This checklist walks through what Cedar Top may ask for when reviewing a Texas investment property deal. It is a preparation guide, not an application form and not a list of fixed requirements. Exact documentation depends on the property, the project, and the deal, and everything is subject to underwriting, collateral review, title review, documentation, and approval. If you are new to private lending, start with what hard money lending is and the hard money loan requirements in Texas.
Quick answer
A hard money loan document checklist may include property information, purchase documents, borrower and entity information, renovation or construction details, title and insurance items, and exit strategy support. Exact documentation depends on the property, the project, and the deal.
Why documents matter
Good documentation helps us review the property, project plan, borrower profile, and exit strategy. A complete, accurate file keeps the review moving. Gaps slow it down. Preparing documents does not guarantee approval or a faster closing.
Document checklist by category
Use this as an at-a-glance overview. The sections below go deeper. Not every item applies to every deal.
| Document category | Examples | Why we look at it | When it may apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property information | Address, type, condition, photos, access, use | The property carries the loan | Every deal |
| Purchase documents | Purchase contract, amendments, closing date | Sets the price and terms of an acquisition | Purchases |
| Borrower information | Identification, experience summary, liquidity if requested | The borrower is reviewed alongside the property | Most deals |
| Entity documents | Entity name, formation documents, signing authority | Loans are made to a business entity | Where an entity is the borrower |
| Renovation documents | Scope of work, budget, contractor info, photos | The project plan drives the review | Fix-and-flip and rehab projects |
| Construction documents | Plans, budget, permits if applicable | Ground-up projects are plan-driven | New construction projects |
| Bridge loan documents | Current property info, payoff, sale or refinance plan | Short-term financing is exit-driven | Bridge deals |
| Raw land documents | Survey, access, utilities, intended use | Land is reviewed differently | Raw land and rural property |
| Commercial property documents | Rent roll, leases, operating info, current use | Income and value-add affect the review | Commercial property |
| Title items | Title company contact, title condition | Title issues can slow or stop a transaction | Every deal |
| Insurance items | Insurance contact, appropriate coverage | Collateral is protected during the loan | Every deal |
| Exit strategy support | Sale or refinance plan, comparable sales | A clear exit makes a deal easier to review | Every deal |
| Optional supporting information | Lease or income info, payoff details if refinancing | Adds context to the deal | As relevant |
Property information
Depending on the property, we may ask for:
- Property address
- Property type
- Current condition
- Photos
- Access information
- Occupancy status (non-owner-occupied investment property only)
- Current use
- Intended use
- Estimated value or comparable sales, if available
Purchase documents
For an acquisition, we ask for:
- The purchase contract
- Amendments
- Earnest money details, if relevant
- A seller or transaction contact, if appropriate
- A title company contact, if available
- A closing date, if one is already set
Borrower and entity documents
Depending on the deal, we may review:
- Borrower identification
- Entity name
- Entity documents
- Signing authority
- An experience summary, if relevant
- Liquidity or capital position, if requested
- Background information
Not every item is required on every deal.
Renovation and construction documents
For renovation (fix-and-flip) and new construction projects, we may ask for:
- A scope of work
- A budget
- Contractor information, if available
- Plans, if applicable
- Permits, if applicable
- Draw request expectations
- Photos
- Timeline assumptions, if you have them
Renovation and construction funds are released in draws as work is completed and inspected.
Bridge, land, and commercial documents
The table above covers the bridge, raw land, and commercial rows. Each program's requirements guide goes deeper: bridge loan requirements, raw land loan requirements, and commercial loan requirements.
Exit strategy
We review how you plan to repay or exit the loan, because a clear exit makes a deal easier to review. Common exit strategies include:
- Sale after renovation
- Refinance after stabilization
- Construction completion and sale
- Sale of another property
- Commercial refinance
- Land resale or a development plan
What not to send too early
Share documents through Cedar Top's proper process, and only when they are requested. A few cautions:
- Do not send unnecessary personal data in casual messages or texts.
- Do not send incomplete or inaccurate documents.
- Do not send unsupported value assumptions as facts.
- Do not send expired or unsigned documents if better versions are available.
Common mistakes
A few things tend to slow a review or require more documentation:
- No purchase contract
- No photos
- An unclear scope of work
- An unrealistic budget
- An unsupported projected value
- No clear exit strategy
- Missing entity documents
- An unclear title company contact
- A property outside Texas
- Owner-occupied use
- Incomplete borrower information
Apply for a Texas hard money loan.
Put the file together, then apply or call 817-984-3129. Review is subject to underwriting, collateral review, title review, documentation, and approval.