There are several reasons that real estate investors are choosing hard money loans. The primary reason is the ability the lender has to fund a loan quickly. In the majority of situations, hard money loans can be funded in a week or less. If you compare that to the 30 to 45 days that it can take to have a bank loan funded, it’s pretty speedy. Additionally, the application process for a hard money loan usually only takes a day or two, and in some situations, your application can be approved during the same day. You will never hear from a traditional lender about approval within the same week.
The ability that you have to obtain funding faster than a bank loan is a huge advantage for the average real estate investor. This is especially true when an investor is working to acquire a property with quite a few competing bids. Having a fast closing with a hard money loan can help to get a seller’s attention and ensure that the offer is set apart from the remainder of buyers who are using conventional financing methods.
Another reason that a real estate investor may opt for a hard money loan is if they have already applied with banks but have been rejected. Unfortunately, life isn’t always perfect, and it doesn’t always go as planned. Credit issues, foreclosures and short sales all happen. Another crucial thing that banks need access to is a person’s income history. If the borrower has recently begun a new job, then the bank may decide to deny their request for a loan because of an insufficient income history. This is the case even if a borrower has a pretty good income.
A hard money lender can look past all these issues. They will make a decision based on whether or not the loan will actually be repaid and whether or not the borrower has plenty of equity invested in the property in question.
Points and Interest Rates Paid for a Hard Money Loan
The points and interest rates charged by a hard money lender are going to vary from one to another. They can also vary from one region to another.
Because these lenders are taking on more risk compared to traditional financing methods, the interest rates are typically higher. Additionally, the points usually range from two to four percent of the total amount of the loan. Be sure to keep this in mind when considering this type of loan for your real estate investment.
Loan to Value Ratios
The loan amount that the hard money lender lends is usually determined by the value of the property divided into the loan amount. In most cases, a borrower will be able to access 65 to 75 percent of the property’s current value. While this is a riskier loan, it’s still beneficial to anyone who is borrowing the money in order to have access to faster funds.
When it comes to taking out a hard money loan for a real estate investment, there are many things you have to keep in mind. It’s best to be informed to get the best possible results. To find out more, contact Barrett Financial Group today at 480-999-6183.
