Tag Archives: spec home financing

BECOME SUCCESSFUL WITH ARIZONA SPEC HOME INVESTING

536349311You’ve heard the term, but what is an Arizona spec home? Is it a smart move to invest in one?

Speculation building is a significant part of the new home construction market. Since 2016, close to three quarters of new single-family houses have been built on “speculation”- meaning, the home was built with an intention to make a profit. When the market is healthy Arizona spec homes are abundant because builders can build them quickly, sell them even faster and use the profits to build even more Arizona spec homes. This is a potentially large profit-making probability; financing these types of projects can be arduous.

There are many factors, for an investor, to consider when making a decision to be involved in the building of an Arizona spec home. It is imperative that the investor has a complete and thorough understanding of the local housing market. The challenge lies in balancing costs of the home’s features with what will ultimately make the home sell. Crucial factors, for the investor, to consider are: the local job market, design and architect and local housing prices. It is also necessary to keep the house nonspecific enough that it will appeal to the masses of buyers versus just a select population. These are key components that investors will take into account when making a determination on an investment.

What do I need to know about finding a spec home investor?

The investor will always have full control of the project’s expenses. Spec houses are just that, a speculation of sale. If the local buyers needs aren’t met, it can result in a loss versus a gain for the investor.

There are banks that lend for spec builders. However, banks tend to offer most of their lending toward custom homebuilding and large developments. That leaves room for private investing. In Phoenix there are a multitude of large new housing developments. It is becoming more common to invest in Arizona spec homes because it is becoming harder to find distressed homes to invest for fix and flips.

Hard money investors are the way to go when it comes to funding a Arizona spec home. The loan will be a shorter duration than a traditional bank. There is a high demand for new homes in many metropolitan areas. In a market with high demand and low inventory it is always a good time to build a Arizona spec home; and a Arizona hard money lender is your best bet when it comes to funding that project. It is of essence that you chose a location that your lender is comfortable with. Phoenix and Las Vegas, for example, are both booming cities with room for growth and a fast growing population. Arizona hard money lenders can provide fast funds for Arizona spec homes that would be near impossible with a traditional bank. The borrowers responsibility can run from no money down to upwards of 50% down.

What do I bring when I meet with a hard money lender?

Before you meet with a potential lender; gather all documents concerning your financial position and collect as much information, as possible, about the property. You will need your previous two years’ tax statements, all bank statements, your business’ profit and loss statements and a listing of all your assets and liabilities. When it comes to the property, you will need: a budget, a list of all materials that will be needed and income and expense statements. Some lenders will require more than others. However, it is always best to be over-prepared when meeting with your investor.


Dennis Dahlber Broker Ri CEO Level 4 Funding LLC Dennis Dahlberg
Broker/RI/CEO/MLO
Level 4 Funding LLC 
Hard Money Lender
Hard Money Loans
Hard Money Loan
Arizona Tel:  (623) 582-4444
Texas Tel:      (512) 516-1177
Dennis@level4funding.com
Dennis Dahlberg Broker/RI/CEO

NMLS 1057378 | AZMB 0923961 | MLO 1057378
22601 N 19th Ave Suite 112 | Phoenix | AZ | 85027
111 Congress Ave | Austin | Texas | 78701 

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 43 years. They have 2 beautiful daughters 5 amazing grandchildren. Dennis has been an Arizona resident for the past 40 years.

© 2016 Level 4 Funding LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Copyright | Privacy Policy | *Terms & Conditions

WHERE TO FIND FINANCING FOR AN ARIZONA SPEC HOME

userHave you been turned down by banks because you don’t have perfect credit? Do you have collateral? Do you need a loan to invest in property?

Many people are not familiar with the term, “spec loan.” A Spec loan is a term used for a loan on a speculative property; meaning it the end game is unpredictable. A speculative property is one that the developer has not sold. And, because the sale has not been finalized, the loan itself is only speculative. Financing a spec home is a process, and it’s a little different than a conventional home loan.

Traditional banks are not quick to approve financing for an Arizona spec home. It is a risk for a lender because it is essentially a loan for a construction project without a committed buyer; and that flags risk to the banks. You’ll work with a mortgage lender when building an Arizona spec home. However, the builder will need the financing from mortgage lenders to purchase the needed materials and pay the construction crews. To prove to the lenders that your income is sufficient to pay back the construction loan. The borrower is expected to have enough funds to pay for the monthly payments on the loan, holding costs, insurance and taxes.

You will also need to write a marketing plan because this loan is to build something that will make a profit in the future. The point of this plan will describe how high you will price your completed home. Remember, a Arizona spec home is a home that hasn’t been built yet.This marketing plan will show who your target buyers will be and how you will inform potential buyers of this home being on the market. One idea would be to hire a realtor to promote your investment.

Where to find financing for an Arizona spec home?

Traditional lenders usually are not willing to provide a borrower with a loan on an Arizona spec home hard money loan due to unreliable lending practices from the past. Arizona hard money lenders are much more eager to lend on an Arizona spec home than a bank. Arizona hard money lenders can adjust the market conditions and advance their products to match trends in the market. Arizona hard money lenders offer loans that are shorter than bank loans. For example, a loan may be six-months, have 4 points and a 13% interest rate. This is quite different than a traditional bank loan.

Arizona hard money lenders can create a unique loan structure. If you’ve been turned down by a traditional lender because of credit a Arizona hard money lender should be your next step.

Arizona hard money lenders can provide funds for builder’s projects that would be next to impossible to acquire from a bank. In most cases applying for a hard money loan is a simple process. Usually, a borrower only needs to fill out a loan application, have a short conversation with a lender and receive a conditional approval right away. If you have a project and traditional banks are turning you down; Arizona hard money loans may be beneficial to you. 


Dennis Dahlber Broker Ri CEO Level 4 Funding LLC Dennis Dahlberg
Broker/RI/CEO/MLO
Level 4 Funding LLC 
Hard Money Lender
Hard Money Loans
Hard Money Loan
Arizona Tel:  (623) 582-4444
Texas Tel:      (512) 516-1177
Dennis@level4funding.com
Dennis Dahlberg Broker/RI/CEO

NMLS 1057378 | AZMB 0923961 | MLO 1057378
22601 N 19th Ave Suite 112 | Phoenix | AZ | 85027
111 Congress Ave | Austin | Texas | 78701 

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 43 years. They have 2 beautiful daughters 5 amazing grandchildren. Dennis has been an Arizona resident for the past 40 years.

© 2016 Level 4 Funding LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Copyright | Privacy Policy | *Terms & Conditions

Arizona Hard Money Construction Loans: Is it the Help That’s Right For You?

page2-img2If you’re looking to finance a construction project, you may be wondering where to secure financing. If land in your area is scarce, if your planned development is something others consider a pipe dream or if your credit situation is less than ideal then you should consider the benefits of hard money Arizona construction loans.

Yes, traditional banks offer loans for construction projects. However, they avoid risk by applying a rigid bureaucratic checklist to see who qualifies. If you as a borrower don’t tick a box specific box, don’t expect your deal to close. Plus the terms of any agreement you strike with a conventional lender are likely to be as inflexible as the concrete foundations you intend to pour.

Hard money is different. This type of lender is usually an investor or group investors, who are not beholden to government regulations or typical bank bureaucracy. Hard money providers can look beyond a rigid checklist when it comes to you and your project. As investors, they are more interested in your projects potential instead of your credit score. Of course, this type of loan will cost you more than a conventional bank loan, but it offers many advantages.

Ask Yourself these Questions to determine if a Arizona Hard Money Construction Loan is the right help for your situation:

There are three basic questions to ask yourself to determine the right type of financing for your construction project:

  • When do you need the money?  Expect a traditional bank loan to close no sooner than 30 days, after, you have gone through the tedious rigmarole of completing their application process. In the case of hard money, most deals can close within days. This speed can allow you to secure the purchase of an attractive parcel of land before other developers.

  • How much flexibility do you need?  Banks have very rigid loan terms from which they will not divert. They have a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to construction projects. If your proposed project is, say speculative, a traditional lender is not going to renegotiate the terms of your loan if you run into difficulties. Hard money offers more leeway to speculative developers who might need a bit of deference. As investors, hard money providers might be willing to tailor the terms of your loan and your repayment schedule to meet the needs of your unique project.

  • Can you qualify?  Once again banks have a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to the type of borrower who is eligible for financing. If a particular aspect of your financial history doesn’t meet the bank’s criteria, you are out of luck. In the case of hard money, if your project has enough potential your personal financial situation is irrelevant.

Arizona Hard money construction loans benefit borrowers who need speed, flexibility or those who are in unique financial situations.

If you need to secure the purchase of a prime piece of land quickly, don’t wait around for a conventional bank, approach a hard money provider first. If your proposed construction project doesn’t exactly fit the mold, hard money providers can work out a deal which can meet your needs. If you have been turned down for conventional financing in the past, hard money can get your construction project off the drawing board and into reality.


Dennis Dahlber Broker Ri CEO Level 4 Funding LLC Dennis Dahlberg
Broker/RI/CEO/MLO
Level 4 Funding LLC 
Hard Money Lender
Hard Money Loans
Hard Money Loan
Arizona Tel:  (623) 582-4444
Texas Tel:      (512) 516-1177
Dennis@level4funding.com
Dennis Dahlberg Broker/RI/CEO

NMLS 1057378 | AZMB 0923961 | MLO 1057378
22601 N 19th Ave Suite 112 | Phoenix | AZ | 85027
111 Congress Ave | Austin | Texas | 78701 

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 43 years. They have 2 beautiful daughters 5 amazing grandchildren. Dennis has been an Arizona resident for the past 40 years.

© 2016 Level 4 Funding LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Copyright | Privacy Policy | *Terms & Conditions

Spec Home Financing: Tactics to Increase Eligibility

p1_img2The continued recovery of the real-estate market may have you pondering the construction of a spec home. When it comes spec home financing learn some of the basics of how these deals are structured,  what a lender will expect from you and how you can increase your eligibility.

Spec home loans are used to construct homes before an actual buyer has been secured. You get a short-term loan to cover the cost of construction. After you finish construction, you either sell the house or refinance to pay the balance of the initial short-term loan. Naturally, when it comes to spec homes, there are a lot of risks involved.

First the lender has nothing to repossess if you default, expect a hole in the ground. Second you don’t even have a buyer in place. Your finished home might sit there for months on end, crumbling to dust and filling with cob-webs, all the while your loan goes unpaid and your lender is at a loss.

Considering all this risk what do you need to do to increase your eligibility?

Eligibility in the Case of Spec Home Financing Comes Down to how likely is it that the property will sell? How much equity does the borrower have in the deal?

In the first place, your lender will want to know the land you aim to purchase has access to roads and utilities. Obviously, your chance of qualifying will be made far more difficult if you intend to build a multiplex condo development in the middle of the woods.

A similar standard comes into play when it comes to your proposed project. A neoclassical surrealist home complete with faux-fur finishes is not going to qualify for financing. Your proposed home should appeal to the average buyer, which assures your lender that after construction is complete, someone will actually purchase your new home.

Also expect to make substantial down payment. The risk implied in these types of deals means few spec lenders are willing to offer more than 85% of projects projected value after completion, so you as a borrower should have the funds on hand to make up the difference.

Some lenders will also want to look into your savings in case your project runs into any unexpected difficulties. They may scrutinize your credit score, tax returns or other pertinent financial documents.

But above all, you need to prove your worth as a borrower when it comes to financing a spec home.

Try these tactics to increase your eligibility for Arizona spec home financing.

There’s obviously a lot of risk in these sorts of deals, and a lender will need a lot more assurance than just a credit score to approve your loan. Good credit or bad, there is no substitute for a compelling business plan. 

Have a very detailed plan with nearly every aspect of your project worked out ahead of time including blueprints, budgets, and precise timetables. Having a clear timeline of how your project will proceed is of vital importance. Your lender will want to know when your spec home will actually be finished, and when they can expect repayment.

Above all, you should be able to tell your lender the “story of your project.”  This story should not be make-believe and based purely on your own conjecture. Have a clear plan which should include projections of the profit that can be earned based on statistical evidence. Look at similar projects in the immediate area and know how much they sold for, this information can lend credence to your projected valuation.

In short, be sure that your proposed project is in line with the realities of the market. But above all have a clear plan. Use evidence to back up your projections. Employing these strategies will increase your eligibility for financing and help you get your spec home project off of the ground.

Dennis Dahlber Broker Ri CEO Level 4 Funding LLC Dennis Dahlberg
Broker/RI/CEO/MLO
Level 4 Funding LLC 
Hard Money Lender
Hard Money Loans
Hard Money Loan
Arizona Tel:  (623) 582-4444
Texas Tel:      (512) 516-1177
Dennis@level4funding.com
Dennis Dahlberg Broker/RI/CEO

NMLS 1057378 | AZMB 0923961 | MLO 1057378
22601 N 19th Ave Suite 112 | Phoenix | AZ | 85027
111 Congress Ave | Austin | Texas | 78701 

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 43 years. They have 2 beautiful daughters 5 amazing grandchildren. Dennis has been an Arizona resident for the past 40 years.

© 2016 Level 4 Funding LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Copyright | Privacy Policy | *Terms & Conditions