Can someone explain hard money vs private? In PLAIN English

[Mark Eichenlaub]

I still don’t get it and would love a simple plain English explanation.   Thank You!

[Joseph Firmin]

I'll give it a shot... :) A Hard Money lender is typically an actual company set up specifically to lend and has systems/processes, its own attorneys and form documents used for transacting. A Private Lender is not set up that way but is someone with the capital to lend and is OK with a promissory note, amortization schedule and business plan for what you are trying to do. A private lender is typically someone you know that has capital and wants a specific return on it, willing to lend it to those who are good stewards of it.