Master These 4 Key Real Estate Loan Calculations

Today we are going to look at a few examples in order to help you visualize and master the 4 key real estate loan calculations. These 4 key calculations include how to calculate a point, simple interest, loan to ARV, and loan to value. It is important that you understand this when you are in real estate investing, because they will impact both your cash flow and closing costs. Grab your calculator, paper, and a pen! 

What is a point?

When a lender says that they are going to charge you 1 or 2 points, what exactly does that mean? A point in the lender world means percent. Therefore, 2 points for example equals 2%. To clarify, it’s 2% of your loan amount, as opposed to your purchase price. This percentage is the amount that you are paying in the origination to the lender and it is included in your closing costs. The closing costs will also include down payment, appraisal, just to name a few. Let’s jump into an example to see how to calculate point.

For example:

Loan for $150,000

They will charge you 2% 

Origination fee = $3,000

$150,000 x .02 = $3,000

You need to understand how to calculate a point because it will impact your closing cost and your overall cost of doing business. 

How do you calculate your interest rate?

Not only does DSCR have some interest only options, but private money and hard money do as well. Today, we are looking at how to calculate the monthly interest rate on a simple mortgage. Just to clarify, monthly interest and simple interest are one in the same. So, if a lender says that you are going to be charged 11% or 12% on your loan amount, what does that mean? First and foremost, that 11% or 12% is an annual amount not a monthly amount. Let’s jump into an example to see how you calculate the interest rate.

For example:

Loan for $150,000

Lender says the interest rate is 11% (this is an annual amount)

$150,000 x .11 = $16,500  (this is the interest that is charged on an annual basis)

Now we have to divide it by 12 to determine the monthly interest cost.

$16,500 ÷ 12 = $1,375 monthly interest cost

It is important that you know how to calculate your interest rate because that is the monthly amount that is coming out of your pocket.

How do you calculate loan to ARV?

ARV, which stands for the after repair value, is also referred to as the anticipated amount. To put it another way, this is what you estimate the value of the property to be after you have finished your flip. The ARV is based on comparables and the current market. When your lender lends you money, part of that money is going to be based on the calculated ARV. That loan amount is also dependent on the lender’s loan to ARV percentage. This percentage is found by dividing the loan amount by the ARV.  Let’s jump into an example and see how you calculate the loan to ARV percentage. 

For example:

In this market, with a property that is all fixed up, the ARV is $300,000

The lender is able to lend $210,000 (because it will be based on the ARV and what their loan to ARV is)

So in this case, we divide the $210,000 by the $300,000, which equals a loan to ARV percentage, which is 70%.

$210,000 ÷ $300,000 = .70 loan to ARV percentage (70%)

This is important to know because lending companies will say what percentage they loan based on the ARV. By crunching the numbers, you can easily determine what the lenders loan amount would be for your property.

How do you calculate LTV?

LTV stands for loan to value. The difference between loan to ARV and loan to value is what the value represents. The value in LTV is the current value of the property with nothing else changed on it. Meaning, what is the value now? What is the value today? How do you find the value? This normally comes off of comps or appraisals that are done by the lender. Let’s jump into an example and see how you calculate the LTV percentage. 

For example: 

Purchase price (current value) $200,000 

Loan amount $140,000

We are going to divide the loan amount by the purchase price.

$140,000 ÷ $200,000 = .70 LTV percentage (70%)

Again, by crunching the numbers, you can then determine what their loan amount would be for your property.

In conclusion

If you’re a new investor or even if you’re an old pro, you need to master these 4 key real estate loan calculations. As an investor these are the things that you are going to come across when you are working with lenders. 

If you have any other questions or need a run through to show how things work, please contact us today! 

Watch our most recent video to Master These 4 Key Real Estate Loan Calculations.

by

What Do You Use Peer to Peer Lending For?

What is peer to peer lending and what can you use it for? Peer to peer lending is asking anyone that you know, or even people you don’t know, for money. While family and friends can be part of this, that is not what we are talking about. Instead we are referring to people in your community or those in the real estate community. These individuals want to make money, however, they don’t want to own properties. This unique lending creates the flexibility to use it for small amounts, fix up costs, monthly payments, large amounts, and so much more! Let’s take a closer look.

The struggles with budgets.

There are a lot of people right now who are struggling with their budgets. This is because everything has gone up. From taxes and insurance, to the cost of gas, budgets are being stretched more and more every day. This is where peer to peer lending can help people to escape their financial struggles. Peer lenders, who have money in their IRA, are looking for better returns. At the same time real estate investors and business owners are looking for better lending options. By working with real people again, both the borrower and lender can benefit.

Peer to peer lending can replace traditional loans.

Peer to peer is centered on finding people who are willing and want to get into a win win situation. As investors, we want to replace some or all of the funding that we normally receive from traditional lenders. These traditional lenders include banks, hard money lenders, and private lenders. By replacing all of that with a peer to peer bucket of money, you can create a faster, easier, and cheaper option. There is no need to be fearful! Peer to peer has been around since before banks were even established.

Peer to peer provides flexibility

Many investors and business owners wonder what they can use peer to peer lending for and what the dollar amounts are. The flexibility of peer to peer, unlike banks, allows you to use it for small amounts, fix up costs, monthly payments, large amounts, and so much more! The beautiful thing about peer to peer is that there is always funding available from $10K to 10 million. It all depends on what you need and who you work with.

Here is a list of common uses for peer to peer funds.

  1. Gap funding 
  2. Finishing a project 
  3. Paying off a credit card
  4. Lines of credit 
  5. Developing land 
  6. Auctions 
  7. Rentals 
  8. Flips
  9. Land
  10. Construction 
  11. Anything that looks like a good deal and has security
  12. Expansion
  13. Growth

Peer to peer helps the community.

By using peer to peer lending as opposed to traditional lending, you’re putting money back into the community. By living here, working here, and investing here, you can see the benefits of your hard work. From fixing up properties to renting properties, we are going to improve the community around us. People who are lending will feel that they are helping the community, plus they can see where their money is. 

Now is the time

Now is the time to make the switch to peer to peer lending!  Investors need to set up their peer to peer bucket of money as soon as possible in order to avoid missing out on amazing real estate opportunities. Don’t waste time waiting for loan approvals from banks. Instead, think outside the box and find your community today. The flexibility makes it easier and more profitable for both the borrower as well as the lender.  

Here at The Cash Flow Company we can help you navigate peer to peer lending. We have created systems to help navigate the process for both the borrower, as well as the lender. Contact us today to find out more.

Watch our most recent video to discover more about How to Escape Financial Struggles with Peer to Peer Lending.

by

The Biggest Piece of the Lender Pie

One of the biggest hurdles that many investors face is learning the lending side of real estate. Today we are going to go over the lender pie and how it affects you as an investor. For over 23 years I have been working with investors. Many of them are just starting out and learning how to build both income and wealth. Wealth in real estate investing is achieved by using other people’s money for leverage. It is important that you understand the leverage side, what it looks like, and how you can make it work for you. All lenders base their lending decision on three factors, which are your credit score, LTV, and your income. The biggest piece of the lender pie is credit score!

1.  Credit score 

Lenders will evaluate your credit score and how you have paid people in the past before considering loan approval. Lending is primarily based on algorithms, and your credit score is a big determining factor. 

2.  LTV 

LTV stands for the loan to value. It is determined by evaluating how much money you have in a property, how much equity you have, and what is your piece of this property. LTV is one of the biggest factors that lenders look at when

 determining if they are going to lend to you, how much they will lend, and what it is going to cost.  

3.  Income and Reserves

Income and reserves can either come from you or from the property. If you’re looking at a DSCR or fix and flip, and you are going to sell it, then it is the income that the lenders will evaluate. Reserves include the amount of money you have put away in case something comes up. In regards to rental properties, it is how many months of reserves you have in case the property goes unrented for 3 to 6 months. If you’re a flipper, the reserves can help you make payments over the next 6 to 9 months until your property is sold.  

Which factor is the most important to lenders? 

The answer is that It’s always a mix between the three. However, your credit score has the largest impact on the other two pieces in the lending pie. Here is an example that illustrates how your credit score can affect both your LTV and the flexibility on income requirements.

Example: Credit score 

Your credit score is the most important factor in being approved or denied for a loan. If you have a good property, but a bad credit score in the 500’s, it won’t matter for most lenders. To clarify, a good property could be one that is 50% or 60% LTV. However, most lenders won’t even look at you. This is due to the fact that all lenders have guidelines and have to take into consideration certain things. If you have a 600 or even 620 credit score, then you are going to be limited. Your credit score is vital to your success. The higher credit score will get you more money, a higher LTV, and it will provide more flexibility on income requirements. It is imperative for new investors to get their credit score as high as possible because it will lower the interest rates, the lower the mortgage payment, and decrease the amount of income you will need.

In conclusion

The lending pie provides the perfect visual of how important leverage is for investors. Again, leverage is how you create wealth and income. While the pieces of the pie are not always equal, it is imperative that you understand how your credit score, income, and LTV work together. Remember, a lender is going to look at every piece and make sure that your pie is where it needs to be for approval. While LTV and income are more difficult to change, your credit score is a place where you can make the biggest impact. Be on the lookout for future videos that focus on credit and easy ways to raise your scores.

Our goal is to make sure that you are as successful as possible. Contact us to find out more about the lending pie and how you can raise your credit scores. 

Watch our most recent video about The Lender Pie: 3 Key Loan Qualifications in Real Estate to find out more.

by

DSCR Loan Explained – Easy Rental Loan for Investors

Are you looking for a lightning fast easy loan for your rental properties? Something that comes with affordable, long term fixed rates? Then we have your solution. We call it the Easy Rental Loan that is for investors, but other lenders in the industry call it a DSCR loan. A DSCR is also known as a debt service coverage ratio loan, measures your ability to cash flow in order to pay your monthly costs. There are two key items that you need to know about the Easy Rental Loan for Investors. Let’s take a look.

Two key items:

  1. A decent credit score
  2. A lease that covers the monthly cost of your property

The Monthly costs include:

  1. Mortgage payment
  2. Property taxes
  3. Insurance
  4. HOA fee

Benefits for investors:

If your property positively cash flows, meaning that you are making more than you spend on the property, then you can qualify for an easy rental loan. Better yet, you can still qualify for good rates and a 30 year fixed term. 

What makes it Easy:

This is an amazing product for investors. Unlike traditional lenders you don’t have to worry about submitting tax returns, being in business for two or more years, or having too many financed properties. It really doesn’t get easier than that

Contact us today!

So if you’re looking for a fast, efficient, and easy solution to fund your rental properties, then look no further. We have the easy rental loan waiting for you.

Ready to chat? Great! Our team here at The Cash Flow Company is here to help. We are eager to set you on a path that helps you make the kind of money you need to live the life you want.

Watch our most recent clip to find out more about the Easy Rental Loan.

by

How to Escape Financial Struggles with Peer to Peer Lending

What is peer to peer lending? Peer to peer lending is asking anyone that you know, or even people you don’t know, for money. While family and friends can be part of this, that is not what we are talking about. Instead we are referring to people in your community or those in the real estate community. These individuals want to make money, however, they don’t want to own properties. Roughly 98% of peer to peer money comes from these groups of people, not family and friends. So how can peer to peer lending help to escape financial struggles? Let’s take a closer look.

The struggles with budgets.

There are a lot of people right now who are struggling with their budgets. This is because everything has gone up. From taxes and insurance, to the cost of gas, budgets are being stretched more and more every day. This is where peer to peer lending can help people to escape their financial struggles. Peer lenders, who have money in their IRA, are looking for better returns. At the same time real estate investors and business owners are looking for better lending options. By working with real people again, both the borrower and lender can benefit from peer to peer lending.

Peer to peer lending can replace traditional loans.

Peer to peer is centered on finding people who are willing and want to get into a win win situation. As investors, we want to replace some or all of the funding that we normally receive from traditional lenders. These traditional lenders include banks, hard money lenders, and private lenders. By replacing all of that with a peer to peer bucket of money, you can create a faster, easier, and cheaper lending option. There is no need to be fearful! Peer to peer has been around since before banks were even established.

Creating better returns.

Those who use peer to peer lending will in turn get better returns than they would in other situations. For example, banks will normally give someone 5% and then lend out 9%. This creates a 3% to 5% profit for the bank. When you borrow directly from me, you will get cheaper money, and I will also get a better return because it is secured. A secured return is one that is secured by a piece of real estate. By taking the bank out of the middle, it makes it faster, easier, and cheaper money. Thus creating a win win situation for both the borrower and the lender.

Keep it simple and be prepared.

When we are talking about peer to peer lending we are not talking about begging people for money. We are also not saying that you need to go out and convince people. While you do have to go through a process, if it’s done correctly, then you can easily get people involved in lending you money. Once you have one peer to peer lender, you can easily jump to more by showcasing how you treat your peer lender, showing that you pay on time, and paid it back. Those who treat it like a bank loan or a real business will be able to expand their peer to peer bucket of money at a much faster pace. For those who struggle with communication, you can create a quick presentation or video to explain everything with links. Don’t make things complicated! Remember to keep it simple and always be prepared.

What do you need to do to be prepared?

Peer to peer lending requires less paperwork than a traditional loan. You also don’t have to worry about being denied because of your bank statements or credit scores. With the way things have changed and shifted over the years, the lending pools are shrinking as well. By taking the time to get everything secured, you will create a win win situation. Let’s take a closer look at what you need.

  1. We are going to secure this with a piece of real estate by using a deed of trust or mortgage.
  2. It’s going to be recorded by title. 
  3. Wire money directly to title for the closing.
  4. We are going to make it so secured that it will make them feel reassured.
  5. You are going to build a nice case to show them the property.
    1. Rental – Maybe it’s already fixed up and already rented. Then you can show that money is coming in.
    2. Flip- Here’s the flip and if it’s new, here’s what I’m going to do to the property. If you are experienced, then you can show what you have done in the past.
  6. When the property is refinanced or paid off, then the title company is going to pay the peer lender back directly.

Find people who are engaged or looking 

Peer to peer lenders are everywhere! Many are in their retirement age or in a retirement zone and just need more money to live. With the rapidly increasing cost of living over the past few years, many people are looking for something that will provide a better and more secure return. 

  • Self Directed IRA

This is a group of people who have their 401K or IRA in a self directed plan. A self directed plan is one they can use to invest in anything. Those with this type of plan are used to working with private places such as a business preliminary stock or deeds. 

  • Equity Trust and Direction IRA

They have meetups and groups that you can attend so that you can get connected with others in the community. An added benefit is that they have people who can take care of the paperwork for you while you decide where to invest.

Peer to peer provides flexibility

Many investors and business owners wonder what they can use peer to peer lending for and what the dollar amounts are. The flexibility of peer to peer, unlike banks, allows you to use it for small amounts, fix up costs, monthly payments, large amounts, and so much more! The beautiful thing about peer to peer is that there is always funding available from $10K to 10 million. It all depends on what you need and who you work with.

Here is a list of common uses for peer to peer funds.

  1. Gap funding 
  2. Finishing a project 
  3. Paying off a credit card
  4. Lines of credit 
  5. Developing land 
  6. Auctions 
  7. Rentals 
  8. Flips
  9. Land
  10. Construction 
  11. Anything that looks like a good deal and has security
  12. Expansion
  13. Growth

Peer to peer helps the community.

By using peer to peer lending as opposed to traditional lending, you’re putting money back into the community. By living here, working here, and investing here, you can see the benefits of your hard work. From fixing up properties to renting properties, we are going to improve the community around us. People who are lending will feel that they are helping the community, plus they can see where their money is. 

Now is the time

Now is the time to buy! There are predictions that rates will decrease in 2024.  It is important that investors set up their peer to peer bucket of money as soon as possible. Don’t waste time waiting for loan approvals from banks. Instead, think outside the box and find your peer to peer community today. Peer to peer lending makes it easier and more profitable for both the borrower and lender.  

Here at The Cash Flow Company we can help you navigate peer to peer lending. We have created systems to help navigate the process for both the borrower, as well as the lender. Contact us today to find out more.

Watch our most recent video to discover more about How to Escape Financial Struggles with Peer to Peer Lending.

by

The Benefits of Peer to Peer Lending

As a real estate investor it is important to understand not only what peer to peer lending is, but more importantly, the benefits that are available from using this type of leverage. Peer to peer lending, also known as other people’s money, is funding that is provided by family, friends, or individuals within the community to help you in your investments. Here at The Cash Flow Company, we have done about a billion dollars over the past 23 years using peer to peer lending. The majority of this money is not from family and friends, but instead from other people who are interested in making a good return. Today we are going to look at the benefits of peer to peer lending, and why it is often better than traditional loans.

Peer to peer is replacing banks.

We all know what is happening out there with affordability. The banks are starting to change their requirements, DSCR is getting into the 9% and 10% range, and fix and flip loans are anywhere between 11% and 13%. This lending squeeze is causing affordability, terms, and credit score requirements to all become tougher as well. Which creates the perfect opportunity to reintroduce peer to peer lending, which is something that has been around since before banking began. Peer to peer lending is taking out the banks and allowing people to begin working with humans again. 

Peer to peer gets deals done quickly.

Every good investor always has a few peer to peer lenders that they work with on a regular basis. These are individuals that the investors have built a good reputation with, and proved that they can produce quality work. By creating this foundation, it allows investors to act quickly on deals that come available instead of waiting for the bank’s approval. Peer to peer lenders also benefit because they are able to use money from their savings accounts or retirement accounts in order to get a better return that is something secured. It’s a great win-win situation for everyone!

Peer to peer keeps things simple.

We want to keep it simple and find the people that fit your needs. Not everyone needs $300K or $500K. They might just need $35K or $50K to get their business going. While they do have real estate to secure a loan, they might not have the income that the bank requires. That is where peer to peer lending comes in. Most peer to peer lenders don’t care what your income is. They want to know what the property looks like, if it will protect their money, and what you are going to pay them. Another way to look at peer to peer lending is like a personal DSCR. A DSCR doesn’t care about your income either. With the high interest rates of DSCR in this market, peer to peer lending is a comparable option for investors with rental properties.

Double your money!

Peer to peer is so important for those who are lending. They can easily make $8K on $100K. Banks on the other hand, would only have a return of $4K to $5K on the same amount if it were in a CD or savings account. Peer to peer lenders could easily double what they are making without having to worry about the inconsistency of the stock market. This is a time when things are tightening and people are having to look for new opportunities. Those who are prepared, ready, and have money, will succeed. 

Where do you start? We can help!

Every investor or business owner should look into peer to peer lending. Even if it is just for a down payment, fix up cost, or any other expense in the real estate world. Businesses could also benefit from peer to peer lending for start up costs or unexpected business expenses. It doesn’t have to be $500K, but it could be! With lending becoming tighter, banks could require an additional 10%. In that case, where would you go for the additional money? The answer is peer to peer! There are all kinds of people out there with pockets full of money. You just need to find one that has what you are needing.

If you want to find out more about peer to peer lending and how to get started reach out to us. We want to make sure that this market grows and that we get rid of some of the lenders and bankers out there. The better it grows, the bigger it grows, and the more options people will have for their future. Our target is to make it a win-win for both peer to peer borrowers and peer to peer lenders. 

Contact us today to find out more about the lowest risk lending option with the best return! 

Watch our most recent video explaining What is Peer to Peer Lending and Why You Need It

We have created an excellent resource site for you to discover more about peer to peer lending. This information can be found at www.TheNoteShop.com.

 

by

From Denial to Approval: Credit and Interest Explained

Our goal today is to show how interest rates, credit scores, and LTV can affect your ability to not only qualify for a loan, but also to cash flow on the property. As a result, investors are walking a very fine line between being denied or approved for a loan. Learn how to shift from denial to approval today!

Type of property Purchase price Appraisal 

average 

rents in area 

Amount down Financing 

30 year loan

Fees

Taxes

Insurance

HOA

DSCR 

(LTV) 

Rental $250k $1,950 20% 80%

($200K loan) 

$300 75%
Credit Score DSCR rate Payment amount 

principle and interest

Payment amount plus fees  Cash flow 

based on appraisal 

Client 1 680 9.75% $1,718 $2,018 -$68.00
Client 2 720 8.99% $1,608 $1,908 +$42.00
Client 3 780 8.75% $1,573 $1,873 +77.00

The power of credit scores.

Your credit scores not only affect your rates, but they also will impact your cash flow on the property. Do you need to raise your credit score in order to qualify? We can help you get your credit scores back on track with our 911 loan. Contact us today to find out more. As credit scores go up, you will be able to not only capture more monthly income, but you will also create wealth.

How do rates affect cash flow?

As rates continue to rise, your payments are going to increase as well. This in turn causes your cash flow to suffer, and in most cases it will be a negative. Cash flow positive on the other hand, means that there are going to be more properties available for more investors. So keep your eye out for this change!

Rates are decreasing!

Over the past three weeks rates have been decreasing. We may be at the peak right now and many are predicting that rates are going to significantly drop in 2024. It is imperative that you stay up to date and keep track of current trends. We have created a Weekly Investor Mortgage Report for you! Reach out through our website or email to find out more.

Keep increasing your leverage!

In real estate investing leverage is the key to success. It is what makes your wealth and creates your income. By using banks, other people’s money, and filling your leverage buckets, you will set yourself up for success.  

In Conclusion.

This example paints a very clear picture showing how 3 different people compare side by side on the same property. Nowadays, investors can either be denied or approved just based on their credit score, or where the markets are. While being denied is discouraging, it is important that you understand why you didn’t qualify in order to make a change. If you want to impact where you are and where you are going in 2024, then check out our website. We have a lot of ways to positively impact your credit, as well as a weekly newsletter. We are here to help you get on the path to success. 

Watch our most recent video to find out more on How High Interest Rates Impact Real Estate Investments.

by

Always Have Enough Money for Your Real Estate Investments

Real estate investors always need to have enough money for their investments. It is important that they see every deal or transaction as a bucket of money. If you are buying a fix and flip or a rental property, there is a bucket of money that is needed. These funds can be used to purchase the property, complete rehab projects, cover closing costs, and take care of the interest. While the majority is going to come from the lenders, the remaining portion is going to have to come from you for a down payment or to cover the interest costs. It is important that you take everything into consideration when you are setting things up in order to win in the real estate game.

What do you need to look at when setting things up?

  1. Make sure that the lenders who are lending you money will give you more at a better price.
  2. Make sure that you have your bucket of money to not only qualify for this loan or multiple loans. Determine what represents your bucket of money, and how you can set it up to play in the game.

What if you don’t have any money going in?

There are many investors who enter the game without establishing their buckets of money. For these investors, it becomes a matter of creativity and how they feel about what they’re doing. There are a lot of people who don’t have anything coming into a deal. For these individuals, they can use lines of credit, or credit cards to do down payments. 

There is always another way to find the funds you need!

One of the most important things to do when you’re starting out is to use other people’s money. Often this is from family and friends. However, it doesn’t have to be. There are a lot of people out there who are looking for better returns. Take a moment to consider if there is someone out there who you can borrow $10K from. Perhaps someone from your real estate group or even a neighbor down the street. By doing this, you can fill your bucket of money with someone else’s money in order to get the return you want. As long as you use the funds correctly, then you can in turn make the money you need in order to pay them back. 

Let’s look at the numbers.

When you are purchasing a property, you can have the bank lend you up to 80% to 90%. The remaining 10% to 20% can then be provided by someone who is looking for a better return. By paying them 10%, it will be a lot cheaper than making payments on a credit card or a loan. The person lending you the money directly will in turn get a better return than they would find elsewhere. It’s a win win on both sides.

What do you need for success?

First and foremost you need to have confidence in order to succeed! If you are going to go out and ask people for money, then you need to show them that it will be a good deal for them. You can show confidence by knowing your project and by developing a business plan that showcases your investment goals. Once they have faith that you will find good properties, fix them, sell them, and make money, then they will partner with you. If you get one person in, then it’s easier to get more later.

We can help you!

We have developed a good system of how to not only find other people’s money, but more importantly how to talk to them about joining you in your investment journey. Here at The Cash Flow Company, we help to find you the leverage you need, get your buckets of money set up, and ensure that the properties you find are good deals. Remember, confidence comes with a good project, finding good projects will then help you make more money. Creating leverage now will help you jump into a deal quickly while others are scrambling. 

Contact us to find out more!

Watch our most recent video to make sure that you Always Have Enough Money for Your Real Estate Investments

by

Get Our Weekly Investor Mortgage Report

2024 is here! Now is the time to look at interest rate predictions and discuss the importance of the weekly investor mortgage report. I have been in finance a little over 35 years, and working with real estate investors for 24 years. While experience isn’t exactly a crystal ball, it does help guide your investment decisions, as well as identifying trends. Real estate investors saw a prediction come to life in October of 2023 when rates did improve. As we begin 2024, it is important that we follow the trends from Fannie Mae, NAR, and the Mortgage Brokers Association. Here at The Cash Flow Company we have created a Weekly Investor Mortgage Report. Let’s take a closer look at how things have changed and why you need to stay up to speed. 

How is the Fed affecting bank loans?

A lot of investors go to banks for rental loans or fix and flip loans. As rates drop, it will have a greater effect on investors because Fed funds affect prime. Fed funds are controlled by the Fed and dictate what banks can borrow from the Fed or other banks. The fed funds are currently at 5.25% to 5.5%. Banks then add 3 points to that in order to create their lending base number for short term loans or 1 to 2 year bridge loans. Some lenders even have a prime -1 or prime -2 for their real estate products, it just depends on the lender.  To clarify, prime, also known as the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate, is the most common benchmark that lenders use when setting their interest rates. 

What are basis points and how do they affect you?

There are predictions out there that the Fed might drop from 75 basis points, down to 200 basis points in the next year. What is a basis point? A basis point is the same as a percentage point. For example, for every 1% there are 100 basis points. So 50 basis points is equal to .5%. You will hear that a lot in the economic world. Just keep in mind that it’s a percentage of a point. As stated before, rates will be volatile in the upcoming year. It is important that you track the basis points along the way because they will make a big difference when you are trying to sell something. The basis point trends can be found on our weekly investor mortgage report and are available on our website. It will be updated weekly in order to make sure everyone is informed on current trends.

Keep an eye on DSCR.

Here at The Cash Flow Company we will be keeping a close eye on DSCR, as well as private mortgage loans. We will see how the rates are impacted by upcoming changes, and track the trends in our weekly mortgage reports. Just today we discovered that rates dropped .25 of a point across the DSCR lenders that we work with.Thankfully we are starting to see where rates are going back to the 7% range instead of 8%. This drop is great for investors! Every .25 of a point it drops, means there is more cash flow for you, as well as more opportunities to qualify for properties. The real estate world is going to open up again as rates keep dropping. We are working hard daily to make sure you get the best rates out there.

How will private rates be impacted?

The private money lenders borrow money from either banks or other institutions. A lot of their money is based on either the Fed funds or prime, then they add to that. The amount that they add on is the margin or profit they receive when lending out to someone else. Private rates were in the 7% range and 8% range. Today these percentages have increased to 11% and even 13% for some private lenders. This increase is affected a lot by prime, and prime is affected by the changes that the Fed makes. As rates drop, you should start to see the cost of private money loans on your flips, as well as the BRRRR’s come down as well. 

In conclusion.

2024 interest rate predictions have indicated that real estate investors will see a decrease this year! Here at The Cash Flow Company we have created a weekly mortgage report to keep you up to date on current changes and trends. While we don’t have a crystal ball to predict the future, we can utilize trends and experiences to help guide us towards success.

Email us at info@thecashflowcompany.com to receive the weekly mortgage report updates or look for it on our website at www.thecashflowcompnay.com. This will go over some economic data, the best DSCR rate, and what current rates are for conventional so you don’t run the risk of overpaying. If you are going to be a real estate investor, then you need to know where financing is going. Not only for yourself, but for potential buyers as well. We are here to help! 

Many of our customers want to know what the rates would be for their situation, credit, or properties. We can put together a personal report for you. This can then be used for your portfolio, or for when you are buying a property. Contact us today to find out more!

Watch our most recent video to find out more about 2024 Interest Rate Predictions and the Investor Mortgage Report

 

by

The Lender Pie: 3 Key Loan Qualifications in Real Estate

The biggest hurdle that many investors face is learning the lending side of real estate. Today we are going to go over the lender pie and how it affects you as an investor. For over 23 years I have been working with investors. Many of them are just starting out and learning how to build both income and wealth. Wealth in real estate investing is achieved by using other people’s money for leverage. It is important that you understand the leverage side, what it looks like, and how you can make it work for you. This will in turn allow you to better understand how to play the game and win in real estate. Let’s take a look at the three things that lenders are looking for when making their decision for approval.

All lenders are looking for three things that make up their decision if they are going to lend to you. This includes your credit score, LTV, and your income.

1. LTV 

LTV stands for the loan to value. It is determined by evaluating how much money you have in a property, how much equity you have, and what is your piece of this property. LTV is one of the biggest factors that lenders look at when determining if they are going to lend to you, how much they will lend, and what it is going to cost.  

2. Income and Reserves

Income and reserves can either come from you or from the property. If you’re looking at a DSCR or fix and flip, and you are going to sell it, then it is the income that the lenders will evaluate. Reserves include the amount of money you have put away in case something comes up. In regards to rental properties, it is how many months of reserves you have in case the property goes unrented for 3 to 6 months. If you’re a flipper, the reserves can help you make payments over the next 6 to 9 months until your property is sold.  

3. Credit score 

Lenders will evaluate your credit score and how you have paid people in the past before considering loan approval. Lending is primarily based on algorithms, and your credit score is a big determining factor. 

Which factor is the most important to lenders? 

The answer is that It’s always a mix between the credit score, LTV, and income. This is because everyone’s pie is just a little bit different when lenders are looking. Let’s take a look at a few examples and how one piece of the pie can impact the other two. 

Example 1: LTV

First let’s start by looking at LTV. The more money you have into the property the lower the LTV. This lower LTV allows the lender to be more flexible when it comes to your income requirements, or even your credit score. An example of this would be an individual who has owned a rental for a long time and is refinancing it with a 60% LTV. When your LTV is lower, they can overlook and maybe stretch the DTI or even lower the credit score requirements. On the other hand, if you have a property and you are into it for 90%, the lender will then be very diligent in making sure that you hit both the income and credit requirements. Remember if your LTV or credit score is not the perfect piece of the pie, then you may have to compensate for that with a higher rate. We want to make sure that you understand this so that you pay the least amount when you’re investing. Investing is all about creating more wealth and income by paying less on the money that you are borrowing.

Example 2: Income 

The question is, does your personal income make the payments, or can it make the payments on this new debt? The more income you have to cover the expenses, the more lenders can look at a higher LTV or they could even lower credit limitations. On the other side of it, if you have more reserves, the lenders can look at giving you a higher LTV. Just to clarify, reserves include 401K, IRA, stocks, bonds, and savings. Reserves are anything that is liquid. Let’s say your expenses are $1000 a month. This includes your mortgage, HOA, flood insurance, taxes, and insurance payment. If this property is bringing in $300K, the lenders will be a little more flexible on your credit and LTV because they know that this property is able to sustain. However, if the expenses are $1000 and you’re only bringing in $1100, then there is less of a cushion. The lender will see the income as being less sufficient to take any hits or damage if the property goes vacant for a month or the market shifts. They may want a lower LTV or require a higher credit score to help balance things out. 

Example 3: Credit score 

Your credit score is the most important factor in being approved or denied for a loan. If you have a good property, but a bad credit score in the 500’s, it won’t matter for most lenders. To clarify, a good property could be one that is 50% or 60% LTV. However, most lenders won’t even look at you. This is due to the fact that all lenders have guidelines and have to take into consideration certain things. If you have a 600 or even 620 credit score, then you are going to be limited. Your credit score is vital to your success. The higher credit score will get you more money, a higher LTV, and it will provide more flexibility on income requirements. It is imperative for new investors to get their credit score as high as possible because it will lower the interest rates, the lower the mortgage payment, and decrease the amount of income you will need.

In conclusion

These examples create a great picture of what real estate investors need to understand about leverage. Again, leverage is how you create wealth and income. Remember that it is not just one piece of the pie that is taken into consideration in the lending process. Instead, a lender is going to look at every piece and make sure that your pie is where it needs to be for approval. While LTV and income are more difficult to change, your credit score is a place where you can make the biggest impact. Be on the lookout for future videos that focus on credit and easy ways to raise your scores.

Our goal is to make sure that you are as successful as possible. Contact us to find out more about the lending pie and how you can raise your credit scores. 

Watch our most recent video about The Lender Pie: 3 Key Loan Qualifications in Real Estate to find out more.

by