There is a general misconception that hard money is an opportunity of last resort for people who have, or want to have, an interest in real estate. After all, the rates are higher, terms shorter. That is a truth-but not the whole truth.
Savvy investors use hard money to their great advantage.
Except for the people who can walk into their bank with a deed in their hand, and walk out with a check, bank financing is highly unlikely. There are, however big lenders that advertise how quick, easy and cheap it is to borrow from them. It isn't until you have answered every question (my favorite is "what was your mothers maiden name"), jumped through every hoop (they start out slow-by the time you are done you've submitted 50 pages of forms) and either paid thousands of $'s up front or rolled the costs into your financing (costing you even more). Oh-and time, I've seen it take up to a year.
Look at it from their point of view. They don't know you. You don't have title to the building. You can't prove a history of managing or on time payments for the building (because you don't own it). Trusting you is a big risk for them! You are at a great disadvantage.
Let's look at a Western New York example of Hard Money lending. The Seneca Casino people paid an offshore investor for the $100,000,000 needed to build their first casino? It is rumored at 23+%, short term. Bad move? No-it was brilliant! The Casino was up and running in 100 days!
Hard money makes things happen now. Hard money is often used to purchase property, take title and get the business moving. The new owner usually chooses to refinance into permanent long term financing when they have the advantage. In the mean time the cash register is ringing.