Getting a mortgage today is nowhere as easy as it used to be. Less expensive interest-wise, if you don’t have the right assets or income to debt ratio, you may be left without many options. Hard money loans are the answer to many difficult investment situations. They are structured differently than traditional loans and are most commonly associated with much higher interest rates. Before you take one out, it is best to decide if it is worth it for your investment purposes.
Hard money loans are the perfect solution for investors who intend to purchase a house but never own it long enough to worry about the rate of interest. People who buy an investment property and expect to sell it quickly can benefit from a hard money transaction because they can get quick money without jumping through all the hoops or having the equity that it takes to be approved for a mortgage.
Hard money loans differ from traditional loans in many ways. Often not coming from a traditional lender, hard money lenders or HMLs are typically loaned from either small equity groups or private individuals. The major advantage is that they often do not take into consideration things such as credit scores. As much as twice the average of interest mortgage loans, they also are associated with high origination fees.
Other major advantages are that you can borrow up to 100% of the value of the home. Using the property as collateral, you can mortgage the property with the property, that is very attractive for business who are purchasing the home to fix it up and build quick equity then pay it off just as quickly. Often not making more than a couple of payments on the hard money loan, they aren’t concerned with the rate because it will likely not affect them.
Hard money loans are usually approved with very little paperwork and within just a couple of days. With traditional mortgage loans taking as many as 30 to 45 days to close, it is sometimes an attractive proposition to the seller. Being able to close quickly and to give cash on hand, many sellers may be more willing to take less than to have to own the house for longer than they want to.
So, is a Hard Money Loan for you?
If you are looking at buying a home for personal use, then a hard money loan is not the way to go. If you don’t have the funds to pay for a mortgage now, it is much smarter to clear up your credit, save for a down payment, and try to go the traditional route. If you are looking at a property merely for investment and quick equity building, then it may be a smart decision. The allure of being able to close quickly may save you on the price of the house, and although having a high-interest rate, you likely won’t be paying more than a month or two before you can pay the entire balance off. For more information about the potential to obtain a hard money loan, contact Blue Jay Equity investments for more information about whether it is in your best interest.