Private money lending can offer several benefits for everyone involved. It is not uncommon for investors to eventually expand into private money lending themselves due to these benefits. If you are interested in private money lending, there are a few steps you can follow:

1. Establish your business and obtain the required insurance.
2. Meet with a lawyer to create your company structure.
3. Identify your preferred lending focus.
4. Join a peer-to-peer lending platform or network to find possible investments.
5. Evaluate any potential clients by calculating potential returns and risk levels.
6. Start your business in private money lending.

Private Money Lending: How To Identify Borrowers

The concept of private money lending is relatively simple: without money, real estate investing does not exist. Money, like in every other industry, is the lifeblood of an investor. Real estate investors need to actively work on securing private money loans to fund their deals. Often, the average investor is not capable of funding a deal with their own money. Moreover, even if the funds are readily available, investors will seek the assistance of private money. Regardless of a particular investor’s situation, there is a particular likelihood of them needing private money assistance. Instead of having to pool money or stretch every dollar, investors are given more options to grow their business with the use of private money.

Perhaps even more importantly, is the speed and efficiency in which private money may be obtained. The speed of implementation is critical to an investor, and it can mean the difference between closing on a deal and losing one. Having the money in a timely manner can make it that much easier to close a deal.

With private money lending, you will be confronted with several types of borrowers. While each is unique, they are all looking for the same thing. Here are the four types of borrowers you may encounter:

• Rehab/Sell: This type of investor will typically purchase a residential property and complete renovations with the intention of reselling it once the project is complete. Borrowers in this sector find private money attractive because conventional banks will often not lend to properties in poor condition. Perhaps even more importantly, access to private money is more conducive to a timely and profitable flip.
• Rehab/Rent: These investors typically purchase a residential property and complete renovations with the intention of renting the property for cash flow purposes. These borrowers find private money attractive for the same reasons as investors in the rehab/sell category.
• Builders/Developers: Builders and developers will purchase vacant land to permit and develop into residential or commercial use. Borrowers in this sector are interested in private money primarily based on the speed with which the funds can be available. Also, many banks will not lend on speculative development.
• Commercial Investors: This population of investors may seek to use private money as a “bridge loan” for commercial property when a conventional bank will not lend on an un-stabilized asset.

Money Lending: How To Get Paid

Private money lending is attractive because of the flexibility it offers, not only to borrowers but to lenders as well. You see, with a traditional loan lender will generate income through interest payments made by the borrower. Private loans, on the other hand, allow lenders to negotiate exactly how (and when) they will be paid back for the loan. This opportunity opens a few perks not traditionally offered to investors. Read through the following agreements to learn more about making money as a private lender.

• Joint Ventures: As a private money lender, a profit split can be one of the most attractive options for financing investment. Investors can negotiate to receive a percentage of the final profits in this type of agreement. The amount will vary based on the contract and the investment, though it could be quite profitable. In some cases, private money lenders will even find borrowers who propose this option. Just make sure you believe in the potential success of the deal and you are all set.
• Exit Fees: This loan structure requires the borrower to pay a predetermined amount at the end of the loan term. The exit fee is often negotiated as a percentage of the overall price of the investment. In some cases, lenders may even negotiate an increasing exit fee that changes depending on when the loan is paid in full. For example, if the borrower needed a few extra months to repay the loan, then they would pay a larger exit fee.
• Interest Payments: As I mentioned above, interest payments are one of several ways to generate income from a private money loan. In fact, this is the most common setup in private money. Lenders can set an interest rate at the time of the loan approval and sit back and wait for the money to arrive. Typically, private money loans are associated with higher interest rates than other loans, making this a particularly attractive arrangement for lenders.
• Points: Points are essentially fees paid by borrowers in exchange for lower interest rates. Points are calculated as percentages of the overall loan, with one point referring to one percent of the loan amount. The reason some lenders prefer this system is that points allow them to be paid in larger sums, with additional interest payments to follow. Often, points are paid at the beginning of the loan term and are suggested by the borrower as an incentive for granting the loan. 

Dennis Dahlberg
Broker/RI/CEO/MLO
Level 4 Funding LLC
Tel: 623-582-4444
Level4Funding.com

Private Hard Money Lender
Dennis@Level4Funding.com

Who is this Dude? Dennis brings with him substantial experience in residential real estate. Dennis has extensive experience purchasing, renting, and selling numerous homes over the past 45 years. His first purchase was a property in California when he was 18 years old.   Dennis graduated from California State University Pomona with majors in Computer Science and Business Management. He is a Licensed Mortgage Broker, Licensed Mortgage Originator, Licensed Real Estate Agent, Licensed Insurance Agent Certified Sort Sales Specialist (CSS), Certified Negotiator (CNE), and FAA Licensed Private Pilot.