Dennis Dahlberg - It Can't Get Better Than This!

Saturday, March 24, 2018

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.

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

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

What it takes to get a Commercial Real Estate Lenders Approval

Knowing what commercial real estate lenders are looking for on an application will be very helpful when you are ready to seek a loan. Some of the information could surprise you.

Getting your loan application approved by commercial real estate lenders requires more information and effort than most first time buyers expect. But the key to understanding this request and the amount of information which is requested comes from taking a look at the loan from a lenders perspective. Commercial real estate loans are often quite large and hold some inherent risk. The lender is simply trying to eliminate as much risk as possible by being restrictive and stringent about their lending policy. This allows them to make their money and well qualified businesses to make their real estate purchases. They use a system which is sometimes called the three C’s to evaluate loan applications.

Collateral is a big factor in commercial lending. All loans are secured by a lien on the commercial property being purchased. This allows the lender the right to take the property and sell it to pay off a loan in the event that the borrowers default on the loan. If you are requesting a loan which exceeds 80% of the value of the property being purchased, the lender might also request that you offer other property or items as additional collateral for the loan. In most cases the lender would like the loan to only be 80% or less of the property value but in some cases they will accept cross-collateralization.

Cash flow is also an important factor to commercial real estate lenders. They need to see that either the property itself generates enough income to cover the cost of the loan payments or they need to see that the business purchasing the property has sufficient cash flow to pay the loan. In addition, commercial real estate lenders like to know that there are cash reserves or other assets which can be easily liquidated should the economy change and cause a decrease in the cash flow needed to make the loan payments.

Your Personal Promise

There are some occasions when the business does not have enough credit to merit a commercial loan or it has questionable credit. In this case, a commercial real estate lender will require the borrower to personally guarantee the loan. To qualify for this you must have a 660 personal credit score or better, no bankruptcy in the last 7 years, no foreclosures or short sales in the past 3 year and no open tax liens or judgements. If you meet these criteria then your credit history and creditworthiness will be considered during the loan application.

Know What Lenders are Looking For

Commercial lenders are looking for a business which is in stable financial condition and has been for at least three years. The lender is also looking for the ability to repay the loan and to have a cash reserve in place if needed. Before you begin a loan application, you should carefully consider how well your business will fare when they are judged on the three C system.

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 to Secure Commercial Lending

Commercial lending is a much different landscape than consumer lending. Knowing a few tips about the lenders and the process can greatly improve your chances of getting a loan.

Appling for commercial lending is a long and often arduous process. The dollar amounts involved are rather substantial and that makes the approval criteria and process much more challenging. Lenders are interested in finding borrowers who will successfully repay their loan and the interest associated with it so that they are making their money. Understanding the lenders point of view and working toward that goal with them can make your loan application process much less stressful and difficult.

It is never a bad idea to keep your options open. Having a rapport with a few lenders is always a great plan. Investing the time to meet with lenders, understand their criteria for lending and just chatting with them about your potential needs will lay the ground work for the day that you do submit a loan application.

It is also wise to think of the lenders that you have relationships with as you would any other vendor. In this case the vendor is supplying you with money but that is after all what a service provider does. It is not dishonest or disrespectful to speak to several lenders for the same loan. You are shopping for the best deal and that is simply smart business.

The only way that you can make a mistake when creating commercial lending relationships is if you are not completely honest with the lenders. You are wasting your time if you are not honest in the information that you are providing about your business and yourself. The information and advice that you are getting will be tailored to the information that you give the lender. And if that information is false then most likely they will not be providing you will accurate or useful tips, information or processes.

Make the Right Impression

Commercial lending is a numbers game and the best credit score and credit history will get you the lowest interest rate. But there can also be a little grey area. This is where the lenders opinion of you and your business comes into play. You want to be honest but also paint the most impressive picture that you can when telling your story. Promote your strengths and successes as well as your goals and how you plan to attain them. Another way to impress a lender is to submit a completed loan application package that looks professionally prepared. Be certain that all of the needed documentation is included and that the format is easy to understand and follow.

Focus on Collaboration

Both you and your lender have a great impact on the outcome of your loan application. By investing your time and effort in the process and application preparation you can greatly improve the outcome. Honesty and professionalism will get the attention of your lender and could be that small difference that convinces your lender to approve your loan application.

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