As of October 1, 2025, the U.S. federal government is officially in a shutdown — leaving many borrowers, real estate professionals, and lenders scrambling to understand what this means for real estate transactions and mortgage approvals.
At Hopkins Financial Services, we’ve navigated government shutdowns before — and we’re proud to say that our private money lending programs remain fully operational, even when federal agencies stall. If you need funding during this shutdown, we’re still lending.
How the Government Shutdown Affects Traditional Mortgage Lending
A federal shutdown brings much of Washington to a halt — including key departments that support the mortgage industry. This can cause significant delays in loan processing, underwriting, and closing, especially for loans that rely on federal verifications or government-backed programs like FHA, VA, and USDA.
Mortgage disruptions currently happening due to the shutdown:
- IRS Delays: Lenders are struggling to retrieve 4506-C income transcripts, which can delay underwriting.
- FHA/VA/USDA Loans: These programs are facing suspension or slowdowns in issuing case numbers, processing endorsements, and insuring loans.
- Social Security Administration (SSA): Income and identity verifications may be stalled or unavailable.
- HUD & Appraisal Review: Federal employees who review appraisals or approve FHA case files are furloughed.
- Ripple Effects: Even conventional lenders may face collateral delays due to missing federal data or verification tools.
In short: even if a lender is open, many of their tools are offline.
Why Hopkins Financial Services Is Still Lending — Without Delays
At Hopkins Financial, we are a private money lender — also known as a hard money lender — which means our funding and decision-making processes are not tied to the federal government.
Here’s what that means for you:
- We don’t rely on IRS transcripts, SSA checks, or FHA case numbers.
- We don’t issue or fund government-backed loans (FHA, VA, USDA).
- We use our own in-house capital and make fast, common-sense decisions based on property value, borrower equity, and deal structure.
- We’ve been doing this since 1984 — with over $1 billion funded in private real estate loans.
Whether you’re buying, refinancing, or need a bridge loan, our doors are open and we’re closing loans quickly — even while federal systems are down.
When Traditional Lending Slows Down, Private Lending Speeds Up
Private money lending becomes even more essential during times of disruption — like now. Hopkins Financial steps in when banks can’t, offering fast, flexible funding for non-conforming properties and borrowers who need to move forward without red tape.
Our private money loans are ideal for:
- Real estate investors on tight timelines
- Self-employed borrowers with complex income
- Unique or rural properties not eligible for traditional loans
- Credit-challenged borrowers
- Bridge financing and cash-out refis
- Properties needing renovation or repositioning
Loan sizes from $40,000 to $5 million+, with terms built to fit your project — and closings often in days, not months.
Reliable Funding, Even When the Government Shuts Down
This isn’t our first shutdown — and it won’t be our last. But unlike traditional lenders, Hopkins Financial doesn’t pause when the federal government does. We continue to provide smart lending solutions for those who need capital now.
Get in Touch — We’re Lending Today
If you’re stuck in a stalled deal, or your borrower just got delayed by the shutdown, give us a call. We may be able to step in, move quickly, and get it done — with no government delays, no unnecessary documentation, and no BS.
Based in Meridian, Idaho — Lending across the West
(208) 467-5467
www.HopkinsFinancial.com
