Month: December 2019

Real estate investing can turn a substantial return when investors understand market trends and demographics and have a good understanding of what will make a good investment property. Investing in real estate requires capital, which is not always readily available, especially when you’re beginning the investment process.

Fortunately, there are different ways you can obtain this capital. Two popular methods for obtaining investment funds are with crowdfunding and hard money loans. Here’s what you need to know about these two methods of obtaining capital.

Basics of Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding requires the investor to raise money in different amounts from a number of people. This can include funds from family and friends, but for real estate investing it usually involves soliciting funds from numerous accredited investors on the internet. These accredited investors are dedicated to the real estate world and understand property values.

To be accredited, they meet certain income requirements and have a minimum net worth value, depending on the crowdfunding campaign. The funds raised in the campaign are used like any other capital to purchase and build value in real estate. The loan from crowdfunding may or may not be secured.

Basics of Hard Money Lending

Hard money lending is a short-term loan that’s secured by the purchaser’s real estate. This type of loan differs from loans typically offered by banks because it’s quicker to obtain than a typical loan and has fewer qualification criteria as well. Since property is used as collateral, the value will help determine how much capital you can obtain as well as the interest rate that’s charge for the life of the loan. Only a certain percentage of the property’s value can be given out as a loan. Hard money loans are easier to obtain because credit history typically doesn’t factor into the lending process.

Pros and Cons of Crowdfunding

One of the most obvious benefits of crowdfunding is the ability to contact numerous investors online. That means you’ll get a lot of feedback and the potential for funds if they agree with your concept and feel like it has the potential for a big return. You can save time pitching your idea to numerous investors at the same time instead of approaching lenders individually. You’ll also have the ability to promote your campaign on social media when using crowdfunding sites.

The downside of crowdfunding is that there may be a large minimum to participate on the platform, so it may be difficult to raise money for smaller projects. In addition, it may take a good portion of the year to find funding for your project, or you may not end up securing funding at all.

Pros and Cons of Hard Money Loans

Hard money loans are beneficial because you can obtain loans of differing values, whether you’re a first-time investor looking for a small loan or are experienced and looking to finance a large-scale project. Unlike the impersonal nature of crowdfunding, hard money loans make it possible for you to build a relationship with a lender so that you can get loans quickly later on. Hard money loans are also a fast way to get capital.

It’s important to note that hard money loans carry a higher interest rate because they’re short-term (usually only a year or two) with the assumption that you’ll be selling your investment for a profit rather quickly. For more information about hard money loans, contact Investor Loan Source today.

Investing in real estate is an attractive option for new and old investors alike. However, no matter where you fall experience-wise in investing, it’s crucial that you go into real estate investment understanding a few important factors. If you’ve been presented with a new opportunity for real estate investing, here are some things you should be sure to consider first.

Timeline

An important thing to remember in real estate investing is that the process can sometimes take some time, so be realistic about when to expect a return. The purpose of your investment is to build your portfolio and increase your cash flow, so if you need to do that quickly make sure you’re not investing in a property that will take too long to see a return.

The due-diligence phase itself can take months rather than days, and if renovation is involved, you’ll need to factor in the time to do that properly as well. It can take months or even years to get specific building permits, so when you’re considering your investment be aware of time frames for city and other government approvals that may be needed.

Location

The location of a real estate investment property is another crucial factor. No matter how incredible the property ends up being, if the location is undesirable it will be extremely difficult to make a good return. Areas with high crime rates or no commercial prospects will be difficult to sell or lease.

It’s also important to consider the trends and demographics of the area where the property is located. Do your homework about the area and talk to local agencies to make sure you understand the civil engineering and environmental limitations or requirements of the area.

Market Trends

A good investor knows the market trends and takes advantage of them accordingly. Make sure you understand fundamentals like vacancy, rent, competition for home sales, and more to make sure you’ll get a high return on your investment. Understanding the market makes it easier for you to diversify your portfolio and quickly identify good potential investments.

Pay attention to indications of recession or other economic downturn, because this substantially impacts how quickly you’ll be able to make a return on your investment, whether you plan to lease your property or flip it and sell. Make sure the properties you consider will be able to survive downturns so that you can recover more quickly.

Property Value and Type

It’s important to remember that even after considering the market trends and demographics of an area, not all properties will be valued the same in an area simply because of the type of property. Some areas may be hotter for residential sales while others will be better for commercial. Make sure the property you’re considering isn’t overpriced and that risks are low for that type of property.

Current Financial Health

Very few real estate investments have a guaranteed return, so it’s important to be cautious financially and take into account your current financial health. Don’t stake everything you have or take out loans that you’re not certain you can recoup or pay back. If you are short on capital and want to take out a loan, make sure you understand all the terms and find a lender who specializes in the type of loan you need. Contact Investor Loan Source today to learn about the different loan options available for your investment.

Hard money loans are a great way to get into the world of real estate investments. These loans don’t have as stringent of income or credit score requirements, so they’re a great option for many borrowers. However, the duration term is much shorter than conventional loans and hard money loans usually have higher interest rates as well. That’s why it’s important that you have exit strategies in mind to pay off the loan when necessary before you take out a hard money loan. Here are some hard money loan exit strategies you may want to consider.

Sell the Property

One of the most common exit strategies for hard money loans is to sell the property. This is a common option because many borrowers using hard money loans in Texas do so with the purpose of purchasing a property, improving it, and selling it for a profit. Most borrowers are able to use the loan for costs associated with renovating or rehabilitating the property, so it’s generally not too difficult to pay off the loan this way. This strategy is only successful if the borrower has planned and has the investment knowledge and expertise to know which properties can maximize profit. Some lenders may offer an extension of the loan if the renovations aren’t complete before the property needs to be sold.

Refinance

If the investor’s plan wasn’t to flip a property but to use it for a rental property, refinancing is a good option. Since this strategy will provide a longer-term stream of income rather than one lump sum, refinancing with a traditional lender can ensure the original loan is paid off. Hard money loans can also be used as a bridge between applying for and being approved for another loan that you intend to use for a longer period of time.

Get New Loan

You may also be able to get an additional hard money loan, but this is usually only recommended when all other options have been exhausted. This is simply because using another hard money loan diverts it from the purpose that it was originally intended for, but it can help you buy some time or avoid foreclosure.

Traditional Mortgage

If your plan is to stay in the property purchased with a hard money loan, a great exit strategy is to secure a traditional mortgage. A hard money loan can allow you time to build up credit or pay down debts to lower your debt-to-income ratio. You can use the 1-3 year time period of a hard money loan to raise your chances of getting a traditional mortgage.

Subprime Mortgage

If you’re unable to qualify for a traditional mortgage, you can consider a subprime mortgage. Although the terms aren’t as favorable as a traditional mortgage, it can provide the funds to exit the hard money loan and provide long-term financing for the property, whether you’re planning to use it yourself or rent it out.

Use Business Capital

Finally, consider using business capital to exit your hard money loan. This can be income from other properties, other investors you have, or your business. A hard money loan can help you buy time to find this capital or to locate other investors.

Whatever exit strategy you intend to use, make sure you have backup plans to prevent defaulting on your loan. To learn more about hard money loans and exit strategies, contact Investor Loan Source today.