There are a few key circumstances when it may make sense to use a private or hard money lender. If you are looking to purchase a property quickly and cannot get traditional financing in time, a private or hard money lender may be able to provide the funds you need. If you have bad credit or are otherwise unable to qualify for traditional financing, a private or hard money lender may be your only option. If you are looking to finance a fix-and-flip or other investment property, a private or hard money lender may be a good option because they often have more flexible lending terms than traditional lenders.