Learn To Be A Fix & Flip Investor

Saturday, March 24, 2018

How to Find Hard Money Lenders

There are various reasons that people turn to hard money lenders, but knowing the benefits is only half of the challenge. Now, you have to find the one that is right for you.

Hard money loans are often issued by individuals or companies. At one time, they were considered “last resort” loans for people or businesses with imperfect credit. In today’s world of fix & flip investors and contractors in need of quick funding, they are a part of most businesses and individuals lending portfolios. People often turn to hard money lenders when they are in need of a bridge loan that keeps them afloat until a property sells or is renovated. Other’s use this type of loan due to time constraints and when initial capital is required in a matter of weeks instead of months, such as when a hot property hits the market.

So, just where do you go to get these quick-to-fund loans? Ideally, it’s best to work with a lender that specializes in your specific business model or real estate segment. For instance, a hard money lender that understands construction loans will offer monthly quick-payout draws as well as interest-only payments, both of which are designed to take the stress off you and your company as you progress through the building process.

There are also hard money lenders that specialize in the fix & flip or buy-and-hold real estate segments as well as multifamily, office, warehouse and storage complexes. If you do not have a direct reference from a fellow business associate, you can turn to the many listings on the internet. If using this approach, be sure to look for recommendations from established businesses and don’t be shy when addressing your concerns. If you find a qualified lender that you can trust and has a large rolodex of private lenders to draw on, you will most likely find yourself turning to this funding source time and again for many of your capital needs.

Things to Consider When Interviewing Lenders

There are a few basic questions that you will want to address when undergoing an interview with a potential lender. One of the most important is their loan-to-value ratio (LVR). Because hard money loans are asset based, the loan value is determined by the appraised value of the property. Some lenders will use the potential value of the property once renovation has been completed, otherwise known as the after-repair-value or ARV. This approach, however, is very risky and, for those lenders willing to take this chance on you and your abilities, will often mandate a higher-than-average interest rate. Many lenders stick to about a 70 percent loan on the value of the property.

At Level 4 Funding, our loan-to-value goes as high as 90 percent with 100 percent of rehab for fix & flippers.

Of course, loan-to-value is just part of the equation. The other all-important consideration is the interest you’ll be paying on your loan and the terms the lender offers. At Level 4 Funding, our interest rates start at 7.99 percent with terms anywhere from 3 months to 5 years. Call us today for a no-obligation quote.

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

Why You Should Repair Your Credit Score to Obtain Commercial Loans

If you can rebuild your credit score, you have a much higher chance of getting approved for *commercial loans**. Most lenders want to see a clean credit history and a high credit score, so Level 4 Funding offers ways to build and restore your credit to help you get the loan you need.*

Before you can repair your credit, you need to know what state it’s in. First, obtain your current credit report from one of the three recognized credit bureaus. You should be patient and take plenty of time to review your credit report and history. You should also look at your previous business patterns and habits. Do you continue to make the same bad decisions? If you can recognize a pattern with the way you handle your finances, you can change your habits for the better… and begin to improve your credit score. If you have less than desirable credit, it’s going to be a lot tougher to obtain approval for commercial loans, so you should really put all your effort in here. You need to take some time to review your credit history by obtaining your report from one of the three recognized credit bureaus. Really scrutinize your business habits that have led you to earn less than desirable credit. Seeing the report can also help you recognize how you can break these patterns so you can make progress towards improving your credit.

Yes, most people in America have debt and it’s okay — and even good — to have some debt. But too much is… too much. It will make lenders wary about your ability to pay back their loan, and that’s not good when it comes to trying to get loan approval. Try to pay down debts and the amount you owe as much as possible. Take a close look at your financials, your budget and figure out how you can tighten things up so you don’t have to get too far into debt. You can also consider having all your outstanding credit combined onto one card to you can consolidate payments and perhaps even negotiate a better interest rate for your commercial loans. Having just one payment can help you keep track of on-time payments as well.

If you have good business relationships with your suppliers and vendors talk to them about your loan plans and ask them to make a report on your behalf. Make sure you make timely payments to supplier and vendors because being in good standing can help your credit score improve.

If you have any unused, paid off accounts, closing them can affect your credit score too – this can improve your chances of getting approved for your commercial loans needs.

Once again, review your finances, see which accounts you have paid off but that are still open and then for any of those that you are no longer using, send a request letter for those to be closed. You can ask for a return letter from the creditor that proves your account balance is zero and that the account is now closed.

It’s not a quick route to perfect (or near perfect credit).

The bottom line is it takes time to build or repair your credit. However, it's a lot easier to secure commercial loans via traditional lenders if you have stellar credit. Ultimately, it will benefit you and your business, as you will be in a better position to negotiate better rates. Making some big changes in the way you handle your business finances is a must when repairing poor credit. Start small and make little changes that will eventually pay off in a big way. It’s not impossible and though it may take some time, it is worth it once you’ve got your credit on track and you are able to move head with your business with a loan that you secured with your new high credit score!

Technorati Tags: commercial loans,commercial lending,commercial mortgage

How to Prepare to Speak to Hard Money Lenders

Being prepared is the best way to ensure that you can get offers from hard money lenders. But the secret is in knowing how to prepare.

It can be very stressful seeking a loan. Many people hate to feel that they owe someone money even when it is for a legitimate loan or mortgage. But being well prepared can help to eliminate much of that unnecessary stress and also can help to ensure that you get the loan that you need. Approaching hard money lenders for a loan is not exactly like going to a bank or a mortgage company to ask for a loan. And in some ways this is very good because the process is less complicated but that can also make it more nerve wracking.

A conventional lender is going to present you with a huge packet of forms to complete and then send you on your way until you have all of the paperwork completed and submitted. But the process of a hard money loan is less dramatic. So you will want to be sure that you are prepared prior to your first meeting so that you can give the lender all of the information that they will request. Not only does this allow you to appear very professional but it will also speed up the process even more.

Hard money lenders are really only interested in the value of the property which is going to be used as collateral on the loan. They don’t want to hear your life story and why your credit score is lower than the average consumer. So don’t volunteer too much but be ready for all of the questions pertaining to the property and your plans for it. The first question is going to be the address of the property, which is easy enough to supply. You will also need to provide a few photos of the property to show its current condition. In addition, you should provide any appraisal that you have gotten or valuation that you have completed for the property. This is the main information that the lender is going to use to determine the current value of the property and what the collateral will be worth to them.

Explain Your Plan

The next information that the lender will want to gather is about your offer price and any proposed renovations that you will be doing. It is a good idea to have a basic business plan in place to show the renovation budget, the timeline and your projected increase in the property value as a result of the renovations. The final piece of the puzzle for the lender is to understand how you plan to repay the loan. Are you planning to keep the property and rent it out? Are you going to sell the property and use the proceeds to repay the loan? And finally they will ask for the exact amount of the loan that you are requesting.

Fast and Easy

Providing all of this information in a single quick meeting not only shows your respect for the hard money lenders time but also shows that you are a well prepared professional. Having a plan and demonstrating it will let the lender know that you are serious and will be getting this loan from him or her or from a competitor.

Technorati Tags: commercial loans,commercial lending,commercial mortgage

Friday, March 23, 2018

Why potential commercial loan rate increases are making investors nervous

Inflation fears are stoking fears in the minds of investors about potential commercial loan rate increases in the immediate future.

Yields on short-term Treasuries have recently reached new heights, creating new fears that long-term borrowing costs could rise as well. As of February 2nd, short-term yields on US treasuries sat 2.825 percent, the highest since 2014.

So why are these rising bond yields causing so much panic among investors? Their primary concern is related to inflation and the potential for steep rate increases by the Fed.

Steady job growth may be a sign of rising inflation. The rising rate of employment indicated in the recent January jobs report has many concerned that the Fed will raise interest rates to reduce the risk of inflation.

The Fed usually raises interest rates when the economy overheats, increasing borrowing costs to keep up with inflation. The Fed also raises interest rates when it expects inflation in the near future, which has many investors worried.

Investors are wary the danger of steep increase in commercial loan rates

A fundamental question is why investors are so concerned about inflation? The perception that inflation will soon rise rapidly could entail immediate interest rate increases by the Fed. Drastic rate increases in response to potential inflation would obviously hamper any recent economic growth due to higher borrowing costs.

The historically low bond yields of recent years have made risky investments like stocks more attractive. Bond yields impact the cost of borrowing throughout the economy. If bond yields rise too sharply, companies will have the added burden of higher borrowing costs. Should the Fed rapidly raise interest rates, these riskier investments will become considerably more volatile, which could explain the recent stock sell-off.The anticipated steep rate increases by the Fed would have a clear negative impact on corporate performance. A mismatch between the "real" cost of borrowing and long-term bond yields is also raising concerns among investors.

Investors note the danger that attempts by the Fed to raise commercial loan rates and control inflation may not be enough

The fact that long-term borrowing costs have remained low has spawned the greater fear that perhaps is the Fed may not be able to raise rates sufficiently to control inflation. Some are noting the disparity between Fed rates and real long-term borrowing costs. In the past year yields on short-term Treasuries have risen in line with Fed interest rate increases. However, the yields on long-term Treasuries have remained low or unchanged.

Some fear that in the face of rising inflation the Fed could overreact and dramatically raise rates to regain control of the situation.

Still investors panic about the risk of inflation may be premature. The relationship between employment growth and inflation, known as the Phillips Curve, has not matched economic data. Inflation has been relatively moderate of late in spite of recent robust job growth. The Fed could still hold off on the rate increases many investors expect.

These concerns remain speculative the time being and rarely is sound investment strategy founded on speculation.

Technorati Tags: commercial loans,commercial lending,commercial mortgage

Thursday, March 22, 2018

Defining Working Capital Commercial Loans and Their Good and Bad

Do you wish you could obtain working capital commercial loans to help your business? Level 4 Funding shares the pros and cons of these loans.

The amount of cash a company has to cover standard business operational needs like employee payroll, rent, monthly utilities, paying vendor and more is called “working capital.” Working capital can really come in handy if a new or growing business hits a slow patch or is having growing pains while expanding. Without an extra cushion of working capital to cover these everyday expenses, a company could go out of business or have to file bankruptcy or foreclose on their property. So working capital commercial loans really can be the difference between your company’s success and its downfall.

Working capital loans have lots of benefits. They generally have a very quick approval process, which means you can receive the money you need often inside of a week after the loan is approved. Unlike other types of conventional loans from traditional lenders, there are no stipulations on how the funds from the loan are used. The application process is not as complex as others can be and even if companies don’t have perfect credit or are still establishing credit history, they can still have a chance of getting approved for these types of commercial loans.

There are some drawbacks to these loans, as well, that lendees should know about. For example, due to the fact that they are bit more lenient in some ways, such as credit check and application process approval, these loans typically require that borrowers to put up a specific amount of collateral to obtain the loan. Because they have shorter terms, working capital commercial loans also have higher interest rates than longer-term loans from conventional banks’ repayment schedules.

These loans are ideal for businesses that aren’t “typical” and therefore don’t usually have an easy time getting loan approval from other lenders.

Sometimes lenders require the funding to be used in a certain way (such as for equipment like machinery or computers). But because working capital loans don't, this can be beneficial for companies that don’t need equipment or small or new businesses that could really use the cash to get up and running or through a difficult patch when cash flow is tight. This is also great for niche companies that need supplies or equipment that doesn’t fall in the typical range of what traditional lenders recognize.

If you need cash and you need it now, this is the type of loan for you — and there are lots of lenders that specialize in this exact type of loan.

It’s important to work with a trusted and experienced lender — regardless of the type of loan you need.

Regardless of your business status, credit history or any other factor, it’s important to deal with a lender that you trust to get you the best loan for your needs with the best terms. Do some research on local lenders in your area that specialize in these loans and don’t assume the first lender you meet with will be the right one. Be patient and don’t jump into this important decision too quickly.

Technorati Tags: commercial loans,commercial lending,commercial mortgage

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

The Requirements for Securing Commercial Real Estate Loans

Due to the dollar amount of most commercial real estate loans, the criteria to qualify is more stringent. It’s important to understand these requirements before you apply for a loan.

Not only are commercial real estate loans substantially larger than most other loans, they are also inherently more risky. This increased risk is due to the fact that most businesses financial health is very closely tied to the overall economy unlike the financial health of a consumer which is more insulated. To offset this risk as much as possible, lenders are much stricter about the qualifications for commercial real estate loans.

The first step in securing a commercial mortgage is to have the property appraised. Legally, the lender will need to have this process completed but it is not a bad idea for the borrower to also have an appraisal completed. It is critical that the property value be equal to or exceed the amount of the loan being requested. This is simply because the property will be the collateral for the loan. Most lenders want to see the property value at least 20% greater than the loan amount to ensure that the collateral is always greater than the outstanding balance of the loan.

When a business entity is making the purchase, the lender is going to want to verify that the business is financially stable and has the ability to make the loan payments. The lender will request documentation to verify the cash flow of the business as well as the debt that the business is carrying. Lenders prefer to see a steady net income 20% greater than the debt. It is also important that the business have some type of savings or other assets which are very liquid in the event that the business slows and cannot make the loan payments from the months’ income.

If the business entity does not have a strong credit history or is relatively new, the lender will require the owner of the business or owners to become personal guarantors. This basically means that the business credit history does not merit the loan and the owners are willing to use their personal credit history and scores to obtain the loan. This also means that the owners are willing to use their own personal funds and property as collateral for the loan.

Understand What Lenders are requiring

In many cases there are nonrefundable fees which must be paid to apply for commercial real estate loans. Knowing that your business or your personal credit is strong enough to secure a loan is very important before you begin the long process of a loan application and pay the fees to have the application processed. If you have any questions about the qualifications, you should invest your time in more research.

Due Diligence

There is a lot to understand when seeking a commercial loan and researching the process, the potential lenders and the criteria for securing a loan is a very smart choice. Speaking to a local bank or a mortgage lender is a good way to gather information and learn about the process to help you avoid wasting both time and money if you are not prepared to meet the loan application qualifications.

Technorati Tags: commercial loans,commercial lending,commercial mortgage

Tips for Selecting Commercial Lenders

Selecting commercial lenders to work with is a critical step a successful real estate transaction. Thinking of potential lenders as business partners or service providers is the first step in a successful selection.

In many instances, borrowers tend to look at commercial lenders as a higher power who controls their destiny when they are seeking a loan. And though the lenders is a critical factor, they should never be viewed as anything but a business partner, ally or service provider. They have a product which you want and need, money, but it is just that, a product. And as with any business partner or supplier, you will want to do your research and find the best solution to fit your needs. In this case service, the ability to cultivate a long term relationship and financial details of the loan will all have an impact on your selection.

The money is the key to this relationship, so your first questions for a lender need to be regarding the terms which they offer. Loan to value (LTV) is the ratio used to compare the amount of the mortgage to the market price of the property. Lenders who offer a highest LTV should be favored over other lenders. The high LTV provides you with greater purchasing power and more options for your purchase. Interest rates are another key term to consider. This is basically how much commercial lenders want to make for the service which they are providing to you. The interest payments can be the majority of the monthly payment which can have a huge impact on your monthly cash flow. Be certain to find a good balance of loan to value and interest to meet both your need for buying power and monthly cash flow. The final fee to factor in is points that you will pay as a lump sum or throughout the loan.

Having a good working relationship with your lender is also crucial. You need to be able to speak openly and ask any questions that you might have. One important question to ask is about any additional fees. Some lenders will add fees such as documentation fees, legal fees or administrative fees. Be certain that you plainly ask about any “additional” fees and factor them into the total cost of the loan.

Time is Money

Timing can be everything when purchasing commercial property. Asking a lender to provide you with realistic timelines for funding will dictate how quickly you can complete any purchase. As a work around, you might want to see if the lenders offer pre-approval. If there is no option for pre-approval then having an accurate time frame for processing documentation and a guaranteed access to funding date is important. Better rates but a slow timeline can kill a great deal.

Look For a Long Term Finance Partner

Selecting the best commercial lenders to work with can be a process which requires a good deal of time and effort. But the work that you invest in creating a strong and lasting relationship will pay off each time you complete another loan with your lending partner. That long term relationship will provide you with a great long term return on your investment.

Technorati Tags: commercial loans,commercial lending,commercial mortgage

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

Understanding the Logic behind the Process of Commercial Real Estate Loans

Getting approved for your first commercial mortgage can be a challenge. The best way to ensure a successful loan application is to have a good knowledge of commercial real estate loans.

There is a lot more to obtaining commercial real estate loans than you might first think. The process is more complicated and lengthy than even the most difficult residential home purchase. But because of the significant amount of money involved and the added risks, lenders are much more selective when it comes to approving an application.

Technically, commercial real estate loans are secured by liens on the property which is being purchased. That property is the lenders security and ability to recover their money if you default on the loan. But there are additional factors which make commercial real estate loans much more risky than a residential loan. First, commercial real estate values can fluctuate very rapidly. This can leave a lender repossessing a property which is worth far less than the remaining balance on the loan. In addition, the business which is purchasing the property has a greater chance than a consumer of suffering financial hardship as a result of a sudden change in the economy.

Because of the increased risk that the lender is facing, interest rates are higher and loan terms are shorter on a commercial loan than they would be on a consumer loan. Most commercial loans are for a ten year period or less as opposed to a residential mortgage which can range from 15 years to 40 years in some cases. And even with these shorter terms the interest rate for a commercial loan is about 1% higher. Commercial lenders also require a 20% down payment in most cases. This gives the added security that the property will always remain greater in value than the amount of the outstanding balance of the loan.

The Application Process

When applying for a home mortgage, borrowers must be able to demonstrate that they have the ability to afford the monthly payments and that they have steady income. Commercial borrowers much also prove that there is a means of making the loan payments. But because a business is more reliant on the overall economy, they must show that the business is in good financial health, that it is being managed well and that it has sufficient cash reserves to weather a financial down turn or hardship. In some cases, the owners must also include their personal financial documentation if the business has poor credit, no credit or has not been in operating for more than 5 years.

Understanding the Lending Process

All lenders are in business to make money. Understanding that fact makes it easier to understand why commercial lending can be difficult to secure. The increased risk that the lender faces needs to be rewarded with higher interest and shorter repayment terms. In addition, the lenders are more careful about the creditworthiness and the financial health of the borrowers. With the economy having a bigger impact on businesses, lenders want to verify that a business is stable enough to survive a short economic crunch or down turn in business. Know this information and creating a loan application package that demonstrates your financial stability will greatly increase your opportunities for commercial financing.

Technorati Tags: commercial loans,commercial lending,commercial mortgage

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Criteria for Selecting Commercial Lenders

Evaluating commercial lenders can be a difficult task. But preparing a list of criteria to use for selecting the best lender to meet your needs can be a great time saver.

As a business professional, both your time and your money hold a great deal of value. So it is important to find a lender who will meet all of your needs. Ideally, you will be able to evaluate enough commercial lenders to select a few to forge long term relationships with to ensure continued financial prosperity. The process will undoubtedly take some time but the long term benefit will be a good working relationship with a primary lender as well as other secondary reputable lenders.

Commercial lenders are all about money. You would not be seeking a commercial lender if you did not need money. But you should look at these relationships as you would any other vendor who is supplying a good or service to your business. You need to compare the merits or the service each lender is willing to provide to you. This means what type of fee structure are they offering, what is the interest rate and how quickly can they deliver on their product; your loan funding.

You will also want to evaluate the core qualities of the lenders existing clients. Do they cater to a certain industry or type of loan? Do they have a specific loan size that they tend to service? Are they familiar with your business and the type of loan that you are looking for? All of this information will help you to determine the level of responsiveness and the quality of the service that you will receive if you do business with the lender. Customer service might not jump out as an important factor when securing the loan but if you ever have an issue or want to restructure your loan, then customer service could be one of the most important features the lender offers. Think long term for customer service and product lines available. Meeting your long term needs with a single lender will save you a great deal of time in the long run.

Comfort and Compatibility

Think of your lender as a strategic partner. You will need to discuss confidential financial information as well as other proprietary information about your business. It is important that you are working with a lender with whom you have a certain comfort level. The more honest and up front you can be with your lender the more benefits they can provide to you.

Invest Time to Evaluate for Long Term Success

Creating a list of criteria to evaluate commercial lenders will require an investment of your time today. But the benefits will continue to reward you each time you complete a new loan from your lender or seek advice. Carefully consider the fees and interest rates associated with the different lenders, but also recognize the added value that customer service and fast response time can add to your relationship. Knowing that you have a lender who will meet all of your needs for the long term is worth the time involved in a careful selection process.

Technorati Tags: commercial loans,commercial lending,commercial mortgage

Key Differences between Commercial Loans and Residential Loans

Knowing the differences between commercial loans and residential loans will help you to understand the lengthy process when applying for a commercial loan.

Most consumers think that the process to apply for a residential loan is fairly in-depth and thorough. But if they were ever to apply for a commercial loan they would begin to look more favorably on the residential loan application and approval process. Because of the larger sum of money involved and the greater risk and volatility in the commercial real estate market, commercial loans and the application process can be very intense.

When a consumer applies for a mortgage, the lenders first concern is their income and its stability as well as their debt load. Consumer’s debt should be no more than 45% of their income. But commercial lenders are more interested in the ability of the property to generate income to pay the loan. This is called a Debt Coverage Ratio and lenders prefer to see the ratio at 1:1.25 at the least. This means that the income to cover the loan payments is relatively secure.

A down payment on a home is somewhat negotiable and in some cases is very, very small. But due to the increased risk associated with commercial loans, these down payments are normally 20%. This gives the lender the added security of knowing that the property is valued at 20% more than the initial loan amount. Even in the event that the borrower defaults early in the loan, chances are good that the property is still valued at the full payoff on the loan.

Time Is Critical for Commercial Loans

A normal residential mortgage loan can range from 15 years to 30 and some even stretch as far as 40 years. But a commercial mortgage loan rarely exceeds 10 years. This is because lenders want to decrease the risk of the loan by getting their money back faster. In addition, consumers can pay a mortgage loan off early and save some of the interest that they would have paid over the term of the loan. This is not the case for a commercial mortgage. And in fact, there can be penalties which must be paid called prepayment penalties. In more cases the penalty decreases the further into the loan you progress. But the lender wants to be sure that they make their desired profit, or earning, on each commercial loan they write.

Not Really Even Similar

A consumer mortgage and a commercial property loan are only similar in the fact that it is a loan to purchase property. The dollar amount of most commercial loans is substantially larger than the average home loan. In addition, commercial real estate values are very volatile and can change drastically and very quickly. This is an added risk for the lender. Due to these increased risks, lenders are much more particular about the loan applications which they approve and the terms for which they will offer the loan. Having a good understanding of the lenders approval criteria can save a borrower a great deal of time in completing lengthy commercial loan applications if they don’t meet the lenders criteria.

Technorati Tags: commercial loans,commercial lending,commercial mortgage

Process for Obtaining Commercial Loans

There is really no shortcut when you are seeking commercial loans. But following a tried and true process can help to expedite the response to your application.

Most borrowers fail to understand that a great deal of the success or failure of their commercial loan application rests on their amount of effort in preparation. There is a huge amount of research and due diligence that a borrower must invest in the process in order to be successful when applying for commercial loans. Understanding the loan application process, the desires of specific lenders and their loan approval criteria are all very important and should be researched long before you begin to search for a commercial property to purchase.

Many borrowers are in awe of commercial lenders and fail to see them as a business partner or vendor. They get too caught up in the “bank” aspect and feel as if they are being judged. The lender is making a judgement but only from the perspective that they want to verify that you can afford the loan. They are just making smart business decisions. In that vein, you should also be making smart decisions about who you are interested in borrowing from. There are many options for commercial loans which you should explore including large national banks, medium sized regional banks, a small local bank, a private lender or a mortgage company just to name a few. If you are not familiar with any major lenders or to gain information about your options, begin with a meeting at your current bank to learn about their commercial loan products.

Each lender is going to have a slightly different set of criteria for approving a loan. Learning these requirements can help you to determine which lenders you will actually apply to. Set up a few appointments to speak to loan officers to learn about the lenders and what they have to offer you. Be prepared to discuss your business, the reason you are requesting a loan and how you plan to meet the financial responsibility of repaying the loan. These conversations can glean some very helpful free advice for you from seasoned lending professionals.

Select Lenders Who Best Meet Your Needs

Not all lenders are going to be a great fit for you or even a fit at all. If you are looking for a small loan then a national bank might not be interested in your application. Likewise, if you are seeking a very large loan, then a small local bank might not be your best choice. Try to determine which lenders specialize in the type of commercial loans that you are seeking and then apply only to those lenders. There are costs involved in commercial loan applications as well as a commitment of time. Don’t waste either by applying to a lender who will not be interested in your business.

Make a Great First Impression

Other than a brief introductory meeting, your loan application will be your first contact with many lenders. This is your only opportunity to create a positive and professional first impression. Invest all of the time that you need to research your options and the criteria that each lender uses to evaluate loan applications. Only then should you begin to compile your documentation and complete the loan application. This dedication to completing a high quality loan application and documentation packet will pay great dividends when you learn that you have multiple loan offers at very competitive rates.

Technorati Tags: commercial loans,commercial lending,commercial mortgage

Monday, March 19, 2018

Benefits of Non-Recourse Commercial Loans

There are many options to explore when seeking commercial loans. One of the factors which can reduce personal liability and risk of assets is a non-recourse loan.

As you begin to explore the options for commercial loans you will quickly find that there are two main categories for these loans, recourse and non-recourse. The more common of the two is the recourse loan which requires the borrower or borrowers to personally sign as the guarantor of the loan. This simply means that in the event of business failure or inability of the business to make the loan payments for any reason, then the guarantor is personally responsible to make the payments. Obviously, this presents a significant personal financial risk to the guarantor.

Non-recourse commercial loans do not require the borrowers to become personal guarantors of the loan. Therefore, these loans do not require the risk of the personal assets of the borrowers. This is one of the biggest advantages for any borrower. Knowing that a business failure means the loss of income is bad enough but to also be faced with the responsibility of personal liability on a commercial loan can be devastating. No business owner ever chooses to take out a loan which they believe the business will default on but there is always that rare possibility, and the added stress of personal liability. But a non-recourse loan eliminates that stress and potential issue.

An additional benefit is that non-recourse loans are assumable. This can be a huge advantage if you plan to sell the property in a few years or if a situation changes and you need to sell the property quickly. Currently, commercial lending rates are very favorable, but they are expected to increase. So the current loan rate is likely to be much lower than a rate which will be offered on a loan in a few years. So when you do decide to sell the property, you have the ability to offer to have the buyer assume your loan. This will be a great incentive for the buyers as the interest rate could be significantly lower than the current rate.

The Perfect Non-Recourse Loan Candidate

Non-recourse loans are most often used to purchase properties which provide a strong cash flow as the property is the only collateral. This means that even if the property is not the more visually appealing or if it needs a face lift, it could still be a candidate for a non-recourse loan. The critical factor is the cash flow. As long as the property is generating 1.25 times the proposed payment of the loan then lenders will be eager to offer this financing solution.

Great Benefits if the Fit is Right

Non-recourse commercial loans can offer a huge benefit for the right borrower and the right commercial property. Knowing that the property does generate a strong and steady cash flow allows the borrower to get a great loan and rate without having to personally guarantee the loan in the event of a business failure. It also provides added benefits to the borrower when it is time to sell the building by allowing the buyer to take advantage of a lower interest rate on the assumed loan.

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