As a commercial real estate investor, regardless of if you are new to the game, or a seasoned veteran, you have many options when it comes to securing a commercial real estate loan. While traditional lenders have been considered the “go-to” for commercial loans, as the guidelines tighten, the qualification processes have made it more and more difficult to acquire the needed loans.
One area, which has been pretty successful, and that is growing in popularity, provides an alternative to the traditional loans available to commercial investors – the commercial hard money loan.
However, if you aren’t sure about what these are, or how they work, it is best to gather a bit of information first. This will help ensure you find the lending option that is right for your particular needs.
Commercial Hard Money Loans Explained
For any type of loan, it is the lender who will be taking on all the risk. The way that hard money loans are different than conventional bank loans is mainly how they are able to mitigate the risk. However, it is also in regard to the increased risk that hard money lenders are taking on by offering more unconventional deals. After all, if you were going to lend out $2 million, then you would want to make sure that there were additional ways to help protect yourself from going into default, too.
Understanding a Traditional Loan
When you seek traditional lending, from a private banking institution, it is going to focus on the ability the borrower has to make payments over time. This is why they rely on issues such as your payroll earnings, credit and more – all this helps to determine if the borrower is going to be able to cover the payments over a certain period of time.
More About the Hard Money Commercial Loan
With this type of lending, the loan is based on assets. What this means is that the amount of the loan will be based on the property that is put up as collateral. This type of loan is going to focus on the collateral’s value, instead of the cash flow or credit they have. Since the collateral is put up, it will protect the lender if default occurs, while encouraging the borrower to make payments in a timely manner. While the qualification process for a hard money loan is somewhat different, some prefer this method, over traditional bank loans.
How a Private Money Commercial Loan Works
Now you have a general idea of how the hard money loans work differently than a traditional commercial loan. Here you can see one in action.
The first step in acquiring a hard money loan is to find the right lender. Not all hard money lenders are created equal and not all of them offer a commercial loan program. Also, not all the lenders are going to be able to offer the amount that you need. You need to find a lender you are comfortable with.
The next step is for you to identify the collateral that you want to use for the loan. Keep in mind, a hard money loan is based on the value of your collateral. The majority of collateral will include some type of retail property, apartment buildings, office buildings, industrial property or some type of non-owner occupied one to four family property that is held under a corporate name or by an LLC. While the exact documentation the hard money lender is going to require will vary, it will have to be enough to convince the lender of the perceived value of the collateral that is being used.
In addition to the documentation that is needed, a lender is also likely going to require an appraisal or a BPO to determine the collateral’s value. Then the lender will base the loan on the LTV (loan-to-value) ratio. If everything is able to check out, then the hard money lender will provide financing for the loan.
Important Things to Consider when Taking Out a Hard Money Loan
Now that you are aware of how a hard money loan works, it is important to consider a few things before taking this out. These considerations include:
- Having good credit isn’t the most important factor
- Getting a hard money loan is a faster process
- The terms and interest of this type of loan are different
Are Hard Money Loans Really the Right Option?
A hard money loan can help those who want to invest in commercial real estate in a landscape where banks won’t provide the desired loan. However, this doesn’t mean that a hard money loan is the right option for every situation.
It is best to evaluate your needs carefully to determine if this type of loan is right for you. Taking the time to consider all the options and then figuring out if the hard money loan is right for you is best. In the long run, this will ensure you get the loan you want and need without having to pay too much for the financing, which is always a benefit.
Call Us Now!
What Documents Are Necessary for a Hard Money Loan in California?
BlogMost lenders base their decision to extend a loan primarily on your income, credit score and other related factors. California hard money lenders, on the other hand, offer loans secured by collateral. With a hard money loan, you can get the financing you need even if you do not have a high credit score or the other characteristics required to qualify for a traditional loan.
How to Raise Capital For a Residential or Commercial Real Estate Investment
BlogIf you’re interested in throwing your hat into the real estate investment ring, you’ll need some capital to get started. Generally, when you’re first starting out in real estate investment (whether it be residential or commercial), you’ll want to start relatively small. Still, buying a property as an investor often means placing a large down payment—so it’s not uncommon to need thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars to get going.
Staying Compliant With A Private Consumer/Owner-Occupied Loan
BlogWhat are consumer owner occupied loans? These loans are loans where the borrower intends to live in the property as a residence or for a consumer purpose. Consumer purpose includes paying a tax lien, helping a family member or bill consolidation. There are tight lending regulations when it comes to consumer owner occupied loans in […]
Is Now a Good Time To Sell a Home in California?
BlogIf you know the best time to sell your house, you can sell your house quicker and for more money. Knowing when will help you find that home-selling sweet spot. And waiting to put your home up for sale can help ease the stress of selling it. The best time to put a home on […]
3 Things To Look For In California Hard Money Lenders
BlogWhat do you think of when you hear the words “hard money loan?” Do you envision shady characters conducting business in dark alleys and charging exorbitant interest rates? While a few bad apples have cast a shadow on some hard money lenders, if you do your due diligence, you shouldn’t have to worry about being […]
Why Real Estate Investors Use Hard Money Loans In California
BlogSpeed and flexibility are the main reasons why real estate investors use hard money loans in California, but there are many other reasons, too. Let’s take a look at some of the other reasons. Straightforward Process Applying for California hard money loans is a simple process. Often, a brief conversation with California hard money lenders […]
Advantages and Disadvantages of Hard Money Loans in California
BlogHow To Find The Best Hard Money Lenders In California
BlogFor those who have never applied for a hard money loan before, it can seem difficult to know where to look. Many borrowers are thinking about time and want to get a loan as soon as possible to complete their project and get a return on their investment. However, it is important to find a reputable hard money lender and not just jump in with any lender. Borrowers need to take into consideration that hard money lending is a niche industry that works with borrowers in the real estate industry, as well as property owners, who need this type of financing.
In California, borrowers are in luck, as there are many hard money lenders available in this state. Also, there are a few ways to find the best and most reputable hard money lenders in the state of California. Read on to learn about the best ways to find a hard money lender near you and secure the funds needed for your property or other real estate investment.
Lists and Directories
One place to look for hard money lenders is through a directory or list. This can be done online. The lists are available for lenders to browse and many are organized by state and/or region for added convenience. Many of these lists are free for the hard money lenders while others charge a fee for the lender to add their name. What’s important to note, however, is that the lists and directories do not take into account a lender’s track record or experience. This is something the borrower must investigate themselves. When it comes to the state of California, these lists can be quite extensive. For this reason, it is best to narrow down the list by searching for hard money lenders closest to the borrower’s location. From here, the borrower can do research on the lending company’s overall experience and customer satisfaction. Trust is an important element when choosing a hard money lender, so be sure that previous customers have had a good experience with a lender before reaching out to them for a hard money loan.
Lists and Directories Should be Free
A borrower should never have to pay for a list of private hard money lenders. When someone is trying to sell a list of lenders, this is a red flag. Sometimes, the borrower may fall for a sales pitch that emphasizes that it is far too difficult for a new borrower to find a hard money lender, but this is not true. Another red flag is a sales pitch that says the borrower must buy the list before being able to speak to one of these lenders. This is also false. Hard money lenders are looking for business and are more than happy to speak with potential customers. In most cases, when the borrower has a loan scenario that seems promising, the lender will do what they can to work out a deal. If they can’t, they will try to direct the borrower to a lender than can. One place borrowers will find lists for sale is on eBay. The price ranges from ten to one hundred fifty dollars, but there is no guarantee if these lists are reputable or updated. In the end, it is better to work from free lists and directories to find the most trustworthy hard money lenders for a real estate project.
Local Real Estate Investor Meetings
Another way to find potential hard money lenders is to attend a local real estate investor meeting. This is the perfect place to put on your networking hat and find the right lender for your needs. Many hard lenders attend these meetings, meaning a borrower can meet one or more hard money lenders face-to-face and get all their questions answered. If there are no hard money lenders present at the meeting, simply ask the real estate agents for referrals. They will oftentimes be more than happy to assist in the search.
Google Search
A simple Internet search on Google for hard money lenders should turn up a free list or directory of hard money lenders that a borrower can contact. Simply type in “hard money lenders in California”, “hard money lenders near me”, or “hard money lenders in (city)”. Google will give results of the most active hard money lenders available who can be contacted.
Call a Real Estate Professional
Many real estate professionals have worked with hard money lenders in the past or present. Call a few local real estate agents and create a list by asking for the most highly reputable lenders with experience who can be contacted. Besides real estate agents, a borrower can also contact escrow officers, traditional mortgage brokers, and title company representatives to compile a thorough list of hard money lenders to contact.
How Do Commercial Hard Money Loans Really Work?
BlogAs a commercial real estate investor, regardless of if you are new to the game, or a seasoned veteran, you have many options when it comes to securing a commercial real estate loan. While traditional lenders have been considered the “go-to” for commercial loans, as the guidelines tighten, the qualification processes have made it more and more difficult to acquire the needed loans.
One area, which has been pretty successful, and that is growing in popularity, provides an alternative to the traditional loans available to commercial investors – the commercial hard money loan.
However, if you aren’t sure about what these are, or how they work, it is best to gather a bit of information first. This will help ensure you find the lending option that is right for your particular needs.
Commercial Hard Money Loans Explained
For any type of loan, it is the lender who will be taking on all the risk. The way that hard money loans are different than conventional bank loans is mainly how they are able to mitigate the risk. However, it is also in regard to the increased risk that hard money lenders are taking on by offering more unconventional deals. After all, if you were going to lend out $2 million, then you would want to make sure that there were additional ways to help protect yourself from going into default, too.
Understanding a Traditional Loan
When you seek traditional lending, from a private banking institution, it is going to focus on the ability the borrower has to make payments over time. This is why they rely on issues such as your payroll earnings, credit and more – all this helps to determine if the borrower is going to be able to cover the payments over a certain period of time.
More About the Hard Money Commercial Loan
With this type of lending, the loan is based on assets. What this means is that the amount of the loan will be based on the property that is put up as collateral. This type of loan is going to focus on the collateral’s value, instead of the cash flow or credit they have. Since the collateral is put up, it will protect the lender if default occurs, while encouraging the borrower to make payments in a timely manner. While the qualification process for a hard money loan is somewhat different, some prefer this method, over traditional bank loans.
How a Private Money Commercial Loan Works
Now you have a general idea of how the hard money loans work differently than a traditional commercial loan. Here you can see one in action.
The first step in acquiring a hard money loan is to find the right lender. Not all hard money lenders are created equal and not all of them offer a commercial loan program. Also, not all the lenders are going to be able to offer the amount that you need. You need to find a lender you are comfortable with.
The next step is for you to identify the collateral that you want to use for the loan. Keep in mind, a hard money loan is based on the value of your collateral. The majority of collateral will include some type of retail property, apartment buildings, office buildings, industrial property or some type of non-owner occupied one to four family property that is held under a corporate name or by an LLC. While the exact documentation the hard money lender is going to require will vary, it will have to be enough to convince the lender of the perceived value of the collateral that is being used.
In addition to the documentation that is needed, a lender is also likely going to require an appraisal or a BPO to determine the collateral’s value. Then the lender will base the loan on the LTV (loan-to-value) ratio. If everything is able to check out, then the hard money lender will provide financing for the loan.
Important Things to Consider when Taking Out a Hard Money Loan
Now that you are aware of how a hard money loan works, it is important to consider a few things before taking this out. These considerations include:
Are Hard Money Loans Really the Right Option?
A hard money loan can help those who want to invest in commercial real estate in a landscape where banks won’t provide the desired loan. However, this doesn’t mean that a hard money loan is the right option for every situation.
It is best to evaluate your needs carefully to determine if this type of loan is right for you. Taking the time to consider all the options and then figuring out if the hard money loan is right for you is best. In the long run, this will ensure you get the loan you want and need without having to pay too much for the financing, which is always a benefit.
The Fix and Flip – How to Take Advantage of This Opportunity
BlogBuying homes and fixing them up to sell, otherwise known as flipping homes, has rapidly grown in popularity, especially in high-demand urban areas. With the purchase of the right property, individuals can upgrade and fix homes and then sell them for a profit. However, it has to be done correctly in order to generate the returns individuals are looking for. The following will help you take advantage of this type of opportunity.
What You Should Look For
Just because a property is cheap doesn’t make it a great opportunity for flipping. The last thing you want is to buy a property in a bad area or one that requires more work that will affect whether you can actually make a profit. To prevent this issue, you need to look for properties with no major structural damage that are near good schools, have shops and other amenities close by and are easily accessible, both by private vehicle and public transportation. Sometimes these properties are located close to high-demand areas where individuals may be looking to move.
Start with a Plan
It’s always important to go into your fix and flip project with a general plan of what needs to be done. This will allow you to properly budget for the renovations that need to be done, as well as determine the selling price you need to reach in order to make a profit. Do your research to find out what buyers in the area are looking for in terms of features so you can be sure to create an appealing home that is more likely to sell quickly. However, it’s also important to stick within your set budget and have realistic expectations about the end results you may achieve.
Get the Right Financing
One of the most difficult parts about purchasing homes to flip is getting the right financing. Not only will you need money to pay for the property, but you will also need to finance the renovations you will need to complete before you can resell. If you aren’t able to secure the funds you need before you get started, you may find yourself continuing to pay a mortgage on a home that isn’t finished and you aren’t able to sell. This likely means you will have to work with hard money lenders, rather than obtaining a more traditional home loan through a bank. These lenders are often more flexible than banks and other traditional lenders and don’t need to follow the same rules and regulations. This will allow you to get all the financing you need to complete your project.
Flipping homes can be a lucrative investment if done correctly. When you learn how to take advantage of this type of real estate investment, you can enjoy a steady flow of income and the satisfaction of creating a house people will love to call home.