Oregon Private Money Lending:
Licensing, Compliance & Documents
By Anthony Geraci, Managing Partner & CEO, Geraci LLP | February 2026
Oregon's private money lending market is concentrated in the Portland metropolitan area, with growing activity in Bend, Eugene, and Salem. High property values in Portland drive demand for private money loans, particularly for fix-and-flip and bridge lending. However, Oregon's licensing requirements and longer foreclosure timeline require careful compliance planning.
This guide covers the essential licensing, usury, foreclosure, and document requirements for private money lenders originating loans in Oregon.
Oregon at a Glance
Security Instrument: Deed of Trust (Trust Deed)
Foreclosure Type: Non-Judicial
Typical Foreclosure Timeline: approximately 150-180 days
Usury: Oregon's maximum interest rate for business-purpose loans is generally governed by contract. For consumer loans, the rate is limited under various provisions of ORS Chapter 82. Oregon has moved toward more consumer-protective lending regulations in recent years.
Related: Usury Laws by State | Deed of Trust vs. Mortgage Guide | How to Lend in Multiple States
Licensing Requirements
Oregon requires a Mortgage Lending license from the Division of Financial Regulation for most lending activity. Like Washington, Oregon's licensing requirements can apply to business-purpose lenders depending on volume and structure. Private money lenders should obtain legal counsel before originating loans in Oregon.
Key Compliance Considerations
Oregon's licensing requirements may apply to private money lenders making business-purpose loans, depending on the lender's structure and volume. This is a critical compliance issue.
Oregon uses a trust deed with a non-judicial foreclosure process. The process requires a 120-day notice period before the sale, making it one of the longer non-judicial foreclosure timelines.
Oregon has enacted significant tenant protection and foreclosure reform legislation in recent years, which can affect DSCR and rental property loans.
The Portland metropolitan area has specific regulations regarding landlord-tenant relationships that affect rental property investments.
Document Requirements for Oregon Private Money Loans
Oregon private money loans require a deed of trust (trust deed) as the primary security instrument, along with a promissory note, loan agreement, personal guaranty (for entity borrowers), and state-specific disclosures and compliance riders. For fix-and-flip and construction loans, draw agreements, scope of work exhibits, and completion guarantees are also required.
Automate Loan Docs generates complete, Oregon-specific document packages that comply with all applicable state requirements. Every template is drafted by the attorneys at Geraci LLP, whose team has over 30 years of combined experience advising private money lenders across all 50 states — including extensive experience with Oregon lending transactions.
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