Many people, before they delve into the world of real estate investments, think of hard money loans as those you obtain only if you have poor credit and are desperate. Those that have been in the business for a while understand that they are an important lender to have in your lending portfolio and that many have different requirements and protocol.

Hard money loans are often obtained from private individuals that specialize in various types of real estate loans. The rates they offer vary dramatically and can range anywhere from 10 percent and 1- or 2-point origination fees, depending on your terms, to 18 percent interest on a short term loan with a 5- percent origination fee. An origination fee is designed to cover the cost of entering into and processing the loan agreement. Some lenders will roll your origination fee into the loan balance while others require payment upfront. Compare loan APRs along with fees in order to determine who is offering you the best loan.

You’ll find underwriting processes, or loan determinations, very different among lenders of hard money loans. For many, creditworthiness and credit scores are not even considered in the approval process. For others, it is an important consideration. When evaluating what you bring to the table, which includes your down payment as well as your collateral, some will only consider the LTV or loan-to-value ratio while others consider the ARV or after-repair-value. If you’re looking for a loan amount based on the after-value, you will need to come to the table with a solid background in your chosen real estate investment as well as budget and expenses that includes contractor fees.

Some hard money lenders specialize in specific types of properties. For instance, you will find hard money loans specifically for fix-and-flip models while others are solely investing in manufactured homes with land. Obviously, it’s important to find out what types of investments they are willing to loan on before wasting any time with a lender that does not specialize in the type of loan that you need. Generally speaking, most will not lend on an owner-occupied residential property thanks to Dodd-Frank regulations.

The Main Reason Real Estate Investors Choose Hard Money Loans

One of the main reasons real estate investors choose hard money loans is because they are often quick to fund. Many of these types of lenders will fund in as little as a week or less, in comparison to the month or two that traditional lenders take due to underwriting processes and extended time to funding. If an investor finds themselves in a bidding war, having cash on hand can often mean the difference between starting their next renovation or still searching for that ideal property.

At Level 4 funding, we provide funding for all types of real estate investments including multifamily, construction, business and office.

We offer loans with no prepayment penalties and with terms that can be extended. Our popular construction loans start at 9.5 percent APR with 24-month terms and convenient monthly draws. Call us for a no-obligation quote.

Dennis Dahlberg
Broker/RI/CEO/MLO
Level 4 Funding LLC  Private Hard Money Lender
Arizona Tel:  (623) 582-4444
Texas Tel:      (512) 516-1177
Dennis@level4funding.com NMLS 1057378 | AZMB 0923961 | MLO 1057378
22601 N 19th Ave Suite 112 | Phoenix | AZ | 85027
111 Congress Ave |Austin | Texas | 78701

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.

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