Find an Arizona Private Lenders For Real Estate
- Understand The Anatomy Of Private Real Estate Loans
Financing terms, especially when you are first starting out, can be quite confusing. Are private lenders the same as hard money lenders? If not, what are the differences?
Basically, private lenders refer to individuals not affiliated with a financial institution who lend funds to promising investors. Either from a private investor or someone within your social circle who is decided to invest in your venture.
Hard money lives in a middle ground between the two. Hard money lenders are usually affiliated with a more traditional financial institution but have less strict standards. (This comes at a price: generally higher interest rates.) Though hard money is technically private money lenders, you will generally want to distinguish between the two as an investor.
In addition, it is important to know exactly what kind of information a private lender will be looking for. In many cases, private real estate lenders will have experience investing directly in properties themselves. Therefore, they will know exactly which numbers and areas to look at when considering a certain deal. While it is important to build a positive relationship with a potential lender, be prepared to answer questions about the facts and figures of a given deal. Here are a few questions to prepare for when looking for private real estate loans:
Will they get their money back?
What is the incentive to invest?
What are the risks involved?
How will you secure my investment?
Is your plan well-researched, and it is achievable?
- Build A Network
Unlike securing a loan from a bank—or a hard money lender—working with private lenders is all about building relationships. This starts with developing a solid investor network.
It is a good idea to begin building your network on two fronts. First, get to know professionals in your industry, such as real estate agents, fellow investors, title companies, attorneys, and private investors. Many private lenders will come through referrals within your own real estate network.
Second, it is a good idea to build your contact list from people outside of the real estate industry. This includes friends, family, colleagues, and anyone who is not currently an investor but might be looking for new opportunities. Many aspiring investors may just be waiting for a good opportunity to come around before getting started. Alternately, some of your friends and colleagues may have valuable connections outside of your existing network.
Always approach potential connections with respect and keep these networking tips in mind. Remember, it will take time to create positive relationships with fellow professionals, but it will open many doors in your career. Building a strong investment network is crucial to finding private lenders to work with.
- Prepare Your Materials
Put together the materials that you would be sharing with private lenders during your pitch. This includes a company overview covering your education, goals, past deals, and experience, and what makes you the right investor for their funds.
Along with this information, you will want to prepare a presentation or video that outlines previous properties you have worked with. This should outline the success of past deals, including pictures, numbers, and relevant information. You do not need to include every single property you have completed and instead should select the properties that show your best work. Remember you want to make a good impression and highlight your strengths.
One more thing to add to your to-do list, which may not be as tangible as a company overview or introductory video, is to have a clear understanding of the private investor process. Look into the documents you will need to present to investors, such as a promissory note and insurance. Also, write out important information like how long the process will take, when they can expect to see the loan paid in full, and what happens if there are multiple investors. Going in with this information will ensure you are prepared for any questions that come your way during the pitch.
- Select Your Arizona Private Lender
Finding private lenders might be tough at first, but it is important to keep in mind that the relationship is a two-way street. Although you will spend time pitching to potential investors and trying to impress them, you will want to make sure that the lender you ultimately choose will serve your needs and not just the other way around.
First, make sure to ask them about their proposed loan term and interest rate and what the loan will be based on. This will help you find out how long you will have to pay the loan back and how quickly it will accrue interest. Further, you will want to know if they prefer to make their loans based on the property’s current value, or after-repair value. Next, be sure to inquire about potential fees they charge, whether they are upfront or in the form of penalties. Finally, find out the schedule at which the lender will disperse their funds to you.
Based on this information, you will be able to identify which private loan will present the least amount of risk to you.
- Make The Pitch
Finalizing a deal with a private lender is about far more than explaining the numbers and going over the property. You need to put your potential partner at ease and make sure you are on the same page.
To establish this rapport, go into your initial pitch meeting focused squarely on educating them about the process. Then, keep building that relationship piece-by-piece. Resist the temptation to go for the quick sale or fast deal; it will not work — and it may leave you in worse shape than when you started.
Instead, focus on answering questions, especially those referring to profit splits and timelines. This is what most private investors are worried about. And the more you can put them at ease by thinking of things from their point of view, the more likely you are to secure private financing
Pro Tips For Securing An Arizona Private Hard Money Lender
Private real estate lenders are not nearly as hard as many new investors make them out to be. In fact, many private lending companies are always looking for investors to lend their money to. The trick, however, is proving that you can manage their money well. For more of an idea of how to find private money lenders and convince them you are the right choice, try following these steps:
Understand Negotiation Tactics: In securing private money lenders, investors will need to learn how to speak their language. That said, there are two strategies to consider: the hard sell and the soft sell. The former, the hard sell, is a more professional approach that will have investors develop a convincing elevator pitch. The idea is to sell the private money lender on the idea of funding an attractive deal. In this situation, it is important to remember private lenders are just as eager to work with investors as investors are to work with them; both parties stand to make money on a successful deal. Therefore, investors will want to approach lenders with all necessary information and prove to the lender that the numbers are correct. Doing so should convince lenders that they are making the right decision. On the other hand, the soft sell is typically reserved for friends and family and will typically involve an indirect approach. More specifically, the soft sell will catch the interest of investors by casually slipping an opportunity into a conversation. Either way, investors need to know who they are talking to before they begin negotiations.
Find Lenders Online: Proceed to find lenders using every method possible, not the least of which will include online searches. There are several online sources designed to connect private money lenders with potential investors, all of which may be found with a simple, localized Google search. However, one of the best online search’s investors may initiate is one that looks for local real estate investor meetups. Look for a local REI group and find out when they meet next. Attending a local REI meeting will connect investors with several industry professionals, many of whom may be private money lenders themselves.
Cold Call: Investors should try every outlet at their disposal, and cold calls are no exception. Obtain a list of lenders online and begin to call each name. When doing so, be as upfront as possible and lay everything out on the table. Proceed to tell them everything they will want to hear about the deal and be prepared to answer a lot of questions. That said, the initial phone call is more of an introduction. Instead of working the deal out on the phone, schedule a meeting to go over things in more detail later.
Launch A Marketing Campaign: Not unlike looking for a deal, investors should market for private money lenders. There are many marketing campaigns to consider, but investors shouldn’t limit themselves to just one; try them all. A direct mail marketing campaign, for example, will have investors soliciting potential lenders through a highly targeted mailing campaign. Another idea is to place a sign on any property that is currently being worked on. Place a sign in the yard that suggests you are looking for a private money lender to fund the next deal and to inquire within.
Private Money Lenders FAQ
Working with private lenders is not a complex process, though it can be mysterious for investors unfamiliar with alternative financing methods. As you begin to ask how to find private lenders, make sure you do not have any lingering confusion about the process. Read through the following frequently asked questions to make sure when you do find a private lender to work with, you know what to expect:
How Do Private Hard Money Lenders Work?
Private lenders work by investing their capital into real estate deals in exchange for interest paid on the loan. They will work with investors to establish the loan terms, which will be paid back according to the term. Private lenders are often investors and turn to private lending to expand their portfolios.
Are Private Lenders Regulated?
State and federal lending laws regulate private lenders. Depending on where they are located, there is often a limit to the number of loans they can provide without a license. So, while private lenders are not regulated as strictly as bankers, they must follow the rules. For more information on the regulations in your state, be sure to research online.
Do Private Money Lenders Check Credit Scores?
Unlike their hard money counterparts, private money lenders are not known for checking borrowers’ credit scores. That is not to say all private money lenders do not check credit scores before lending, but rather that the decision to loan is based primarily on the asset at hand. Otherwise known as asset-based lending, private money lenders will typically base most of their decision to lend on the quality of the subject property. The more likely the property is to sell for a profit, the more likely a private money lender will lend funds to an investor. Of course, the asset at hand is merely part of the decision-making process. Many private money lenders will want to know who they are lending to, which could result in some questions, not the least of which may include a credit score check. That said, not all private money lenders will look at a borrower’s credit score. Only those who are more diligent will typically consider the credit score when lending.
Is It Legal To Pool Private Money?
It is legal to pool private money, assuming you follow the proper legal frameworks. In fact, pooling private money has become an increasingly popular form of financing in recent years. Though, it is more commonly referred to by a different name: crowdsourcing. Real estate investors have leaned into the emergence of crowdsourcing platforms, such as Yieldstreet, to finance new deals. There are some state and federal regulations to be aware of. For example, there are limits on the amount real estate investors can fundraise when pooling lenders.
Best Private Lending Companies
Private lending companies will offer the same benefits of working directly with a private lender, though the application and approval structure may look different. There are many personal loan companies and peer to peer lending platforms that investors can consider. Here are some of the best private lending companies out there:
LightStream: This particular outlet offers loans for auto, home improvement and just about anything else, at low rates for anyone who may demonstrate a propensity for good credit.
Upstart: Upstart is an online lending marketplace that specializes in personal loans using non-traditional variables to determine creditworthiness.
LendingClub: LendingClub is a peer-to-peer lending company, headquartered in San Francisco, California.
Citizens Bank: Citizens Bank offers personal and business banking, student loans, home equity products, credit cards, and more.
Best Egg: Best Egg is a fast and efficient lending platform investors may tap to secure relatively low interest rates.
How Much Do Arizona Private Hard Money Lenders Charge?
Private lenders charge different interest amounts ranging from four to 12 percent. The amount they charge will be dependent on several factors, including your investment history, the numbers of the deal at hand, the proposed term length, and more. However, the good news is that oftentimes the interest rates will be negotiable. Remember as you practice your pitch that not only are you trying to secure financing, but also the best loan terms possible.
Summary
When working with private money lenders, your goal should not be to land a deal and move on. Instead, you should seek out someone you can present deals to on a long-term basis. If you focus on building a strong relationship, you can secure financing for your current and future investments.
Always remain professional when building a network, a strong portfolio and a great pitch can go a long way in landing a deal. By making strong connections and maintaining positive relationships with each lender you work with, you can help ensure you always have options when it comes time to finance a deal.
Dennis Dahlberg
Broker/RI/CEO/MLO
Level 4 Funding LLC
Tel: 623-582-4444
Level4Funding.com
Who is this Dude? Dennis brings with him substantial experience in residential real estate. Dennis has extensive experience purchasing, renting, and selling numerous homes over the past 45 years. His first purchase was a property in California when he was 18 years old. Dennis graduated from California State University Pomona with majors in Computer Science and Business Management. He is a Licensed Mortgage Broker, Licensed Mortgage Originator, Licensed Real Estate Agent, Licensed Insurance Agent Certified Sort Sales Specialist (CSS), Certified Negotiator (CNE), and FAA Licensed Private Pilot.
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