Sunday, August 28, 2022

Guide To Financing Investments A Real Estate Investor’s Guide to Hard Money Lending

What Is Hard Money Lending? Everything You Need To Know

The basics of understanding what is a hard money loan represent the first step in breaking down real estate financing. Hard money loans are, after all, a real estate investor's best friend; they are the quickest path to securing a deal. Nonetheless, hard money lending can get complicated quickly, so you need to realize what you are getting into before making any decisions for yourself.

When exploring real estate hard money lending, you need to comprehend several questions: What are the pros and cons of such a strategy? When should you use private financing for real estate? Where can you find hard money lenders for real estate? The more you know about hard money, for that matter, the better. This guide should serve to lay a solid foundation for everything you need to know about one of today's greatest sources of capital.

What Is Hard Money Lending?

Many investors looking for alternative financing that doesn't involve their local bank may have heard the term "hard money." They may have even asked themselves a simple follow-up question: what is hard money lending?

Hard money lending is a short-term loan obtained from private investors or individuals at terms that may be strict than a traditional loan. Though the terms of this creative financing option may be stricter, this form of private financing for real estate generally has more lenient criteria.

Hard Money Lending FAQs

1. The Big-Picture of Hard Money Lending

Hard money lending is another way an investor can finance their real estate projects outside of the traditional mortgage means. This is a short-term loan secured from private investors or individuals instead of other traditional institutions like banks or credit unions.

Hard money lending is often used by investors who aim to improve or renovate a property and sell it. Given that you can usually get a loan in a matter of days (as opposed to weeks from banks), this is a fine choice for house flippers and real estate developers. This is also an option for investors who only need to do quick fixes to raise a property's value, then secure another loan based on the new value to pay off the hard money lender.

2. Hard Money Lending Vs. Other Lending Types

The main difference between hard money lending and other types of loans is that this type of financing does not focus on your credit history or income as collateral. Instead, lenders will see the property's value as the determining factor, emphasizing its after-repair value (ARV). ARV is the worth of the property once your renovations are done.

Other differences include:

· Hard money lenders do not invest in primary residences. Owner-occupied residential properties are subject to many rules and regulations, thereby increasing the risk for lenders.

· Hard money lenders do not sell loans to Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae. Often, lenders use their own money or raise it from a pool of investors. The loan amount is based on their property specialization (if there are any) and the risks they are comfortable taking.

· Hard money loans are short-term. You will not have the luxury of 15 to 30 years to repay your loans. Hard money loans are typically needing to be repaid anywhere between 6 to 36 months.

· Hard money lenders have their own lending criteria. A private lender, for example, could be your friend, family, or business associate. As such, they may not have any preset criteria before lending you money, giving you more flexibility in negotiating terms. Hard money lenders, on the other hand, come with a specific set of upfront points, interest rates, and defined durations.

3. What Are Hard Money Loans Used For?

Hard money loans can be used for a wide variety of investment types and purposes. In the real estate industry, hard money loans are commonly used to purchase both residential and commercial properties. This is partly because of the approval requirements and because hard money lenders can work on the quick timeline that closing deals often demands.

Imani Francies, an investing expert with Loans.com, says that "loans of last resort or short-term bridging loans are called hard money loans. Real estate serves as collateral for a hard money loan. Due to their lack of red tape, hard money loans are ideal for wealthy investors that need to get funds for an investment property swiftly".

Hard money loans are also commonly used to fix and flip properties. These investors may be less worried about higher interest rates because the end goal is to sell the property for a profit once the rehab is finished. Hard money loans make a perfect fit because they can be used to purchase properties and make renovations.

The Pros And Cons Of Hard Money Loans

I maintain that hard money loans represent one of the single most advantageous funding opportunities for investors to take advantage of. If any, few sources of capital can compete on the same level as hard money and offer the same competitive edge. It is hard money loans, after all, that many investors must thank for acquiring their deals in the first place. That said, hard money is not without its own caveats. Loren Howard from Real Estate Bees states that "hard money loans are fast to approve and fund and can speed up the entire real estate investment process. However, they have much higher rates than a traditional loan and are not suited for non-real estate investors". Despite its superior benefits, there are downsides to hard money that warrant the consideration of every investor.

Let's look at the pros and cons of hard money so you can weigh the pros and cons yourself.

Pros

Securing financing with a hard money lending loan offers you several benefits, including:

· Speed: The Dodd-Frank Act is financial reform legislation enacted in the past decade. It came with new regulations on mortgage lending, which means a lot of time (often, months) is needed for an investor to close a loan. On the other hand, hard money lending is fast, as you can secure a loan in days or weeks (depending on negotiations). Time is essential, especially for large development projects, and hard money lending can help speed that process along.

· Flexibility: Terms can be negotiated with hard money lending loans since you are dealing directly with individual investors. Banks are not as flexible.

· Collateral: With hard money financing, the property itself is your collateral for the loan. Some lenders even accept other assets, like your retirement account or residential property under your name, as a basis for starting a loan.

· No "Red Tape": Getting a loan for an investment property with a traditional mortgage is difficult, if not impossible. Traditional borrowers need to worry about credit score, LTV ratios, debt-to-income, and several other indicators they need to meet criteria for. However, hard money lenders function as asset-based lenders who are more concerned with the property than the borrower's credentials.

· Convenience: There is something to be said for the convenience of being able to close with cash. Having to supply a lender with bank statements, income documentation, tax returns, and leases can become overbearing and consume your focus and energy. Hard money, on the other hand, cuts out the middleman and a lot of the headaches.

· Volume: Hard money lenders allow investors to leverage other people's money. That means investors could potentially fund more than one deal at a time. Traditional loans will do no such thing. If you want to fund multiple deals at a time, you should consider a hard money loan.

· Competitive Edge: Hard money allows investors to beat out the competition, or at least those using a traditional loan. If for nothing else, sellers prefer the two things hard money offers: cash and a timely transaction.

Cons

There are, however, certain disadvantages to using hard money for real estate investments:

· Cost: The convenience that comes with hard money lending may be its primary benefit; however, it is also its main drawback. Given that hard money lenders are at higher risk than borrowers, many may demand up to 10 percentage points higher than traditional loans. Interest rates range from 10 to 18 percent. Expect other fees to be also at a relatively increased rate, including origination fees and closing costs.

· Short Repayment Schedule: A shorter repayment period is the price to pay for being able to get a property listed on the market ASAP. This can be anywhere between 6 to 36 months. Make sure that you can sell the property and profit the soonest time possible.

Hard Money Loan Rates

Hard money loan rates are typically much higher than fixed-rate mortgage loans. Compared to the average 5.5% fixed-rate mortgage loan, a hard money loan typically falls between 8% and 18%. In addition, hard money loans may not cover the full value of the property you seek to finance. If a hard money loan does not cover the full value, you may be required to present a higher down payment on the property or find an additional source of financing to close the deal.

When To Use Hard Money for Real Estate

Though hard money lenders will often issue loans for almost any type of property, certain types of property investments were absolutely made for hard money. Rehab projects, construction loans, and land loans were made to be financed through hard money.

For example, when flipping a house investors need access to funding for both the purchase and renovation costs. André Disselkamp from Finsurancy advises that "these projects typically happen on a quick timeline, meaning investors do not have time to wait through the process of a traditional loan approval".

This doesn't mean that other types of investments should not be financed through hard money. If you, the buyer of a property, have credit issues, or you need to act quickly on a deal before it disappears, the speed and convenience afforded by a hard money loan can be worth its weight in gold. In these cases, hard money loans can be used to purchase residential or commercial properties.

Finding Hard Money Lenders for Real Estate Investing

Many new investors fret over how they will find hard money lenders to get moving on the financing of their projects. But here are a couple of simple ways to approach this:

· REIA or MeetUp Meetings: Often hard money lenders will speak at local real estate events. If not, ask fellow members to see if they know any trustworthy lenders.

· Real Estate Agent or Traditional Lender: Ask that realtor, or mortgage broker, in your real estate network if they know a hard money lender you could do business with.

· Google "Hard Money Lender": Just be careful, there are some unscrupulous individuals out there. Be sure to ask for references and talk to fellow investors to get their opinion.

Working With Hard Money Lenders

Working with hard money lenders will be less different than going through a traditional bank for financing. To begin with, hard money lenders are not regulated in the same way as traditional financing institutions. The lack of regulations means the rules of the loan will be different. Borrowers can negotiate directly with lenders on the loan terms. Hard money lenders will decide what to accept at their own discretion, specifically in regard to credit scores, debt-to-income ratios, and more. Keep in mind that the most important thing hard money lenders are looking for is a return on investment. Melanie Cohen from Instaya advises to "make sure that the property is worth investment and communicate its potential to your lender. When compared to a traditional loan, working with hard money. lenders are more about investment potential than your own financial standing".

How Does Hard Money Lending Work?

Given that these are private individuals, every hard money lender is different. As stated above, these lenders come with their own requirements, including the process they need to close the transaction.

To give you a general idea, this is the usual course hard money lending takes:

1. Find a hard lender near you. Do not let the rejection of a bank loan drive you to desperation. Research and make sure the lender can be trusted. Do they have a legitimate website? Are they in good standing with their own investors? Do they have pending lawsuits over bad loans?

2. Arrange a meeting with the lender. This is also the time when you can inquire whether they specialize in a kind of investment property or if they have worked with projects previously that mirror yours. Assess the time frame specified for the loan and see if this is something you can work with.

3. Prepare a contract. Make sure that you are offering a good deal with a sound financial plan.

4. Inform the lender of your contract price. Most lenders are willing to fund 60 to 80 percent of the property's ARV. The remaining 30 to 40 percent is up to you. You will increase your chances of getting approved if you already have this at hand.

5. Get the property appraised. The lender will either send a list of their trusted appraisers or have their own.

6. Prepare additional documents needed. Some lenders may require that you present other documentation, like W-2s, bank statements, pay stubs, etc.

7. Wait for the lender's approval. If it is a deal that the lender finds satisfactory, then they will inform you of the amount and terms for payment.

8. Consult with a lawyer. Make sure that you are legally protected, especially after getting the lender's counteroffer.

9. Close the loan. Typically, this will be done at a title company or a lawyer's office. The lender will then put the money into escrow at the title company. The title company would make sure all paperwork is completed and that checks are issued to all parties involved. Additional costs may include any closing fees and property insurance.

Often, lenders grant money to properties that will not be in the market for long, and that have good selling potential. Make sure your team budgets ample time to complete renovations. There's no sense in coming up with unrealistic projections. This cannot only set you back financially but possibly burn a possible future relationship with your hard money lender.

Alternatives To Hard Money Loans

Hard money loans are not the only form of financing with approval requirements that differ from a traditional home loan. Numerous alternatives may help you buy your next property:

· Home Equity Loans: If you are trying to finance your second property (or an investment property) consider tapping into your existing equity with a home equity loan. The approval requirements are largely based on the value of the property and the amount of equity you have built up. These loans are also associated with lower interest rates when compared to hard money loans.

· FHA Loans: Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans are an option for borrowers who do not meet the traditional criteria. FHA loans have lower approval requirements and do not consider past financial challenges (namely bankruptcy) during the application process. Read our guide to FHA loans to learn more.

· VA Loans: Loans by the Department of Veterans Affairs require no down payment and have much lower approval standards. These loans are only provided to qualified veterans, active-duty service members, and their spouses. The interest rates and application requirements are often much more favorable if you do qualify.

Summary

Learning what is a hard money loan for real estate acquisitions has become commonplace in the housing sector. If for nothing else, a hard money loan gives investors an edge over those using traditional financing methods. Not only should hard money borrowers be able to secure capital faster, but sellers will also favor their offers because they are made with cash. That said, if you are looking to fund a deal, you may not want to ignore hard money; it could be the one thing that gets you what you need.

Equal Housing Opportunity. This is not a Good Faith Estimate and this is not a Guarantee to lend and should not be considered as such. Costs, rates, estimates and terms can only be determined after completion of a full application. Actual payments will vary based on your individual situation and current rates. APR for loans vary from 7.99 - 29.5% and is based on Credit Score, Down Payment, LTV, Income. Mortgage rates could change daily. To get more accurate and personalized results, please call 623 582 4444 to talk to one of our licensed mortgage experts. Terms and conditions of all loan programs are subject to change without notice. Level 4 Funding LLC, 22601 N 19th Ave Suite 112, Phoenix AZ 85027, 623-582-4444 NMLS 1018071 AZMB 0923961 This e-mail is for the exclusive use of the intended recipients, and may contain privileged and confidential information. If you are not an intended recipient, please notify the sender, delete the e-mail from your computer and do not copy or disclose it to anyone else. Your receipt of this message is not intended to waive any applicable privilege. Neither this e-mail nor any attachment's establish a client relationship, constitute an electronic signature or provide consent to contract electronically, unless expressly so stated by Dennis Dahlberg RI/CEO, Level 4 Funding LLC, in the body of this e-mail or an attachment. To the extent this message includes any tax or legal advice this message is not intended or written by the sender to be used, and cannot be used, for legal or tax purposes or advice.

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 43 years. They have 2 beautiful daughters 5 amazing grandchildren. Dennis has been an Arizona resident for the past 40 years.

Saturday, August 27, 2022

Finding Money for your Fix and Flips.

Finding Money for your Fix and Flips. Source of funding for Investments are Conventional, Hard Money Lenders and OPM.

If you have been around the real estate investing business before, you are probably aware of the acronym O.P.M., which stands for other people's money. Leveraging the funds of others, for that matter, is one of the best ways to get a new real estate business off the ground. And to that point, there are two basic strategies centered around using O.P.M.: private and hard money. Each of them serves the same basic function but offer two completely different ways to go about funding a deal. With private money loan, you are tapping into friends, family and co-workers to form a financial partnership on the deals you buy. With private hard money, you are using funds from an individual or partnership to earn a higher return on their capital. Almost all successful real estate investors have multiple options for using O.P.M. They may not use them on every deal, but in the right situation, it makes perfect sense. For as many people that swear by O.P.M., there are still a few detractors. Let's look at some of the reasons people may not want to use O.P.M., and why it may pay to ignore them:

"The rates and fees are too high!"

There are times in the real estate business when beggars can't be choosers. If you do not have access to your own capital or do not want to use traditional lender options, funding is limited. Your only options may be hard and private money lenders. As simple as it sounds, making something on a deal is better than not making anything. Increased hard money options have pushed rates and fees down considerably. With private money lenders, you can negotiate the best terms and fees that you are both comfortable with. Whatever the terms are, they give you an entry into the business. Having access to capital allows you to make more offers, and to ultimately have more of those offers accepted. Making a smaller return on numerous deals adds to your bottom line and accelerates the speed in which you can accumulate your own funds. If you are using these funds for rehabbing properties, the impact of the interest rate will only be felt for as long as you own the property. In most cases, you can turn a rehab property around in as little as 30-90 days. O.P.M. rates and fees are higher than a traditional lender, but they should be they have the funds and can dictate the terms. Just because the rates are higher than you may like, however, doesn't mean you should ignore them.

"My local lender has rates around 4%."

There are many investors who have done quite well using traditional lender options. However, there are significant restrictions on how quickly you can close, and even if you can get approved. Your local lender does have much lower interest rates, but only if you can take advantage of them. For starters, you will need a down payment anywhere between 20-30%, coupled with strong credit scores. You will also need to document all of your income and be prepared to wait anywhere from 30-45 days. Most sellers do not want to deal with a lender financed option. If there is a cash offer at a slightly lower price, most would rather accept the sure thing. Additionally, the industry norm allows for a maximum of 10 total loans on your credit report, which includes second mortgages. Even if you don't mind the process, sooner or later you will hit ten and be forced to find alternatives.

"I don't know where to find a hard money lender."

In recent years, there has been an influx of hard money lenders in most markets. Last decade there were only a handful of these lenders. They were considered a last-ditch option that was used for foreclosure prevention or other emergencies. Today, there are more hard money lenders than ever before. Most of these companies have websites and operate very much like lenders, in that they have defined rates, fees and terms. The biggest difference is that they are not bound by specific guidelines. Finding hard money lenders is as easy as asking your real estate agent, attorney, or accountant. There are usually a handful at most real estate clubs and networking events. There is an instinct to be intimidated by what you don't know. With so much competition, you can shop around. Talk to as many different hard money lenders as possible and find the best fit for you. What you will find is that they want your business just as much as you want to work with them.

How does a Hard Money Lender Qualify You.

Most hard money lenders first look at the property you are purchasing. They calculate a Loan to Value Ratio and that is the amount of money the are willing to lend on the property. It's based on the current value, which is the value you are probably pay to purchase the property. Future value is nice to see, but a hard money lender will base the loan amount it on current value.

Once you develop a relationship with a lender, you will begin to gain trust. Instead of constantly looking over your shoulder and giving updates, you are given freedom to work. It will take a while to get to this point, but once you do it will change your business. You can focus on finding good deals and making offers that work for you. Using O.P.M. may not be perfect, but it is a perfectly good way to get started or take your business to the next level.

Friday, August 26, 2022

The Best Real Estate Investor’s Guide To Financing Investments

Guide To Financing Investments A Real Estate Investor's

Private hard money lenders are the most important people to establish a relationship within the real estate industry – at least if you want to run a sustainable business. Whether you are a new real estate investor or a seasoned veteran, chances are you will want to scale your business sooner rather than later. However, volume isn't contingent on skill alone; you must bring something else to the table. There is one more piece to the puzzle that every successful real estate investor must find on their own: funding. That said, any hopes of completing more deals would depend on building relationships with those that have the necessary capital. There are exceptions of course, but private hard money lenders are a critical component to any real estate investor's arsenal.

Private hard money lenders are integral to the growth of every new investor. They essentially provide the confidence and funding required to complete more deals. Of particular importance, however, is the liquidity private hard money lenders can offer investors and their businesses. Additional funds insulate people in our industry from risk and allow them to diversify their portfolios, at least more so than without private or hard money lenders getting involved.

Both sources are certainly worth their own considerations, but investors are advised to be able to differentiate between the two. To help you understand the differences between private money lenders and hard money lenders, my partners over at CT Homes and I have provided the following:

Breaking Down Private & Hard Money

Funding Deals With Private Money

In their simplest form, private money lenders are those people with the means and intent to invest capital. Consequently, anyone with a little extra money and an interest in what you do may be typecast into the role of a private money lender. It is up to you, however, to see to it that the convergence between your business and their interests takes place.

It is important to note that private money lenders are just as interested in working with you, as you are interested in working with them; it is really the quintessential symbiotic relationship. Both sides stand to gain something from every deal that is struck. In return for interest on their investment, private money lenders are entirely capable of bringing speed and efficiency to every transaction. Additionally, your leverage will increase exponentially when you offer to purchase a property with private-cash funds.

It is not uncommon for the funds from a private lender to go towards the purchase price of a property and subsequent renovation costs. The lender, however, will receive both the mortgage and a promissory note at the time of closing. Think of this as their insurance policy. The investor, on the other hand, will proceed with the renovation and put the funds to work. Following the completion of the rehab and its inevitable sale, the lender will be given their principle plus interest payment, and the borrower will collect what's left.

As I mentioned before, private investors can benefit immensely from investing their own capital in the ventures of others. First and foremost, their money will work on their behalf, coming back with interest on top of the principal investment. Their investment is also protected, as they will receive the deed and promissory note as a form of collateral. In fact, private money lenders are awarded more safety than many other investment vehicles can boast.

At the cost of somewhere between six and twelve percent interest on the money borrowed, real estate investors will be given the opportunity to close on more deals in a shorter period. What you pay in interest comes back in the form of volume and efficiency. It is truly the definition of a win, win scenario for both parties involved.

Often, private money lenders tap into their own bank accounts to fund a deal. That said, you won't have to wait an extended period and can move quickly on time sensitive deals. Consequently, traditional bank loans can offer nowhere near the efficiency of a private money loan.

Funding Deals With Hard Money

It's no secret; savvy investors know that they need to complement their private money sources with a hard money lender. That said, I could argue that a hard money lender is the most important person you will work with on a project at any given time. Not unlike private money lenders, hard money provides short-term, high-rate loans, and will also typically cover the cost of purchase and rehab expenses. However, hard money lenders are typically more organized and semi-institutional. Perhaps even more importantly, however, they have been licensed to lend to investors like yourself.

Hard money funding is typically distributed in draws against the work being done. It is, therefore, relatively common for a hard money lender to set up a payment schedule for completed work.

It is also important to note that the term "hard money" does not imply a degree of difficulty in acquiring said funds; in fact, it's quite the contrary. While the terms and criteria that accompany a hard money loan can be extensive, they are typically easier to overcome and more reliable than your standard institutional lender. If for nothing else, receiving hard money approval is easy in the face of a promising asset. You see; most hard money lenders make their decisions based off the asset in question. It isn't until after the home has been deemed promising that they will even see if the borrower qualifies. In other words, the more promising the project, the more likely you are to receive a hard money loan.

While hard money is certainly more expensive to borrow, it is more reliable. That said, it is not subject to traditional credit guidelines (the same ones that protect banks). Instead, fees for borrowing hard money are often delineated in points (three to five to be exact). Points represent an additional upfront percentage fee based on the loan amount. It is important to note that these fees are not universal, and different hard money lenders will bring different terms to the table.

Subsequently, hard money lenders are trying to mitigate risk by increasing interest rates, thus charging investors more for their services. But that increased rate is more than worth it, considering investors will be able to move on deals much faster than they would be able to with a traditional loan.

It is rare that a hard money lender will fund an entire deal. It is more common that they will only fund a percentage of the purchase price or the after-repair value (ARV) – usually, around 70 percent. Also, hard money lenders tend to favor deals that take less time. Having said that, it is common for the duration of a hard money loan to top off at 12 months. If your deal looks to be lengthy, you may need to side with a private money lender, or someone willing to fund your project for an extended period.

In the end, chances are a hard money loan is your best bet to secure a deal with a great profit margin. While five points may sound difficult to overcome, sometimes the profit margins awarded to those who can close on a home quickly are well worth the investment.

Even with all of this in mind, investors are still advised to use caution when working with a hard money lender. I encourage you to have multiple exit strategies lined up in the event something unexpected happens.

Private hard money lenders have become a trusted source of funding for real estate investors on nearly every level, regardless of their experience. Both hard money and private money, for that matter, have become the backbone of any successful real estate entrepreneur. You simply can't beat the speed and efficiency they have to offer. While they may come with a heftier price tag, I can assure you their positives greatly outweigh their negatives.

For More Information On Private & Hard Money Lending:

If you are interested in how to find private money investors that may be interested in teaming up with you on your next project. That way you won't have any problems finding funding for your next deal. Are you ready to start working with private hard money lenders?

Thursday, August 25, 2022

A Real Estate Investor’s Guide To Financing Investments

A Real Estate Investor's Guide To Financing Investments

Getting a short-term loan quickly can be difficult for real estate investors and wholesalers, especially if a great potential deal is coming up soon. However, you don't necessarily need to go with a sketchy loan or a high interest offer. Instead, you might be able to rely on transactional funding to finance real estate deals and other investment opportunities. But before you put all your eggs in one basket, let's take a closer look at this process and break down whether it'll be a good choice for your investment goals.

What is Transactional Funding?

Also called same-day funding or flash funding, transactional funding is a unique financial strategy in which investors take out very short-term loans to make purchases, then pay back those loans much more quickly than normal, oftentimes within the same day or week. They pay the loans back with profits made on the purchase. Through this alternative form of financing, investors, especially real estate wholesalers, can buy and sell target properties quickly without risking their capital. Because of their extremely short-term nature, these agreements are best used for real estate deals where a buyer will close on a deal and resell the same property (in a separate deal) for a profit within a few days at most.

How Does Transactional Funding Work?

There are several key agents in a transactional funding process:

A lender that provides the money for the transactional funding
An intermediate agent, like a real estate investor or real estate wholesaler
An initial seller, who sells the target property to the real estate investor
An end buyer, who buys the target property from the real estate investor once the investor gets the cash they need from the lender

In most cases, capital is available from hard money or private money lenders. Additionally, transactional funding is usually only possible when the intermediate agent (such as the real estate wholesaler) has a well-documented and established end buyer in place for the second deal. That's because the second or end buyer needs to be ready to buy a real estate wholesaler's property immediately after the investor buys their target property from the initial seller. In other words, this type of financing only works when all the players in such a transaction are ready to go and trustworthy.

You can use transactional funding for any real estate purchase and sale so long as the closing agent is willing to facilitate all the transactions and the lender agrees to the terms. In many cases, the lender will need important details made available to them to trust in the transaction. Note that transaction funding was available on a "pass-through" basis before the 2008 recession. This allowed an investor to sign a contract to buy an excellent deal for real estate at a low price, then sign a secondary contract promising to sell the property at a higher price for a profit. Then the investor could use the end buyer's money to fund the initial transaction to kick off the entire process. However, new regulations now require the purchase of the target property and the selling of the property to be two separate transactions.

How Much Does Transactional Funding Cost?

It depends on the comfort levels of different lenders. Some lenders may be more comfortable with certain deals than others. Even with this variability, real estate investors should assume that lenders will charge between 2% and 12% of the total loan amount. For example, if you need a $100,000 loan, you may need to pay between $2000 and $12,000 to facilitate the transactional funding process.

Transactional Funding in Wholesaling

Transactional funding is often useful when trading wholesale properties. Investors can get the cash they need to get a deal from a seller and quickly resell the property they purchased for a profit in a separate, transaction. This funding method gives investors more versatility and can replace the assigning contracts method of real estate trading, which is sometimes not permitted depending on your area. Because of its benefits and speed, transactional funding is of great use to real estate wholesalers.

What Do You Need To Be Eligible?

Although eligibility requirements may vary from lender to lender, there are generally 3 things you need to be considered eligible:

A motivated seller
Proof that you represent a business entity, such as an LLC
An end-buyer who is ready to close the deal immediately.

Note that the title company must be able to send a written confirmation stating that the money is in their escrow account.

Is A Proof Of Funds (POF) Letter Provided By The Lender?

Yes, the lender will provide a proof of funds (POF) letter. This letter proves to your seller that you have the funds available to purchase the property. Your deal is more likely to move forward once you have a POF, representing official backing from a legitimate financial institution.

Are There Any Upfront Fees?

Borrowers are expected to pay an origination fee, which is the equivalent of a few percentage points of the loan amount. When it comes to wholesaling, borrowers don't have to pay a down payment on top of an origination fee. Wholesaling is an investing modality that allows you to access capital with minimal costs.

Is There A Processing Fee?

Yes. Borrowers must pay a processing fee that is separate from the origination fee. The fee pays for an attorney who will review the documents and certify that the property and title meet any legal criteria required for it to close. The closing fee varies from lender to lender but expect to pay at least $1,000.

Transactional Funding in House Flipping

Not surprisingly, transactional funding is an important tool used by house flippers and rehabbers. Most notably, it increases optionality and the ability to secure more deals. Thanks largely to the speed at which transactional funding may be deployed, investors may gain access to deals they would have otherwise lost out on to the competition. In securing and deploying money faster than others, investors can make offers sooner than those seeking traditional financing. Through this transactional method, house flippers can get the funds they need to rapidly purchase a wholesale deal, then flip the house and sell it to an end buyer without rehabbing it or spending lots of money fixing it up.

Example Of Transactional Funding

Let's walk through an example of transactional funding to help solidify the concept. Let's say that you're a wholesaler working with a buyer who wants to move to Arizona from Illinois. You identify a property that needs minor upgrades and negotiate a selling price of $300,000.

You put the property under contract such that the property will be sold from your seller to your buyer for $350,000. You then secure a transactional loan and coordinate closing dates. You also arrange for a contractor and their workers to make the necessary upgrades within the next two days.

You put $10,000 of your potential profit into contractor and lender fees. After closing, you walk away with a profit of $40,000, all without having to put in a dime of your own funds.

Pros & Cons Of Transactional Funding

Transactional funding is a proven strategy that has found its way into investors' playbooks. The optionality and speed of implementation transactional funding awards investors are invaluable. That said, the method in which transactional funding grants those who use it access to capital isn't without downsides. Taking on debt to secure an investment does come with inherent risk. As a result, investors need to weigh the pros and cons associated with transactional funding and decide for themselves if it's worth pursuing.

Pros of Transactional Funding

The pros of using transactional funding include, but are not limited to:

Loans Cover The Entire Cost Of The Property: There's minimal risk for real estate investors and wholesalers, as the loans provide 100% of the loan amount to purchase a property.
Straightforward Processing: The paperwork is straightforward, and most deals don't require your credit score or income to be reported for approval.
Relatively Easy Qualifications: All you need is a proof of funds letter from the end buyer for your target real estate property.
Speed Of Implementation: Funds can be acquired extremely quickly, sometimes in a matter of hours.
Optionality: Transactional funding allows you to take advantage of "flash in the pan" real estate deals that don't come around very often.
Accelerated Process: Most transactional lenders don't require insurance, appraisals, or full title reports, which accelerates the process and may increase your profit margins.

Cons of Transactional Funding

The cons of using transactional funding include, but are not limited to:

Closing Costs: The funds from a transactional funding deal come with closing costs. Fees will usually be taken out of your profits at both deals' closes.
Short-Term Loan Duration: Transactional funders usually offer short-term loans, so you must be prepared to settle with your end buyer very quickly after taking out your loan.
Payments Due Within Weeks: Transactional loans are often due within two weeks of being taken out or may even be due within 48 hours.
Deal Dependent On End Buyers: Any end buyers must qualify for financing for the deal to go through.

How to Qualify for Transactional Funding

While transactional funding can be effective, you'll need to qualify for these deals to take advantage of them. Generally, you'll need:

An end buyer contract that proves the end buyer's funds are present to convince the transactional lenders that the deal can go through ASAP
Possibly a credit report and background checks for the borrower
Some due diligence for the property, like a desktop valuation or examining pictures from the interior and exterior of the property
Many lenders may also require a letter, which evaluates the borrower based on the "5 Cs of Credit"

Alternatives to Transactional Funding

Given the risk inherent with transactional funding, some real estate investors may wish to consider alternatives, including:

Hard Money Loans: Offered by private lenders, hard money loans offer short-term capital, which is backed by the subject property. Hard money loans typically come with lower interest rates than their private money counterparts, but approvals can be harder to come by for some investors.
Private Money Loans: Private money loans are not associated with an institution but rather private investors with access to capital of their own. Without an attachment to an institution, private money lenders are easier to qualify for and faster to act. However, private money lenders will ask for higher interest rates, upwards of 12% to 15%.
HELOCs: Otherwise known as home equity lines of credit, HELOCs allow investors to borrow against the equity in their own homes to finance subsequent real estate purchases.
Joint-Venture Capital: A joint venture, as its name suggests, is a convergence of two or more parties that seek to invest in a single property for profit. In addition to sharing risks, joint ventures will also usually share the acquisition costs.

Summary

All in all, transactional funding can be an excellent tool in your real estate investing repertoire, particularly if you stumble upon a great deal you want to jump on ASAP. But keep in mind that you will need a guarantee of an end buyer's funds, plus their willingness to pay, to secure transactional funds from a suitable lender. Furthermore, you may be on the hook for paying back the loan faster than you anticipate, so make sure to close both transactions in a deal quickly.