Hard money loans are typically offered by private lenders or investors and are based on the value of the underlying collateral rather than the borrower's creditworthiness. These loans are primarily used in real estate transactions where traditional financing options may not be available or suitable. One of the key advantages of hard money loans is their flexibility and expedited approval process. Since these loans are asset-based, the lender can quickly assess the value of the property and make a lending decision based on that evaluation.