Showing posts with label commercial real estate loans. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

The Best Time to Use Hard Money Lenders Arizona

Not every real estate transaction is tailored to a traditional loan. In some cases hard money lenders Arizona is the only choice to meet the terms of a great deal.

There are many moving parts in most real estate investment deals. You might be facing a very small window of opportunity to make the purchase or you might not have the cash on hand to complete the deal. You might even want to hold onto your cash to complete the renovations needed to quickly sell and turn a profit on a property. But whatever challenge cannot be met by a traditional lender, hard money lenders Arizona is probably going to be able to accommodate.

Banks and mortgage companies have a specific process that they must follow for each loan application. And there is a certain amount of time that this process is going to require. So if you have just a few days to raise the funds for a great investment property, a traditional lender is not going to be of much help to you. But hard money lenders Arizona offer a legitimate means of raising the capital that you need quickly.

Sometimes, timing can be an issue not because you need the money very quickly but because you have just completed the purchase of another property. In many cases, you do not have the available credit to make an additional purchase. But a hard money lenders Arizona will only be considering the current market value of the property being used as collateral and not your current debt load. This will allow you to make the additional purchase and not miss out on a great opportunity just due to poor timing.

A Unique Opportunity

Not every real estate investment is a simple case of buying low and selling for a profit. In some cases, the buyer needs to be a visionary who can see the very obscure potential in a property. If this is the case, a bank is not likely to be willing to write a loan for the property. The risk involved will be higher than a traditional lender is willing to assume. But a creative real estate investor will know that a hard money lender will fund the loan. Yes, the risk is high but the opportunity for reward on these types of deals is also high.

Non-Traditional Circumstances

Hard money loans do cost a borrower more in interest and in points. But when a great opportunity presents itself, it can be worth spending a little bit more to make a great deal more in the long run. When you need to process a loan quickly, or have already maxed out your line of credit with a bank, a hard money lender could be your only choice to land a great deal. Hard money lenders are also a good choice when the property is going to require some vision to increase the value and banks are not willing to take the necessary risk.

Monday, May 28, 2018

How to Find Reliable Hard Money Lenders Arizona

Finding reliable hard money lenders Arizona is not as easy as driving to a bank or mortgage company. You will need to invest some time to find the best hard money lender to meet your needs.

Most first time hard money borrowers are not very familiar with the process or their options when it comes to selecting a lender. So it can be very tempting to just accept the first lender who is willing to make you an offer. But there are a few key questions that you should answer when you are assessing potential hard money lenders Arizona.

The hard money lenders website is going to tell you a great deal about how they do business and the actual type of service that they offer. Some sites are very basic and are only used to gather your information. They provide no details about the lender or the types of terms that they offer. Often times you learn after the fact that these sites do not belong to actual hard money lenders Arizona, but instead they are operated by an intermediary or broker who is collecting information on potential borrowers and then turning it over to an actual hard money lender. This is not a person that you want to deal with as they are going to add fees and provide you with no real service. You only want to work directly with the lender.

Professionalism is another important factor when selecting hard money lenders Arizona. You want to work with a lender who can meet your financial needs but also your customer service needs. Reliable contact information, a staff that promptly returns calls and emails and clear and professional documentation are all indication of a professional lender and not a fly by night entity.

Finding a Good Match

Not every hard money lender is going to be a good match for every potential borrower. Some lenders focus only on commercial properties while others prefer to focus on residential properties. Selecting a lender who regularly funds projects similar to yours will undoubtedly make the process smoother and faster which is often a driving motivation for using a hard money lender.

Do Your Homework

Any lender, whether a hard money lender or a traditional lender, is simply a service provider. You would never select a builder for your next home, a contractor or even a car mechanic without checking out the business and its reputation. So you need to commit to the same process with a hard money lender. Be certain that they are in good standing with other borrowers and that they are not embroiled in any legal issues. Check out their reputation with previous clients. Did they offer a professional process and service throughout the life of the loan? Were they reasonable to work with one terms and payments? All of this information will give you insight into what your hard money borrowing experience is likely to be when working with that lender.

Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Tips to Secure a Business Loan Arizona

Securing a business loan Arizona can be challenging. But following a few tips can greatly improve your chances for a fast approval.

Securing any type of loan can be a very stressful process. But the application process for a business loan Arizona can appear extremely overwhelming. Unlike a personal loan application which is fairly simple and straightforward, a business loan application requires a great deal of information about the business and even the personal finances of the owners or principles of the company. To ensure that you are investing your time in a successful loan application, you will want to be sure to follow a few simple tips that have been found to produce successful results.

The business finances are critical to any loan approval as you might expect. The company should have been profitable for at least two years to have a good chance at securing funding. Having financial statements and credit reports in good order before requesting a loan is very important and will save you a great deal of time when completing application. Also having the owner’s information readily available will make the process less stressful.

In addition to financial information, lenders want to have a good understanding of the company, its history and the experience level of the owners and senior management team. This means detailing the birth and growth of the company as well as explaining the business plan and reason for the loan request. Simply stating that it is for growth or expansion is too vague. Explain what the funds will be used for, how they will benefit the company and the expected return on the investment. Details about how the loan will help the company achieve goals in the five and ten year plan will demonstrate strong and experienced leadership and increase the lenders confidence in your business.

Think Local

Unless you have a very large and well established business, a local lender might be a better option for a business loan Arizona. Local lenders tend to place more value on business history, involvement in the community and the local economy. Large national lenders work more from a very strict formula for loan approvals where a local lender has the ability to “bend” the criteria slightly to process loans that are less favorable. Knowing this though, be certain to have a very well prepared and detailed loan application for local lenders. They will be even more motivated to learn about your business and the professional history of the management team.

Be Well Prepared

When seeking any business loan Arizona, detailed preparation is your best tool for success. Detailed financial information and history about the business will help to establish the creditworthiness of the business. This information presented to a local lender in a professional format is going to create a good first impression for you and for your business. And though the process might take some time, you will find that you stand a much better chance of getting your application approved.

Thursday, May 3, 2018

Why Hard Money Lenders Are So Helpful For Investors

There are many benefits to using hard money lenders when purchasing an investment property. Level 4 Funding shares reasons this type of loan can benefit you.

While many beginner investors typically want to go the route of seeking a loan from a traditional lender such as a bank or other financial institution, they may not realize hard money lenders can help them obtain short-term loans that are much simpler, faster and a great way to get a loan without having perfect (or close to perfect) credit.

For real estate investors, hard money lenders are looking at one main thing — collateral. So instead of having to complete a complication application, provide a lot of personal financial statements and documentation for conventional lenders, these lenders offer a quicker and less stressful way to obtain the funding they need.

These lenders are mostly interested in the property, which is many times used as collateral for the loan. This is a much more direct way to get the loan because it sometimes takes weeks (or longer) for traditional lenders to verify credit scores, reports and history and approve the loan application.

The property’s current market value is the main thing.

The lender is going to want to help the investor make the purchase if the loan amount is approximately 70 percent less than the value of the property in question to purchase. If that is the case, hard money lenders will typically look at this as a good investment and ready to create a contract and repayment schedule agreement.

This type of loan is a win-win situation for the borrower and the lender.

Everyone involved typically benefits from this type of short-term loans. For investors that are looking to “fix and flip” buildings or homes, for homebuyers that will need to make a lot of home improvements on their new abode or for first-time investors, these loans are the way to go. And for those that have poor credit or dings on their history, this does not really even factor in to whether or not their loan will be approved. They get cash in hand, fast, and with few complications. The borrower can even opt to secure a conventional loan with lower interest rates once they own the property outright. The lender benefits as well because the repayment schedule is short, and the interest is generally higher than a typical long-term conventional loan, so they begin to see the return of investment almost immediately. All in all, this is a great type of loan and really does offer a multitude of benefits for all parties involved. Level 4 Funding is available to help investors with a variety of loan needs. With a bit of help and advice from an experienced and professional lender, borrowers can make their investment dreams come true and start building an investment career that can be very financially lucrative – making any future loan needs in the future much easier to obtain.

How to Understand Hard Money Loans

If you learn about the process of hard money loans, you can figure out how to get the best loan to suit your business needs. Level 4 Funding shows you how.

When it comes to learning about hard money loans, it helps to start at the very beginning, with what they actually are. These are unconventional loans that are not reliant on banks or traditional lending institutions for funding. Private sources fund these types of loans, whether it be an individual or a group that helps assist with the funding. Most often, these loans have a short repayment term cycle and are typically used by the borrower to purchase investment properties.

The qualification process for hard money loans it totally different than applying and approval for a traditional loan. In the latter, a borrower needs to complete and submit an application process to the bank or other conventional lender. The process is often very detailed and lots of documentation is required of the borrower. The borrower must also share credit score and history, and provide details about their financial status in order to be considered for the loan.

For unconventional loans, the process is based upon collateral, and the current market value of whatever collateral the borrower is able to provide. Collateral is the value the borrow puts up as a way to offer the lender security of the loan. This could be a car, the person’s home, another building or event the building/property that is being purchased, for example. The lender requires this as security that if for some reason the borrower can’t make payments, than the lender takes over the collateral and can sell it to recover their funds. In this type of loan, the funding individual or group is less interested in the borrower’s credit score or even their currently financial situation. It’s all about collateral.

This is important for borrowers that have less than ideal credit scores or have a ding in the credit history somewhere along the line that makes it difficult for them to obtain a conventional loan. The value of the collateral or the property in mind to purchase needs to have value equal (or likely higher) than the amount that is being requested to borrow. This gives people breaking into the world of investment property purchases a good place to start.

Now that you know…

This is a huge benefit of hard money loans that people don’t often realize at first. While conventional lenders can often be intimidating and the loan applications very challenging, the process of this type of loan is very straightforward. Investment properties, fix-and-flip homes and other property purchases are all great for this type of loan. It offers the cash upfront (and fast!) to make the purchase happen. Then it’s up to the borrower to take their investment purchase to the next level in order to profit to the maximum.

Working with this type of loan has great potential

For those without stellar credit or even those that are just starting to establish their business credit scores, these loans are the way to go. A private lender such as Level 4 Funding can help beginner investors with a short-term loan to build their investor career.

Sunday, April 29, 2018

How to find the right hard money lender for your next project

Just because you cant secure a traditional bank loan doesn't mean you don't have other options, you may have considered a hard money lender but where do you start? What should you expect from a potential lender, and what will a lender expect from you?

A quick google search for private lenders should turn up an endless array of financing options. Because you might need a specific type of lender to match your particular project an online search can prove to be a little overwhelming. You could always try to be more exact with your search terms, trying things like ‘private rehab loans,' or ‘private construction loans.' Being specific with your online searches may help you find the lender that is right for you, but this isn't always the case.

Consider using one numerous lender databases available online to narrow down your financing options. The ideal database would allow you to aim your search for lenders based on the amount of financing you need or will enable you to search for lenders based on your specific project, (i.e., Renovation, construction, commercial, etc).

If you'd rather avoid the hassle of searching for a lender on your own, you could seek out a referral from a licensed mortgage broker. Local real estate investment groups could also put you in touch with lenders they have worked with in the past.

If you find the right lender, the question then becomes what should expect from them and how do you know you're getting the best possible deal.

What should you expect from a potential hard money lender during the application process?

Search relevant government databases to ensure your lender is licensed. Your lender should also be transparent throughout the process. Ensure that they meet their published guidelines related to fees and closing costs. You should also be wary of teaser rates offered by unscrupulous lenders.

Know that every private lender is different and will have their criteria when it comes what they expect from you as a borrower.Ask your lender to be transparent about any documentation you might need throughout the loan application process.

Know what your hard money lender expects from you to get the best deal possible

This type of loan is often used to finance rehabilitation and construction projects.If your seeking financing for renovation or construction, a lender will want to ensure that you are competent and knowledgeable about your project. In these cases, before approaching any lender, have details about the property you wish to purchase, a budget for your renovations and thorough projections about the future profitability of your project. You build up your lenders confidence and gain room to negotiate by demonstrating your understanding of a project's potential.

You need to have a detailed understanding of what your property is worth to qualify for the best possible loan. A private lender usually bases the amount of financing offered on the market value of the property you are purchasing. You won't qualify the largest possible loan if you don't have a good sense of what your property is worth.

Saturday, April 14, 2018

5 Tips to Successful Hard Money Loans

Hard money loans are a great way to begin a successful career in real estate. Following a few tips will ensure your success.

Any borrowing experience can be stressful if you are not well prepared. But understanding the process and knowing about a few tips to follow can make your first experience with hard money loans simple and successful. Even without personal experience this information will give you a confidence that you are making good choices and will have success with your project.

Picking the right lender is a very important first step in the process. You will want to do some research to make sure that the lender has a good reputation and has experience working with borrowers. You will also want to be sure that you are comfortable working with the lender and within the standard terms that the lender offers. Equally important is selecting the right property. You need to be sure that the numbers work on any property that you are considering. Remember that this is a business deal and there should be no emotional attachment to the property. If the numbers won’t end with you making a profit then it is not the right deal for you.

Being Prepared Is Critical To Your Success

Even with the fast funding of hard money loans, you need to have been planning for your purchase for a considerable amount of time. The loan is likely to be limited to 75% of the cost of the property so you will need to have access to the remaining cash. This down payment is your “skin in the game” and also represents your equity in the property. Having the time to save the 25% down payment also relieves the added stress that will occur if you are using another unsecure resource to borrow additional money. You will also want to be sure that you have carefully prepared all of your paperwork. This can include research on the property and your business plan for buying, improving and selling the property. Some lenders will also want to see documentation showing your cash reserve for any repairs or operating costs and proof of the down payment funds. Having your financials ready can help to reduce the time that it takes you to be ready to seek a loan when you find the perfect property.

Manage Your Expectations

It is critical that you begin each real estate purchase and project with a realistic time line. It can be easy to get over excited on the first few projects and start to believe that the work can be completed more quickly than you first estimated. But in almost every case, you will find that the initial time estimate is shorter than the time required to complete the entire project. Be sure to build in a little extra time as a buffer. This will allow you to complete the project without the added worry of defaulting on the terms of your loan. Hard money loans are a great tool to begin real estate investing but you must be sure to make good decisions and maintain realistic expectations throughout the process.

Monday, April 2, 2018

How to evaluate Commercial Real Estate Loans

There are many commercial real estate loan companies. How do you tell the good from the bad and the ugly?

Commercial real estate loan rates were ridiculously low until recently when rates started moving up. The ten-year government note has moved from 1.44% on January 1, 2018 to over 2.85% on Friday, January 9, 2018, with projections up to over 3%, 3.5% and 4% in the next 60 days. You most likely will not see current rates this low again in your lifetime. Commercial loans are at these low rates because commercial real estate loan companies are sitting on an ocean of cash, nearly $2 trillion dollars. Commercial investors still feel hesitant, however, to overextend with loans from the shock they experienced by the recession of 2008.

So just which commercial loan is best for you? A life Insurance company, a conduit, a credit union, an SBA lender, a commercial bank, a USDA Business and industries lender or even a hard money commercial lender? A life insurance company offers the most attractive commercial interest rates that are only 0.35% to 0.50% higher than the prime residential mortgage rates. Be aware, few life insurance companies will touch commercial projects smaller than $5 million. The project must be very standard and cannot be older than 20 years.

The next avenue which is available is a CMBS where commercial real estate loan rates are 50 to 65 basis points over the prime residential mortgage rate. For projects between $3 to $5 million and up, a conduit may be an appropriate choice for you. They will also finance older properties. For projects with good credit principals, banks and credit unions may be a good option. The rates run typically 0.75% to 1.50% over prime, 30 residential mortgage rates.

SBA and USDA Loans

SBA, if you qualify, should be considered first. The standard 7a SBA loan is 2.75% over prime floating. With the SBA you can quality for a 90% loan-to-value and the loan is fully amortized over 25 years. You must have a credit score of 700-plus and financials for the last several years. The USDA loan is less attractive. The loans are made through banks and guaranteed by the USDA and they are similar to SBA loans--2.75% over floating prime and fully amortized over 25 years. These properties must be located in eligible rural areas in order to qualify.

Although an effort has been made to quote current rates, this is a fluid market and, as pointed out, rates have increased since the first of the year and are fluctuating.

Once underwritten, residential mortgage companies can sell the mortgage to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. The illiquidity of the commercial market, since they do not have an agency to sell their underwritten mortgages to and these types of loans are seen as higher risk, results in commercial mortgages 0.35% to 1.50% higher. Before applying, you need to get all your ducks in a row including property type, projected cash flow, age of property and projected operating expenses. For many real estate investors who require quick capital for their next project, a hard money loan is the answer. Call us at Level 4 Funding 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

The Top Differences to Watch for with Private Hard Money Lenders

While there are over 600 private hard money lenders in the U.S., no two are created equal. Understand the differences and what to look for when choosing a lender for your next project.

Looking for a short-term loan quickly? Need 7 to 10 days? Looking to purchase residential and commercial property for purchase and renovation? Obtaining quick capital via a private hard money lender may be your best option. In fact, this is one of the primary forms of financing for first-time real estate investors. Let’s take a look at what are the marked differences among the various lenders.

Some private hard money lenders focus on properties in relatively good condition, while others will fund properties in poor condition if you come aboard with a good business plan and the numbers to back it up. This includes an in-depth look at renovation costs, time frame, and market. You will also need to include the monthly costs that you’ll incur during the renovation process such as utilities, insurance, loan interest and property tax. Some companies and private investors loan only on the LTV or loan-to-value, while others will consider the ARV or after-repair-value. For instance, some will issue a loan up to 80 percent of the LTV or 70 percent of the ARV. If your model is to rehab properties in poor condition for a fix & flip, you’ll want to be sure to ask your potential investor which value they consider when funding a project.

Buy-and-hold investors, on the other hand, obtain private hard money lenders in order to ensure quick capital. After renovation is complete, they look to more traditional loans for longer terms and lower interest rates. You’ll find many private investors that specialize in one segment of real estate. For instance, there are hard money lenders that invest only in the office or multifamily segments, while others focus on the fix-and-flip model. You’ll want to be sure to find one that is comfortable and knowledgeable in your area. There are even hard money lenders that fund residential loans. These are, in most cases, considered bridge loans—short term loans that bridge from one property to another such as when home owners buy a new home before their old home sells.

Interest Rates and Average Lender Fees

Going into this arena of commercial lending, it’s important to be aware that the interest rates are going to be higher than conventional mortgages because the hard money loans are shorter terms, interest-only payments, and increased risk for lenders. The interest payments are considered “holding costs” and are monthly fees incurred prior to selling or refinancing. These interest-only payments result in lower monthly payments. When you agree to a loan with a hard money lender, there can also be what are known as “loan origination fees” or “points.” Additional fees that the borrower may be required to pay include closing costs, appraisal costs, application fees, prepayment penalties and loan extension penalties.

At Level 4 Funding, we offer loans from 7.99 percent APR with 90 percent LTV.

In addition, we do not charge prepayment penalties and can often fund within days. Because we work with hundreds of private investors, we can usually find an investor in your niche who can offer you the best terms and rates for your project. Call us today for a no-obligation quote.

Technorati Tags: commercial loans,commercial lending,commercial mortgage

Thursday, March 29, 2018

Commercial Lenders

Before you go in search of your first commercial lender, you need to determine just which sector of this lucrative investment strategy you are going to invest in. Let’s look at one of the most popular CRE investments—offices—and find out what’s hot for 2018 and where savvy investors are plunking down their chunk of change in order to increase their ROI.

And once you’ve developed a plan, stick to it. Many an investor has let their limbic system, the emotional overriding component of their brain, waylay them from their chosen investment strategy. So, let’s take a look at offices and see if this might just be the CRE investment strategy that you’ve been looking for.

The office building asset class accounts for about 20 percent of the total CRE market. This segment of the market can be volatile, so it’s important to know just what to look for in this arena. The overall economy is an important consideration as well as the projected job growth when choosing a particular market. Look for a declining vacancy rate and a rising absorption rate. Include the surrounding communities in your assessment as they will have a strong impact on your strategy and market. According to Statista, vacancy rates in office space are forecasted to decline from 12.9 percent in Q4 2017 to 12 percent in Q2 2019. In the first quarter of 2017, office space beat out every other segment in commercial construction starts including retail, warehouse, hotels, amusement and parking garages with a whopping 6.6 billion.

Office assets are usually assigned a quality rating, similar to multifamily units. Their standards can vary depending on the local market, but will be important to your commercial lender.

· Class A: These high-end properties are usually recently built or extensively remodeled. They usually have high visibility and are within easy access to major amenities. Core focused REIT and pension funds tend to veer towards this type of office investment.

· Class B: These are usually older buildings that may require some minor renovation. These are fairly popular among commercial lenders, particularly turn-around investors and private equity groups.

· Class C: These generally require some major capital investment for improvements. They are also not in very desirable locations and are typically used for redevelopment opportunities.

And just what cities have the highest rents? Hong Kong is king with a price of $255.50 per square foot. New York City comes in second with a price of $153, San Francisco in fifth with $105 and Los Angeles edging into 10^th place with a price of $73.

Co-Working Spaces is a growing consideration in this market.

While this type of office space was once considered the go-to for freelancers and small corps, times have changed. Big businesses are using this type of workspace in order to get their feet wet in a community before relocating. According to U.S. News, CBRE reported that co-working in America is experiencing an approximate five-year compound average annual growth rate of 21 percent.

Some investors are turning to REITs in order to get into this segment of CRE. Both Vornado Realty Trust and Boston Properties include co-working in their portfolio.

There are alternative commercial lenders who can help you get the funds you need for your project. At Level 4 Funding, providing capital for office projects is one of our specialties. We offer loans up to $50 million, 90 percent LTV, competitive loan rates and quick funding. Call us for a no-obligation quote.

Technorati Tags: commercial loans,commercial lending,commercial mortgage

Wednesday, March 28, 2018

OCC Study reveals risks from Commercial loans

The OCC warns in its semi-annual risk report that relaxed underwriting standards may be putting some commercial loans at risk of default. Should you be worried?

The report warns that specific influences on the credit market may be causing some banks to lower borrower standards. "The credit market continues to be influenced by strong competition, particularly from non - bank lenders, and heightened asset valuations," the report claims. In effect, strong competition for new loans may be pressuring some banks to lower standards on borrowers.

The report also warns that the recent economic boom may be making some lenders complacent and that lenders may need to take greater caution in case of an economic downturn. "In addition, the long economic recovery and expansion may collectively increase lender complacency. In this environment, lenders need to focus on maintaining sound credit standards within risk tolerances and understanding the potential credit risks that may be exposed under less benign economic conditions."

The report claims banks need to be cautious and may need to diversify their lending activities. The authors of the report, the National Risk Coalition, cite commercial mortgage growth as a specific area of concern. The NRC claims,"increasing concentrations of commercial real estate (CCRE)loans highlight the need for sound risk management processes and the effectiveness in managing concentration risk for some banks."

In spite of the dangers key commercial loan metrics remain are strong

The report claims that key metrics of commercial credit quality such as delinquencies, nonperforming loans, and net charge-offs remain positive. These key measures improved over the second half of last year and remain elevated above historical averages. Commercial credit quality is stronger than any time since the 1980s according to the statistics. New business loans have moderated from the 25% growth levels seen in recent years but remain above GDP according to the report. Non-depository groups such as investment firms and finance companies receive the majority of these new loans.

Smaller banks may be relaxing underwriting standards to fuel commercial loan growth, which could be a dangerous trend should an economic slowdown occur

Assessments by OCC evaluators reveal a gradual easing of borrower standards at many banks. Since the first quarter of 2016, the majority of banks have relaxed lending standards, rather than tightening them. The trend reflects a gradual easing of underwriting standards which began in 2013, as the economy started to recover from the recession. Even though banks are relaxing their standards, the report concludes that the majority of banks are still lending within their risk tolerances and are maintaining relatively safe underwriting practices.

However, there remains a concern that the growth in commercial mortgages may be putting some lenders at risk. Specifically smaller banks with less than a 1 billion dollars or less in assets. While business lending declined overall last year, the majority of new business loans originated from these smaller banks. Data indicates that these groups are supplementing a declining volume of residential mortgages with commercial mortgages. This narrow and specific focus on commercial mortgages may put these smaller financial institutions at risk if economic conditions change and more borrowers default.

However, the report also claims underwriting standards remain reasonable, credit quality is high, and that the economy is strong. Whether banks will heed the conclusions of the report remains to be seen.

Technorati Tags: commercial loans,commercial lending,commercial mortgage

Sunday, March 25, 2018

The Top Seven Questions to Ask Your Hard Money Lender

Hard money lenders are popular lending options when it comes to real estate investments, residential loans, and even capital needs for small businesses. Not all lenders are equal which means it’s important to come to the table with questions that can help you determine if this is the right lender for you.

Hard money lenders are, as the name implies, lenders that base loans on property, collateral or assets. In many instances, they are private lenders who can vary in their lending requirements and processes. Because of this, you will want to take the time to get to know them and what areas of lending they may specialize in. Here, then, are the top seven questions you should ask during your initial interview process. Choosing well is important not only to your current project, but to your future projects that are sure to follow.

What type of lending experience do you possess and what type of businesses or real estate segments do you specialize in? Some hard money lenders specialize in particular types of small businesses while others invest in various real estate properties. Of course, if you have stellar numbers that show increasing profitability and a well-thought out exit strategy, you may have multiple interested lenders. For your sake, obtaining a loan from someone familiar with your project type is highly recommended. Your success is, after all, their success. Leveraging your lender’s experience can help you succeed and give you the additional benefit of professional advice when needed. This leads us to the next question: Are you open to providing information and consultations if I have questions as the project proceeds?

You will also want to find out if they are direct hard money lenders or brokers that will obtain a hard money lender for you. Brokers that work with multiple lenders can often find the best deal for your specific needs which includes the fastest time to funding as well as the best rates. Just what is their interest rate, and do they charge points or processing fees? While these determine the cost of the loan, it should not be the only consideration. Time to funding as well as their experience level can be even more important points to keep in mind when choosing a lender.

Is there a prepayment penalty?

This is one of the most important questions to ask. Why? Because loans that are quick to fund and high risk can carry higher than average interest rates. If you are involved in a quick fix and flip property, you will want to get out as soon as the rehab is complete and a seller is found. And you’ll want to keep those extra profits that accompany a job well done instead of passing it on to your lender.

Make sure your lender does not charge a prepayment penalty.

At Level 4 Funding, we are brokers that specialize in finding the right lender for your particular project.

We do not charge prepayment penalties and offer fast and easy approval processes that can fund within days instead of weeks. Call us for a no-obligation quote.

Technorati Tags: commercial loans,commercial lending,commercial mortgage

Tactics for refinancing your commercial loan

When it comes to refinancing commercial loans, you naturally want to qualify for the largest loan with the best terms. Learn some strategies to help you refinance your commercial mortgage

Once your commercial mortgage matures, why should you refinance, rather than selling the property? Refinancing can improve your monthly cash flow and if your property has appreciated in value, refinancing will enable you to pull out additional equity tax-free.

There are some significant differences when comes to refinancing commercial real estate. A Residential mortgage is usually fully amortized and can have terms of up to 30 years. Commercial mortgages have shorter lifespans of 5 to 10 years, and commercial borrowers typically need to refinance their mortgages on a regular basis. But The biggest difference between commercial and residential refinancing is the impact of net operating income on commercial property values.

Improve the income you receive from commercial property to improve the terms of your commercial loan

Net operating income has a considerable impact on commercial real estate values.

The value of commercial property increases if it can generate more income, regardless of property values in the immediate area.

Before refinancing the best strategy is to increase the amount of income your property generates. By maximizing the profit you receive from a property, you increase its value and can refinance to a larger mortgage with better terms. Some strategies to maximize cash flow could include improving the number or quality of your tenants or using renovations to raise rents.

Other things to consider when it comes refinancing you commercial loan

Always seek counsel about your strategy and your specific situation, but the following tactics should help you get the best loan at the best terms.

Use refinancing as a way to reposition your investment strategy or even expand your portfolio. The additional funds you get from refinancing can be used to repay your initial loan, any initial investors, or could be used to improve the property itself. Better yet you can use the additional funds from refinancing to purchase another piece of commercial property. Therefore refinancing can be used as a strategy to expand your investment portfolio and earn more money on a monthly basis.

Refinancing in all cases should improve your monthly cash flow. Refinancing to a loan with higher monthly payments and less favorable terms is of course not a good idea. Refinancing should entail lower monthly payments or should allow you to cash out any additional equity from your investment property.

Strategize to qualify for the best loan with the best terms. Know when your current loan matures and invest in the property accordingly. Over the duration of your loan ensure the condition of your property does not deteriorate. Better yet take consistent steps to improve your property over the term of your mortgage.

You should also aim for full occupancy before refinancing. Most lenders will offer favorable terms on properties with 90 percent occupancy over a period of 90 days. Losing tenants will drastically reduce the income from the property and therefore reduce its value.

In the end, the crux of refinancing a commercial loan is to optimize the profits a property can generate which will enable you to refinance at the best terms.

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Saturday, March 24, 2018

How to Think Like Hard Money Lenders

When you are seeking a private loan, it can be helpful to learn to think like hard money lenders do. This will help you to prepare for the process and to know which information will be critical to the decision to fund or reject your request.

When you are making your first request for hard money, it can appear to be a very odd change from completing the myriad of paperwork required by a traditional lender. It might even feel as though you are ill prepared for the meeting because you are not carting in piles of bank statements, credit reports and income statements. And if you are, then you are going to be surprised and embarrassed when your lender is less than impressed and wants nothing to do with all of your paperwork. Hard money lenders are a different breed and they are looking for completely different information to evaluate your request and determine if they will approved your loan.

The key to securing hard money is nailing the loan to value ratio. This is the ratio between the amount you are requesting and the current value of the property. Most hard money lenders are looking for an LTV of 65-75%. There are some lenders who will also consider the property’s after repair value as well but that is not a standard practice. With that in mind, those lenders will also want to see your business plan to renovate the property and your budget to make sure that the numbers are in line with their estimate for the renovated value of the property.

Know the Critical Term

Knowing that the loan to value ratio of the property is the key to getting a loan, you need to be certain that you have enough of a down payment to make the loan request fall into the desirable range for the lenders. Understand that the lender is protecting his or her investment by only lending up to 75% of the value of the property. In the event that you are unable to make your loan payments, the lender will need to take possession of the property and sell it to get their investment back. And the only way to be sure that they get their full investment back is to know that the property will always be worth more than the balance of the loan. Hard money lenders are not being unfair or trying to take advantage of borrowers, they are simply practicing good business and protecting their investment.

Think like a Lender

Understanding the lenders point of view will only help you to better prepare yourself for requesting a loan. Knowing that the most important factor is the LTV and not your credit score or credit history will save you a lot of time and paperwork. You can then invest that time into researching the current value of the property and procuring funding to make the down payment you will need to meet the LTV ratio. In addition, you can invest your time in creating your renovation schedule and budget to demonstrate that you will be quickly and efficiently adding value to the property as soon as you take possession of it. All of this information will help to ensure that your hard money request gets funded.

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