A Guide To Real Estate Financing

As a beginner investor, understanding how to finance a deal is just as important as finding one. A lack of real estate financing continues to hinder most new investors in today’s market, simply because they are not aware of the different financing avenues. Whether you have access to working capital or not, there are always ways to acquire capital.

Investing in real estate is never a bad idea. It offers potential investors a slew of financial and personal benefits such as increased cash flow, home appreciation, and tax benefits. In fact, real estate investment continues to be one of the most popular vehicles in producing financial wealth. According to the IRS, approximately 71 percent of Americans that declared more than a million dollars on their income tax returns in the last 50 years was in real estate. Ironically, beginner investors face the challenge of learning how to obtain real estate investment financing before they can start creating wealth. Read on to learn about some of the most common types of real estate financing options out there, as well as prominent loans for real estate investing.

What Is Real Estate Financing?

Real estate financing is a term generally used to describe an investor’s method of securing funds for an impending deal. As its name suggests, this method will have investors secure capital from an outside source to buy and renovate a property. Not unlike traditional financing, however, real estate financing comes complete with terms and underwriting, not the least of which need to be fully understood before entering into a contract.

How To Obtain Real Estate Investment Financing

One of the biggest misconceptions of real estate investing is that you need to have a lot of money to get started, which simply isn’t true. The secret that many professionals don’t understand, however, is the fact that there is a multitude of different real estate financing options available to fund every investment. Because the method in which a specific deal is funded can greatly impact its outcome, understanding the financing aspect is imperative.

As an investor, there are a few different ways to go about financing real estate investments. Each one will have its own set of pros and cons, and your financing approach will depend on the property and the situation. For beginner investors, it’s important to remember that not all real estate investment financing options are created equal. What works for someone else may not necessarily work for you, but the trick is understanding which real estate financing option will compliment your business strategy. By taking the time to research the various real estate financing options out there, new investors are sure to realize how accessible investing can be. Broadening one’s toolkit of real estate investment financing options is simply a matter of being knowledgeable about what strategies exist, as well as proper ways to leverage them. Keep in mind that all investors have faced the financing hurdle at some point in their career; when in doubt, there is nothing wrong with tapping into your investor network and ask for advice.

Real Estate Financing Options

Investors with a deal lined up have already accomplished one of the most important steps in home flipping. However, finding a viable deal is only one piece of the puzzle. Once you find a good property to invest in, you need to then be able to finance the impending transaction.

Financing a real estate deal tends to send new investors into a fit of anxiety or is even enough to compel them to pack up their dreams and retreat to their nine-to-five job. However, if an investor commits to doing his or her due diligence, the fear of a lack of funds is irrational.

If you have a great deal on the table, there is no limit when it comes to ways to fund it. A great example would be leveraging a self-directed IRA, which would require some careful consideration beforehand; however, it goes to show that there are many available options for real estate investment financing. For investors wondering how to finance an investment property, I will explain some of your real estate financing options:

Cash Financing: Great for investors who have access to a significant amount of capital, either personally or through their network, and wish to purchase properties free and clear.

Hard Money Lenders: Accessible to investors who have less-than-perfect credit or financial history and are in need of a short-term loan.

Private Money Lenders: Investors who are well-connected can often tap into capital from personal connections, borrowing money at a specified interest rate and payback period.

Self-Directed IRA Accounts: Individuals who have elected to create savings through a self-directed IRA may make the decision to tap into their account as a way to access capital.

Seller Financing: Buyers and sellers can sometimes strike up a mutually beneficial agreement, allowing the investor and seller to avoid having to go through a private lender altogether.

Peer-To-Peer Lending: This is a great option for investors trying to raise the last portion of funding for a project. Peer-to-peer lending can offer high flexibility and low-interest rates.

Cash Financing

As an investor, cash is a monumental tool to getting what you want. Along with getting more offers accepted, cash financing enables investors to save on interest, increase their cash flow, and receive instant equity in their investment. It also has the ability to save investors on the purchase amount.

In the first quarter of 2016, all-cash homebuyers for single-family homes and condos paid, on average, 23 percent less per square foot than all homebuyers nationwide, according to RealtyTrac.

In addition, it is important to remember there will be times when paying cash for property makes sense and other times when other financing options should be considered. If you have your own capital, however, you should always consider using it in the best possible scenarios.

Hard Money Lenders

Funded by private businesses and individuals, hard money lenders provide short-term, high-rate loans for real estate investors. This financing option, which does not conform to bank standards of creditworthiness, is typically used by rehabbers looking to renovate a property.

Hard money financing is generally determined by the value of the investment property itself, with lenders analyzing the “After Repair Value” (ARV) to determine the size of the loan. Hard money lenders generally will not fund an entire deal, but rather fund a percentage of the purchase price or the after-repair value, which will range from 50 to 70 percent.

Hard money lender also charges fees apart from the interest on the loan. These fees are generally delineated in points (three to five), which represent additional percentage fees based on the loan amount. In general, hard money lenders charge much higher interest rates – sometimes double the amount of a traditional mortgage, plus fees. In the end, all hard money lenders will have different requirements and real estate investors need to be fully aware of what they are getting themselves into.

Private Money Lenders

Private money lenders are integral to the growth of every new investor. They have the means and intent to invest capital into your business, and they are just as interested in working with you, as you are with them.

Private money lenders will provide investors with cash to purchase real estate properties in exchange for a specific interest rate. These terms will generally be established up front and with a specified payback period – anywhere from six months to a year. These loans are most common when investors believe they can raise the value of a particular property over a short period of time, typically through renovations. It’s also important to understand that, like hard money, private money should only be used when you have a clearly defined exit strategy.

Self-Directed IRA Accounts

A self-directed IRA (Individual Retirement Account) is, at its most basic level, a savings account that allows for compounded, tax-free growth, over time. Self-directed IRAs are unique from other types of savings accounts, such as a 401K, as the owner can control a wide array of investment options, including real estate.

Owners of self-directed IRA account enjoy a unique benefit of being able to purchase, rehab and sell properties while still being able to defer taxes. However, it is important to note that owners under the age of 60 are typically subject to a penalty for withdrawing funds early.

Seller Financing

There are some scenarios when both an investor and a seller can strike up a mutually beneficial seller financing deal. In seller financing, the buyer of the property will make payments directly to the seller of the property, rather than going through a bank. This can help a motivated seller sell the property more quickly, and the investor can avoid having to jump over traditional mortgage lending hurdles, such as financial and credit score minimums.

Together, the buyer and seller can often enjoy a faster transaction process, as well as avoid many costs and fees associated with the closing process. Furthermore, the owner has the option to sell the promissory note if they no longer want to manage their own owner financing.

Peer-To-Peer Lending

Peer-to-peer lending allows investors to borrow money from other investors, or groups of investors (hence the name). The basic process can be thought of similarly to hard or private money lending, though the specifics are quite different. Like these methods, investors are able to bypass the strict requirements of traditional funding and allow their portfolios to do the talking.

This form of real estate financing does typically involves a lower loan-to-value ratio when compared to other types of funding. This often prevents investors from borrowing the entire loan amount needed to purchase a property; however, don’t be afraid to seek out the financing you need. Peer-to-peer financing as a whole offers a high degree of flexibility overall.

Best Loans For Real Estate Investing

When examining the large umbrella of different real estate financing options, one should also take into consideration loans that are offered by the government, traditional lenders, as well as methods of leveraging personal equity. Read on to find out some of the most popular loan options that are used creatively by investors, including real estate investment loans on bad credit:

203K Loan: A special type of loan backed by the Federal Housing Administration, 203K loans support the purchase of older or damaged properties in need of rehabilitation.

Home Equity Loan: Homeowners who have built up equity in their property are able to take out a loan in the form of a line of credit, allowing them the flexibility to expand their portfolios by using their equity as collateral.

FHA Loan: Consumers with less-than-perfect credit or those who do not have access to capital to satisfy a large down payment can achieve homeownership by taking out a mortgage backed by the Federal Housing Administration.

Traditional Mortgage Loan: Conventional home loans financed by banks still remains one of the most popular methods of financing real estate deals.

Conforming Loan: As its name suggests, a conforming loan is a mortgage that is equal to or less than the amount established by the conforming loan limit set by the FHFA. Perhaps even more importantly, conforming loans are in compliance with Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

Portfolio Loan: Portfolio loans are serviced by the initial lenders that first issued the funds. Instead of selling the loan to the secondary market, however, the servicer will keep the loan in its own portfolio.

VA Loan: A VA loan is a mortgage that is guaranteed by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

203K Loan

203K loans are a special type of loan backed by the Federal Housing Administration and is designed specifically for those who plan to rehabilitate older or damaged properties. The loan includes the price of the purchase of the property, plus the estimated costs to make renovations. 203K rehab loans are attractive to some because of the low-down-payment requirement of 3.5 percent and allows the funding of cosmetic or major repairs as needed. In addition, the borrower can include 6 months’ worth of mortgage payments in the loan.

This policy is designed to help homeowners make mortgage payments during the time that they cannot live in the property during its rehabilitation phase. Investors should be aware, however, of some potential downsides to this loan. First, 203K borrowers are required to hire a licensed contractor and construction consultant, meaning that DIY projects are not allowed. In addition, fix and flip investment properties are not eligible. Those would be able to take an owner-occupied approach, by purchasing a property with 1 to 4 units.

Home Equity Loan

When an investor has built up equity in the form of their personal residence, then they have the opportunity to take out a loan against that equity. A home equity loan, more formally known as a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC), allows homeowners to leverage their home equity as collateral in order to take out a loan. Common uses for a home equity loan include home repairs, education, or the resolving of debt.

A major benefit of a home equity loan is the low rates that are typically based on the prime rate, currently at a low. In addition, borrowers enjoy the flexibility to use the loan how they would like, as well as manage their own repayment structure. This flexibility creates an avenue for homeowners to expand their portfolios on their own terms.

FHA Loan

The FHA loan is one of several home loan options offered by the federal government. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) established the loan to help broaden access to homeownership for consumers with less-than-perfect credit profiles, as well as those who do not have the financial means to save up for a large down payment. When a new homebuyer shops for mortgage loan options, they can search for lenders that offer mortgage loan products that are backed by the FHA. These loans offer a down payment requirement of as low as 3.5 percent, while still allowing for a low-interest rate.

It should be noted, however, that putting down less than 20 percent on a home loan will result in a required private mortgage insurance payment. In addition, the FHA loan only allows owner-occupied properties but does allow for the purchase of a property with more than one unit. According to The Lenders Network, the current loan limit for a single-unit property ranges between $294,515 to $679,650, depending on whether the market is a low-cost or high-cost area.

Traditional Mortgage Loan

One of the more popular financing methods in real estate is through traditional lenders, which includes conventional and FHA loans. Many investors are pursuing traditional lender financing options in today’s market because interest rates are at historic lows.

However, traditional lenders follow strict guidelines with many demands that other financing options don’t require. The hurdles with traditional loans, such as a conventional mortgage loan, include a sufficient down payment (anywhere from 15 to 25 percent), an adequate credit score (a minimum of 680) and documentation of income. In addition, the money used must be what is called “sourced and seasoned” for at least 60 days and cannot be a gift. In many cases, this could limit many investors.

Conforming Loans\

Conforming loans, as their names suggest, conform to standardized rules set forth by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. More specifically, however, the “conforming” part of these loans refers to the amount loaned out. Conforming loans must be less than the conforming loan limit, set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency. The 2019 limit for conforming loans is set at $484,350, or $31,250 more than the conforming loan limit set the previous year.  It is worth noting, however, that the conforming loan limit isn’t universal across every market. In higher-priced areas like New York or San Diego, the limit is higher.

Outside of the size of the loan itself, conforming loans are also characterized by the following:

Loan-To-Value Ratio

Debt-To-Income Ratio

Credit Score & History

Documentation requirements

Portfolio Loans

Portfolio loans are financed by the loan originator, but instead of being sold to a secondary market—like most traditional lenders tend to do—the lender will retain the loan for their own portfolio. As a result, borrowers won’t have to establish a relationship with another lender and can, instead, maintain the connection with their current lender. In other words, it’ll be much easier to maintain an open line of communication.

VA Loans

VA loans are intended to service United States Veterans, Service Members, and their spouses. VA Loans are issued by qualified lenders and guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Specifically, the VA will guarantee a maximum of 25 percent of a home loan amount up to $113,275, which limits the maximum loan amount to $453,100. Meanwhile, “the reasonable value of the property or the purchase price, whichever is less, plus the funding fee may be borrowed,” according to VAloans.com.

Using lender financing is a great option for beginner investors, but it’s important to be patient and prepared. Make sure you understand the process and what is required to get approved.

Summary

When it comes down to it, real estate is a commodity that must be paid for. As an investor, it is up to you to determine which real estate financing will work best for each deal. Ultimately, understanding the importance of real estate financing, including the different financing methods used by real estate investors, will assist in getting started. Now that you have been equipped with some of the most popular financing strategies, there is no need to hesitate to take on your next venture.

Which real estate financing option was the most compelling to you? Share your thoughts in the comments below:

Dennis Dahlberg
Broker/RI/CEO/MLO
Level 4 Funding LLC
Hard Money Lender
Hard Money Loans
Hard Money Loan
Arizona Tel:  (623) 582-4444
Texas Tel:      (512) 516-1177
Dennis@level4funding.com
Dennis Dahlberg Broker/RI/CEO

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22601 N 19th Ave Suite 112 | Phoenix | AZ | 85027
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About:  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 43 years. They have 2 beautiful daughters 5 amazing grandchildren. Dennis has been an Arizona resident for the past 40 years.
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