Why it’s Important to Find a Flexible Lender When Commercial Real Estate Loan Rates are High

When you need a loan, finding a flexible lender that is able to negotiate for your best interest, even when commercial real estate loan rates are up, can help you get the best value for your money. Level 4 Funding shares why this is important.

Obtaining a loan can be tricky business. In fact, over half of loans that are submitted are typically denied. While this can seem very daunting for someone who is trying to obtain a loan, it’s crucial to remember that there are many options out there when seeking a loan. Conventional loans are very difficult to receive approval for, but there is hope in knowing that non-traditional lenders are there to say “yes” when banks have already said “no.” Even if you have less-than-desirable credit, you are a first time investment purchaser or current times mean high commercial real estate loan rates, you can still get approved.

Traditional banks are very rigid when it comes to approving loans. There is a lot of bureaucracy and red tape that must be dealt with conventional lenders — and they are rarely very flexible. That’s why hard money lenders are a good option. They can be a lot more flexible because rather than focusing on credit score, your business plan or other criteria, they are more interested in the assets of your business or the property you are purchasing which can serve as collateral. You will need to ensure them you have the collateral to put up and perhaps provide a brief outline for the business or property you plan to purchase.

While these lenders deal in short-term loans which typically have high commercial real estate loan rates, if you find a reputable lender who truly believes in your business plan or is flexible enough to negotiate better rates for your loan. However, because short-term loans typically have a repayment schedule that ranges between three months and three years, naturally the commercial real estate loan rates are going to be higher than a traditional long-term loan that allows for many years for repayment. Sometimes the commercial real estate loan rates associated with a short-term loan are simply higher because the lender is making a high risk by approving a loan that would typically (or already has been) declined by a traditional lender like a bank.

There is one more thing your lender might want you to provide.

Many short-term lenders will want you to provide you “exit strategy” from the loan. For example, would you sell the property? Refinance with a more conventional lender once the business starts earning a profit? It’s important to prove how you will build cash flow so you can ensure the lender you’ll be able to make the repayments on schedule.

It’s also important to find a lender you can trust.

While getting the best rates are crucial, it’s also important to work with a lender that is reputable and you truly believe that they have your best interest in mind when creating the loan agreement. Level 4 Funding can help you get the loan you need (sometimes in as little as 24 hours) with people you can trust.

Dennis Dahlberg
Broker/RI/CEO/MLO
Level 4 Funding LLC  Private Hard Money Lender
Arizona Tel:  (623) 582-4444
Dennis@level4funding.com NMLS 1057378 | AZMB 0923961 | MLO 1057378
22601 N 19th Ave Suite 112 | Phoenix | AZ | 85027
111 Congress Ave |Austin | Texas | 78701

Learn How to Select Hard Money Lenders

For many borrowers working with hard money lenders is a new concept. Borrowers are not familiar with the process or how to select a good lender.

Many borrowers are facing the challenge of less than perfect credit or a low credit score. And sadly, these people are under the assumption that they have not alternative to traditional lenders and banks. They are unaware of the service which is provided by hard money lenders. Though these loans are called non-traditional, they are still a very viable option for anyone who is unable to qualify for a traditional loan. But it is critical that a borrower learn how to select a good private lender to work with.

The first step might sound overly simplified but it is valid. Select a firm or individual who specializes in lending hard money. This ensures that you are working with a knowledgeable lender and one who can offer you terms which will fully meet your needs. You can learn a great deal about a lender by reading comments from other borrowers and investigating the lenders reputation. Any reputable lender will do what is best for his or her clients.

If you are new to private lending, it will also be helpful to limit your search to local resources. Working in-person will allow you to ask questions and establish a good working relationship with the lender as you learn the processes and intricacies of hard money. In addition, it will be much easier for you to check out the licensing information for local hard money lenders. This is an important step that should never be overlooked even if the firm is large and appears to be well known.

Seek Openness

As with any business, there will be certain privileged or proprietary information that the lender might not be willing to share with you. But all parties should have access to the loan information during the origination process. Be sure that your lender is willing to provide this transparency and that you are not getting a higher rate than originally promised. As you invest more time in speaking to the lender, you should not feel like some questions are being skirted or that there are aspects of the loan process the lender is not willing to discuss fully and openly.

Due Diligence Pay Dividends

Learning any new process takes time and effort. And working with hard money lenders is no different. You need to be willing to invest your time in learning the process as well as getting to know the lenders. Working with local lenders allows for a shorter learning curve and also gives you more peace of mind as you have been able to actually meet the lender and their staff. As you progress into more loans, seeking national lenders is a viable option to increase your opportunities and to locate more diverse loan options and offers. Be certain to carefully evaluate all of the lenders and all of the loan offers that you receive. Look for a lender who you feel comfortable working with and find very trustworthy.

Dennis Dahlberg
Broker/RI/CEO/MLO
Level 4 Funding LLC  Private Hard Money Lender
Arizona Tel:  (623) 582-4444
Texas Tel:      (512) 516-1177
Dennis@level4funding.com NMLS 1057378 | AZMB 0923961 | MLO 1057378
22601 N 19th Ave Suite 112 | Phoenix | AZ | 85027
111 Congress Ave |Austin | Texas | 78701

About the Author:  Dennis has been working in the real estate industry in some capacity for the last 40 years. He purchased his first property when he was just 18 years old. He quickly learned about the amazing investment opportunities provided by trust deed investing and hard money loans. His desire to help others make money in real estate investing led him to specialize in alternative funding for real estate investors who may have trouble getting a traditional bank loan. Dennis is passionate about alternative funding sources and sharing his knowledge with others to help make their dreams come true. Dennis has been married to his wonderful wife for 42 years. They have 2 beautiful daughters 5 amazing grandchildren. Dennis has been an Arizona resident for the past 40 years.

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Bad Credit and Arizona Real Estate: Qualifying for a Subprime Mortgage Arizona

An Arizona subprime mortgage allows borrowers with bad credit to purchase real estate in the Grand Canyon State. Knowing the types of mortgages available will help you choose the right mortgage product and save you money.

With great weather, a stable economy, and a real estate market with great deals, it is no wonder that so many people want to move to Arizona. With some parts of the state getting over 300 days of sunshine each year and skiing in the northern part of the state, it is the perfect place people with any climate preference. The relatively low humidity also makes it ideal for people with respiratory problems and mild winters are great for snow birds. If you find yourself dreaming of moving to Arizona, but have bad credit, you will want to start researching Arizona sub prime mortgage  to learn about the different types of mortgages available in the state for borrowers with bad credit or high debt to income ratios. If you cannot qualify for a traditional mortgage due to a low credit score, a subprime mortgage might be a good option.

A subprime mortgage is a loan given to a borrower who is considered to be a higher risk due to a poor credit score. Typically a sub prime borrower has a credit score of less than 640, but this does vary. Since the lender is assuming a higher risk, the interest rate is also generally higher. Critics of subprime lending argue that it charges unfair interest rates and further burdens individuals with low incomes and high amounts of debt. However, for many individuals, a subprime mortgage,Arizona is the only way they can qualify for a home loan. There are several types of subprime mortgages available and each type has different advantages and risks. 

Although subprime mortgages generally charger higher interest rates, for almost 42.5 million Americans, it is the only home loan they can qualify for due to a low credit score. If you find yourself having trouble obtaining a home loan in Arizona based on your credit, do your research on subprime mortgage Arizona to determine the type of loan programs you may be able to qualify for. Knowing the different types of subprime mortgages can help you select the right product for you and your family.

Types of Mortgages Available to Borrowers with Bad Credit

One type of mortgage available to subprime borrowers is what is known as an adjustable rate mortgage or ARM. An ARM starts off at a low interest rate, usually lower than the prime rate around 2-3 percent. After a period of time from 1 to 5 years, the rate then adjusts to a much higher rate anywhere from 10 to 20 percent, depending on market conditions. This will cause your payment to go up rapidly. ARMs got a bad reputation during the housing crisis of the mid 2000s and were accused of being a way for banks to loan money to and take advantage of subprime borrowers. Many people lost their home due to the inability to make the new, higher payments after the rate adjusted. An ARM can be a good option if you are in the process of rebuilding your credit and will be able to refinance to a traditional loan before your rate adjusts. It is also a good option if you are buying a short term home to either fix and flip, or you plan on moving within the low rate period. An ARM is also a good option as long as you budget accordingly so you do not get priced out of your home and wind up unable to pay your mortgage.

A second, less common type of subprime loan is a hard money loan. A hard money loan is offered by a group of investors, rather than a bank. It is a short term loan that is designed primarily for fix and flip houses. Since investors are offering the loan, not a bank, they are more likely to give loans to borrowers with low credit, providing they have a sound real estate investment. Hard money loans are usually short term loans and last for a couple years. A hard money loan is a good investment but not if you are planning on living in the home for any amount of time.

Another program that is available to low credit borrowers is an FHA loan. This type of loan is backed by the federal government and offers low interest rates and low down payment options. Most FHA loans only require a 3.5% down payment which makes it a great option for borrowers without a large amount of liquid cash assets. This is also a great option for someone buying a second home who may not have the down payment they would have if they sold their first home. The loan is insured by the government so the borrower will end up paying what is called primary mortgage insurance or PMI payments. PMI payments can range from anywhere between 80 and a few hundred dollars so it does increase your monthly mortgage payment. You will make these payments until you have paid off 20% of your home loan.

Deciding on the right loan product is essential to making your sub prime borrowing experience positive.

Talk with a mortgage broker to further discuss your loan options. You may also qualify for certain federal programs that offer down payment assistance or cash back at closing. Some of these include the Home in 5 program or the Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP). Call an Arizona mortgage broker to help get you started on your move to the Grand Canyon State. 

Dennis Dahlberg
Broker/RI/CEO/MLO

Level 4 Funding LLC
Tel:  (623) 582-4444 | Fax: (888) 279-6917

www.level4funding.com
NMLS 1057378 | AZMB 0923961 | MLO 1057378
23335 N 18th Drive Suite 120
Phoenix AZ 85027