Hard money financing serves as a reliable option for real estate investors who are in a constant search for a quick and easy source of funds. However, not all people have the right ideas of what this financing option is all about. Some even have reservations and misconception regarding this type of funding.
In order to set the record straight regarding hard money loans and its lenders, here are some questions that both real estate investors and ordinary people ask regarding this financing option:
Question: Why is it called a hard money loan?
Answer: The term “hard money” is used because of its non-traditional approach to financing properties as compared to more conventional options such as bank loans and mortgages. The guidelines and policies used in securing these loans are also different from its conventional counterparts.
Question: How do hard money lenders approve loan applications?
Answer: The first thing that a real estate investor needs to have in order to secure the loan is a property to present as collateral. In hard money financing, the collateral determines the deal that the lender and borrower will agree on. A lender will usually release sixty five to seventy percent of a property’s after repair value or ARV once a loan has been approved.
Question: Do investors need good credit scores for a loan to be approved?
Answer: Hard money lenders do not need to look at an investor’s credit score in order to finance a property since the amount release on a loan is based on the property itself. This type of transaction eliminates the need for a borrower to fulfil requirement that will just lengthen the amount of time for a loan to be approved.
Question: Is it true that companies who do hard money financing release bigger amounts for their loans? Why?
Answer: Yes. A hard money lender will usually release sixty five to seventy percent of a property’s after repair value or ARV once a loan has been approved. Investors, especially rehabbers, need a bigger amount compared to what banks allow in order to fund the repairs of their investment properties.
Question: Are there any risks involved in getting hard money loans?