Monthly Archives: April 2018

Obtaining a Business Loan in Arizona

In Arizona, every year thousands of people seek out loans to help smooth the transition into entrepreneurship. These business loans in Arizona can be provided by banks, private lenders and even governmental grant programs provided by the state.

There are almost 400,000 small business in Arizona with almost 300,000 with no employees or staff. Each year, 8 out of 10 businesses that have been in business for a year or less will fail. Lenders tend to avoid lending to businesses because of this high-risk factor. You may, however, need a business loan in Arizona for heavy expansion. Do not be surprised if you are not able to secure a business loan for the first two years.

Taking out a business loan in Arizona differs from a personal loan because you will need to provide proof of consistent revenues. The institution that you are applying to wants to verify that you are bringing in consistent income. You may be disqualified from obtaining a conventional business loan if the banks see your organization as high-risk. The high-risk assessment is determined by the bank calculating the number of sales, clients and contracts you obtained within the past year. If your company is not viewed as a growth company, a stream of increasing sales, then you will be denied a loan. Additionally. if you have a poor credit score you will also be denied a business loan.

The term and interest rate are dependent on the term of the agreement you sign. A business loan in Arizona can be made for five to ten years with interest rates of 10% to 20%. The loan may be renewable if you are struggling to repay the loan. The loan from a conventional lending institution most likely will want you to provide a personal guarantee as well as collateral of 2:1 to 3:1 to approve the loan. Understand that if your business fails then you will need to continue paying the loan or lose your capital.

Getting the Help you Need to Succeed

You will need the advice of a good attorney for the establishment of the business as well as a good CPA for financial setup which includes pricing of your product and a proper accounting system. You may consider, if you have employees, utilizing an outside payroll service so you are assured that the taxes are paid properly and you minimize your exposure.

If you are still determined to open your business and the avenue of securing a conventional loan is not a viable option, then you may want to seek non-conventional financing.

If you are starting a new business, seek out an equipment lender that will do a lease back of the equipment to you. You will also want to consider angel investors, credit cards, and friends and family. If you are purchasing an existing business then you will want to seek out hard money/asset-based lenders, A/R financing, and invoice funding. These avenues all have high interest rates attached to them and you will need to know that the business can cash flow the debt obligations. If you are seeking to secure a loan, contact Level 4 Funding for guidance and structure of the right loan or loans to make your dreams come through.

Dennis Dahlberg
Broker/RI/CEO/MLO
Level 4 Funding LLC  Private Hard Money Lender
Arizona Tel:  (623) 582-4444
Dennis@level4funding.com NMLS 1057378 | AZMB 0923961 | MLO 1057378
22601 N 19th Ave Suite 112 | Phoenix | AZ | 85027
111 Congress Ave |Austin | Texas | 78701
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Tactics to secure a larger hard money loan: estimate the ARV

A hard money loan (i.e.,an asset-based loan) is any loan secured by the value of an underlying asset. Most of these lenders will only give loans of up to 65 percent of an assets market value.

But what if you intend to renovate a distressed property which is significantly undervalued at the time purchase? To secure more in the way of financing you need to understand what your property worth is after you’ve repaired it (the after repair value, or ARV).

Asset-based lenders could offer more financing if you can demonstrate the potential of a project. However, to explain a project’s potential you need to understand property valuations. Relying solely on appraisals will limit your understanding and wont serve you in the long run as a real-estate investor. Professional assessments are also expensive and time-consuming.

Your best bet is to develop your sense of what a property is worth by comparing your estimates with that of a licensed appraiser. Educating yourself this way will develop your understanding of property valuations. An excellent way to start training yourself when it comes to property values is to use the comparable sales method.

You can begin to estimate the ARV yourself by utilizing the comparable sales method, which could help you qualify for a larger hard money loan.

The first step is to assess your subject property, look at its location, what is the neighborhood like and what impact does this have on the properties value? Figure out the lot size and determine the condition of the exterior. Find out essential details about the property, its size in square feet and its amenities (i.e., Number of bedrooms and bathrooms).

Find 5 to 10 properties similar to your subject through local listings. Only consider properties that have sold within the last 3-6 months, are in the same location and have a similar size and similar amenities. It is crucial that you don’t look at distressed properties. Remember you are trying to determine your properties potential after you have made renovations.

After you have enough comparable properties, consider the ones that are the most similar and find the properties with the highest and lowest selling price to estimate a range of value for your subject property. These numbers will give you a sense of what the property will sell for after you make your repairs. With this understanding, you can thoughtfully discuss the potential of your renovation project with a lender and qualify for the best loan.

You can secure a larger hard money loan if you can explain the potential of your project

Even the most informed estimate of a properties value is only an educated guess. If you rely solely on appraisals, you aren’t building your knowledge of property valuations. Using a simple comparable sales method is an easy way to increase your understanding of property valuations and the after repair value of your property. Having this understanding builds your lenders confidence in your project and increases your eligibility for a larger loan.

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
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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.

Technorati Tags: commercial loans,commercial lending,commercial mortgage

HOW TO GET A HARD MONEY LOAN APPROVAL

You have located the property that seems undervalued. Now, how do you get a hard money loan approval to make your first project a reality?

Hard money loans are loans that are generally available from investors as opposed to banks. They are often used to finance real estate transactions, though businesses and those looking for bridge loans also turn to these types of lenders. If your credit score is not strong enough for you to get a loan from a bank, then this is the option for you. These can be used as “bridge” loans between construction and long-term loans. Others turn to hard money loans that they use for rehabbing projects before turning to long-term lenders that want a completed project or a fully leased project.

Some of the questions you should consider are:

1) Does the company you are considering doing business with have a legitimate web site as compared to the web sites that are designed to just gather names and pass it along to a third party.

2) Are there any lawsuits? Any forclosed properties? Are they in good standing with investors?

3) When considering a lender, what is their area of focus? What kind of project have they financed previously?

4) Is there a physical presence for the company, do they have someone you can talk to?

Hard money loans are designed for one to five years. At this time, you will need to refinance the loan or pay it off. Some lenders have the option to extend the loans for a period of time. Interest rates are higher than loans through banks, generally 10% to 20%. Hard money loans fund quickly, usually in as little as one week. This is much shorter when compared to conventional loans which can take up to 30 to 60 days for an approval.

Collateral

The hard money loan is valued at the collateral value of the property not your credit score. Hard money loans are sometimes given to first time home buyers or to home owners that need a bridge loan so that they can buy the house of their dreams without having to wait for their first home to sell. Some hard money lenders fund 60%-70% of the after-repair-value(ARV). This leaves the remaining 30%-40% that you will need to fund. This generally refers to individual properties and not large commercial projects.

The lenders may ask for additional documents such as W-2s and bank statements. Protect yourself legally.

Most hard money lenders are not subject to government regulations. Have an attorney review all documents before you proceed and have an accountant review your projected cash flows. You should have all your documentation in a row such as the schedules and fees for the contractors and when and what they will be doing. Ultimately, you will need to repay the loan which usually occurs in 1 to 5 years. Have an exit strategy and know your lender. Many will consider extending a loan if you are having difficulty coming up with the final balloon payment. At Level 4 Funding, we’ve been in the business of hard money lending for decades and have a solid reputation behind us. Call us if you have any questions or concerns regarding this lending option.

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
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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.

Technorati Tags: commercial loans,commercial lending,commercial mortgage

Why Choose Hard Money Loans?

When borrowers think of private lenders, they often don’t understand the benefits of this lending option. But hard money loans can offer many benefits to the right borrower.

Hard money loans are a very different creature than the traditional bank loans that most people are familiar with. Unlike their stogy counterpart, the terms and conditions to qualify for a hard money loan are quite relaxed in many cases. The biggest factor in landing these types of loans is the value of the real property being used as collateral. Lenders use the loan to value ratio to determine the loan amount they are willing to offer. In most cases the highest a lender is willing to go on LTV is 50% to possibly 75% of the value of the collateral. This insures the lender that the collateral will always hold more value than the outstanding balance on the loan should the borrower default.

Knowing that your loan will only be around two thirds the value of your collateral might seem odd but there are many other factors which work in the borrowers favor to offset that one possible downside. Hard money loans are a viable solution for anyone who needs a loan but does not have the stellar credit that banks or mortgage lenders are going to require. Sure the interest rate is going to be higher than a bank would charge but higher interest is the price you pay to secure a loan with bad credit. It is also a good first step to take to rebuild your credit.

When Time Is Money

Hard money loans are also a very appealing option when time is critical for a business deal. Time really can be money in the business world. And if you have the chance to get in on a great deal but need to do it quickly, then a traditional bank might not be able to fund quickly enough to meet your needs. The solution is a non-traditional loan to land the deal and then the possibility of financing a traditional loan to pay off the first loan, leaving you with a lower interest rate for the long term.

The Package Deal

Traditional loans are typically a one size fits all deal and it is the borrower’s responsibility to find a way to make it work. But a non-traditional, or asset based loan is something that can be tailored to meet the individual needs of each borrower. Private lenders have much more flexibility because they are not forced to follow the state or federal laws which apply to banks and other commercial lenders. For this reason, borrowers are willing to pay a higher rate to enjoy the comfort of a customized loan that offers terms to meet their needs. In addition, there is far less paperwork and red tape to deal with when applying for a private loan. So your stress level and time invested in the process are both much lower. Just as when selecting your home, you pay more for custom features when getting a custom loan but the price can be worth it to enjoy the added benefits.

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

Do you have an office building, a rehab, or a multi-unit apartment building? With commercial real estate loan rates at one of their lowest, now may be the right time to consider a loan for your next real estate investment.

If you are an owner or looking to purchase a commercial property, there’s good news to be had: Commercial loan rates remain at an all-time low. With the Federal Reserve promising four rate hikes this year, this may not be so in the future. For this reason, this may be the perfect time for you to purchase or refinance a commercial property. Level 4 Funding has the team that can help guide you through the process and help you feel like a well-informed purchaser. Let’s take a look at how commercial real estate loan rates work and the interest rates the different types of lenders charge.

If your Credit Score is 680, you’ve been in business in 2-plus years, and plan on occupying 51% of the building, you may qualify for a SBA 7 (a) loan. If your project is between $2 and $3 million dollars you may want to explore the opportunities for financing from insurance companies and conduit lenders.

Commercial Real Estate loans have lower interest rates because they are collateralized by the commercial property. There are four factors that affect the interest rates for the Commercial loan. They are:

1) The Business and Customer creditworthiness: Your rate will be determined by the credit score of the customer and business, the higher credit score the lower rate.

2) Is the commercial real estate loan fixed or variable? A fixed rate loan is a loan that has a fixed rate for the term of the loan. The variable rate loan is reset from 1 to 5 years and will be adjusted based on current rates. Most people will not qualify for fixed rates.

3) What is the term and size of the loan? Hard money lenders offer loans with higher rates and shorter terms while conventional lenders offer longer loans with lower rates.

4) Prevailing Market Rates: Interest rates move up and down based on the government bond market. Keep informed about the movement in the government bond market and how they will affect your rate.

The Lender Has the Biggest Impact on your Rate

1) SBA loans–rates run 4.75% to 9.25%, the 504 loans are best for loans over $1, 000,000 and come in three parts: 50% from the bank, 40% from the SBA and 10% from the borrower. You will need a credit score of 680+.

2) Hard Money Loans–Rate run 10% to 18% and covers about 20% of the market. The rates are high because the loan is not based on the credit worthiness of the borrower but the value of the property. The loan-to-value runs around 55% for many hard money lenders.

3) Other Lenders–Only a small amount of loans come from Insurance companies and Conduits.

Commercial loans can be structured in three ways: fully amortized loans, interest rates resets, and balloon payments.

You may want to purchase commercial Real Estate or refinance a commercial property. There are wide varieties available for high credit scores and lower credit scores. Call and counsel with Level 4 Funding to find what works best for you in your situation. We offer rates as low as 7.99 percent.

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

Exploring alternative business loans, Arizona start up and small business owners could be surprised by their options. There are many reasons that an alternative loan could be your best choice.

Traditionally, when a business owner needs money to fund a startup or to grow a fledgling business, the first stop is their local bank. But there can be many hurdles to overcome when seeking a loan from a traditional lender. Alternative lenders provide business loans Arizona small business owners actually have a chance of securing and that is just one of the many benefits that they offer.

There are two main benefits to working with an alternative lender. The first is that the approval rates are much higher than a traditional lenders and the second is the fast approval and funding time frame. As an independent entity, there is not the mile of red tape to slog through with most alternative resources so borrowers enjoy a much better customer service experience for the most part and a higher success rate.

When alternative lenders offer business loans, Arizona borrowers will discover that the lenders tend to be more flexible on terms as well as qualifications for the loans. Alternative loans are therefore a good option for a business looking to finance inventory or for working capital which is not something that banks will approve. In addition, the alternative lender is not as likely to require that the business owner use personal assets as collateral for the loan. Which offers the borrowers more confidence in the lender and personal security as well.

Personal Credit is Not an Issue

Poor personal credit is often a factor that will derail business loans Arizona business owners are seeking. Banks are not willing to process a business loan without a deep dive into the personal financial status of the company owners and even some of the other major officers of the company. That is not an issue for alternative lenders as they are primarily interested in the merits of the business and not the owner’s personal finances.

Time is On Your Side

Anyone who has applied for any type of loan from a bank knows that the process can be long and arduous. A personal mortgage loan can take weeks to process. But a business loan application can actually drag out for more than three months. By the time a bank is willing to fund a business loan, the need for the money could be gone, the opportunity could be lost and the business could even be floundering. Business deals are often time sensitive, but traditional lenders tend to overlook that fact. Great opportunities to grow a business don’t appear every day, so business owners need to be prepared to act when the opportunity arises. Securing a loan from an alternative lender is a great way for an Arizona business owner to maximize an opportunity to expand, diversify or land a huge client that might otherwise have gotten away.

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
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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.

Technorati Tags: commercial loans,commercial lending,commercial mortgage

Hard Money Lenders: What Rehabbers Need to Know

You find a house that you would like to rehab and flip, but you have never done this type of project before. This is what you need to know when considering getting a loan through a hard money lender.

Time is of the essence when purchasing a property. Especially in today’s market when many sellers are faced with multiple offers. It’s important to have a lender you can work with in a moment’s notice and one that you can develop a long-term relationship with. Various lenders have different requirements. Hard money lenders will either loan on appraised value after repairs or others will loan on the purchase price. You want to find the lender that will loan on the appraised value. A breakdown of the fees will be given to you by the lender, some of them are loan points; closing fees that can include escrow amount, document fees and notary fees; and the interest amount.

Once the hard money lender decides to proceed on your opportunity, you will have a response such as: “We will lend you 60% of the ARV (appraised repair value), 5 points, 500 document fees, 6-month balloon payment loan at 10%.”

Assuming the property is appraised at $200,000, then your loan will be 60% or $120,000. Upfront costs are $6,000 points plus $500 doc fees. $1,167.60 is the loan payment until the property is sold or 6 months is up.

The Lending Process

1) Talk to the lender to see what they require and what you will need

2) Find a proper deal and put it under contract

3) Contact the lender again and inform them about the property you found, repair costs and what you think the ARV is

4) Have the appraiser value the property, either from the loan company or a list that the lender has supplied you

5) If the lender requires, place the documents they need in Escrow

6) The lender will inform you if they will or will not fund the loan, at what amount, and under what terms

7) You set the date to close the loan, either at the title company or the lawyer’s office. The loan company will issue the checks. If the buyer has cash coming back, the loan company will issue this check as well

In recapping, a hard money loan can be used to acquire distressed properties. The speed of the loan is much faster than conventional financing, usually 2-3 days compared to 30-60 days.

The hard money loans are for terms of 1 to 5 years with interest rates of between 10% to 20% and points between 4% to 7%. The advantage of using a hard money lender is that there is a low threshold for the securing of the loan. It is based mainly on the property value and not your credit or income. A drawback is that, with some lenders, you will need to have the cash to do the repairs and either flip the house or rent it within 6 months. Contact Level 4 Funding to talk with the people who know how to guide you through the process. It’s important to consult with experts as you move forward, especially if this is your first adventure into rehabbing.

Dennis Dahlberg
Broker/RI/CEO/MLO
Level 4 Funding LLC  Private Hard Money Lender
Arizona Tel:  (623) 582-4444
Dennis@level4funding.com NMLS 1057378 | AZMB 0923961 | MLO 1057378
22601 N 19th Ave Suite 112 | Phoenix | AZ | 85027
111 Congress Ave |Austin | Texas | 78701
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How to Use Spec Construction Loans for Investing in Real Estate

Are you thinking about purchasing an existing property or rehabbing a property in need of repair? If you are, you’ll want to investigate builder or spec construction loans. These loans are used to finance single property, multi-unit residential properties or commercial buildings to sell for a profit.

A number of projects with high Return on Investments (ROI) are passed up because the builder/speculator cannot secure a conventional construction loan from a bank. Hard Money spec construction loans can be used for new builds, rehabilitated older property to be sold for a profit, a group of homes, a multi-family dwelling or a commercial property. If the project makes sense, and you can cash flow the higher interest rates for the loan, then a hard money loan is right for you. They are easier and quicker to secure with little concern about credit or income details, so long as the project makes sense and the builder/developer has sufficient experience. A concern will focus on the profitability of the project.

Hard money loans are short term in nature. These loans can be used for the purchase of a new property or refinance an existing project. These loans usually do not cover the carry cost during construction but you can fold into the loan cost of construction/renovation plus a short period for selling or renting the property. At closing these loans (spec construction or rehab) will have an escrow established and disbursements (draw) for each stage as the project is completed, pay for the property or refinance of an existing one. Payments on the interest are often due fro the first month. Borrowers will need enough cash reserves or cash flow to pay the holding costs, including but not limited to the payment on the loan, taxes and insurance.

The construction loans are draw loans, in other words, as the stage of construction is completed and the city/county and loan company’s inspector signs off, the lender will pay (issue a draw) for that stage of the project. You need to have enough funds to float these expenses until these funds are released.

Some of the Different Types of Loans

Fix and Flip: Do not miss an opportunity. Hard Money loans offer you the opportunity to purchase the property, rehab and sell for a handsome profit. You will need to demonstrate that you have the experience and expertise to buy, rehab and sell for a profit. Purchase and Rehab: If you have a property that is old and rundown, you will need to demolish it and rebuild to the expectations of today’s buyers or renters. Spec Construction Loan or Purchase and Build: If you have a lot and want to build a home or multifamily project, then this loan is your vehicle to begin the project. No owner occupied and only for resale or rental income.

In order to qualify, consider the following: Underwriting based on asset, no proof of funds or seasoning required, no 4506’s, foreign nationals are welcome as well as most credit scores. Having experience in building/marketing real estate is also an important consideration.

You’ll find terms up to 20 months interest-only payments, minimum loans that vary, but can start at about $350,000, and 4 to 7 points with interest rates that are typically around 10 percent. If you are considering proceeding with a purchase or rehab of a property, contact Level 4 Funding to team up with you and guide you to the loans that best fit your needs.

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

Borrowers can tend to be in a hurry when they are seeking hard money loans. Sadly that can lead to making a poor choice as a result of not checking out options for hard money lenders.

Finding the perfect property can be very exciting. The potential for making a great profit can make many new real estate investors rush through the process of selecting a lender. But using hard money lenders is no different than using a bank or a mortgage lender. And borrowers should always follow the same process when selecting their lender.

As with any business deal, you will want to complete some research on all potential lenders. This will tell you how long they have been in business, who they typically loan to and the types of loans that they normally offer. You might also be able to read customer reviews online or testimonials. All of this will let you know what other borrowers experiences have been with each of the hard money lenders that you are considering.

Talking to each lender will also give you a good feel for their level of interest in their clients. If the lender asks about your plans for the property, how you are financing the repair expenses and about comps in the area then he or she is interested in not only getting his or her money back but also in your success. Working with a lender who has a genuine interest in seeing you succeed will make the process much less stressful. Hard money lenders who are interested in creating long term relationships will express interest in each project. In addition, they will be more willing to work with you on creative or different terms than they normally offer.

What to Watch Out For

Bait and switch is a sure sign of an unethical lender. In these events, the lender offers great terms that the borrowers can’t refuse. Then as soon as the borrower verbally commits to the lender, the lender supplies a loan offer with drastically different terms. In most cases the interest rate is much higher and there are other hidden fees added to the final cost of the loan. A catch and release situation is where the lender charges several fees upfront that the borrower must pay before getting the actual loan offer. Once the borrower pays the fees then the lender ignores the borrower and never provides a loan offer. The lender gets to keep the fees and the borrower is faced to find a different lender. Both of these cases are certain signs of dishonest lenders.

Just Another Service Provider

When you are seeking any type of loan, don’t be intimidated by the lenders. Think of them as you would any other service provider and complete your due diligence to be sure that you are doing business with a reputable lender. An honest lender will not be offended by questions about their standard terms or loan practices.

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
clip_image002clip_image004clip_image006clip_image008

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.

Technorati Tags: commercial loans,commercial lending,commercial mortgage

Important Considerations when Choosing a Hard Money Lender

Hard money lenders are many real estate investors choice for funding, yet many just getting into the field know little to nothing about this lending option. Let’s take a look at what this type of lender can bring to the table.

Hard money lenders are not held by the same regulations that banks and credit unions must operate under. Because of this, they can offer loans to individuals and businesses with less than stellar credit. Many are private individuals who specialize in several types of real estate investment strategies from multifamily to office to the fix-and-flip model. These types of loans are asset based, meaning that the lender will look at your collateral as the prominent element of the loan. These types of loans are good for investors just getting in to the real estate investment model.

Another positive to those that operate under less regulation is that they are much quicker to funding. This becomes important when an investor is looking to get into a property, do some quick renovations, raise the property value, and get it on the market or obtain a loan from a traditional lender that is based on the property’s new value. If you end up developing a long-term relation with a hard money lender, you will find that you can often receive the funds you need for that next investment property in as little as a few days, compared to a month or more from other types of lenders.

Be sure to check the small print. Are you working with a hard money lender that offers a no-penalty clause for early payments? A pre-payment penalty states if you pay your loan back in full before the actual due date, a penalty will be assessed. The fee is percentage-based or the amount in interest that you would have paid for a set number of months. This can lead to tens of thousands of dollars. If you have an existing loan with a pre-payment penalty, be sure to assess fees before paying off the loan in full to determine if this is the right strategy for you.

Know Your Exit Strategy

While your property may be acting as collateral, hard money lenders do not want to be in a position of laying claim and having to foreclose on a property due to unpaid debt. For this reason, they will want to know your exit strategy. An exit strategy is how you plan on paying off the debt. Most of these loans are short-term, anywhere from 3 months to five years, making this component an important consideration for both the lender and the borrower. A few options are to refinance with a commercial mortgage, renovate and sell, or pay the debt off with business capital.

Know your exit strategy before considering a hard money lender. Going in with strong collateral and a good exit strategy are keys when considering going after a hard money loan.

At Level 4 Funding, we work with hundreds of private hard money lenders. Our rates start as low as 7.99 percent with terms that run anywhere from 3 months to 5 years. Call us to see if we are the right brokers for your next real estate investment deal.

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
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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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