enabled direct hard money lender focused on real estate investors with a similar asset-based underwriting approach and nationwide reach. Closest direct competitor in the bridge/fix-and-flip space, though operating at significantly larger scale with institutional capital.
• CoreVest Finance: CoreVest Finance (acquired by Redwood Trust) is a direct private lender to residential real estate investors offering bridge, fix-and-flip, and rental portfolio loans. Comparable product mix including rental portfolio financing and non-recourse loans for investors.
• Lima One Capital: Lima One Capital is a direct hard money lender specializing in fix-and-flip, rental, and new construction loans for real estate investors. Offers similar asset-based underwriting with national footprint and product breadth that parallels EquityMax's niche strategy.
• Visio Lending: Visio Lending specializes in rental property financing for real estate investors, including portfolio loans for buy-and-hold investors — a customer segment that overlaps directly with EquityMax's buy-and-hold landlord base. Comparable asset-based underwriting for 1-4 unit residential investment properties.
• RCN Capital: RCN Capital is a national private money/hard money lender serving real estate investors with fix-and-flip, rental, and new construction loans. Direct competitor with similar product suite, geographic reach, and focus on speed of execution for the investor segment.
• Anchor Loans: Anchor Loans is one of the largest California-based hard money lenders, specializing in fix-and-flip and bridge loans for residential real estate investors. Comparable asset-based model with focus on speed and property value underwriting rather than borrower credit.
• LendingOne: LendingOne is a direct private lender to real estate investors offering fix-and-flip, rental, and new construction loans nationwide. Comparable asset-based underwriting and product structure; competes directly in the same mid-size investor market EquityMax serves.
• Roc Capital: Roc Capital is a direct private money lender offering fix-and-flip and rental loans to real estate investors. Comparable asset-based underwriting model, similar geographic reach, and similar product focus on the small-to-mid-balance investor segment.

Emerging players

• Patch of Land: Patch of Land is a real estate crowdfunding platform connecting investors to short-term bridge and fix-and-flip loans. Comparable target borrower (real estate investor seeking fast, asset-based financing) but operates via marketplace model rather than direct balance sheet lending.
• Groundfloor: Groundfloor is a real estate investment platform offering short-term fix-and-flip loan products. Competes in the same investor-financing space but uses a marketplace/crowdfunding model, making it an adjacent rather than direct lending competitor to EquityMax.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/equitymax
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/equitymax
• Instagraminstagram.com/equitymax

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about EquityMax