A hard money loan is a type of loan that is secured by real estate. They are primarily used by property investors who intend to renovate or resell a property. Hard money loans are not usually provided by traditional banks, but rather by private investors or firms.

If you’re a loan officer dealing with hard money loans, here are some things you might be responsible for:

1. **Evaluating Applications**: You would be required to evaluate loan applications and documentation by confirming credit worthiness, improving loan applications and documentation, and also rejecting incomplete or unacceptable applications.

2. **Property Evaluation**: You would need to accurately evaluate the potential value of the property after repairs or renovations (After Repair Value or ARV) to ensure that the loan amount is appropriate.

3. **Risk Assessment**: Assessing the risk associated with the loan, taking into consideration factors like the property’s condition, location, and the borrower’s plan for renovation or resale.

4. **Determining Loan Terms**: You would set the interest rate and other terms of the loan, typically based on the perceived risk of the loan. Hard money loans often come with higher interest rates and shorter terms than traditional loans.

5. **Loan Servicing**: Servicing the loan, including collecting payments, handling insurance and tax payments, and possibly managing the foreclosure process if the borrower fails to pay back the loan.

6. **Networking**: Building relationships with real estate investors, real estate agents, and other professionals can be essential for a hard money loan officer, as it can lead to more business opportunities.

Remember, as a hard money lender, you are not as heavily regulated as banks and other financial institutions, but you still have to abide by all relevant laws, including usury laws and the Dodd-Frank Act’s requirements on fair lending.