Most real estate borrowers run to traditional lending institutions to finance the properties they are looking to buy and sell. Banks, government support housing, and insurance companies are usually the preferred companies for real estate.
However stringent requirements and the long waiting period have become the main obstacles for most borrowers. And, for buyers who are looking to buy a great property, time is of the essence. Alternative financial arrangements aim to stifle these challenges. With fewer rings to skip, real estate investor-borrowers are more than willing to take advantage of unconventional lending options.
If you are an inexperienced real estate investor, I need to get acquainted with other loans, especially if you have outstanding loans from traditional financial companies. Read on to know more about private financing and hard money lending, as well as the pros and cons for investor lender and investor borrower. You read that right. In private financing, the lenders and borrowers can both be considered as investors.
What is private real estate financing?
It takes a lot of money to invest in real estate. As an investor, you can turn to either conventional or alternative lending methods as it suits you best. Private financing is one of the ways you can secure an investment. Often, private financing depends on the relationship between the lender and borrower. Most often, however, private financing for real estate can be in the form of private equity funds.
The main drawback of private financing is its flexibility. It can be used to finance a variety of real estate; from buying rental property to investing in a home, or as additional financing for new real estate construction. Private lenders also usually require fewer documents and a more lenient control and approval process.
What is hard money lending?
As a type of private real estate financing, hard money lending is an alternative financing plan that allows borrowers to use property as a loan guarantee. This means that the property used as collateral can dictate how much the lender can borrow, rather than alternative lenders relying on the borrower’s credit history and other circumstances.
Which leads you to the question; do you get a difficult loan? The truth is that it may not be suitable for anyone. Hard money lending works best for investor borrowers who do not have impressive credit but own valuable property. Placing property as collateral allows a borrower to access loans typically limited to those with impressive credit ratings.
Similarly, a property owner at risk of having property foreclosed may also use this unconventional real estate financial plan.
As with other private financial methods, hard money lending allows investors to participate in the real estate industry even without going through the lengthy processes of buying homes, or keeping and maintaining a property to be included in their investment portfolio.
A private lender must set criteria for qualified borrowers, and like traditional lenders, you may also be turned down for a loan.
What are the benefits and risks of private real estate financing?
Using private money to lend to a real estate borrower comes with its risks and benefits. Below is a list of a few points:
Advantages for the private loan investor
It’s a great way to earn a passive income. You don’t have to go through all the hassle of finding, buying or managing rental properties and other types of real estate. You just need to raise money to lend to the borrower and collect regular payments.
Due to the more lenient approval process, high-risk borrowers are allowed access to additional financing. This means that higher interest rates are imposed on private cash loans compared to traditional lenders. Investors can also enjoy higher returns.
- Who can become a private financial lender?
Being a private financial lender is ideal for the following categories of people:
- A real estate investor who wants to expand their portfolio
- A professional who has a high income career
- An individual who has considerable money reserves
- Emeritus seeking passive income
Generally speaking, anyone who is able to raise good money can lend their private money to borrowers. If you want to become an investor, have someone you can trust, such as a family member, as your first borrower.
However, it is not without its drawbacks. For example, the borrower you have chosen to finance may not be as financially savvy as initially thought. And as a result, you may lose instead of making money.
Additionally, the time and effort you have left to find and maintain real estate should be dedicated to research on real estate investors, and other important factors on the loan process.
Benefits for the private lender
As mentioned, private lenders generally have more lenient examination and approval processes, allowing borrowers to have better access to real estate financing. And, while alternative private financiers have their own criteria for ideal borrowers, they are nevertheless less stringent than others.
- What type of borrowers can take advantage of private financing?
Additionally, a real estate borrower who is planning or in the middle of the following projects looks more attractive to private lenders:
- House fins: If you are a borrower-investor who buys cheap houses and repairs it to resell at a higher price, you will find that private lenders save lives. Conventional lenders usually do not consider outdated properties and require too much time before they can release the money.
- Rental investment investors: Investors who need additional financing to rehabilitate rental property can also access private money. Look for a lender who wants to have a steady stream of passive income.
- Developers: These types of investors-borrowers are looking for useless land where they can build residential or commercial real estate. Because time is money in construction, these types of borrowers may not be willing to waste the lost time and opportunity waiting for monetary release. A private financier is a very tempting proposition.
Risks for the borrower
Businessman halting the domino effect inserting his hand between falling and upright wooden blocks
The only foreseeable risk to taking advantage of private financing is that you may not be able to pay due to the high interest rates. However, if you need money quickly and for emergency purposes, such as when you face foreclosure, it won’t matter much.
Do you have private funding?
Miniature model house standing on a heap of dollar bills. Photo with clipping path.Some similar pictures from my portfolio:
Private financing is an alternative way to access finance for your real estate. The smoother and overall faster processing is tempting, but it can literally cost.
If you have a negligible credit record but need money for planned investment, quickly; consider asking lenders for private money.
