Hard Money Loans

China told banks to conduct another round of stress tests on their real-estate loans to gauge the impact of a decline in housing prices as the government steps up tightening measures to prevent an asset bubble.

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Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao asked local governments to take responsibility to keep housing affordable and said stabilizing consumer prices in the country is the top priority.

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Financing for commercial real estate is a completely different game when compared to residential mortgage loans. It moves much faster and is much more flexible.

Commercial Real Estate – Hard, Hard, Hard Money Loans

When purchasing commercial real estate, financing is the most significant factor in determining whether the project is worth pursuing. Although there are a variety of commercial real estate loans on the market, we are going to look at hard money loans in this article.

Hard money loans for commercial real estate are often a matter of last resort. They aren’t good deals, but they can save a financing situation that has gone critical. Most hard money loans come with significant upfront costs and astronomical interest rates. When you are facing the prospect of losing a commercial property, however, they can be a godsend because they also are granted very quickly.

Hard money loans are considered very risky and are issued by private financing groups, not banks or lenders. The loans tend to be only available as the primary loan on the property, which isn’t that rare a situation in commercial property.

Unlike home loans, hard money loans are all about the potential sales price of a piece of commercial real estate. The party considering lending you money is not going to look at the appraised value of the property. They are going to look at the probably sales price if the commercial real estate has to be sold a few months after making the loan. Depending on the condition of the property, this figure will typically be between 50 and 75 percent of the appraised valued of the commercial property.

Put another way, a hard money loan is a short-term loan designed to get you past an immediate problem. It is undeniably a loan of last resort and is not an ultimate solution to a financing problem with a commercial property. It does nothing other than buy you time, and at a fairly hefty cost. If you are in a tight spot and can resolve the problem with a few extra months time, a hard money loan may be the answer.

Sergio Haros is with Great Western Mortgage – San Diego Mortgage Brokers – providing San Diego home loans. Great Western Mortgage is a San Diego mortgage company writing San Diego mortgages and San Diego refinance and home equity loan.

Author: Sergio Haros
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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You’ve found a great opportunity to make some money. You’ve heard about hard money bridge loans but you don’t know what to expect? Here are some of the basics:

The biggest advantage of a bridge loan is the lenders are always concerned about the value of the property, not so much you personally. In other words; the property is what secures you the loan not your current credit status. It’s all about the value of the property.

The life of a bridge loan is approximately one to six-months; although you can get an extension of up to 2 or more years. Again, these lenders are not your average banks. The flexibility of this type of loan is why you will either get approved (or not) in as little as 2 days.

You may be asked by the lender why are you looking for a hard money loan instead of a traditional loan? There are many reasons why someone may consider using hard money loans. Most likely your response will be because you need the money now and not three months from now when the window of opportunity has most likely closed, or you may respond that your credit has some blemishes, filed recent bankruptcy, low occupancy levels, etc.

Some of the things your hard money loan lenders want to know will be: the type of collateral, the location and approximate value of the property, the amount owed and most important, the exit strategy of the loan or how will you pay the lender back.

Most bridge loan firms want your business and will work with you to get you 60% – 75% financing. (In some cases you can get 100% financing if you have additional assets to put into the deal.) In 99.9% of most cases, the hard money lenders are private companies, and you won’t typically get 100% of the value of the property. The low loan to value is in place to protect the lender in case of default on the loan.

Be prepared though, the interest rate on hard money loans is much higher than on traditional loans. Expect 10 to 15%, depending upon the overall risk. There will also be points or origination percentages that range between 1 and 5% of the loan amount set forth by the lender and assessed at the close of the deal. However, the higher interest rates, flexibility, and the quick turn-around often offset all the paperwork and time involved with traditional banks.

Some hard money lenders charge a fee for pre-payments, some charge an exit fee for the loan and others charge nothing. Make sure you know exactly what the terms of the proposed loan are before engaging any lender. A detailed letter of Intent is an excellent way for you and the hard money lender to understand exactly what is expected by each party.
One more thing, if you are not familiar with bridge loans do some in-depth research first. Talk to others who have experience with hard money bridge loans or ask your lawyer for some help. Don’t forget, there is plenty of information on the web that you can use to your advantage.

Are you looking for the best deals and rates on bridge loans? Visit http://directmoneylenders.com/ today for more information!

Author: Scott Bowens
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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There are tons of loans available for real-estate investors. One type of loan commonly used by investors is the Hard Money loan. These loans allow investors to buy and fix investment property. If used correctly it can definitely put money in your pocket right away. But, be aware because there are some pitfalls you will need to avoid in order to be successful. Below explains how a Hard Money works and what to look out for.

1. Scope of Work- for these specific types of loans lenders will require the investor to provide a scope of work worksheet. Every repair you plan to make needs to be written down on this sheet. The scope of work worksheet is what the Hard Money lender will use as a guide, in order to pay for the project. If repairs are done that are not on the worksheet, then you may have trouble getting reimbursed by the Hard Money lender. The lender will want to see everything written down to be sure everyone is on the same page. Lenders will normally allow investors to change the scope of work in the middle of the project if able and necessary.

2.Requirements- Most Hard Money lenders now want 20% down from the investor on all projects. The lender will also want to see reserve money sitting in a bank somewhere. The investor’s monthly income will play a big role with the lender in approving the loan. Credit score is a factor, but they do not require a stellar score to be approved for a loan. The last Hard Money lender I used did not even pull my FICA score, they just wanted to see a copy of my credit report-which I was able to order for free. There will be requirements for loan to value, but each lender will have their own set of guidelines.

3. Over estimating repairs- Repairs on an investment property is always just an estimate. When rehabbing property nothing ever goes as planned. Over-estimate the repair that needs to be done to cover yourself if any repairs are added later in the rehab. If you did a good job with the initial inspection, and no additional repairs were needed then you can return the money or keep it. If you decide to keep it do not spend the extra funds. Keep the extra money as additional reserve.

4. Process- The process of receiving money for repairs is called a draw. After your contractor finishes a percentage of the work you will call your Hard Money lender, and tell them that you are ready for an inspection. The lender will send an inspector out to verify the work has been done and completed within code guidelines. Once the inspector gives the lender an o.k., the lender will release the funds that equal to the amount stated for the cost of work. For example, if you listed carpet repair $1500, paint $1200, and new light fixtures $100; when the inspector checks all the items off: the lender will cut you a check for $2800. Now you can understand why it is important to have all repairs and cost listed on the worksheet. If the repairs are not listed then they will not pay you. Normally the lender will give you 3 to 7 inspection dates depending on how large the project is. Unless you can convince the contractor to start working without putting money down, you will have to put the money up to get things started. Expect to get reimbursed from the Hard Money lender through your draw checks.

5. Refinancing- This is the most important part in rehabbing property using a Hard Money lender. Hard Money loans are short term loans with high interest rates. These interest only loans will have an interest rate of somewhere around 15%. That may seem high, but these types of lenders understand how important it is to make their money and get out. We need these companies in order to rehab properties if we cannot fund our own projects. Hard Money lenders realize the risk they are taking, so lenders ask themselves “WIIFM” (What’s in it for me). They compensated with a high interest rate for the risk they take. Hard Money lenders expect you to either sale the property quick for a profit, or refinance into a long term loan and rent it out to a tenant. Whatever your exit strategy is, be sure to do it quick. Hard Money loans are normally due in full 6-12 months after origination.

Hard Money lenders have allowed many investors to make money in real-estate. These types of lenders are more flexible when compared to traditional ones. They allow investors to make things happen when no other lenders want to take the chance on them. Their guidelines are loser and allow an investor to spread his wings. These types of loans are expensive, but they can allow more deals to be done due to the amount of money they have access to.

Watch this video on hard money loans—–> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KcUGPxM0cA. Get a Free Report “How to Buy Wholesale Property Without Any Risk” at http://www.AssetPropertiesATL.com/cheapproperty

Author: Khalid Johnson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Canada duty

Private loan money is most often referred to as hard money, and usually the loan comes from a source that specializes in structuring such loans. More often than not a hard money loan will consist of a first mortgage on a residence thus creating hard money residential loans. There are a number of identifying factors involved in private loan money that will be referred to as a hard money loan.

For instance, as mentioned it is usually a first mortgage. Because the borrower’s credit does not matter as much as the amount of equity in the property, a first will in effect prevent a possible loss of the entire property if, for instance, another loan is “ahead” of the hard money loan. The reason why the borrower’s credit does not matter much for private loan money is that the lender looks to the property for its security, and the lender is also being paid dearly for the chance that the lender is taking by basing all the money on the property value alone.

You see, another facet of a hard moneylender is the fact that they usually charge very high interest rates as well as high points. At times, if the property is secure enough, those high points will be rolled into the actual loan. Often the loan is not paid in the typical Principle + Interest (PI) but more than likely is interest only with a balloon at the end of the stated loan period. In this manner, in effect, the borrower is paying interest on interest, since points are interest, and since the mortgage may have been calculated including the points, then every payment the borrower makes, paying interest only, is actually interest on interest.

Generally, most hard moneylenders want a careful appraisal of the property. This is again used as part of the protection that the private loan money lender desires. The lender will look at the Loan to Value Ratio (LTV), which is the percentage amount that the loan will be against the current value of the property. For instance a 70/30 LTV on a property appraised at $100,000 means that the lender would lend $70,000 against that property.

Taking this example further, let’s assume that the hard money residential loan on the property is $70,000 and the deal will bring the lender 5 points at a 12% interest rate, payable interest only. The loan is due and payable in its entirety in 2 years.

5 points is equal to $3,500. ($70,000 X.05), and at 12% a year, the lender would receive payments of ($70,000 X.12 = $8,400 per year divided by 12 months= $700 per month) $700 each month for two years. Remember that points are collected at closing when the loan is actually made. Thus in interest only the lender will make $3,500 + $8,400 + $8,400 = $29,300 in just two years. Perhaps you can see why individuals liked to make hard money residential loans!

However, with property values falling so quickly many hard money lenders took quite a beating. With a loss of approximately 40% of the value originally appraised for, the lender now must also go through foreclosure, which is going to cost the lender at least $8,000, plus eviction proceedings costing about $1,000, and they still must bear the costs of repairs on the house which the evicted owner may have completely trashed, as well as any unpaid taxes.

Florida Home Loan Service can made your dreams of owning your own home become a reality. We offer the following options: Florida Rent to Own, Florida Lease Options, and Florida Owner Financing. You do not need good credit or a bank loan to become a home owner all you need is proof of income, and 3%-5% down payment.

At Florida Home Loan Service we find you that home that will just make your day all you have to do is call Suzie at 352-213-3424 and let us know what you kind of home are looking for and in which areas. Areas that we service in Florida, Alachua, Archer, Gainesville, Bronson, Chiefland, Cedar Key, Dunnellon, Ocala, Miami and Broward Counties.

Author: Suzie OConnor
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Excise Tax

Hard money loans (HMLs) are a special type of loan backed by real estate collateral. Generally short-term loans with slightly higher interest rates, hard money loans are typically made by private individuals or companies not affiliated with larger banks. Though few people truly understand the hard money lending business from either a lender or a borrower’s perspective, the market represents an important opportunity for investors and borrowers alike.

A borrower usually takes out an HML loan using real estate property as collateral. The hard money lender will provide the loan on a “loan-to-value,” or LTV, basis. The “value” of a given property is defined in the business as the amount that a lender could reasonably expect to receive from the rapid liquidation of the real estate, should the borrower default and force a foreclosure. Generally, the HM lender will offer cash at a 65% to 70% LTV ratio – that is, up to 65-70% of the property’s current value.

HMLs are often more expensive (that is, they carry a higher interest rate) than many other types of bank loans because lenders often accept more risk of default in making the loan. Despite the higher rate of interest, borrowers may find HMLs attractive for several reasons:

- They do not require the stringent standards imposed by banks

- They are less influenced by a poor credit score or rating

- They have less need for acceptable documentation

- They can be used as “bridge loans” until other financing can be obtained

- They are often faster than traditional loans

Many borrowers choose to take out HMLs because of the lower requirements to qualify. People who face imminent foreclosure or who need money immediately often find that hard money loans are the best – or only – option.

However, because hard money loans have substantially higher default rates than traditional loans (due to less restrictive credit requirements), lenders usually take the first lien on the collateralized property, in addition to attaching higher interest rates. This lien is a legal claim to the real estate which essentially gives the lender first right for compensation from the sale of the property if the borrower should default on the loan.

Regulation of the hard money lending business varies slightly from state to state, but laws are generally non-specific and fairly loose, with a few notable exceptions, where limits on interest rates are set low enough to discourage most hard money lenders from doing business.

For more information on hard money lending for mortgage brokers, visit the website of the Pitbull Mortgage School at http://www.pitbullmortgageschool.com.

Joseph Devine

Author: Joseph Devine
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Import duty tariff

The equity release loan can be accessed by the persons aged over 55years. Such loan is available against one’s property. The release of equities is a great idea to supplement the insufficient income of the elderly persons. Flushing out money using one’s home is an enticing scheme in the modern age when the rate of interest in the banks and other financial institutions is continuously dipping down.
The retired persons are really frustrated with the low rate of interest and this has played a vital role in pushing up the demand for the equity release loan. There is a large gang of the aged persons taking resort to such loan to supplement their scanty incomes. The flow of the prospective borrowers will surely rise in the near future.
The prices of the necessary goods are spiraling up at a rapid pace and there is hardly anything in vision to put an end to such a rise. The elderly persons find it hard to make the both ends meet. If they are the homeowners, they can adopt the equity release loan to fund their needs. If the person is not willing to move out of the house, he or she can live there till the end of the life. They only need to extract the requisite money in exchange of the equities tied up in the property for a long time. They can ensure getting the lump sum amount once the deal is closed or can avail the partly flow of cash as long as they live. The combination of both the schemes is also available. Such a mix policy of getting the equity release loan can finely complement the scanty income of the pension holders.
It is not mandatory for the borrowers to use the amount to meet the monthly expenses only. They can use it for a holiday trip or buying a car or sending their grandchildren abroad for the higher studies. Whatever be the purpose, the equity release loan fits everyone’s needs. Whenever you release equity on house, you have to maintain a systematic and sequential procedure. It is very tedious process to get the equity release loan sanctioned and the whole procedure is replete with too many intricacies too. So the borrowers must consult an expert advisor to guide them through the entire procedure and make them avail the best deals available in the market. The equity release loan is a great plan to avail a goodly sum in times of financial quagmire in the last phase of one’s life.

A Commercial Hard Money Loan isn’t for everyone. But it could be a viable solution for someone that can’t get an everyday traditional Real Estate Loan. Of course with this type of loan Real Estate is always the collateral, with no exceptions. If for some reason the buyer defaults on the payments, the bank can repossess the property in due course of course, no pun intended.

The basic inference of the various types of Commercial Loans can also be defined as Sub-Prime Lending, Near Prime, B-Paper or Second Chance lending options.

So seriously would someone take out a Commercial Hard Money Loan verses a standard Commercial Loan? It’s because there are determining factors such as Slight Credit Score, Enterprise Stability, proven absolute Income Level that would curb someone from getting traditional money financing or custom rates, so the defaulter in these cases will compromise for what they can get.

Some companies have a lowest amount they will lend you when helping you get a Commercial Hard Money Loan. The companies we have researched start out at $300,000 and go up into the millions for Commercial Real Estate Properties.

There are also what they call Mezzanine Loans which is a loan that’s paid back behind the sale or refinance of the Commercial Property. It’s possible for a lender to secure a portion of the proceeds upon sale of the Hard Loan debt. These loans tend to have suitable structures such as good debt and equity ratios.

There’s also a Financial Loan called a Hard Money Bridge Loan. These types of Money Financing solutions are usually temporary until a more permanent solution comes into play. These are used when time is of the essense, when a business move needs to be made quickly to acquire a property. There are no upper limits on this type of loan, and the qualification requirements usually remain the same.

There are also Hard Money Construction Loans, which is another distinctive Money Financing option that can be applied to for limited home projects to larger Commercial Property projects such as the development of a strip mall or tract home development project. In most cases for construction projects there is a reserve account setup to make sure that money is allocated properly as the project keeps moving forward.

A Commercial Hard Money Loan is typically used in both Urban & Suburban areas. The current Prime Rates are from 11 – 16% verses the 6-7% for a standard loan. Usually all associated Points & Fees are included in the loan and payments from these are dispursed upon closing the loan. Also note these are Short Term Real Estate Loans that are usually given from 1-3 years.

It is always comforting to know that there is big money available to you when you need it in the form of a Commercial Hard Money Loan. This article went over the main types of loans and how they can benefit you. However beware of the common Predatory Lenders that lurk in this industry. Expect to pay 11-17% for a Real Estate Loan like this. If you are asked to pay anymore more, imho you are being taken to the cleaners. So before you jump into anything like this, just do your research and you should come out okay.

Author: Brian Garvin
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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London, England, United Kingdom (AHN) – To purchase a house, a Briton buying a unit for the first time would need $105,000 (70,000 pounds) savings to qualify for a mortgage. The amount is three times the average salary of British workers.

It is also $30,000 (20,000 pounds) more than the deposit required just four years ago after mortgage firms increased the required deposit to 43 percent in September, which is up from 30 percent in December 2006.

The move makes it even more difficult for first-time home buyers to acquire a house and reinforces a Bank of England warning issued last week that banks are implementing stricter rules before lending money because of fears more home owners would default on their loans as workers are laid off.

Because property prices in Britain remaining are so high and tax breaks to encourage first-time home buyers arenot sufficient to prevent another downturn in the real estate market, the International Monetary Fund warned of a double dip in the country’s property market.

The IMF pointed out a decline in property purchases after the stamp duty holiday on properties worth up to $262,500 (175,000 pounds) expired on December 2009. Former British Chancellor Alistair Darling replaced the stamp duty holiday in the March budget with a two-year exemption for first-time home buyers up to $375,000 (250,000 pounds).

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