Risks and Benefits of an Arizona Bridge Loan

An Arizona bridge loan is a specialized type of short term loan designed to help borrowers get cash fast and can be used to help you purchase a home. Knowing the risks, benefits, and ins and outs of bridge loans can help you make a smart decision.

An Arizona bridge loan is a common way for home buyers to come up with a down payment when they are buying a new home while concurrently selling their current home. Most buyers rely on the sale of their current home to come up with the down payment for their new home, however, it is not always feasible or ideal to close on the current home first. In a perfect world, you close on your home at 9:00 a.m., have funds available by 10:00 and close on your second home before noon. But it very rarely works this way. More often, you close on your current home and have to find a short term rental for a month or two before you close on a new home. This is not only expensive, but it causes you to have to move twice and you are literally throwing money away by renting.

One solution to the problem is an Arizona bridge loan. A bridge loan bridges the gap by lending you the down payment for a new home that you then pay back once your home sells. The bridge loan is secured to the buyer's existing home. The funds from the bridge loan are then used as a down payment on the new home. Bridge loans are gaining in popularity as a down payment option because they offer flexible terms and are relatively easy to qualify for. Also, many lenders will not allow you to take out a home equity loan on a home that is listed for sale, so in many cases a bridge loan is the only option to come up with cash for a down payment.

5 Things to Know About an Arizona Bridge Loan

Like any loan, a bridge loan has certain risks and benefits. Knowing all your options and going into it fully informed will help you risk less and benefit more. Here are five important things to keep in mind if you are thinking about getting an Arizona bridge loan.

1.       Qualification is usually an easy and painless process. Most lenders do not have set FICO scores or debt to income ratios for bridge loans. Instead, qualification is based on a complete picture of your finances and whether it makes sense to purchase a home before you sell your current one.

2.       You will pay a higher interest rate. Like many short term loans, bridge loans have higher interest rates than 30 year loans. You usually have a grace period of 1 to 4 months depending on your loan terms and if you pay the loan back with proceeds from your home sale, you can usually avoid paying a lot of interest.

3.       You have to be able to qualify for two mortgages. A bridge loan can help you with a down payment, but you will still need to qualify for two mortgages and be able to make monthly payments on both if push comes to shove. However, most mortgages don’t require a payment for the first month so if you sell your home quickly, you can usually avoid double payments.

4.       Bridge loans can help you sell your current home more quickly. A home that is lived in is always harder to sell than one that is vacant and staged. By moving into your new home, you will give yourself the best chance of selling your existing home quickly and for top dollar.

5.       You can find your new dream home without the stress of having to sell your existing home first. You don’t have to wait or make unattractive contingency offers. You can purchase your new home immediately which will usually get you a better price and help make sure you get the home you want.

If an Arizona bridge loan sounds like a good option for you, find a broker or private lender today to get the process started today!

At Level 4 Funding we specialize in bridge loans and other short term loan types. Call our office today to schedule a consultation to find out if a bridge loan is a good option for you. Don’t wait on a slow market to buy your next dream home. Use a bridge loan to get into the home you need today.

Dennis Dahlberg
Broker/RI/CEO/MLO

Level 4 Funding LLC
Arizona Tel:  (623) 582-4444 
Texas Tel:     (512) 516-1177 
www.Level4Funding.com

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

  

Self Employment Home Loans: A Win-Win for Business Owners

If you are self-employed, a self employment home loan might be a good option for you to purchase an investment property. Contact a mortgage broker to learn more about your options and loans today!

 If you are self-employed, you know the benefits of having your money work for you. One relatively easy and painless way to invest is with real estate. Although there have been ups and downs, experts agree that real estate investing has been overall stable and a way to increase your assets. Real estate has consistently appreciated in value over time and since it is a physical investment, you always have something to fall back on, even if the value goes down.

Although real estate investing may have many perks, it can also present unique challenges if you are self-employed. Since you own your own business, you can take advantage of many tax write offs that will save you big on your taxes. Everything from your office space to your paper clips are tax deductible. These deductions can make it look like your business is not making as much money as it actually is, and in some cases it may even look like you lost money.

While normally having a negative income stream is not a problem (as long as it is temporary, if it goes on too long, the IRS may object), it can present challenges when you are looking to make a real estate investment. This is especially true if you already own a property that you use as a primary residence. The bank may take one look at your tax returns and debt to income ratio and send you to the door, empty handed.

Being rejected for a loan can sting, but do not be discouraged. Instead, say good bye to the bank and hello to a licensed mortgage broker or private mortgage lender. Brokers and private lenders have access to different self employment home loans than banks do and can often work with you around mortgage requirements to find a loan to fit your needs. There are many options, especially if you are looking for a short term investment property like a fix and flip or short term rental.

3 Types of Self Employment Home Loans That Can Help You Make Money

 Once you have found a mortgage broker or private lender, you will be given many different self employment home loan options. Like anything else in life, it is important to remember that all loans are not created equal, and the best loan for you will depend on your ultimate investment goals. A few loans to look into are:

1. Hard money loans. A hard money loan is a great self employment home loan if you are looking for a short term investment. A hard money loan is not backed by a bank but instead by an equity firm or group of investors. They evaluate the property you are purchasing based on its investment potential. This makes your income or other debts less important because their investment is protected by the physical collateral of the property in question. Once they decide a property is a sound investment, they give you the money and you pay interest on it. The interest rate is usually pretty high so a hard money loan is best used as a short term loan to fix up a property and sell for a profit quickly. Once you sell the property, you repay the investors and any additional income is yours.
2. Adjustable Rate Mortgages. An adjustable rate mortgage is a good option for a longer term investment. An adjustable rate mortgage or ARM has an initial fixed interest rate that is usually very low. The low interest rate means lower payments so it is easier to qualify for, even if you have other mortgage debt or a low income due to business deductions. After a period of 1 to 7 years, the rate resets to a higher rate and your payment goes up. An ARM is a good option if you are going to rent out a property for a few years or do a long term fix and flip. An ARM can also be a good option if you anticipate your income increasing and will be able to refinance before the rate resets.
3. Stated income mortgages. A stated income mortgage does not use W2’s and tax documents to verify your income but rather goes by what you state it is. This can be a good option if your taxable income and actual income are vastly different. Just keep in mind that you may pay a higher interest rate and it is important to not over-extend yourself.

With a variety of self employment home loan options, don’t let a bank keep you out of the property investment market. Call a mortgage broker and get started today!

Dennis Dahlberg
Broker/RI/CEO/MLO

Level 4 Funding LLC
Arizona Tel:  (623) 582-4444 
Texas Tel:     (512) 516-1177 
www.Level4Funding.com

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

Bad Credit Home Loans Arizona: How to Make Money Investing in Real Estate Using Hard Money Loans

If you have bad credit you most likely think that real estate investing is impossible. However, with bad credit home loans Arizona and hard money lending there are options for individuals with bad credit to take advantage of real estate investment opportunities.

Most financial experts will tell you that real estate is a sound investment. Real estate has consistently earned money over time and is a way to help build your investment portfolio and personal wealth. However, for many individuals with bad credit, real estate investing has been beyond their reach using traditional loans. Approximately 42.5 million Americans have a bad credit score and are considered sub-prime borrowers. If you are in the market to start real estate investing but you have bad credit, there are a variety of bad credit home loans Arizona mortgage brokers recommend.

One type of loan available to sub-prime borrowers is a hard money loan. A hard money loan is a specialized type of real estate backed loan. The lender is an investor or group of investors rather than a bank. The lender offers short term capital loans to purchase investment properties. The term of a hard money loan is generally no more than two years and is designed to make money on real estate for both the borrower and the lender. Hard money lenders focus on the value of property being purchased rather than the assets or credit score of the borrower. For this reason a hard money loan is an invaluable opportunity for an investor looking for bad credit home loans Arizona mortgage brokers recommend to purchase a property as a short term investment. 

Hard money loans are available for all property types including commercial, residential, multi-family, and even land loans. Each lender or group of lenders determines the requirements for what types of loans they will give as well as how much money they will lend. If the lender gives loans on residential properties he/she/they are required to be licensed through the National Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS). In order to sure that the lender you are using meets all requirements, it is best to use a broker or investment team that specializes in hard money lending. 

Hard Money Lending Regulations

Although hard money loans have significantly less regulations than traditional mortgages, there are certain federal regulations that apply to hard money lenders. For most property types, hard money lenders do not require the same income verification or credit score guidelines that traditional banks do. This is part of what makes them ideal bad credit home loans Arizona residents with bad credit can use, as they look at the value of the property from an investment standpoint, not based on credit or income. However, it is important to note that hard money loans are more risky for the lender and therefore come with a higher interest rates. In addition, if you are taking out a hard money loan on a residential property, you will be required to some proof of ability to repay the debt. This means some type of proof of income though it is usually less stringent than what a bank requires. 

When you take out a hard money loan, the property that you are investing in becomes the collateral. If you default on the loan, the lender will seize the property to protect its investment. If you take out a hard money loan, make sure that you will be able to pay the loan back in full at the end of the term by either selling the property or other means. When you sell the property you keep any money that is earned above the amount of the loan and any accrued interest. 

Talk with a mortgage broker or investment company about hard money lending.

A financial professional or mortgage broker can help you decide if a hard money loan is a smart financial choice. It is a great way for Americans with bad credit scores to start taking advantage of real estate investing. In addition, hard money loans can benefit prime borrowers as well. If you already own a home you may not qualify to purchase an investment property based on your debt to income ratio. A hard money loan can be a great work around to get you into the real estate market. Call a broker or your financial adviser to learn more today.

Dennis Dahlberg
Broker/RI/CEO/MLO

Level 4 Funding LLC
Arizona Tel:  (623) 582-4444 
Texas Tel:     (512) 516-1177 
www.Level4Funding.com

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

Can Arizona Mortgages for Bad Credit Benefit Prime Borrowers?

For some borrowers, an Arizona mortgages for bad credit program is the only option they have to purchase a home. However, some of these bad credit loans can benefit traditional borrowers as well.

Sub-prime lending is making a comeback in a big way. With rising interest rates and a large percentage of borrowers with bad credit, many banks and mortgage brokers are back in the business of giving out sub-prime loans. In Arizona, mortgages for bad credit borrowers are on the rise with a number of equity firms, private investors, banks, and mortgage brokers giving out loans to sub-prime borrowers.

Some experts are leery of this trend, blaming sub-prime lending practices for the housing collapse in the mid-2000s and the subsequent economic recession. Because of this, restrictive mortgage regulations went into effect which have all but crippled the housing economy. With a decline in housing purchases and virtual shut out for bad credit borrowers, the government has loosened some regulations and in Arizona mortgages for bad credit are starting to resurge. But, it is not only bad credit borrowers who can benefit from sub-prime lending. Many borrowers with excellent credit can still take advantage of bad credit loans to maximize borrowing potential and minimize interest rates.

Types of Sub-Prime Loans in Arizona

One type of loan that is available for people with bad credit is an adjustable rate mortgage or ARM. An ARM is offered to subprime borrowers who would not qualify for a traditional loan. It offers a low interest rate at first but then resets to a high interest rate after a specified period, usually 1 to 7 years. Once the rate adjusts your mortgage payment will increase due to the higher interest rate. This can be a good option if you only plan on owning the property short term or if you know you will be able to qualify to refinance your loan at the end of your low rate period. Although an ARM is a type of Arizona home loan for bad credit, it can also be beneficial for borrowers with good credit. Specifically, when interest rates are high, an ARM can get you a lower rate and therefore a lower monthly payment. Once the rate resets you can either sell the property for a profit or you can refinance to a traditional mortgage.

A second type of Arizona home loans for bad credit that is available is a hard money loan. A hard money loan is secured through a mortgage broker but is backed by investors instead of a bank. This is especially beneficial for people looking to do a fix and flip or short term purchase. Depending on the merit of the property you are purchasing as well as potential for income, investors will often invest capital, even if your credit score is lower than what is ideal. It should be noted that hard money loans are short term loans only. They cannot be used to purchase a home you plan to live in for any significant amount of time. These are designed primarily for real estate investors. A hard money loan is a good option for borrowers with good credit but a high debt to income ratio or who own additional property. Hard money lenders do not have as strict of debt to income ratios as traditional banks.

A third type of loan is a type of FHA loan. An FHA loan is backed by the government and will allow you to borrow about 96.5% of the value of the home you are purchasing. This means that you won’t have to come up with a large chunk for a down payment. In addition, the government backing means that you will be more likely to qualify, even with less than stellar credit. You will pay monthly insurance on your loan. In addition to you principle and interest payments, you will also pay a PMI insurance payment. This will increase the amount of your monthly mortgage payments until you pay off 20% of the loan amount. You can also couple FHA loans with different federal programs that offer down payment assistance or cash back at closing like Home in 5. These programs are constantly evolving and changing, so make sure to talk with a mortgage broker about what you may qualify for. FHA loans are a good loan for prime borrowers who want to keep more cash in their pocket with lower down payments and cash back programs.

Make sure to choose your loan carefully and 

weight the risks and benefits of your options.

The loan types mentioned above are some examples of sub-prime loans that can benefit prime borrowers. It is important to be aware of all risks associated with loans and to know that not all lenders are created equal. There are still predatory firms that will raise interest rates and give out irresponsible and risky loans. Find a licensed mortgage broker and a real estate agent you can trust to help you navigate the world of sub-prime lending. 

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