How do you make money fixing and flipping houses?

Let’s face you are on here to find quicks tips to making money in real estate. Becoming a successful investor or hard money lender in California is the end goal. If you manage your money well and pick solid property you can find your fortune fixing and flipping. It will not happen overnight, but here are a few tips to get you on the right track.

One of the first things you want to do is scope out the area that you think you want to flip in. Most of the time you can save some cash by looking for auctions that are being held. Most of the time these homes are being foreclosed and will have cheaper prices than cold searching through a company.

The only thing you need to worry about is the competition. These auctions are usually held in the traditional sense where you have an auctioneer and multiple people there with you. If your purse is a little light this may be difficult. Most people can circumvent this by hiring a solid hard money lender in California that is able to lend you enough money to purchase and pay for the home you are looking to buy. Most of the time you will need to have a nice amount of collateral at stake.

When you are purchasing the home or property you want to make sure you can make money back when you are attempting a new investment. Now, this can vary person to person, but as a general rule of thumb most investor get a goal for return. For some investors, this means they will not take on an investment unless they can make a $25,000 profit on it. Others want to make enough to pay off their debt. The main thing you want to focus on is what works for you.

Use your property to your advantage

Let’s say you have a property that you are looking to purchase, and instead of selling it at a higher price you opt to keep it. Depending on the area and the quality of the home you could use the property as an addition source of income. You can rent it out to a family, or you could turn it into a hostel and charge people vacationing in your area.

You can then use the funds to ask your hard money lender in California for a short-term bridge loan. After you can purchase another home and flip the property, as well. Once you get good at this method you could end up owning multiple homes that provide you with a recurring income that can help support future flips.

You should start out on the lower end

This may seem like an obvious tip, but if you choose to purchase low-end homes you may be able to save some money. Most of the time they are cheaper which can potentially mean less of a loan you have to apply for. Most hard money lenders in California will be able to work with you and your new properties, as well.

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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Common mistakes made when looking for short sale homes

Rehabilitating distressed homes is a popular way to make money in the real estate business. When you are starting out rehabbing can give you many sleepless nights and stress. Short sales are a great way to begin your real estate career, however, there are some mistakes many new investors make when attempting to complete a short sale.

You have read “short sale” four times now, but what are they? Basically, a short sale is when an owner of property agrees to sell even though the net profits will not cover all the debt associated with the home. As long as all parties that own the property agree to the terms of the sale you are able to buy it. If you know how your contacts you could end up with a great home, however, if you skip a few steps you could have a lemon on your hands.

What should you be on the lookout for when considering a short sale

One of the first things you should look out for when considering a short sale property is fraud. There are many laws and practices that are in place to protect from any fraud that may happen. Perpetrators are usually taken care of by the proper authorities. While there are, many resolved cases, there are many victims that fall for the scheme.

One of the most popular schemes that people are fooled by is “flopping.” Flopping occurs when a buyer or a hard money lender in California is offer a price that does not accurately represent the value of the home. Usually, victims end up paying much more than the actual value of the home.

To make it easier to understand, the owner or lien holder will withhold information from the lender about buying the property for a low price. After they will list the property at a higher value to another buyer. Once the buyer confirms they want to pay the “fake” price. After the deal is concluded the owner pockets the difference.

Use these precautions to help combat fraud

For starters, if you are the one that is buying the home one of the first things you should do is go through the home. Make sure you take time out to go through every nook crawlspace in the home. With short sales, you are able to take a walk through of the home before you commit to purchasing it. Many foreclosed homes will have underlying cosmetic issues that you cannot always see.

Things like foundation repair, mold and mildew or electrical malfunctions can cost you more money in the end. Make sure you have the proper professionals come to clear the home for anything you might feel is wrong.

In regard to the proper authorities, hard money lenders in California also want to make sure the property is appraised by a trusted building inspector. Having an extra pair of eyes will make sure nothing slips through the cracks. When taking on a short sale make sure you cover all your loose ends.

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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How to protect yourself from getting scammed by hard money lenders in California

A sucker is born every minute. This is a hard pill to swallow for some people, but it is true and many lenders will use a person’s lack of knowledge to their advantage. Which is why we at Level 4 Funding want to make sure you are covered when dealing with hard money lenders in California.

In the state of California, there are hundreds of hard money lenders that you can go to for your loan needs. Before you ink any deal, you want to make sure that you do all your research. You have to become a detective when searching for a potential lender. Scour thousands of reviews from past clients if need be. Find everything you can about the lender and the firm they represent.

If they have open cases on with the Better Business Bureau make sure you bring it up when you meet with the lender. If the firm is not recognized by the BBB, which is not uncommon for many firms, you can try sites like California Real Estate Fraud are great places to start. If you cannot find enough information on sites like this, try contacting past clients personal via email. Some hard money lenders in California will post fake reviews on their company website to keep up the appearance of a legitimate business.

What if you are already sitting in the lender’s office already?

Simple, keep your composure and listen for certain clues that will tip you off to impropriety. It could be as small as the lender being too eager to give you a loan before hearing what you plan on doing with the property.

One of the biggest things that trip people up are the fees associated with the loan they are applying for. Take bridge loans, for example, most hard money lenders in California will charge you a fee anywhere from $2,500 to $15,000. Yes, it is a lot but you need to make sure you are committed to the project.

That being said, if the lender asks for a fee higher than that you should not go through with the deal. If the loan you are looking to borrow is less than the fee something is most likely off with the lender.

REO fraud is popular with some hard money lenders in California

An REO property, or a real estate owned property, is sold by the lender. Many people fall prey to this scam due to a lack of research. What usually happens is the lender sells the property for a relatively low price to a secondary buyer then sells the property at a ridiculously high price. If you do not look into the past buyers and prices you could fall victim to this.

Many of the frauds are beginning to eliminate the middleman altogether and just selling the property for a high price. Investors can prevent being taken advantage of if they take the proper precautions when looking for lenders. Peace of mind is worth more than a new property.

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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Two rules to being a successful real estate investor in California

We all see those commercials beckoning us to go to California to visit. What if you want to stay, though? Sure, the traffic and smog can be unbearable at times, but California has a great real estate. When you are living a such a fast-paced city it is easy to get jaded. With cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco, it is easy to get in over your head when taking on a new property.

So, what do you do? Well, that is what Level 4 Funding is for, we have the tools you need to be a successful real estate investor in California. As far as real estate goes the west coast can be one of the toughest places to “stake your claim.” Clichés aside here are a few tips that you can implement to be successful in the real estate business in the Golden State.

It is better to have allies in the real estate business

When you are getting into the business, it is beneficial to have as many people in your corner as possible. For some, it may be investors, but for many, it will be lenders. Hard money lenders in California act as gatekeepers on the market. They can tell you where to look if the property you scoped is not the right fit, or they can give you advice on how you should restructure your approach.

Having a lender that is willing to teach you the basics of borrowing and lending will pay dividends in the future. Yes, some of them will come off a money hungry profiteers, but most of them are here to help. A hard money lender in California can guide you in the right direction when you are looking for your next project. Maybe your focus should be on the Bay area instead of downtown LA. Above all having a solid lender in your pocket will allow you more money when the time comes and better resources.

Proper preparation makes perfect

Yes, that is a bit of a tongue twister, but alliteration aside this is spot on. One of the best things a new investor can do is research. Before you take out a loan or call an auctioneer, doing the proper research will help you tremendously.

This first thing you should do is research the market that you want to be a part of. If you want to focus most of your investments on beachfront bungalows, make sure you are looking at the geography of the surrounding area. Hard money lenders in California will take this as a sign that you are willing to put in the work for your property.

If you plan accordingly you will also be able to avoid some of the less than spectacular properties that will ultimately cost more money.

Above all make sure all your funds are in order

If you want to play in the big leagues you have to learn how to handle your money with care. One thing that puts many would be investors in the red is miscalculating the assets need for a home. Many times, there will be unexpected fees that you will need to pay, but you want to be comfortable when that time comes.

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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How To Spot A Shark Among Hard Money Lenders In California

In a perfect world, every business would have good intentions and want to do nothing but the right thing. Sadly, that is not the case, and some Hard Money Lenders in California are ready to pounce and unsuspecting borrowers like sharks going in for the kill.

It doesn’t happen often, but from time to time there have been shark attacks in the waters off the coast of California. While dangerous, the larger problem for people is not the sharks in the water but the ones on land. No, not Land Sharks like from the old Saturday Night Live sketches or from “shark-nadoes” from the SyFy channel movies.

The sharks people have to worry more about are the unscrupulous Hard Money Lenders in California. They may appear nice. They may act like they are your friend. But if you are not careful and let them get too close, they can make you wish you were swimming with actual sharks rather than doing business with them.

How To Spot A Shark Among Hard Money Lenders In California

In the ocean, it is pretty easy to tell what’s a shark and what isn’t. So when one does get a little too close for comfort you can move away. However, when it comes to Hard Money Lenders in California, it is not as easy. The sharks can be a lot like the good guys. They can say all the right things and appear to be your new best friend while secretly plotting to kill your dream and take you for everything you own.

So—how do you avoid a shark in a sharp suit pretending to be your friend? There are ways to see a shark coming before he/she gets too close to bite:

• Upfront fees or Success fees: If the broker is legitimate, he or she will be compensated by the lender—not you, the borrower. If they want any sort of fee upfront or try to hit you with a “success” fee because they actually did their job right, take your business elsewhere. Something shady is going on.

• Experience: This does not mean an inexperienced lender is a charlatan. But with the barriers to becoming a loan broker being as low as they are, it helps to know about their experience before getting into bed with them. Do they know what they are doing? Have they been successful more often than not? Dig into their history. If any red flags pop up, take your business elsewhere.

• Exclusivity: If your broker works with just one hard money lender in California or only a few, be worried. The better brokers will have relationships developed with numerous lenders and will cultivate more as often as possible to get you a better deal. If they only work with a few, chances are they were created for the sole purpose of funneling clients to those lenders.

• Careful thinking or flooding: a good broker is going to carefully review your application and needs and send your loan package to a select group of hard money lenders that are more apt to approve your loan. A not-so-good broker is going to flood the market with your application in hopes that someone will bite and give you an offer—but not necessarily a good one.

• The Commission: a good broker will take a modest fee from the lender upon the completion of the deal. A bad one will try to take a larger one or charge ridiculous fees. Do your homework, and you can avoid these guys.

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.









          

Technorati Tags: hard money lender in California,hard money lenders in California

How To Be Successful Using Hard Money Lenders in California To Flip Houses

The thought of making money can be intoxicating. It can make people believe nothing will go wrong or could go wrong. So to get the ball rolling, they use Hard Money Lenders in California rather than banks to fund multiple projects. But then the unexpected happens and trouble ensues.

Hard Money Lenders California--After you pound out the details of your business plan, it is easy to envision success. It is easy to see your plans being carried out and all the money you are going to make. So, when it comes down to getting started, it is not hard to be too excited and try to do too much. Your plan I spot on and can’t fail so why not hit the ground running?

Easy—because you never know what is going to happen. All sorts of problems can arise that make the best project turn into a dud. Sometimes, when one turns into a dud, there can be a domino effect. As you work to save one, you neglect the other, and it too fails.

An Investment Tale With Hard Money Lenders in California Gone Wrong

Bob and Jim are best friends living in Santa Barbara, California. After going to a weekend seminar on flipping houses, they feel confident that they can succeed and make a lot of money flipping houses. So, they call a friend in the real estate industry, and she presents them with three properties that would be perfect. They can’t make up their mind which to take so they decide to take all three.

After all, they know what they are doing so what can go wrong?

The deals have to be done now and can’t wait for a bank loan to be approved, so they decide to go with hard money lenders. Both recommend the friends stick with one house at a time, but they are determined to follow through on all three.

They complete the first one, but it takes longer to sell than they anticipated—and the offer was for a lot less. The buyer insists that a couple of repairs be made as well. With the cost of the additional repairs and the lowball offer, they end up only making a few hundred dollars.

Before they got to work on the first project, they gave a contractor a check to do the work on the second. After finishing the first, they go to inspect what they think is going to be a finished project to find out the contractor ripped them off. So now they have to pay another to get the work done. Upon completion, they find a buyer, but thanks to the first contractor, half the profit is eaten up.

At this point, they are not as excited, but neither likes to quit, and they want to see the final project through even though they are behind on every timetable they created. They find someone willing to take it off their hands as is, but they are going to lose a few hundred dollars.

Determined to succeed, they push through. The project takes longer, it costs more, and they end up taking a loss just to get rid of it (and the interest on the loan).

And The Lesson Is…

When you get started in real estate investing and working with Hard Money Lenders in California, take it easy. Don’t try to do too much too fast. Take your time getting your feet wet, so you don’t end up regretting it in the end.

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.









          

Technorati Tags: hard money lenders in california,hard money lenders california