Learn To Be A Fix & Flip Investor: deeds of trust

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Trust Deed Investing: Good Lenders Are There When You Need Them!

Many homeowners think the only people involved in their mortgage are them and the bank. However, this is not usually the case as most loans also have a trustee who has engaged in the process of trust deed investing as a way to build an investment portfolio.

When a mortgage is approved, underwritten and recorded, many people imagine that there are only two parties working together, the bank and the borrower. However, this is not usually the case. In most mortgage transactions, there is a third party who works behind the scenes called the trustee. The trustee engages in something called trust deed investing by purchasing a promissory note from the lender. The trustee then holds the legal title to the property on behalf of the bank. The bank pays the trustee interest to hold the title on its behalf.

You may find yourself wondering, why would the bank do this? Why pay money to someone to hold onto a piece of paper for you? The bank engages in trust deed investing to help protect its assets in the event of default. If a borrower defaults on a mortgage, the bank has to take them to court to foreclose on the property and get its money back. This is a long, expensive process and there is always the possibility that they bank may lose. However, if the mortgage loan has a trustee who holds the title, the trustee can foreclose on the property on behalf of the bank. This can be done without a court hearing and is a much faster process. Once the foreclosure is complete, the lender will get its capital back and any remaining funds are paid to the trustee and finally the borrower.

Benefits of Trust Deed Investing

If trust deed investing sounds intriguing, there are a few ways to get started. The first and most important step is to find a private mortgage company or investment firm that loans on promissory notes. From here, you should be able to decide how much you want to invest. You can purchase an entire deed as a single investor. This is one of the safest ways to invest because you are the only investor that needs to be paid back in the event of default.

If investing in the full deed is out of your budget, there are still ways to get into trust deed investing. You can invest as a fractional investor and buy a portion of the deed. If this is your plan, finding the right broker is crucial. Depending on whether you are the first investor, your investment may be less safe. Your investment professional can work with you to explain how to purchase a first deed of trust vs. a second deed of trust. This is important because a first trust deed holder is the first investor paid back in the event of default. If you are a second deed holder, you are at a higher risk for losing some or all of your investment.

Your private lender should be able to fully explain all of the risks to you and help you make the right choice when it comes to trust deed investing.

If trust deed investing sounds like an investment option you want to explore, give us a call today!

Here at Level 4 Funding we specialize in alternative investment strategies like trust deed investments. Our financial professionals can help explain the process and answer any questions you may have. We will also make sure that you know all the risks and benefits so you can make an informed decision about how to invest your money. Call us today for sound financial advice and to get started trust deed investing.