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About Gatlinburg Hard Money Loans
The Smoky Mountain division of Optimus Capital Corp, a relationship-driven hard money lender that works only with real estate investors.
Who we are
Gatlinburg Hard Money Loans lends to real estate investors in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and the rest of Tennessee. We are part of Optimus Capital Corp, a nationwide hard money lender, which gives cabin investors a team that understands short-term rental property and the lending capacity of a national company.
We finance rental cabins and long-term rentals, new construction, fix and flips, rental portfolios and commercial property. We do not finance homes that the borrower will live in.
How we work
Lending here is built on relationships. You get a clear answer on what a deal qualifies for, a loan that is pre-underwritten in-house so it funds right the first time, and a second set of eyes on your numbers before you commit to them.
- Rental loans close in about 30 days, appraisal included
- Fix and flip loans average up to 21 days and can close in about 7 days once title and insurance are ready
- We go through the price, the income or budget and the exit with you
- No limit on how many loans one investor can hold with us
The team

Andrew Shanti
Senior Vice President
Andrew has worked in lending and real estate since 2005 as a principal, executive and investor, across residential and commercial property.
His background includes off-market commercial real estate, where he has facilitated more than $25 billion in offers for clients that include high net worth individuals and hedge funds.
Away from work, Andrew runs with his Border Collie and spends time with his wife and their two cats.
- Call (954) 598-4564
- Email andrew@optimuscapitalcorp.com

Collin Cook
Senior Account Executive
Collin has held senior management roles since 2008, leading teams of up to 200 people in corporate and independent operations where deadlines were tight and goals were demanding.
He now oversees the lending process for real estate investors from first call to closing, setting clear goals and expectations with everyone involved so that loans move quickly.
Collin spends his free time outdoors, on the coast or on trails in the Appalachian Mountains, usually with his daughter Brynlee.
- Call (386) 338-8750
- Email collin@optimuscapitalcorp.com
What clients say about Andrew and Collin
Andrew Shanti with Optimus Capital has been exceptional to work with. Over the past several years, I have closed numerous transactions with Andrew on behalf of sophisticated real estate investors, and his performance has been consistently outstanding. [...] Every transaction I have been involved with Andrew at Optimus Capital has closed, including many requiring thoughtful structuring and creative solutions due to their challenging nature.
Maria McKee, Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, Google review of Optimus Capital
[...] this review goes out specifically to Collin Cook. I worked with him on a STR acquisition of a condo in SC and the transaction could not have gone more smoothly. Collin is concise, transparent, and efficient in the way that he manages his transactions and communicates with all the respective parties involved in his transactions.
Zach Edelman, Google review of Optimus Capital
Just completed a rental portfolio refi with Optimus. Andrew and Daisy were amazing to work with and helped me work through every challenge quickly and with clear understanding.
Zachary Hagan, Google review of Optimus Capital
These reviews were left for Optimus Capital, our parent company, about Andrew Shanti and Collin Cook. Read all of the Optimus Capital reviews on Google.
Loan programs
| Program | Use it for | Top leverage |
|---|---|---|
| DSCR rental loans | Purchase or refinance of rental cabins, condos and long-term rentals | 85% loan-to-value to buy, 80% on a cash-out refinance |
| Ground-up construction loans | Building a cabin or home from the ground up, with the lot included | 90% of cost for experienced builders, up to 70 to 75% of the finished value |
| Fix and flip loans | Purchase plus renovation of a property you intend to sell | 90% of the purchase price and 100% of the rehab, up to 70 to 75% of after-repair value |
| Portfolio and commercial loans | A group of rentals under one note, or multifamily and commercial property | 80% on a portfolio purchase; commercial priced per deal |
Talk to Andrew or Collin about your deal
Send the address, the price and what you plan to do with the property. We will reply with the leverage and pricing that fit your deal.