Learn To Be A Fix & Flip Investor: fix and flip loan

Showing posts with label fix and flip loan. Show all posts

Saturday, June 16, 2018

Getting into Fix & Flips? Read This Appraiser’s Advice First

When people hear about Level 4 Funding and the work we do, they often wonder exactly how people put hard money loans to use and create real value with them. Oftentimes, those we help work in the “fix-and-flip” business, rehabbing houses. Of course, the next flurry of questions usually surrounds who does that and how they make it work. We’ve been lucky enough to get a few professional home rehabbers to open up a bit about their work and are highlighting their stories. Jason Maze of Maze Enterprise and Amazing Appraisals was kind enough to give us some insights.

Jason Began as an Appraiser

Working in real estate appraisals, Jason routinely helps home buyers and sellers, as well as other parties such as lawyers and accountants, determine the value of a home. While this is often done in advance of a sale, appraisals are routinely performed anytime knowing the value of a property is beneficial, such as during a divorce or while handling estate planning. Over the years, he really got to know the numbers and specific areas. When the market crashed in 2008, he noticed an interesting trend. Canadians were heading into the area and buying en masse. “We can do that,” he decided. With his experience in value and his wife Jennifer’s lifelong affinity for design, the two ventured into the fix-and-flip business.

He Offers Some Tips for Those Getting into Home Rehabs

We asked Jason what advice he’d give someone who was considering getting into the business. “Go for it,” he says. “Make sure you have crunched your numbers. Buy low, sell low.” Although Jason may have the upper hand in valuation because he’s been in the field for decades and now does about ten flips per year on top of it, he says anyone can get a better idea of the numbers by hiring an appraiser before they purchase a property or prior to selling one.

There are Highs and Lows in the Fix-and-Flip Business

So far, Jason says his and Jennifer’s most rewarding project has been a historic home. With Jennifer’s designs and Jason’s fiscal sense, the outcome was great. However, the icing on the cake was when HGTV contacted the couple and asked about airing it on a show. This particular property, aside from celebrity status, was a bit of a rarity for the duo, as they typically aim for “newer” homes, or those built in the 1970s through now. Jason says they “learned their lesson” about dealing with older homes the hard way by purchasing one sight unseen. When they finally got their hands on it, they realized it was built with mud and straw, then covered in plaster, as opposed to modern building materials. This, he adds, isn’t uncommon for the period. Many homes throughout the southwestern US, particularly in the Phoenix area, were built this way because it’s what the earliest residents had on hand and helped make the desert heat more bearable. Still, it was an unexpected surprise they had to overcome and added a few extra challenges to the rehab.

Jason and Jennifer Have Big Plans

Despite the occasional blip, the fix-and-flip business has been good to the Maze family. The pair does about two homes at a time, continuously adding to their impressive portfolio. This still allows plenty of time for Jason to grow his appraisal business. Jennifer, on the other hand, has been balancing managing the design of their rehab properties with a nursing career, which she may soon leave behind in favor of branching out on her own offering design services to others. Of course, the family is still allowing plenty of time for fun and new adventures together as well. Chat with Jason About Appraisals or Get Info on a Fix & Flip Loan.

If you’d like to chat with Jason about his appraisal services, go to Amazing-Appraisals.com.

You can also visit Level4Funding.com to learn more about loans for your next fix-and-flip project and even begin the application process right on the site. We’ll be sharing more stories from home rehabbers like Jason too, so pop back in soon for the next installment.

Monday, June 4, 2018

What to Expect With Hard Money Loans Arizona

Hard money loans Arizona offers real estate investors a great tool. But, that tool is only useful if the investor understand the process and knows what to expect.

Hard money loans Arizona represent a good opportunity for many real estate investors. But knowing what to expect from the process and how to prepare are critical to a successful request and having the loan funded. Knowing what the lender is looking for will let you present him or her with the desired information and be prepared to meet the requirements of getting the loan.

Hard money lenders are going to want to see that the borrower has some money in the bank as a safety net in case there are issues with the property or the future transaction. Being cash poor is going to make it difficult for you to pay insurance, invest in repairs to the property or even maintain the property. So it is always wise to create a nest egg before beginning your search for hard money loans Arizona.

As a first time hard money borrower, it is also important that you do your homework. Understanding the terms for hard money loans Arizona is very important. The interest rate is definitely going to be higher than a traditional loan and the terms are going to be much shorter. But that is the price of doing business in the hard money world. However, the advantage for you is that all of the terms on hard money loans Arizona are negotiable. You simply need to work with the lender to agree to terms that meet both your needs and his or her needs.

What to Ask For

The loan to value rate is simple the comparison of the amount that you are asking for and the current market value of the property. In most cases a hard money lender will never fund over 70% of the cost of the property. So you need to be aware of this “magic” number and limit your request accordingly. In addition, you will need to be able to demonstrate your ability to provide the remaining amount of the purchase price for the down payment on the property.

Have a Planed Exit Strategy

All that the lender is really interested in is recovering his or her investment and interest on the hard money loan. But the lender understands that for you to pay off such a large loan in a short period of time, then you will most likely need to resell the property for a profit. So the lender will want to know how you plan to accomplish that task. And because it is only on a very rare occasion that things go perfectly, it is best for the lender and for you, to have more than one exit plan. You might want to do a quick flip on a residential property. But if you can’t find a buyer then a reasonable backup plan it to rent the property and seek a traditional loan to pay off the hard money loan.

Knowing what to expect and being prepared will not only help you to secure a hard money loan but it will also help you to be successful in profiting from that loan.

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

What Are Hard Money Loans Arizona?

Understanding hard money loans Arizona will provide investors with an additional lending resource when they are interested in investing in real estate. It will also greatly reduce the time involved in securing funding.

Hard money loans Arizona are just loans that is secured by real estate. In addition, these loans are funded by private investors or lenders instead of the traditional banks or loan companies. In most cases, the loan is short term such as a 12 month time frame or even as short as three or six months. But the term can be extended to as long as two to five years. Another term used for this type of loan is asset based lending.

The terms of hard money loans Arizona are flexible because the lender is not obligated to follow the same rules and restrictions that traditional lending institutions must follow. The private lender is able to work more closely with the borrower to create terms that are mutually beneficial to both parties. For this reason, many borrowers prefer hard money loans Arizona over traditional loans.

In addition to being flexible with the repayment terms of hard money loans, borrowers also like the fact that it is much easier to qualify for a hard money loan than a traditional loan. Instead of the lender reviewing the borrowers credit, income and current debt load, the lender is really only interested in the current value of the property that is going to be used as collateral for the loan. This allows borrowers with no credit or poor credit to still be able to qualify for the hard money loan.

Deals the Could Require Hard Money Loans

Hard money loans are not the perfect solution for any type of deal. They are financed at a higher rate than a traditional loan and also can have additional loan fees which are charged to the borrower. In most cases, if a borrower can get a traditional loan, then that is the best solution. But when banks are not willing to fund a loan request then hard money is a viable option. Deals such as a short term fix and flip, land loans, construction loans and deals that have a very short time frame for funding are all prime examples of the perfect reason to select a hard money loan.

Properties to Secure a Hard Money Loan

A borrower can use just about any type of property to secure a hard money loan. The only qualification for a property is that the lender be willing to accept that type of property as collateral. Often times a lender would prefer a single family home as collateral because it has a more stable market value and is easier to liquidate if the borrower defaults. But multi-family residential, commercial, industrial and even unimproved land can all be used to secure a hard money loan.

Understanding how a hard money loan works and when it is beneficial, offers borrowers a legitimate option for funding when a traditional lender has declines a loan application.

Friday, April 27, 2018

How to Qualify for a Spec Construction Loan

First-time real estate investors could find spec construction loans a challenge to qualify for and very complicated. Get a sense for how construction loans are different from conventional mortgages and some strategies to maximize your chance of qualifying.

Construction loans differ from ordinary commercial loans in a variety of ways. They are more complicated than regular mortgages and funding is given according to a specific timetable. An initial amount of funding will be given to the borrower, and then the remainder of the loan will be dispersed on a monthly basis, or at the borrower's request. Most lenders will require verification of a borrower's expenses over the course of a construction project, which can create complications.

Construction loans are especially tricky to qualify for and are considered too risky by most banks. Most lenders have difficulty underwriting construction loans because they have to rely on the borrower's assumptions about the cost and profitability of a given project. Most lenders are especially wary of spec loans and consider them too risky because there is no guarantee of a future sale.

A spec loan is usually given on a short-term basis and is not meant to be a long-term mortgage. The aim of the borrower is to sell the property quickly after construction is completed. It is crucial that potential borrowers can demonstrate their expertise in order to qualify for a spec loan.

If you can talk up your expertise to increase your chances of qualifying for a spec construction loan

Your financial projections are what a spec lender will rely on to underwrite your loan and so it is essential to demonstrate your expertise. If a lender doesn't have faith that you will finish a project, or that you will earn a profit in the end, in most cases your construction loan won't be approved.

The best way to qualify for a spec loan is to give any potential lender confidence in your knowledge and experience when it comes to real estate. But there are additional strategies you can employ as well.

Specific tactics to help you qualify for a spec construction loan

Seek out lenders located near your construction site. A local lender will have an emotional investment in the area and will have a better understanding of your project's potential. Ensure you have enough capital up-front to make a sufficient down payment. Lenders will want an assurance that you have a sufficient stake in your construction project. The risk entailed by a spec loan usually entails a significant down payment.

Have a detailed understanding of your builders draw-process, meaning know how much your builder intends to spend at every step of your project and be sure this schedule matches the structure of your loan.

In short to qualify for a spec loan, demonstrate your expertise, find local lenders, have sufficient cash on hand and know your projects timetable. By employing these strategies, you maximize the chances of your spec loan getting approved.

Thursday, April 26, 2018

Top Situations where a hard money loan is best

A hard money loan is any loan secured by a "hard" asset (i.e., An Asset-based loan). This type of loan can be your best option especially if you need financing to construct a new facility, to renovate a distressed property or if you need to make a purchase quickly.

Asset-based loans are typically short-term loans and are more expensive than traditional financing. Because of this higher expense, it is easy to ask, who would want this type of funding in the first place?

An asset-based loan is especially useful for real-estate investors who are speculating on a quick turn around when it comes to their project. Traditional lenders avoid relying on this kind of speculation.An obvious example is a fix-and-flip project, banks avoid financing these projects because there is no guarantee of a profit and the borrower could default in the end. Traditional banks are also wary of construction loans because they have to rely on the borrowers assumptions and success isn't guaranteed.

A hard money loan can be the help you need if you need to fund a renovation or construction project

There are other reasons to consider asset-based lenders for renovation or construction projects. Typically a bank raises funds for a mortgage by reselling it to a government agency like Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Banks won't be able to resell any mortgage on a distressed property that falls short of FHA guidelines.Therefore a typical bank will likely deny your application if you are trying to renovate a distressed property. Asset-based lenders raise their funds from private investors and have money on hand, allowing them to see past the poor condition of any property you intend to rehabilitate.

The situation can become complicated if you finance your construction loan with an ordinary lender. Banks disperse construction loans according to a specific timetable and specific benchmarks. The lender could withhold funding if your projecting doesn't go according to plan. This scenario could be a disaster and could leave you unable to pay your contractors or to continue your project. The regulations that stifle traditional banks don't hamstring asset-based lenders so you can get increased flexibility when it comes the terms of a construction loan.

However, asset-based lenders outshine traditional banks when it comes to time-sensitive purchases.

When it comes to time-sensitive purchases, a hard money loan can be a win-win solution

A typical bank loan usually closes within 120 days, and the best investment properties don't stay on the market for long. Even the most qualified borrower won't see their application go through any faster because banks have to comply with their own guidelines and with government regulations.

Asset-based loans can close within a matter of days allowing you to complete a time-sensitive purchase. An asset-based loan gives you the flexibility to then refinance to a long-term mortgage, or to sell the property for a profit.

In short asset-based lenders are ideal for borrowers who know the potential of their project, who need flexibility or who need cash quickly to make the most of a potential investment.

Sunday, April 15, 2018

HOW TO GET A HARD MONEY LOAN APPROVAL

You have located the property that seems undervalued. Now, how do you get a hard money loan approval to make your first project a reality?

Hard money loans are loans that are generally available from investors as opposed to banks. They are often used to finance real estate transactions, though businesses and those looking for bridge loans also turn to these types of lenders. If your credit score is not strong enough for you to get a loan from a bank, then this is the option for you. These can be used as “bridge” loans between construction and long-term loans. Others turn to hard money loans that they use for rehabbing projects before turning to long-term lenders that want a completed project or a fully leased project.

Some of the questions you should consider are:

1) Does the company you are considering doing business with have a legitimate web site as compared to the web sites that are designed to just gather names and pass it along to a third party.

2) Are there any lawsuits? Any forclosed properties? Are they in good standing with investors?

3) When considering a lender, what is their area of focus? What kind of project have they financed previously?

4) Is there a physical presence for the company, do they have someone you can talk to?

Hard money loans are designed for one to five years. At this time, you will need to refinance the loan or pay it off. Some lenders have the option to extend the loans for a period of time. Interest rates are higher than loans through banks, generally 10% to 20%. Hard money loans fund quickly, usually in as little as one week. This is much shorter when compared to conventional loans which can take up to 30 to 60 days for an approval.

Collateral

The hard money loan is valued at the collateral value of the property not your credit score. Hard money loans are sometimes given to first time home buyers or to home owners that need a bridge loan so that they can buy the house of their dreams without having to wait for their first home to sell. Some hard money lenders fund 60%-70% of the after-repair-value(ARV). This leaves the remaining 30%-40% that you will need to fund. This generally refers to individual properties and not large commercial projects.

The lenders may ask for additional documents such as W-2s and bank statements. Protect yourself legally.

Most hard money lenders are not subject to government regulations. Have an attorney review all documents before you proceed and have an accountant review your projected cash flows. You should have all your documentation in a row such as the schedules and fees for the contractors and when and what they will be doing. Ultimately, you will need to repay the loan which usually occurs in 1 to 5 years. Have an exit strategy and know your lender. Many will consider extending a loan if you are having difficulty coming up with the final balloon payment. At Level 4 Funding, we’ve been in the business of hard money lending for decades and have a solid reputation behind us. Call us if you have any questions or concerns regarding this lending option.

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.

Technorati Tags: commercial loans,commercial lending,commercial mortgage

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Tips for Landing Commercial Loans

Commercial loans are all about risk. Lenders are looking for some very specific criteria before they are willing to approve a loan application.

Commercial loans are more difficult to get than consumer loans because they are often for a much larger dollar amount. Lenders are in business to make money and that means that they must be very selective when lending a large sum of money. Understanding the criteria that lenders use to evaluate applicants and why they have these standards will help you to tailor your documentation to these criteria and show lenders all of the right information about your business.

Lenders are first and foremost concerned with your ability to repay the loan that you are requesting. They want to see long term documentation in the form of profit and loss statements, bank statements and tax returns to demonstrate that your business is financially stable. The might also want to see documentation about other credit which has been extended to your business. This could be in equipment rental, from a supplier of materials, from a property that has been leased or from a vendor. Lenders also favor a borrower who has some cash in savings to cover expenses in the event of a slowdown in business and revenue.

The next big interest for a lender is that the commercial property that you are purchasing has a value greater than the loan which you are requesting. This is because the property will serve as collateral for the loan. In the event that you default on the loan, the lender will take possession of the property and sell it to cover the outstanding balance of your loan. In most cases the loan will only be approved for about 80% of the property’s current value. This is due to the volatility of commercial property values. Having that instant equity in the property assures the lender that even if the property value drops, the loan will still be adequately secured.

Becoming a Personal Guarantor

In some cases a business entity does not have sufficient credit history to demonstrate financial stability. When that is the case commercial loans are secured by a personal guarantor which is normally the owner of the business. The owner needs to be able to demonstrate to the lender that their personal assets and money can be used to cover the loan payments. Again, the lender will need to see documents including bank statements, tax returns and personal net worth statements to verify the guarantor’s finances.

Understand the Lenders Goal

In almost every case, a lender is simply looking at numbers to determine if a loan applicant is a good risk. Knowing this information, it is critical that you show repeatedly that the business is financially stable, has a strong and steady stream of revenue and that you are also financially stable. In addition showing that the business has sufficient cash reserves to bridge a short term cash flow issue will give the lender added confidence in your ability to repay the loan that you are requesting. Approval for commercial loans is based on ability to repay the loan and the financial stability of the business in almost all cases.

Technorati Tags: commercial loans,commercial lending,commercial mortgage

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Builds Relationships to Win in Real Estate and Life

How the Bourque Family Builds Relationships to Win in Real Estate and Life

Looking for inspiration and tips to win in real estate and in life? Chat with AR and Frank Bourque and they’ll fuel your passion for real estate and overall success.

Meet AR and Frank Bourque

AR began his real estate career years ago, helping his father locate, refurbish, and sell fix and flips in Massachusetts. With multiple talents and strong creativity, he branched out into interior design, home staging, and contemporary art. He still uses his interior design talents today to refinish fix and flips and turn them into his buyers’ dream homes.

AR also spent many successful years as a fashion model. Today he enjoys creating contemporary paintings, particularly sunsets. A member of the Scottsdale Arts Association and several other artist communities, AR’s gorgeous contemporary art has been awarded 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place honors at multiple events. His paintings are available for purchase and can often be found displayed in homes staged for sale, thanks to his realtor friends and fans.

An Arizona enthusiast since the late 70s, AR decided to purchase his first Phoenix Fix and Flip area property 8 years ago. Now a contented Phoenician, AR looks forward to enjoying his retirement years in sunny Arizona.

AR and Frank met in Massachusetts and soon realized they were compatible both personally and professionally. Now a happily married couple, Frank handles the financial side of the family’s real estate ventures while AR coordinates property identification, contracts, design, refurbishing, and sale. An MBA graduate from George Washington University, Frank works in the corporate finance field handling a wide range of government and defense contracts in Mesa and elsewhere.

Building their Power Team

AR and Frank’s skills complement each other in a way that makes their business work. But they agree it takes more than just the two of them to build a successful real estate business and portfolio. They share that the key to success in life and business is relationships. To succeed in real estate, you must establish good relationships with real estate agents, financing companies, contractors, and more.

Frank shared that their success strategy revolves around building a real estate “power team.” He knows first-hand that strength in numbers creates wins. When building your team, he advises seeking professionals who are ready and able to assist you with your project with the shortest possible notice. The world of fix and flips requires speed and agility, so quick reliable team members are needed. Each person on the team must consistently put in their best effort, and you must be able to rely on their performance.

Funding your Fix and Flips

As part of their Power Team, Frank found and leverages the expertise of Matt Prosory at Level 4 Funding. Since he handles the financing for the Bourque real estate transactions, Frank knew he needed to locate a Power Team member who was professional, responsive, and could accommodate their business needs and timelines consistently. He found Level 4 Funding when searching the web for options, and says that Matt has been the perfect addition for the Arizona Hard Money finance role on in his team.

The Bourque family has completed 3 real estate loan transactions with Matt so far and is thrilled with the results. “We are extremely happy with Level 4 Funding and loan expert Matt Prosory,” Frank says. “The key to any business is service. And their service has been impeccable.”

"We are very proud and happy to have an individual like Matt on our team,” Frank continued. “He's a joy, and he makes it happen in the timeframe we need. He's part of our power team and saves us money." Frank explained that Matt has always been able to make the speed of the financing transaction match the speed of their purchase, whether it required a swift turn-around or an unexpected delay in securing the real estate occurred. Frank and AR recommend Matt and Level 4 Funding to others, and have given them a solid, well-earned place on their go-forward Power Team.

More Real Estate Pro Tips

When asked for additional real estate success tips, AR and Frank offer this advice:

Stay away from unscrupulous real estate training “gurus.” Many are “rip-offs” and though AR and Frank invested in a few, they didn’t feel any were worth their time or money. They learned best by doing—diving into the industry, and following in the footsteps of AR’s father.

Avoid a “get rich quick” mentality. The Bourques currently follow a deliberate, paced approach to real estate and aren’t rushing to get to the next level. Building your portfolio too quickly can cause financial strain and increase risk. Eventually they plan to boost their rental properties using a buy and hold strategy, as well as venture into commercial properties. But for now they’ll stay focused on building cash flow with fix and flips until they proactively reach their next milestone.

“Use it or lose it.” AR notes that the key to success in any endeavor is consistency. Whether it’s fix and flip real estate or art, you must consistently practice your skills to maintain and improve them. Real estate is no exception, so do the work and the results will follow.

Relationships are everything. The Bourques are proud of being together and building a strong relationship as a couple. Challenges in life come up, but it’s all about how you handle them and move forward that makes you stronger. They build and value their relationship with each other as well as their business partners. Relationships with others that have the same goal and vision and can help you accomplish it will bring lasting satisfaction and success.

Final Advice

Frank and AR agree that having a true passion for what you’re trying to achieve keeps you motivated and on track. It takes a lot of work, time, and patience to find and flip real estate deals. Some days it can be frustrating, but when that happens, look to your Power Team and lean on your relationships and keep moving forward. The HARD money you’ll end up with should boost your motivation too!

Whether it’s rallying their Power Team for their latest real estate find, or relaxing at home with their three Italian Greyhounds—Dove, Maya, and Ari, Frank and AR appreciate great relationships. Get your Power Team going, and start by adding someone like Matt from the Level 4 Funding team to handle your financing. The right relationships equal consistent wins.

Technorati Tags: fix and flip,hard money lender,california hard money lender

Monday, April 3, 2017

Advantages of Fix and Flip Loans compared to Equity Partners

Why using flipping loans gives more freedom than finding equity partners

If you are exploring your finance options for real estate investing, the idea of an equity partnership has likely come up at least once. Understanding what an equity partnership is and how it works is a must if you want to truly weigh your options. With an equity partnership you’ll be sharing more than the risk of the loan, you’ll be handing over at least partial control of the property, too.

Fix & Flip Loans

A hard money fix & flip loan allows you to buy and then restore a property; you are borrowing money from a private hard money lender, but not handing over the decision making or control of the actual property. Once you flip the property and repay the money, your obligation is over.

Equity Partners

An equity partner is just what it sounds like – an individual or entity who shares the responsibility and ownership of the property itself. This partner takes on a larger risk than a lender – and also gets a lot more say in how the deal works. As an equity partner, this provider of capital has a say in pretty much everything about the property, so choose your partner very carefully.

Advantages of Loans over Equity Partners

By far, the biggest advantage of using a fix n’ flip loan instead of an equity partnership is the freedom you’ll have as the sole decision maker and owner. Since equity partnership is just that, a true partnership, you will not have sole say in how the property is refurbished, which tenants you put in place if you are renting or how you’ll price and market the home to sell if you are selling.

A true partnership, where you and your business partner have the same approach and goals and combine your money, assets and strengths to make a deal work is one thing. In this type of situation, you have chosen to work together for many reasons, not just money. When you find an equity partner, your biggest reason to be together is money – and you may not share the same vision or approach to properties. This split vision could cause problems at any point, from the buy to the restoration to the rental or sale.

A fix & flip loan puts you in control of the deal and allows you to be the primary decision maker about all aspects of the home. If you find a tenant that feels right, but doesn’t quite meet your standards on paper, you can go with your gut; the opposite is also true. A fix n’ flip loan won’t force you to allow its shiftless brother in law to rent (and trash) one of your properties as part of the deal.

If you want true freedom and to be able to call the shots on your real estate properties, a fix n’ flip loan is a much better option than an equity partner.

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