Private lenders are often referred to as “hard money” lenders. We beg to differ; our money is “easy” not hard to get. Private lenders are individuals with money available to fund “non-standard” real estate loans. These types of loans are primarily short term with interest only payments on properties with a minimum of 30% equity or a loan of no more than 70% ARV or after repaired value. First in Private Lending, Asset Based Underwriting.