Hard Money Loans

What is a Hard Money Loan?

Hard money loans are a specialized type of real estate backed loans. Hard money lenders or private lenders provide short-term loans based on the value of real estate that has been collateralized for the loan.

Hard money loans typically have a much higher interest rate than bank loans because they fund deals that do not conform to bank standards and have higher risks. Hard money loans are more expensive than traditional loans because they are not based upon traditional credit guidelines. Hard money lenders may not require the income verification, credit score, etc. that typical lenders do, but their interest rate and points are higher.

“Points” on a hard money loan vary widely, some lenders may charge 1 to 3 points, while other lenders may charge up to 7 or 8 points. Some lenders base the points charged on the rehab experience of the borrower with regular clients getting reduced points the more business they do.

New rehabbers should not do more than 1 project at a time, especially in this economy. You don’t want to be stuck with a couple of houses when you do not have the finances to maintain them until they are sold. Also, as a new rehabber, you should get yourself registered (qualified) with a Hard Money Lender first so you can act fast when you find a house to rehab. You will able to get a “proof of funds” letter quickly from your Hard Money Lender to be qualified as a cash buyer. It is important to be a cash buyer since the sellers of foreclosed or distressed properties want fast deals. In fact, most ads or MLS listings require a pre-approved buyer and request the proof of funds letter to be submitted with the purchase contract. With most Hard Money Lenders, it is not difficult to get qualified. Usually it takes a simple application, a bit of information about your experience or lack thereof and some personal information.

The advantages of using Hard Money Loans are:

1. No Credit history, tax returns, W-2′s or job history
2. You can make All Cash Offers
3. The property value is used to determine the loan, not your income.
4. Close in a very short time frame.
5. Purchase the property and have the funds available to rehab it in one loan.
6. The Hard Money Lender understands all aspects of rehabbing and can, if necessary, be flexible on their programs.

THINGS YOU NEED TO THINK ABOUT WHEN PURCHASING A HOUSE FOR REHAB

Pricing your home is one of the most important aspects of your rehabbing. You should determine a selling price when you purchase the property. However, sometimes things change and the original price you calculated to sell it is not longer an option. Always remember that you make a profit when you BUY the property, not when you SELL it!! This means that if you do not make a wise and well thought out purchase, there is no way you are going to make money. It just doesn’t happen because you want it to happen. This is a process that needs to be calculated to the end and that includes the SALE of the property after it has been rehabbed.

Pricing: Realize that because of the economy and the current housing market conditions, there are many properties on the market. Some are in great shape, some need a little work and some need a lot of work. Also there are a lot of pre-foreclosures, foreclosures and short sales. Ask yourself some questions:

1. Would I buy this rehabbed home before buying a pre-foreclosure, foreclosure or short sale (distressed properties)?
2. How is the new buyer’s appraiser going to evaluate the home; equal to the distressed properties in the neighborhood or better? Sometimes appraisers don’t look at the upgrades you may have put in to your project. A “budget” buyer might buy the short sale or foreclosed house that needs a little work for less money than what you are asking.

Test the neighborhood:

1. Are there many distressed properties in the area?

2. Are there a lot of vacant lots?

3. Do the neighbors keep up their properties?

4. Are there schools nearby?

5. Are shopping areas convenient? Within walking distance?

6. Are there streetlights and sidewalks?

7. What about transportation? Bus lines? Train Lines?

8. Do comps in the neighborhood. Have your Realtor pull rehabbed properties in the same area that have recently sold (within 6 months), or do drive-bys yourself and look up the comparables with www.zillow.com or www.realtytrac.com. These sites will give you approximate values and can help you make the decision whether this is the right house to buy for rehab. Don’t fudge the numbers. Make sure you comps are similar size, number of bedrooms and baths, design, frame or brick, etc. If one or more of your “test items” does not work out, then move on to another property.

All of this must be considered when making a purchase for rehab.

The actual funding of the deal, the paperwork and how it works will be discussed in my next article.

I have ten years experience in Real Estate Investing. As a Real Estate Broker with my own company, I have personally rehabbed properties and wholesaled single family and two-flats in the Chicago area.

I am currently writing E-Books on Real Estate as an Investment, Hard Money Lending and Rehabbing for Profit that will be available on my website at http://www.RealEstateRehabProfits.com. Hard Money Lending criteria is available on the website http://www.zdeinvestments.com

I will also continue contributing shorter articles on many subjects pertaining to Real Estate.

Author: Rebecca A Miller
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Why A Hard Money Loan.

The reason real estate investors choose to use hard money loans is that they are a source to purchase and rehab property to make a substantial profit that they may not have without the use of this expensive money. These short term loans are expensive and even if they were legal for a home owner to borrow from the private lenders offering these loans it would never be advisable. So how hard are these short term loans, you ask? The answer is threefold. They are restrictive in loan to value, they are high in rate and high in fees.

Restrictive in Loan to Value.

The maximum loan to value for most private loans range from 50% to 75%. No deals are done at the higher loan to value for two reasons. First the hard money lender requires lots of equity in case of default they can list and sell the property quickly because they will in theory be below market value. The reason I say in theory is because there are so many REO’s, Short Sales and foreclosure properties on the market today that what was normally considered an exceptional deal is common place. Therefore, private lenders are more particular about the properties, borrowers and loans they choose to fund.

Secondly, any real estate investment that has less than 30% equity are not good investments for the investors unless they are purchasing the property for the cash flow. In that case they are long term investments and not suitable for the short term nature of these expensive bridge loans.

High Interest Rates.

Whether as n real estate investor buying and or rehabbing commercial or residential investment real estate the interest rates are much higher than conventional commercial or residential investment lending. The rates are higher much because the risks are much higher and there source of these funds are limited. Risk and Reward. Supply and Demand. The risks are higher because these loans are not underwritten based on the standard conventional guidelines and there is a very limited or no secondary market for private bridge loans. This is generally not an issue because the borrowers know these are only short term loans. The terms range typically from 3 to 24 months. Therefore, the higher interest rate is of minimum importance because both lenders and borrowers know that the borrowers have an exit strategy to quickly payoff these high interest rate loans. Most lenders require a viable and verifiable exit strategy before they make will the loans.

Higher Points.

Because these loans are short term in nature the hard money lenders always charge discount points. They may charge 1 to 5 points. In addition the private money brokers will charge 2 to 5 points. An average a borrower will 5 to 10 points. Plus closing costs. These are high fees. They only make sense when an real estate investor will make substantially more money and they have no other way to fund the deals.

Why Use Hard Money Lenders.

Simply to make money. As a real estate investor you have choices in financing your deals. You can choose conventional financing that requires at 30% to 35% down payment for properties that are in good shape. There are many other conventional mortgage criteria including credit, cash reserves, seasoning of funds and property. These all make conventional financing almost impossible.

Another option is to use your own funds and not finance a deal at all. But, most astute real estate investors know that if they can make a net profit of $25,000, $50,000, $100,000 or more using a hard money loan they do not like the fees but they we pay them versus not making any money because of lack of financing.

Louis Jeffries has been a Mortgage Banker for over 20 years. A Investor Rehab Specialist Louis will help you fund you next rehab or construction project. Contact Louis louisj@alldominionmortgage.com 708-299-3244 Visit The Blogs Investor Rehab
Hard Money

Author: Louis Jeffries
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Private lending is an alternative to conventional loans such as you would apply for at your local bank or Mortgage Company. They are also referred to as Hard Money loans. Private loans are short-term loans ranging from 3 months to 3 years. They have a quick approval time line and usually a 55% to 75% LTV (loan to value) rate. This is a great option for residential, commercial, construction, and land investment purchases that are expected to have a fast turn around.

There are a variety of Hard Money loans:

-Hard Money Acquisition Loans – This type of loan is used to acquire real estate using the loan proceeds.

-Mezzanine Financing and Loan – This is a loan subordinate to a Primary Lender. This is a debt instrument, which is paid back at the time of sale or refinance of the total capital stack. Mezzanine loans have flexible structure, including debt and equity mixes that can increase the borrowers leverage.

-Hard Money Acquisition and Development Loan – These loans are used to acquire and develop property with the intention of improving it. The loan proceeds are dispersed with interest only paid on the funds Distributed. The loan amount is determined by the overall LTV Expected following the improvements.

-Asset-Based Hard Money Loan – This can be used for any purpose. Collateral is put up for security. Collateral may be property, equipment, inventory, etc.

-Hard Money Bridge Loan – This is money that is used for only a short period of time until permanent financing is put in place. This is a perfect solution for a business opportunity or acquisition that needs a quick process for financing. Circumstances that may be considered are Buy-Outs; foreclosures; construction; hotel and motel; office complexes; commercial business opportunity; apartment buildings and even golf courses.

-Hard Money Construction Loan – This money is used for the construction of a building or other improvements of real property. The land or the improvements become the collateral for the loan. Some lenders will loan up to 100% of the cost of construction available depending on the determined value upon the completion of all improvements.

-Hard Money Credit Enhancement Loan – This loan is for a borrower who lacks the credit or capacity to acquire a conventional loan of sorts.

-Hard Money Raw Land Loan – This can be used for lots to large acreage. The LTV ratios are determined by the price it would be valued at a 90 day quick sale.

The key to Hard Money loans is the ability to do a quick turnaround in your sale of the property purchased, or speed in which you are able to acquire a more permanent long term financing.

Blue Light Financial is a private lending group aimed at helping investors take advantage of market opportunities in a timely manner. With a sound investment strategy and a determination for excellence, Blue Light LLC has been solving client’s financial needs for over 28 years. For more information about investing with Blue Light LLC, please visit our website at the following link: http://www.bluelightfinancial.biz.

Author: Ginese Wilmot
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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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
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If you need urgent money as you are facing some emergencies then you should apply for Quick cash loan. These are short term loans that are issued to you without any hassle. You can easily apply for these loans through the internet. You just need to fill an online form and the loan will be approved without any hassle. These are simple forms and take only few minutes to be filled. You just need to fill your name, your address, your employment status and some other personal details. All these are asked to make sure that you are capable to repay the loan in time.

Quick cash loan are issued in a short term period. You can avail these loans without any hassle. Your loan will be in your account in less than 24 hours time. So it makes it possible for you to get this money in your account without any wait. You can pay all your pending bills through these loans in a very short time span.

It is advisable to make an internet search before you apply for any loan. This is because these loans usually have high interest rates and complicated procedures. So it can save your money if you go for an internet search.

You should also limit your borrowings to your repaying capabilities. You might find the penalties for the late payments a little hard on your payday. It may push you in the nasty cycle of re borrowing to repay the last loan. It can cause huge money losses. So it is very necessary to take care of the fact that you should take an extension on your loan if you find it really hard to repay the loan in time. So if you are looking for a short term loan then you can apply for these loans without any hassle.

We often face emergencies and getting rid of it becomes really hard in middle of the month. It gets worse if you are running on bad credits because it is going to act as a hurdle in obtaining cash from bank. It is not an issue to get worried as you can apply for Money loans Australia. These short term loans are easily available without any tacky formalities. You can easily get it with an adverse credit score. You just need to prove that you can repay the loan in time.

Money loans Australia are issued on the basis of your power to payback. Your power to payback is defined on the basis of your job and your income. If you are employed and have a steady income then you can get these loans. The lender can offer you an amount up to $1500 for a period of two to four weeks. The best thing is that you are not required to undergo any credit checks for these loans. So it makes it easy for you to get rid of all the financial crunches without any hassle.

Applying for these loans is very easy. You just need to submit a loan application through the internet. You will be asked to fill in your name, your address, your bank account details and some details about your income. You need to prove that you are a citizen of Australia and are at least 18 years of age. After filling the form you just have to wait for a day. After verification of all the information filled in the form the loan will be approved and the money will be deposited in your account without any delay. So you can pay all your pending bills from the comfort of your home.

Using Hard Money to Fund a Construction Project You are ready to start construction, but the loan process is slowing you down. You should consider obtaining a hard money loan to get going on your project today. Hard money loans can be obtained quickly and with little upfront cost to you. What are hard money loans and how can I obtain one? Hard money loans are a type of real estate loan that is provided by private investors, through brokers. The collateral for this type of loan is the value of the property. In the case of a construction loan it is the improved value of the property. In order to provide security to the lender, the hard money loan will have higher interest rates than a conventional loan, and will be limited to around 65% of the improved value of the property. The lender will also only lend from the first position, so that in the event of a foreclosure, they are the first party to recover their investment. Hard money loans are short term loans, so you need to have an exit strategy before obtaining one of these loans, such as a plan to sell the property when completed or to refinance the property through traditional institutions.

Although the loan is limited to 65% of the improved value of the property, construction loans will generally cover all of the costs of construction, assuming that costs for construction are less than the value of the property upon completion. If you have a business that is growing at a rapid pace and you are ready to expand by constructing a new building or updating your current building. Obtaining enough capital to obtain traditional financing for this construction can take a while. In this case, it would be worthwhile to pay a higher interest rate for a hard money loan, and be able to start construction within days. Hard money lenders are available all over the country; a web search will turn up many lenders available in your area. Several websites will give you access to multiple lenders. Before approaching a lender, have your plan in place. Have complete details on all of the costs associated with the construction project, an appraisal of the completed property, as well as details on your exit strategy. Provide this information to the lender(s), and you should receive approval within a day or two, and be able to close on the deal within a week.

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by: Hard Money Bankers, LLC www.hardmoneybankers.com

Using Hard Money to Fund a Construction Project You are ready to start construction, but the loan process is slowing you down. You should consider obtaining a hard money loan to get going on your project today. Hard money loans can be obtained quickly and with little upfront cost to you. What are hard money loans and how can I obtain one? Hard money loans are a type of real estate loan that is provided by private investors, through brokers. The collateral for this type of loan is the value of the property. In the case of a construction loan it is the improved value of the property. In order to provide security to the lender, the hard money loan will have higher interest rates than a conventional loan, and will be limited to around 65% of the improved value of the property. The lender will also only lend from the first position, so that in the event of a foreclosure, they are the first party to recover their investment. Hard money loans are short term loans, so you need to have an exit strategy before obtaining one of these loans, such as a plan to sell the property when completed or to refinance the property through traditional institutions. Although the loan is limited to 65% of the improved value of the property, construction loans will generally cover all of the costs of construction, assuming that costs for construction are less than the value of the property upon completion. If you have a business that is growing at a rapid pace and you are ready to expand by constructing a new building or updating your current building.

Obtaining enough capital to obtain traditional financing for this construction can take a while. In this case, it would be worthwhile to pay a higher interest rate for a hard money loan, and be able to start construction within days. Hard money lenders are available all over the country; a web search will turn up many lenders available in your area. Several websites will give you access to multiple lenders. Before approaching a lender, have your plan in place. Have complete details on all of the costs associated with the construction project, an appraisal of the completed property, as well as details on your exit strategy. Provide this information to the lender(s), and you should receive approval within a day or two, and be able to close on the deal within a week.

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by: Hard Money Bankers, LLC www.hardmoneybankers.com

Hard Money Lending is Improving Your Community Recent troubles in the real estate market have left many homes vacant and often unattended. These vacant or blighted properties cause many problems for local communities. As the level of decay increases the houses become safety and fire hazards, attract criminal activity and vandalism, and lower the property values in the neighborhood. These blighted properties thereby increase the demands for local government services, such as police and fire, as well as code enforcement. Local officials spend a lot of time trying to track down the owners of these properties to enforce building codes, but often to no avail. Local communities would greatly benefit from a renewed interest in these vacant properties. But with banks cracking down on their lending policies, many real estate investors have become unable to obtain traditional loans through banks, and other financial institutions to purchase and rehab these properties. Many savvy real estate investors however are now turning to hard money lenders to finance their purchase and rehab of these vacant properties.

Hard money lenders assess the value of the property and make a lending decision based on the property’s equity. An individual’s credit score is much less of a factor in these lending decisions; so many more real estate investors are able to obtain these loans. As more of these properties are purchased and improved, the property value of the entire neighborhood increases. These hard money loans are short term loans, often with higher interest rates. But for the purpose of purchasing a vacant property, improving the property, then reselling, this type of loan is a perfect fit. The loan can be obtained quickly (much more so than a conventional bank loan), and used to purchase and improve the property, then a quick resale recovers the investment and returns a profit. With more real estate investors turning to hard money loans, more vacant properties are getting a new life. These properties are being refurbished and sold, bringing new families to these previously blighted areas. With the removal of these “eye sores” in the neighborhood, property values increase, and the drain on local government services are relieved. Overall community vitality is greatly improved by the removal of these blighted properties, and hard money lenders are facilitating this community renewal.

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Jason Balin www.hardmoneybankers.com

Using Hard Money to Fund a Construction Project You are ready to start construction, but the loan process is slowing you down. You should consider obtaining a hard money loan to get going on your project today. Hard money loans can be obtained quickly and with little upfront cost to you. What are hard money loans and how can I obtain one? Hard money loans are a type of real estate loan that is provided by private investors, through brokers. The collateral for this type of loan is the value of the property. In the case of a construction loan it is the improved value of the property. In order to provide security to the lender, the hard money loan will have higher interest rates than a conventional loan, and will be limited to around 65% of the improved value of the property. The lender will also only lend from the first position, so that in the event of a foreclosure, they are the first party to recover their investment. Hard money loans are short term loans, so you need to have an exit strategy before obtaining one of these loans, such as a plan to sell the property when completed or to refinance the property through traditional institutions.

Although the loan is limited to 65% of the improved value of the property, construction loans will generally cover all of the costs of construction, assuming that costs for construction are less than the value of the property upon completion. If you have a business that is growing at a rapid pace and you are ready to expand by constructing a new building or updating your current building. Obtaining enough capital to obtain traditional financing for this construction can take a while. In this case, it would be worthwhile to pay a higher interest rate for a hard money loan, and be able to start construction within days. Hard money lenders are available all over the country; a web search will turn up many lenders available in your area. Several websites will give you access to multiple lenders. Before approaching a lender, have your plan in place. Have complete details on all of the costs associated with the construction project, an appraisal of the completed property, as well as details on your exit strategy. Provide this information to the lender(s), and you should receive approval within a day or two, and be able to close on the deal within a week.

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by: Hard Money Bankers, LLC www.hardmoneybankers.com