Tag Archives: Arizona USDA Home Loan

Getting into Fix & Flips? Read This Appraiser’s Advice First

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When people hear about Level 4 Funding and the work we do, they often wonder exactly how people put hard money loans to use and create real value with them. Oftentimes, those we help work in the “fix-and-flip” business, rehabbing houses. Of course, the next flurry of questions usually surrounds who does that and how they make it work. We’ve been lucky enough to get a few professional home rehabbers to open up a bit about their work and are highlighting their stories. Jason Maze of Maze Enterprise and Amazing Appraisals was kind enough to give us some insights.

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Jason Began as an Appraiser

clip_image005Working in real estate appraisals, Jason routinely helps home buyers and sellers, as well as other parties such as lawyers and accountants, determine the value of a home. While this is often done in advance of a sale, appraisals are routinely performed anytime knowing the value of a property is beneficial, such as during a divorce or while handling estate planning. Over the years, he really got to know the numbers and specific areas. When the market crashed in 2008, he noticed an interesting trend. Canadians were heading into the area and buying en masse. “We can do that,” he decided. With his experience in value and his wife Jennifer’s lifelong affinity for design, the two ventured into the fix-and-flip business.

He Offers Some Tips for Those Getting into Home Rehabs

We asked Jason what advice he’d give someone who was considering getting into the business. “Go for it,” he says. “Make sure you have crunched your numbers. Buy low, sell low.” Although Jason may have the upper hand in valuation because he’s been in the field for decades and now does about ten flips per year on top of it, he says anyone can get a better idea of the numbers by hiring an appraiser before they purchase a property or prior to selling one.

There are Highs and Lows in the Fix-and-Flip Business

clip_image007So far, Jason says his and Jennifer’s most rewarding project has been a historic home. With Jennifer’s designs and Jason’s fiscal sense, the outcome was great. However, the icing on the cake was when HGTV contacted the couple and asked about airing it on a show. This particular property, aside from celebrity status, was a bit of a rarity for the duo, as they typically aim for “newer” homes, or those built in the 1970s through now. Jason says they “learned their lesson” about dealing with older homes the hard way by purchasing one sight unseen. When they finally got their hands on it, they realized it was built with mud and straw, then covered in plaster, as opposed to modern building materials. This, he adds, isn’t uncommon for the period. Many homes throughout the southwestern US, particularly in the Phoenix area, were built this way because it’s what the earliest residents had on hand and helped make the desert heat more bearable. Still, it was an unexpected surprise they had to overcome and added a few extra challenges to the rehab.

Jason and Jennifer Have Big Plans

Despite the occasional blip, the fix-and-flip business has been good to the Maze family. The pair does about two homes at a time, continuously adding to their impressive portfolio. This still allows plenty of time for Jason to grow his appraisal business. Jennifer, on the other hand, has been balancing managing the design of their rehab properties with a nursing career, which she may soon leave behind in favor of branching out on her own offering design services to others. Of course, the family is still allowing plenty of time for fun and new adventures together as well.

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Chat with Jason About Appraisals or Get Info on a Fix & Flip Loan

If you’d like to chat with Jason about his appraisal services, go to Amazing-Appraisals.com.

You can also visit Level4Funding.com to learn more about loans for your next fix-and-flip project and even begin the application process right on the site. We’ll be sharing more stories from home rehabbers like Jason too, so pop back in soon for the next installment.

 

Dennis Dahlberg
Broker/RI/CEO/MLO
Level 4 Funding LLC 
Private Hard Money Lender
Arizona Office:  (623) 582-4444
dennis@level4funding.com NMLS 1057378 | AZMB 0923961 | MLO 1057378
22601 N 19th Ave Suite 112 | Phoenix | AZ | 85027

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Can you make money by investing in hard money loans?

Consider using a deed of trust investment. A deed of trust investment allows you to earn steady returns and interest payments on the loans distributed by hard money lenders.

Deeds of trust may be an unfamiliar concept for many first-time real estate investors. A deed of trust is a promissory note in which a borrower promises to pay back the lender (i.e., you the investor). Your investment goes to the borrower in the form of a loan, and the borrower’s property acts as collateral in case of default. You earn both the interest payments and any portion of the principle the borrower manages to pay off throughout the term of the loan. Because a real property secures them, deeds trust are relatively safe and can offer steady returns to novice real estate investors.

Investing in a deed of trust is also a great way to diversify your portfolio. A deed of trust investment allows you to act as a passive owner and earn income from a property without owning it outright. You also save money because you will not need to purchase the entire property upfront and you avoid the hassle of maintaining the property yourself. Deeds of trust can also offer higher returns over an ordinary saving or an investment account.

Use a hard money lender to get the help you need when it comes to investing in deeds of trust

Trust deed investment companies (TDIC’s) connect investors with deeds of trust and usually known as “hard money” lenders. The loans issued by these groups are secured by the value of the “hard” asset which the borrower wants to finance. Often TDIC’s use deed of trust investments as a way to raise capital for the loans they issue to prospective borrowers.

Some may consider merely acting as private lenders on their own behalf. If you have the money and you want to earn interest, you could always lend the money yourself.

Working with a TDIC allows you to benefit from their knowledge and experience when it comes to the real estate market and the rules and regulations related to lending. The lender can underwrite the loan, take care of legal obstacles, perform the necessary due diligence and in some cases service the mortgage directly.

Level 4 Funding is an Arizona based hard money lender and can guide you through the process of investing in deeds of trust

Level 4 funding will perform the necessary due diligence on any deed of trust investment, ensuring any mortgage you invest in is of the highest quality. Level 4 funding differs from other TDIC’s. Because Level 4 has already issued any mortgage you invest in whereas competitors may need your investment to fully finance their loans. With Level 4 Funding you have added the safety of knowing that any loan invest in already has a steady payment history.

To qualify you will need to make a minimum investment of 50,000 dollars, and your investment cannot exceed 10 percent of your total net worth or annual income. For more information about a deed of trust investment at Level 4 funding click here.

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

Reasons to use a hard money loan for your next fix and flip project

A hard money loan (or an asset-based loan) offers you the benefits of flexible terms and quick approval. Learn why you should consider this type of loan for your next fix and flip project.

Fixing and flipping single-family homes is the subject of many popular television programs and no doubt most readers will be familiar with the process. An investor purchases a single family home, upgrades and repairs it and then sells it for a profit. Every fix and flip project has the same goals, to maximize market value, minimize the cost of renovations and to sell the property in the shortest time possible. But starting any fix and flip project also comes with the added cost of the financing.

Consider using a “hard” money loan to finance your fix and flip project. The value of the investment property secures this type of loan. This type of lender is likely to consider the potential value you can achieve with your project, instead of your credit score. Hard money loans can clear within a matter of days, which makes them ideal when you need to act quickly on a great investment opportunity.

A hard money loan can be the ideal financing solution for your house flipping project

A traditional mortgage will be hard to secure if your investment property is particularly distressed.The majority of regular banks fund their loans by selling them to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.More than likely your property will fall short of FHA guidelines, making the sale of the mortgage to Fannie or Freddie impossible.

Traditional lenders are also wary about the potential for default should your project not go according to plan. Generally it is not worth the effort for a regular lender to underwrite your loan or to thoughtfully consider your proposals.

Most asset-based lenders consider the potential of your project rather than your credit score or your properties current condition. If you are a seasoned house flipper, or you can talk up your specific plans, more than likely you can qualify for a asset based loan. Asset-based loans can also close quickly which allows you to take advantage of immediate investment opportunities.

If you intend to flip a home in Arizona consider using Level Four Funding as your hard money lender

Level 4 Funding offers short-term financing which is ideal for house flipping projects. Levels 4 offers interest-only loans which gives you the benefit of lower monthly payments. Level 4 Funding can also finance to 85 percent of your next house flipping project, whereas most other asset-based lenders usually only offer up to 75 percent. With Level 4 Funding you’ll need to spend less of your own money up front to get your project started. Level 4 Funding offers flexible loan terms, with a minimum term of less than a month allowing you to pay off the loan at your convenience.Level 4 Funding can also close loans within a matter of days, which will help you get your project started quickly.

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