Level 4 Funding Private Hard Money

Arizona Tel: (623) 582-4444

Texas Tel: (512) 516-1177

111 Congress Ave | Austin | Texas | 78701

About: 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.

Red Flags on Arizona Hard Money Loans

October 11, 2019Uncategorizedbigdaddydennis

Not all Arizona Hard Money Loans are the same. You need to be aware of a few red flags that can indicate that the loan or the lender is less legitimate.

Arizona Hard Money Loans are considered non-traditional loans only because they are funded by a private lender. There is no other reason for the term and it does not indicate anything about the legitimacy of the loan or the lender who is offering the loan. But many borrowers are unfamiliar with Arizona Hard Money Loans and because of their ignorance, they believe that these loans are in some way shady or less than desirable or legitimate. But it is also important to note that as with any industry, hard money has a few bad apples in the bunch. Knowing the red flags to look out for can save you the time and frustration of dealing with one of the few but bad lenders.

Not being forthcoming where documentation is concerned is never a good sign in any business. If a lender refuses to provide you with a complete set of loan documents to have them reviewed by a legal professional, then you should be concerned. Even though you are working with a private lender and not a traditional bank or mortgage company, the loan agreement is a legally binding document. And as such, you should have the right to have it reviewed prior to signing it. If the lender will not provide a set of documents then there is likely something less than legitimate in the documents and you should find a new lender.

A lesser red flag but one which should still get some attention is a less than helpful or responsive lender. If no one returns your calls or emails requesting information, then you should expect the same treatment after you sign the contract. This can mean that you could face slow funding or have no way to get a response on an issue or concern during the life of the loan. This poor customer service is all that you should expect if you continue to deal with an unresponsive lender.

Failure To Disclose

The terms of Arizona Hard Money Loans can vary a great deal because the lender is a private entity and not a traditional lender. For this reason, it is critical that you request a complete list of all fees and charges that you will incur for using the lender’s money. If the lender is not willing to provide this information in writing then you need to seek a new lender. It is very likely that the lender will charge you hidden fees which will greatly increase your costs and his or her profit.

Follow Your Instinct

Most importantly, you need to follow your instinct as you begin to deal with any lender. If you feel unusually pressured to sign or to sign a contract very quickly, then there could be hidden fees that the lender is trying to slip past you. If you feel unappreciated, and that the lender in inattentive, then seek a better lender with a higher level of service. Finding the right lender is critical to every flipper and ever purchase.

Dennis Dahlberg

Broker/RI/CEO/MLO

Level 4 Funding LLC

Arizona Tel: (623) 582-4444

Texas Tel: (512) 516-1177

111 Congress Ave | Austin | Texas | 78701

Non-traditional Loans to Flip Houses in Arizona

October 10, 2019Uncategorizedbigdaddydennis

Flipping houses is a unique business and it requires some specific services. Loans To Flip Houses in Arizona offer investors the speed and short-term needed to turn a great profit.

Flipping houses is a process that has become very popular in the last decade. But this newer type of real estate investment deal needs a rather unique type of financing as compared to the traditional mortgages that most homeowners use. Loans To Flip Houses in Arizona need to meet the time frame and other terms that flippers rely on to make their deal profitable. So most flippers elect to use non-traditional finance options.

Hard Money Loans To Flip Houses in Arizona are short-term loans which are funded based on the value of the property and not the creditworthiness of the borrower. These privately funded loans are often called asset-based loans because the property being purchased is the collateral for the loan. Borrowers like that these loans can be approved quickly and that the funding is also much faster than a bank or mortgage company. But all of this convenience comes at a higher interest rate than a traditional loan.

Cash out refinance loans are another option that is available to homeowners who have equity in their personal residence. Most lenders require about 30% to 40% equity in the home and a credit score of about 650. The interest rates are fairly reasonable at up to about 6% but you will need to pay closing cost which will increase your total cost on the loan. In addition, the time frame can be as long as 45 days to get the refi completed and the cash in your hands.

Save The Fees

Another option that many homeowners choose is a home equity line of credit. The beauty of this option is that you can have the application and approval process completed long before you are ready to purchase a property, which allows you to make a fast offer and know that the money is in place to close the deal. In addition, there are no closing fees associated with a line of credit. It is open but costs you nothing until you decide to use the money. Then you begin to pay the interest once you use the money. An added benefit is that the interest you are paying on the HELOC could be tax deductible which will save you even more money in the long run.

Picking The Best Loans To Flip Houses in Arizona

Having many options is always good but it is especially important when you are flipping houses. The most critical factor in a flip is staying on budget to turn a profit. So acquiring a loan affordably allows you to invest more in the renovations to increase your earning potential. A smart flipper will always compare the total cost of all potential loans before selecting the best lender and the best overall loan cost for each deal. Knowing your options, how each loan works and how much it will cost are all factors that will have a huge impact on your success and profitability.

Dennis Dahlberg

Broker/RI/CEO/MLO

Level 4 Funding LLC

Arizona Tel: (623) 582-4444

Texas Tel: (512) 516-1177

111 Congress Ave | Austin | Texas | 78701

How Your Credit Score Impacts Arizona Hard Money Loans

October 9, 2019Uncategorizedbigdaddydennis

It is important that borrowers understand how a low credit score can impact Arizona Hard Money Loans. But it is also important to know that it does not eliminate the potential for a loan.

The Internet is full of stories about borrowers who managed to get Arizona Hard Money Loans without having good credit. And the fact is that there are lenders who will make loans to borrowers with a credit score in the low 500’s. But it is also important that borrowers understand that even though the loan approval is not based solely on your creditworthiness, your credit score will have some impact on what you pay to use the lender’s money.

Arizona Hard Money Loans are also called asset-based loans because the loan is approved and funded based on the value of the property being purchased. This property becomes the collateral and is the lender’s security in the event that the borrower defaults on the loan. But the lender is more interested in having the borrower repay the money and the interest than having to go to the trouble of foreclosing on a property and selling it to recover his or her funds.

The best way for a hard money lender to be certain that the borrower will repay a loan is to look at the borrower’s credit score and credit history. A high credit score means that this borrower is very likely to repay the loan with no issues which decrease the lenders level of risk. But a person with poor credit is less likely to repay the loan which means the lender is facing a greater risk. Many hard money lenders are willing to accept that higher risk that comes with a low credit score but in return, the lender is going to charge a higher interest rate.

Low Credit Will Cost You

A credit score below 600 will still get you a hard money loan, but you can expect to pay as much as 20% interest on the money being borrowed. In addition, the lender might not be willing to loan you as much money as he or she would a person with a higher credit score. And you might even pay additional fees for the increased risk the lender is assuming. As a private lender, the fee structure and interest rate are up to the lender and are not regulated in the same manner as a traditional lender.

Arizona Hard Money Loans Are An Option

As a borrower with bad credit, there are not as many traditional loan options available to you. And even with a score in the low 500’s, hard money is still available but at a higher cost. The most important facet for any borrower is to evaluate the total cost of all loan options that are available and select the one which offers the best overall cost and terms. Using hard money could be costly but if it is the only option, it will allow you to begin to rebuild your credit and your assets.

Dennis Dahlberg

Broker/RI/CEO/MLO

Level 4 Funding LLC

Arizona Tel: (623) 582-4444

Texas Tel: (512) 516-1177

111 Congress Ave | Austin | Texas | 78701

How to Get Rental Property Loans in Arizona

October 8, 2019Uncategorizedbigdaddydennis

Beginning a career as a rental property owner is a great way to take control of your life and your finances. But getting Rental Property Loans in Arizona can be a challenge.

Getting into real estate investing is a great way to be your own boss and increase your earning potential. But it can be a challenging career to break into. In order to ensure success, it is important to become as strong financially as possible. Being a strong borrower is one of the best ways to ensure that you will always be approved for Rental Property Loans in Arizona. Taking just a few important steps before launching your real estate investment career will greatly increase your potential for not only success but great profit.

Making a substantial down payment is always important on your first few investment properties. Now only does this help to keep your payments lower but it also decreases the amount of interest that you will be paying which instantly increases your profit. Large down payments would be anything over 25% of the purchase price. Knowing that you are going to need such a large down payment, you might need to save longer than you planned before making your first purchase. It could even be helpful to get a part-time job or second job for a period of time to help increase your funds.

Another factor that will greatly influence your profit margin is the interest rate you are paying on Rental Property Loans in Arizona. A lower interest rate is a great way to increase profit. But being new in the real estate business, you might have a hard time finding a good interest rate unless you have great credit. It can be wise to take some time before making a purchase to focus on improving your credit rating. You can do this by decreasing your personal debt, being on time on all of your bills and even paying off some loans early. All of these steps might not appear important at first but they can help you to create a solid financial foundation for yourself and your real estate business.

Prep Your Documents

Once you have a strong financial profile, it is important that you can demonstrate that fact to lenders. You will want to have all of your bank statements, proof of income and tax returns compiled and ready to include with any loan applications that you are submitting. It can take some time to get your documents compiled and in a professional looking presentation. Having this task completed prior to shopping for a rental property will help to reduce your stress level when it’s time to make a purchase.

Keep Your Options Open

You might find that not every lender is interested in offering Rental Property Loans in Arizona to someone who is new in the real estate investment field. So you will want to submit your application to several lenders and then take some time to compare the total cost of all of the loans that you are offered. Making a good first choice is important to a profitable first rental property.

Dennis Dahlberg

Broker/RI/CEO/MLO

Level 4 Funding LLC

Arizona Tel: (623) 582-4444

Texas Tel: (512) 516-1177

111 Congress Ave | Austin | Texas | 78701

Home Equity Loans to Flip Houses in Arizona

October 7, 2019Uncategorizedbigdaddydennis

Flipping houses can be a very profitable business once you have the means to finance the purchase. Using home equity Loans To Flip Houses in Arizona is one solution.

Flipping houses is a fast-paced business and having instant access to funds when you find a great property is critical to your success and longevity in the business. Traditional lenders just can’t meet the timetable to be a useful and reliable resource for most house flip purchases. But if you own a home outright or you have a great deal of equity in your home, then you can put that to use rather than searching for other types of Loans To Flip Houses in Arizona.

Many homeowners are offered preapproved home equity loans or a home equity line of credit when the amount they owe on their home is far less than the value of the property. These funds can be used for anything that the homeowner chooses and the loan is basically a second mortgage on their house. This fast access is great for flippers who want to buy a place fast, add some value and then sell it quickly. The money from the home equity line is only used for a short time and the homeowner does not pay a huge amount in interest or in fees and closing costs.

Another benefit of using home equity Loans To Flip Houses in Arizona is that the interest rates are much lower than those of a short-term hard money loan or a personal loan. Most banks offer very competitive rates for a HELOC or a home equity loan to entice homeowners into using the money. Most traditional lenders are offering rates anywhere from 5% to 9% while hard money lenders could ask in the neighborhood of 15% or even 20% for a short-term loan. That will greatly reduce your potential to turn a good profit.

The Down Side

There is a definite downside to using home equity Loans To Flip Houses in Arizona. Not only are you risking the house that you are flipping if you can’t make the payments but you are also risking your own home if you run into trouble and the flip loses money or you are unable to sell it quickly. It is always important to consider what you are risking and how you will carry all of the payments in a worst-case scenario.

Evaluate Your Choices

As a brand new flipper, risking your personal home on a new business venture might not be the best choice. You are already in a position of a great stress as you learn the new business and having your house on the line will only add to that stress. But as you become more experienced and understand the process, the stress and the level of risk will decrease. At that point, using the equity in your home will open up new opportunities for you as the funding is instantly available. In addition, the lower interest rate will help to increase your profit margin and allow you to grow your house flipping business even faster.

Dennis Dahlberg

Broker/RI/CEO/MLO

Level 4 Funding LLC

Arizona Tel: (623) 582-4444

Texas Tel: (512) 516-1177

111 Congress Ave | Austin | Texas | 78701

Funding the Down Payment on Rental Property Loans in Arizona

October 6, 2019Uncategorizedbigdaddydennis

Securing Rental Property Loans in Arizona is not always as easy as just getting a mortgage. But some creative financing can be a big help.

When you begin to invest in rental properties, you will find that the larger the down payment, the more likely you are to get financed. Lenders like to see at least 20% down on Rental Property Loans in Arizona, but making a down payment of 25% or more is certain to get you more interest from lenders and even a better interest rate. But coming up with that large sum of money might pose a challenge. Thinking creatively could help you to make that big down payment to get a great interest rate and a really reasonable monthly payment on your rental property.

Unless you have a large savings account, chances are that you are going to need to make other arrangements when you need to make a 25% or more down payment. But one way that many first-time investors finance a first rental property is using a home equity line of credit on their home. This will provide you will a substantial amount of cash in most cases and it also allows for a longer repayment period. Many landlords will use some of the rent money coming in each month to make the HELOC payments to ease the personal financial burden.

Other homeowners will choose to refinance their home and remove the equity that they have built up. This is helpful because it does not include the extra monthly payment of the HELOC but it does increase the length of time that you are paying on your own home. This also only makes sense if you can get a good interest rate on your refinance.

Plan Ahead

If you have been thinking about breaking into the real estate investment business and you know that Rental Property Loans in Arizona require a large down payment, then hopefully you have been planning ahead. Having time to save for the larger down payment is also another way to avoid losing a property because you can’t cover the down payment. Some future real estate investors have chosen to work a second job to save for the down payment while others have decided to lower their cost of living to be able to save more. Either method works and will let you make the down payment without taking out another type of loan to pay it.

Borrow From Your Future

If you have a retirement account then you might be able to lend yourself the money for a large down payment. Many 401K plans allow you to take out a loan against your retirement savings. And in this case, the interest that you are paying is going back into your retirement account. Clearly, there are many ways to fund the large amount that you must initially put down on Rental Property Loans in Arizona, but the outcome is worth the risk. Make a wise choice on your first property, and then let the profit pay for your next property. In a few years, you can be living off of the rental income and continuing to grow your personal wealth.

Dennis Dahlberg

Broker/RI/CEO/MLO

Level 4 Funding LLC

Arizona Tel: (623) 582-4444

Texas Tel: (512) 516-1177

111 Congress Ave | Austin | Texas | 78701

Arizona Fix and Flip Loans 101

October 5, 2019Uncategorizedbigdaddydennis

Property flipping is all the rage thanks to a few cable TV networks. And used properly, Arizona fix and flip loans can make flippers rich.

It seems that there are about a dozen or more fix and flip shows on TV at any given time. They vary in location and the type of properties being flipped but the concept is always the same. A flip is a fast process that entails buying a property, increasing the value with renovations and repairs and then selling the property just as fast as possible. The goal is to carry Arizona fix and flip loans for as short a period of time as possible to reduce the interest you are paying and to increase your profit margin. And the fastest way to accomplish all of this is to make the initial purchase with a hard money loan.

These privately funded loans are also known as asset-based loans because they are based on the value of the property being purchased rather than the borrower’s personal creditworthiness. The property being bought is the collateral and is at risk if the borrower defaults on the loan. But there are many benefits that outweigh the less than traditional nature of hard money fix and flip loans.

In most cases, a hard money loan request can be processed, approved and even funded in less than two weeks. This is because the lender’s due diligence is in researching the property being bought and not a person’s credit history. A borrower with a credit score of 550 would have a hard time getting money from a bank but most hard money lenders are willing to work with the credit challenged borrowers. The lender will sometimes request that the borrower pay upfront for an appraisal of the property but in most cases, all of the fees are due at closing when the loan is funded.

The Cost

Nothing in life is free, and hard money Arizona fix and flip loans are no exception. The lender is free to charge a higher interest rate as he or she is not required to follow the same rules and laws as a lending institution. In addition, the lender can determine the fees that will be charged. In most cases, hard money will cost five to ten points more than a traditional loan. But for the fast funding and the ability to secure the loan with a low credit score, many flippers are willing to pay the higher rates.

Many Perks

Fast funding and low credit score requirements are only two of the benefits of hard money. These loans are short term which works very well with the fast pace of the fix and flip segment of real estate investing. In addition, because the lender is a private individual, you are likely to be able to have the rest of the loan terms tailored to meet your needs. This could mean variable payment amounts, longer payment cycles or even a balloon payment at the end of the loan term. Knowing all of these perks helps to justify the cost while demonstrating why so many flippers are fond of using Arizona Hard Money Loans.

Dennis Dahlberg

Broker/RI/CEO/MLO

Level 4 Funding LLC

Arizona Tel: (623) 582-4444

Texas Tel: (512) 516-1177

111 Congress Ave | Austin | Texas | 78701

First Timers Loans To Flip Houses in Arizona

October 4, 2019Uncategorizedbigdaddydennis

As a first-time flipper, it can be difficult to find the appropriate loan. But there are a few tips which can help you secure your first Loans To Flip Houses in Arizona.

When you are getting into the house flipping business, there are many unique aspects of the business that you will need to learn. One of the first challenges that you will face is securing your first few Loans To Flip Houses in Arizona. The process is not anything like getting a mortgage for the home that you will be living in and as a homeowner, it would be very difficult to qualify to carry two traditional mortgages at the same time. For that reason, most flippers are fond of using hard money to finance the purchase of a property to flip as well as to cover the cost of the renovations and repairs.

Hard money is a short-term loan which is designed to be used by real estate investors. These loans are considered non-traditional because they are funded by a private lender and not a bank or a mortgage company, which is considered a traditional lender. The most common term for a hard money loan is between six months and a year but the term can vary because you are working with a private lender who is much more likely to customize the terms of the loan to meet your needs than any traditional lender would.

Another reason that investors choose Arizona Hard Money Loans To Flip Houses in Arizona is that these loans are asset-based. What this means is that the amount of the loan is determined by the value of the collateral, which is the property that you are buying. So the borrower does not need to be worried about having a great credit score or a very low level of debt. This is what allows a new investor to enter the market without having saved the entire purchase amount of the property.

Hard Money Loan Down Payments

The loan that you are getting to purchase a property must always be for less than the total value of the property so that the lender has some sense of security. If you as the borrower default on the payments of the loan, the borrower will take possession of the property and sell it to recover his or her money. So to ensure that the property value is always greater than the balance of the loan, the lender will require a down payment of 20% to even 25% of the property value.

Understand The Interest on Loans To Flip Houses in Arizona

Being that hard money is both a short-term loan and an asset-based loan makes them perfect for flippers. But this convenience does come at a price. You can expect to pay anywhere from 125 up to 21% or more for a hard money loan. The lender will determine the interest rate based on his or her perception of the risk involved in the loan. The more risky you appear the higher the interest rate. But remember that you will only be paying that high rate for a few months and hard money is a great way to get your foot in the door as a flipper and a real estate investor.

Dennis Dahlberg

Broker/RI/CEO/MLO

Level 4 Funding LLC

Arizona Tel: (623) 582-4444

Texas Tel: (512) 516-1177

111 Congress Ave | Austin | Texas | 78701

Top 3 Niches Arizona Private Money Lenders Love to Fund

October 3, 2019Uncategorizedbigdaddydennis

Defining a preferred niche when you’re in real estate investing can help you establish yourself as an authority, which leads to better deals and more sales. Being in a preferred niche can also help when you approach private money lenders, provided you’ve chosen your market wisely.

1. Single-Family Fix-and-Flips: Going with traditional fix-and-flips is quite common and these get funded all the time. However, you may want to consider digging a little bit deeper and working a specific region, choosing a specific style of home, or catering to a certain demographic. For example, some like to work only in established neighborhoods, while others like to focus on severely distressed properties, and some prefer historic homes. Choose an area that feels right to you and run with it.

2. Multi-Family Units: If you’ve already done some fix-and-flips, multi-family units are a sound way to diversify. You can treat these as flips or repair and hold, giving yourself a steady trickle of income to help you grow your wealth.

3. Fix-and-Holds: Whether you plan to rent your space out through something like HomeAway and Airbnb or get long-term renters in to cover costs and provide a revenue stream, fix-and-holds can be a sound bet. Make sure you’ve got a method to refinance or pay off your balance when your term ends though, as loans through are Arizona Private Money Lenders typically short in duration, lasting fewer than five years.

Choosing a Niche Shows Others You’re the Real Deal

When you establish yourself in a specific niche, you demonstrate you’re an authority in that area. That’s a boon when you’re working with Arizona private money lenders, but it goes deeper than that. For example, the longer you focus on a niche, the more people learn what area you specialize in. Other investors and sellers are likely to contact you when they see a property that fits your usual guidelines, saving you the trouble of hunting them down. Buyers who need properties like the ones you produce will also seek you out, meaning you’ll spend less time marketing and homes will start selling before you’ve even listed them. On top of this, it makes your marketing easier; from your website to your business cards and even social media, you’ll be able to present yourself as the authority in an area and network more with people you can help as well as those who can help you.

If you can master one area, you can diversify too.

Being an expert in one area will help you make better connections, streamline processes, and make you more appealing to an Arizona private money lenders, but markets often run in cycles. Because of this, you should work with various investment opportunities to fortify your revenue streams. Explore different parts of your city or state, create a portfolio of rentals at different price points, and pay attention to shifts in the market. That way, you can explode your wealth in the here and now with your niche, plus will be ready and able to pivot and continue growing even if the markets change.

Dennis Dahlberg

Broker/RI/CEO/MLO

Level 4 Funding LLC

Arizona Tel: (623) 582-4444

Texas Tel: (512) 516-1177