Looking for CRE opportunities with lower acquisition costs and high upside potential?
If so, you’re in the right place. Riverside and San Bernardino are evolving from a pure logistics hub into a more dynamic commercial market that rewards flexible capital and fast-moving investors.
The key to entering this market is bridge loans—giving investors the ability to close quickly, fund improvements, and stabilize a property before refinancing or selling.
In this article, we’ll dig into the trends driving demand in Riverside and San Bernardino, the types of deals getting done, and how bridge financing is helping investors create returns.
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How bridge loans fuel value-add CRE in Riverside & San Bernardino
The Inland Empire—anchored by Riverside and San Bernardino—has become one of California’s most active commercial real estate markets.
Over the past decade, the region has led the country in warehouse and distribution development thanks to its proximity to major freeways, rail lines, and the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
But that dynamic is starting to shift, opening the door to new value-add opportunities.
Retail is being repurposed
Older strip centers are being converted into medical offices and service retail.
Some former big-box stores are being reconfigured as flex industrial or last-mile logistics.
Flex space demand is growing
There’s growing demand for flex properties that combine warehouse, office, and light manufacturing—particularly near freeway and airport corridors and around the University of California, Riverside (UCR).
The market is in transition, and value-add strategies are thriving
Investors are in a prime position to buy at a lower basis, fund improvements, and reposition outdated properties for today’s tenants.
That’s where bridge loans come in—they offer the speed and flexibility needed to close quickly and take advantage of opportunities traditional lenders won’t touch.
Types of value-add commercial real estate deals in Riverside and San Bernardino
In commercial real estate, a value-add strategy is about increasing net operating income (NOI) and long-term asset value by improving or repositioning a property.
Let’s look at some common scenarios in the Inland Empire:
Rehab and renovation
Many older retail and industrial buildings in Riverside and San Bernardino are structurally sound but dated.
Targeted upgrades can significantly increase rent potential and raise property value, including:
- Roofing
- ADA compliance
- HVAC systems
- Parking and lighting
- Exterior and signage refreshes
Stabilization and repurposing plays
High-vacancy or underperforming assets with solid fundamentals often trade at a discount.
Investors who can stabilize occupancy or repurpose outdated space are seeing strong returns, especially in submarkets with limited new supply.
Why traditional financing doesn’t always work
Banks and conventional lenders often pause or pass on value-add deals due to high vacancy, deferred maintenance, or timing constraints.
Many investors turn to bridge loans and private lenders, such as Marquee Funding Group, to move quickly, fund improvements, and refinance or sell once the property is stabilized.
How bridge loans support acquisition and rehab in the Inland Empire
Bridge loans are a key financing tool for investors working on value-add commercial real estate in Riverside and San Bernardino.
These short-term loans are designed to move quickly and fund deals that don’t fit traditional lending guidelines, making them the perfect fit for underperforming properties.
Here’s why bridge financing works well in the Inland Empire:
- Fast closings and flexible terms: Investors can close in days, giving them an edge in competitive or time-sensitive situations.
- Asset-based underwriting: Bridge lenders focus on the property’s value and potential, not just the borrower’s financials or current income.
- Funds both acquisition and improvements: Loans can be structured to cover purchase price plus rehab, lease-up costs, or repositioning work.
When you work with a private lender like Marquee Funding Group, you can access custom loan structures with up to 75% loan-to-value (LTV)—tailored to your business plan.
Terms typically range from 12 to 24 months, with fixed-rate, interest-only payments and flexible exit options.
Bridge financing opens the door for investors priced out of coastal markets
As commercial real estate prices in Los Angeles and Orange County continue to rise—and capitalization rates compress—more investors are shifting their focus east toward the Inland Empire, offering better yield and growth potential.
Riverside and San Bernardino’s cost of entry remains lower, while the upside in value-add deals is often higher.
Properties may need work or lease-up, but they’re priced to reflect that, and bridge financing gives investors the flexibility to step in, act fast, and create value.
Why investors are looking to the Inland Empire
- Lower acquisition costs compared to coastal metros
- Higher cap rates and yield potential on transitional properties
- Less institutional competition in the value-add space
- More room to increase NOI through rehab or leasing strategy
Who are bridge loans for?
Bridge loans are designed for investors with a clear value-add strategy and those who are comfortable with short-term risk in exchange for long-term upside.
The bottom line—if you’re priced out of the coast but still looking for yield and scale, Riverside and San Bernardino offer real potential—especially with flexible private capital behind you.
How Marquee stands out among Riverside and San Bernardino private lenders
Not every deal fits inside the box—especially in a transitional market like the Inland Empire. That’s where Marquee Funding Group steps in.
As a private lender with deep experience in Riverside and San Bernardino, the Marquee team specializes in financing complex, time-sensitive, or “story” deals—the kind traditional lenders typically pass on.
Common bridge financing scenarios in the Inland Empire
- Industrial rehab with legacy issues: An investor acquires an older warehouse needing major upgrades, sometimes including environmental remediation, deferred maintenance, or zoning hurdles.
- Retail-to-flex conversions: Outdated retail centers are repositioned for medical office, service retail, or light industrial use. Tenant leases are often pending, but financing is needed upfront to secure the deal and begin work.
- Partially vacant acquisitions: Properties with significant vacancy, but strong locations, are often available at a discount. Bridge loans can provide acquisition plus lease-up financing, giving investors time to stabilize before refinancing.
What ties these scenarios together is the need for a lender who can underwrite the story behind the property, not just the numbers on paper.
Marquee Funding Group brings local market knowledge, fast execution, and a relationship-driven approach to bridge lending in Riverside and San Bernardino.
Explore bridge loan options for your next Inland Empire CRE project
Looking at a value-add deal in Riverside or San Bernardino?
Whether you’re acquiring, rehabbing, or repositioning, Marquee offers the speed and flexibility to help you close with confidence.
Submit your loan scenario with Marquee Funding Group to get started with a custom bridge financing solution.