Private Real
Estate Lending ·
Since 2005

California's Trusted Private Lender Since 2005

Private Real Estate Loans Throughout California.

For over 20 years, HCS Equity has funded residential and commercial real estate loans across California using our own capital. From trust and estate loans under Prop 19/58 to fix & flip, bridge, and 1031 exchange loans. We close fast, with the highest level of service.

Free · No Credit Check

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Accredited & Licensed In California

Why HCS Equity

Direct lending that actually gets deals closed.

Many California hard money lenders act as intermediaries. HCS Equity is a direct lender, which means your loan is reviewed, underwritten, and funded by the same team from start to finish.

Trusted Since 2005

Two decades of funding California real estate with our own capital. No middleman, no last-minute surprises. Just steady, disciplined lending from partners who put their own money in every loan.

$1B+ funded · 20+ years

Close in 7 - 10 Days

Asset-based underwriting means no mountain of paperwork. We review, approve, and fund most loans in a week. Often faster when deadlines demand it. Same-day pre-approvals are standard.

Avg. close: 7 - 10 business days

California Specialists

We understand California real estate lending across a wide range of scenarios, including trust, probate, bridge, 1031 exchange, fix & flip, and other complex transactions. Our team provides flexible financing for properties and situations that traditional lenders are often unable to accommodate.

All 58 California counties

Loan Programs

Private loan options for every situation.

Whether you’re equalizing an estate, closing a 1031, or rehabbing a distressed property. We have a loan product tailored to it. Asset-based, flexible, and closed fast.

Trust & Estate Loans

Our specialty. Equalize inheritances, preserve Prop 19/58 tax basis, buy out siblings, or fund probate administration approved in days.

Learn More

Reverse Mortgage Payoff

Reverse mortgages can create challenges during trust administration and estate settlement. We provide fast capital to pay off existing balances and move the process forward.

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Fix & Flip / REO Loans

Competitive rates on short-term rehab loans for investors, including REO, foreclosure, and distressed property acquisitions.

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1031 & Reverse 1031 Exchange

Short-term gap financing that protects your exchange timeline. Close on the replacement property before the relinquished one sells.

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Bridge Loans

Bridge the gap between buying and selling residential or commercial. Avoid contingency offers and win competitive deals.

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Second Trust Deeds

Flexible second-position financing secured by existing equity. Ideal for cash-out needs without disturbing a low-rate first mortgage.

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Irrevocable Trust Loans

Short-term financing for trust-owned real estate, including sibling buyouts, inheritance equalization, property expenses, and qualifying Prop 19/58 transfer strategies.

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Probate Estate Loans

Access short-term liquidity from estate-owned real estate to cover probate expenses, property costs, beneficiary buyouts, or other approved estate needs.

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Reverse Mortgage Payoff

Pay off a reverse mortgage that has become due and give the trust or estate additional time to sell, retain, repair, or refinance the property.

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1031 & Reverse 1031 Exchange

Short-term financing to help keep a 1031 exchange on schedule when the timing of a property sale and replacement purchase does not align.

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Bridge Loans

Short-term financing to purchase a new investment property before selling an existing one, access equity, or close quickly on a time-sensitive opportunity.

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Second Trust Deeds

Access short-term business-purpose capital using existing real estate equity while keeping your current first mortgage in place.

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REO & Distressed Loans

Flexible short-term financing for REO, foreclosure, short-sale, and distressed properties that may not qualify for traditional lending.

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Fix & Flip Loans

Fast, flexible financing for experienced investors acquiring, renovating, and reselling California investment properties

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Built for California

Deep local expertise. Every county, every scenario.

California real estate comes with its own rules, timelines, and challenges. From Prop 19, probate and trust transactions to bridge loans, 1031 exchanges, fix & flip projects, second trust deeds, reverse mortgage payoffs, and distressed properties, experience matters. After more than 20 years and over $1 billion funded, we understand how to navigate complex residential and commercial transactions across the state. And because we lend our own capital, we can move quickly when timing matters most.

$1 B+

Funded in California

Counties Served

20 +yrs

Funded in California

Meet the Partners

The people underwriting your loan.

At HCS Equity, the partners are the underwriters. No outside capital committee, no handoffs — when you call, you talk to the people with the authority to say yes. That’s a rarity in California lending, and it’s how we close in a week.

Founder / CEO

Justin Aldi

Co-Founder

Jordan Must

Managing Partner

Ben Heilig

How It Works

From inquiry to funded in days, not weeks.

Here’s exactly what happens after you reach out.

Submit Your Scenario

Tell us the loan type, property, and amount. No paperwork at this stage.

Same Day

Pre-Approval

We review and give you a clear yes or no with indicative terms.

With 24 Hours

Term Sheet Issued

Formal term sheet with rates, LTV, and conditions sent for review.

24-48 Hours

Documentation

We collect the required documentation and get the loan process underway.

5-7 Days

Funded & Closed

Once the loan is funded, we record and close immediately thereafter.

7-10 Days

Recently Funded

Real deals. Real California properties.

A sample of loans HCS Equity has closed in the last 90 days across the state.

Case Studies,Bridge Loans,Trust Loans

Case Studies, Bridge Loans, Trust Loans

Bridge Loan to Irrevocable Trust

$153K trust loan in West Covina provided funds to clean up and renovate a trust-owned family home before listing it for sale.

San Mateo Co.

Closed in 6 days

Case Studies,Probate,Updated

Case Studies, Probate, Updated

Probate Loan in Redwood City, CA for Sibling Buyout

$685K probate loan in Redwood City funded a sibling buyout, helping preserve the Prop 19 tax base before the property was refinanced by the beneficiary.

San Mateo Co.

Closed in 6 days

Case Studies,Bridge Loans,Updated

Case Studies, Bridge Loans, Updated

Residential Bridge Loan

$1.43M bridge loan in Castro Valley helped a nonprofit close a residential purchase after traditional financing fell through at the last minute.

San Mateo Co.

Closed in 6 days

Case Studies,Fix & Flip Loans,Updated

Case Studies, Fix & Flip Loans, Updated

Fix and Flip Purchase

$295K fix and flip loan in Fairfield helped an investor acquire an off-market duplex, complete renovations, and secure an all-cash sale above asking.

San Mateo Co.

Closed in 6 days

FAQs

Common questions,
honest answers.

Hard money can feel opaque. Here’s plain-English answers to the questions we hear most often.

How fast can HCS Equity actually close a loan?

Most of our California hard money loans close in 7–10 business days. Same-day pre-approvals are standard. Timing depends on appraisal turnaround, title cooperation, and — for trust & estate loans — court timelines. For owner-occupied loans, federal regulations push the minimum to about 2 weeks.

What makes a trust or estate loan different from a regular mortgage?

Trust loans are made to the trust entity, not to an individual borrower. They don't require a personal credit check, don't show on personal credit reports, and can close without all beneficiaries agreeing — which is often critical in estate administration. We've specialized in these for 20 years and understand the probate court process in every California county.

What California areas do you lend in?

All 58 California counties, for residential, commercial, and mixed-use real estate. We're based in Carmel and have closed deals from San Diego to the Oregon border.

Do you check credit? What do I need to qualify?

We're asset-based lenders — the property is the primary qualification criteria. We don't run hard credit checks and don't have income or employment requirements. We need a clear picture of the property, the loan scenario, and a realistic exit strategy.

What loan amounts do you work with?

We typically fund loans between $150,000 and $5,000,000.

Are there prepayment penalties?

No. We don't charge prepayment penalties on any of our loan products. Borrowers can pay off early at any time without cost — which is why our average loan term is often shorter than the contracted term.

5.0

Based on 50+ Google Reviews

What Clients Say

Two decades of five-star relationships.

From estate attorneys to career real estate investors, our clients come back because we do exactly what we say we will. Here’s a recent snapshot.

FRANCIENE BLACK

3 months ago

I had an outstanding experience working with Justin Aldi at HCS Equity. From start to finish, Justin provided exceptional customer service and made the entire loan process smooth, efficient, and stress free , Justin was professional, knowledgeable, responsive, and took the time to answer all of my questions. He kept me informed throughout the process and insured everything moved forward quickly and seamlessly. I truly appreciate the excellent service I received and I would highly recommend Justin to anyone seeking financial assistance. If you are looking for a loan professional, who is dedicated, reliable, and committed to helping his clients, Justin Aldi is a person to call. Thank you, Justin for making this such a positive experience. I look forward to working with you again for any future loan needs!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Eddie Ortiz

3 months ago

Worked with Ben, the process was smooth, easy, and professional. I highly recommend HCS Equity..

Richard Steiny

6 months ago

HCS Equity is owned and run by two highly qualified individuals, both with strong business ethics. I have done business with them for approx 15 years and have found them to be communicative, timely, straight forward and really good at their trade. Highly recommend.

George Grengs

7 months ago

I’ve invested with Justin Aldi and Jordan Must for over 10 years and have nothing but good things to say about them and their investment vehicle – short term real estate loans backed by trust deeds and made at substantial discounts to appraised value. The best part of the experience has been the great service they provide. Good information is provided before each investment, including appraisals, and the individual loan background summary. When there are questions, they are answered promptly and thoroughly. Their back office includes long time employees who are friendly and efficient. Since these types of loans are costly for the borrower and there are no pre-payment penalties, they are typically paid off within 3-12 months, leaving little market risk with the secured property. I would highly recommend HCS Equity as a component to your investment profile.

ken wilson

7 months ago

done business with Justin for almost two decades - would not go anywhere else! Justin is thorough, careful and puts his own money into the same projects he puts me in. I've lent through him and borrowed from him. Experiences on both sides have been excellent.

Hilary Howard

7 months ago

I've been investing with Justin and Jordan at HCS Equity for several years now, and they've become an important part of my investment portfolio. If you're looking into first trust deed investing, these are your people. Their honesty and integrity is what keeps me coming back. They walk you through exactly what you're investing in, what the risks are, and what to expect. That kind of integrity is hard to find. I really appreciate their communication style, I'm never left wondering what's going on with my investments. Justin and Jordan are responsive, proactive, and they explain things in plain English without making you feel like you need a finance degree to keep up! Returns have been solid. Year after year, they've delivered — which at the end of the day is what matters most. I highly recommend HCS Equity if you're serious about trust deed investing.

Lee VanHouten

7 months ago

I’ve worked with Justin as a customer for more than 25 years, which says a lot about the trust I have in him and the team at HCS Equity. What keeps me coming back is how careful and thoughtful Justin and Jordan are in the way they manage investments. They run their business with integrity and a very steady, disciplined approach. Each year they provide a clear and insightful annual summary that helps me understand performance without all the noise you often see in traditional investing. For me, HCS Equity has been a great alternative to the constant ups and downs of the stock and bond markets. After all these years, I can honestly say I trust them and highly recommend Justin, Jordan, and HCS Equity.

Tony Cutler

7 months ago

We needed to obtain a loan to our mother’s trust in order to equalize the estate between siblings and utilize the parent-child property tax exclusion. When my sister’s and I were referred to HCS Equity, we spoke with Justin and immediately felt like we were talking to the right person. He understood exactly what we needed to accomplish and supplied us with a detailed step-by-step guide. Over the next three months, while the estate distribution details were being finalized, Justin consistently responded to our emails and phone calls with kindness and professionalism. Once all of our paperwork was complete, the loan was available within about a week. We would highly recommend HCS Equity. Justin was incredibly helpful throughout the entire process and truly a pleasure to work with.

Jill Carrade

7 months ago

I had the opportunity to work with Ben Heilig at HCS Equity on a recent private loan transaction, it was an excellent experience from start to finish. Ben was strategic in his approach with my challenging client scenario and kept my client and I informed throughout the entire process. I truly appreciated Ben's partnership and can't wait to work with him again.

Matt Pentecost

7 months ago

I have invested with HCS Equity for years now and they always deliver! Jordan and Justin are my trusted advisors and have both financed my properties and provided solid investment returns on my own capital. Great firm to work with.

Brian O'Toole

7 months ago

I have worked with HCS Equity for years. I appreciate their conservative approach to appraisals and debt to equity ratios. Their results (yield and principal protection) speak for themselves. In addition, their client services and responsiveness to questions are always prompt and helpful.

Mark Gole

7 months ago

I’ve done many deals over the years with HCS equity and am invested currently with them and there Wamm fund. I have had only positive experiences. Justin and Jordan are great to work with , and make themselves available if you any questions or concerns about your investment. I highly recommend investing in them

Krystal Greene Bennett

7 months ago

Working with Justin has been a wonderful experience. I was connected with him when I needed information regarding probate loans. It was new territory and I was nervous about the process. Justin explained everything well and immediately put me at ease. Since that first introduction, HCS Equity has been a life saver. Efficient, professional, timely-these are the words that best describe my experience with them. Questions were always answered quickly, loans were closed faster than I have ever experienced, the rates are competitive and the up front transparency of what they can and can not do eliminates so much wasted time. Justin is particularly wonderful to work with, as he is all of the descriptions above and works with you to find a solution to any problems that arise. Justin is always my first call for funding because he and HCS are so easy to work with. I HIGHLY recommend them and I am thankful that I was introduced to all that HCS offers through Justin.

Sigifredo Ponce (BHHS RTR)

7 months ago

I highly recommend Justin for anyone seeking a reliable hard money lender. He has been outstanding to work with extremely responsive, efficient, and always on top of every detail. Justin moves quickly and understands the importance of timing in real estate transactions. He consistently demonstrates professionalism, strong communication, and a solutions-oriented approach. Justin is always proactive and keeps things moving smoothly from start to finish. It has been a pleasure working with him, and I confidently recommend his services to anyone looking for a knowledgeable and dependable lending partner.

Dennis Scott

2 years ago

I had the privilege of working with Ben on a transaction recently in Santa Cruz, and I was so fortunate that he dealt with the financing for my buyer. He made the process so easy and smooth and he was able to overcome challenges through throughout the transaction that I don’t think any other lender would have been able to do. I look forward to working with him again on many more transactions in the future!

jessica espinola

2 years ago

It's been a great experience working with Justin Aldi. He's IT! Professional , knowledgeable, trust worthy and great communicator. We've been fortunate to purchase a few properties using his services and every time it's a smooth transaction. Thank you! Jessica

Raza Chishti

2 years ago

All the processes were easy and the people are very good in dealing as well.

Teresa Wolcott

2 years ago

Dealing with HCS Equity was my first experience at obtaining a loan. Ben Hellig made the process easy. He was responsive, informative and professional. If ever the need for a new loan, HCS Equity will be my first stop.

James Ziegler

3 years ago

Trusts and trust loans were new territory for me, I wasn’t even aware that a loan could be taken out against a trust. It turns out that I did need a short term loan to buy out a sibling and maintain the parent-child property tax reassessment exclusion. My estate lawyer referred me to Ben Heilig at HCS Equity and I could hardly believe how quickly he was able to put everything together. Ben was always available to answer my many questions in ways that made complete sense. He was friendly and patient. I was extremely impressed with Ben and HCS Equity and highly recommend them.

Annette Boggs

3 years ago

If you are looking for a hard money loan - Justin is your guy! From start to finish (6 days) he made the loan and funded it! He is honest, a good businessman, and very cordial. I will definitely recommend him to others looking for FAST MONEY.

Alis Whitman

4 years ago

The partners at HSC Equity are down-to-earth. They explain the terms of lending in a way that anyone can understand and feel comfortable with. There is no hard sell here, just knowledgeable people looking out for their client’s best interests. Every touch point with this firm has the feel of genuine white-glove service. It is a pleasure to work with them, and I highly recommend HSC Equity.

Rebecca Smith

4 years ago

Justin and his entire team are amazing. Easy to work with, and kept in constant communication, I never once had to follow up with them.

Brian Berman

4 years ago

Our attorney advised us to contact HCS Equity regarding a loan to our family's irrevocable trust. We worked with one of the managing partners, Ben Heilig, who was extremely knowledgeable, professional, kind and very patient with our endless questions and concerns. We closed on the loan a few weeks ago, and the process couldn't have been smoother from start to finish. We recommend Ben and his team to anyone in need of a loan for their family trust.

J M Clay

4 years ago

I am the successor trustee for my parents' family trust. Trust administration is new territory for me, so I was stressed about having to take out a trust loan. I spoke with a few lenders but decided to keep searching, which I am so glad I did or I would never have discovered HCS Equity. Their website clearly explained the process, and it made me feel comfortable enough to give them a call. I spoke with Ben, and like others have said, he is professional, patient and very knowledgeable, so I decided to proceed with HCS Equity. Each step of the way, Ben explained what to expect and what I needed to do. Closing of the trust loan was a breeze and a relief all due to Ben! Because of my positive experience with Ben and HCS Equity, the law firm that is assisting me with trust administration requested Ben's info so that their other clients can utilize his services. Thanks again Ben and HCS! I really appreciate all you have done!!

Scott Faverty

4 years ago

I contacted HCS Equity to request information about the trust lending process, and Ben Heilig took the time to explain everything in great detail. His professionalism, expertise, and patience guiding me through the process definitely put me at ease. It was a pleasure working with Ben, and I highly recommend HCS Equity if you are in need of a trust loan to buyout your siblings.

Clarice Henderson

4 years ago

One of the most difficult problems for Professional Fiduciaries is obtaining a third- party loan for their client. HCS Equity came to my "rescue" with their rescue reverse mortgage. Now I can continue to take care of my cash-strapped client without fear of creditors taking her assets. Thank you Ben, and HCS Equity!

Melynda Weilbacher

4 years ago

Justin and his team are the best of the best; going above and beyond for their clients. You will feel at ease with their expertise.

Kevin Jones

6 years ago

We have worked with Justin Aldi for over 20 years and he always delivers a great product and stellar service! Always going up and beyond to get our loans done, very reliable and is our go to for all of our loans! Thank you for all you have done for us and becoming a friend in the process!

Ready when you are

Get a loan quote today. Close in 7 - 10 days.

Tell us about your scenario; we’ll respond within one business hour with a clear next step. No obligation, no credit impact.

Private Real Estate Loans Throughout California.

Get a Fast Loan Quote

Direct lending that actually gets deals closed.

Trusted Since 2005

Close in 7 - 10 Days

California Specialists

Private loan options for every situation.

Trust & Estate Loans

Reverse Mortgage Payoff

Fix & Flip / REO Loans

1031 & Reverse 1031 Exchange

Bridge Loans

Second Trust Deeds

Irrevocable Trust Loans

Probate Estate Loans

Reverse Mortgage Payoff

1031 & Reverse 1031 Exchange

Bridge Loans

Second Trust Deeds

REO & Distressed Loans

Fix & Flip Loans

Deep local expertise. Every county, every scenario.

The people underwriting your loan.

Justin Aldi

Jordan Must

Ben Heilig

From inquiry to funded in days, not weeks.

Submit Your Scenario

Pre-Approval

Term Sheet Issued

Documentation

Funded & Closed

Real deals. Real California properties.

Bridge Loan to Irrevocable Trust

San Mateo Co.

Closed in 6 days

Probate Loan in Redwood City, CA for Sibling Buyout

San Mateo Co.

Closed in 6 days

Residential Bridge Loan

San Mateo Co.

Closed in 6 days

Fix and Flip Purchase

San Mateo Co.

Closed in 6 days

Common questions, honest answers.

5.0

Two decades of five-star relationships.

Get a loan quote today. Close in 7 - 10 days.

Common questions,
honest answers.