What is House Hacking – Real Estate Investing Tips

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What is House Hacking – Real Estate Investing Tips

Here at The Cash Flow Company we want to give you as many investing tips as possible to help you win the real estate game. Today we are going to discuss house hacking by looking at the benefits and highlighting some examples. What is house hacking? It is when you buy a property and rent out a portion for additional income. These properties are multi tenant properties that often need some work. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits and a few examples of how this process works. 

Benefits of house hacking.

There are a few benefits to house hacking. Real estate investors are able to apply for an owner occupied loan for the multi tenant property. These loans not only allow them to stay in the property that they are renting, but they also tend to have better rates as well.

Example:

There is a gentleman who bought a duplex and fixed up one side to rent out. Then moved into the other side of the duplex. By using an owner occupied loan, he not only had a lower interest rate, but also got into it for 100%. This customer put little to no money into the property for the purchase, while only having to cover the fix up expenses. 

Example 2:

I also helped a doctor who bought 5 or 6 duplexes and triplexes with 100% financing. We find that banks will typically give doctors and dentists 100% financing. Every year or so this doctor buys a new duplex or triplex and continues the cycle of house hacking. She will live in one side in order to get better financing on the property, while renting out the other side to generate cash flow.

In conclusion.

While it takes more time, house hacking provides the opportunity for real estate investors to have 100% financing and better rates compared to traditional loans. In order to be successful, it is imperative that the property is cash flowing and pays for itself. This will provide the financial flexibility you need to move onto the next property. 

Do you have more questions? Here at The Cash Flow Company we are happy to share our real estate investing tips with you! Contact us today to learn more.

Watch our most recent video to find out more about What is House Hacking – Real Estate Investing Tips.

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A is for Effort in 2024 Real Estate Investing

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A is for Effort in 2024 Real Estate Investing

It is going to be a different market this year compared to years past. Rates are going to flatten out and everything will be changing. Rates are expected to hover between 6% and 7% this year. Predictions are also indicating that the Fed is going to lower their rates starting in May. Until then, this first quarter is going to be a little tougher for the consumer until we see that shift in rates. It is critical that real estate investors take the time to do more research in order to find the best deal. Those who do will receive an A for effort in 2024.

Look at more homes and do more research.

If you are going to be investing in this market, then you need to be willing to look at more properties. It is important to remember that you will need a 15% to 20% discount from where you were buying it a year ago. You will need to put in a little more effort and work. Those who look at 100 homes compared to 10 homes will find good properties. By spending 2 to 3 hours a day looking at properties, you will be successful in 2024.

Go smaller

In this market there is a shortage of homes compared to the number of people looking for properties. In order to find the more affordable properties, you will have to go smaller. What do we mean by smaller? The property would be less square footage or a smaller price point. In some cases both the square footage and the price point will be significantly less than they would have been a few years ago. By expanding your search area, you will find greater affordability. This might mean that you are looking into smaller communities in other states to find the best deals. 

Contact us at The Cash Flow Company if you have any questions or would like to find out more about investing in 2024. 

Today we only reviewed 2 out of the 5 key steps. Watch our most recent video to discover more about 2024 Real Estate Investing and the 5 Key Steps to Succeed.

 

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How to Calculate Monthly Interest Payments

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How to Calculate Monthly Interest Payments

As real estate investors it is important to understand and master the 4 key real estate loan calculations. These 4 keys include how to calculate a point, simple interest, loan to ARV, and loan to value. One of the most important of these is learning how to calculate the monthly interest payments, because it will impact your monthly budget. So grab your calculator, paper, and a pen! 

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.

In conclusion

All investors should learn to master the 4 key real estate loan calculations no matter how long they have been in the game.  One of the most important is learning to calculate the interest rate. Again, this is the amount of money that will be coming out of your pocket monthly. By being prepared and knowing your numbers, the sky’s the limit to your success. To learn how to master the 3 remaining key real estate loan calculations, please visit our website.

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.

 

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DSCR Loan vs Traditional Loan – What’s BEST For You?

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DSCR Loan vs Traditional Loan – What’s BEST For You?

There are a variety of loans available to investors. Some of these include a traditional 30 year fixed, hybrid 40 year fixed, 5 year interest only, 10 year interest only and even adjustable. Depending on your cash flow and what you are needing, you can create the flexibility you need to succeed. Today we are going to discuss DSCR vs traditional loan. What’s best for you? Let’s take a look!

What is a prepay penalty?

When applying for a DSCR loan vs a traditional loan you need to take into consideration that a DSCR has prepay penalties.These are standard 3 or 5 year prepay penalty that will be charged if you refinance, sell, or pay the loan off in full before the 3 or 5 year mark. This is normally a 3, 2, 1 structure. Just to clarify, 3% would be charged if the loan is paid within the first year, 2% the second year, and 1% the third year. Traditional loans however do not have a prepay penalty. Instead investors can come and go as they please. Before considering a DSCR loan, take into consideration the duration that you will need the loan for. It could potentially cost you a significant amount to get out of the loan if you decide to pay it off early.

Understanding rates for a DSCR vs a traditional loan.

When we are looking at a traditional loan vs a DSCR loan the rates will vary. A DSCR loan could be up to a half point higher than a traditional loan. A DSCR loan typically has a higher interest rate. This is because the lender does not verify your income when you apply. Instead they calculate whether or not the property will cash flow. A traditional loan on the other hand does verify your income over a two year period. This provides them the security they need to offer a lower rate. Income verification is difficult for many real estate investors because they write as much off as possible on their taxes. A DSCR can help these investors to get a good loan as long as they have good credit.

Would you like to learn more about DSCR loans? Contact us today to see if a DSCR loan is the best for you! 

Watch our most recent video to find out more about DSCR Loan vs Traditional Loan – What’s BEST For You?

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DSCR Loan – Interest Only vs Amortized

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Discover Your Best Option: DSCR Loan – Interest Only vs Amortized

Today we are going to discuss DSCR interest only products and compare them to an amortized loan. Our goal is to not only look at the flexibility of an interest only loan, but to also demonstrate how it will help with cash flow. Which is best for you? Let’s start by comparing an interest only loan vs an amortized loan. 

What is interest only DSCR?

Interest only loan products are loans where you are only paying on the interest that is owed on the loan. However, principal on these types of loans never goes down unless you decide to put a  little money towards it. One thing to keep in mind with DSCR loans is that there are prepayment restrictions for the first 3 to 5 years. In most cases this means that you have a 20% cap during this prepay period. Paying a little extra doesn’t normally create an issue. It is just something that you need to keep in mind when working with an interest only loan.  

What is an amortized loan?

An amortized loan on the other hand requires you to pay not only the interest, but a little bit towards the principal as well. In this market, the rates are a little bit higher than they have been in years past. While an amortized loan typically has lower rates, it is important to keep in mind that the principal payment will be added to the monthly payment. In many cases the monthly payment for the amortized loan will end up being greater than the interest only loan. This difference can affect your ability to qualify for the loan because the property will not be a cash flowing investment. 

Example:

Loan amount: $200K

Rent: $1,700

DSCR ratio 1.1 

Loan Type Rate $200,000 x rate = annual interest Annual interest ÷ 12 = monthly payment Payment amount to mortgage company  Taxes, Insurance, HOA, and Flood = $150.00 

Creating Grand total for the month
Interest Only 8.25% $16,500 $1,375 $1,375 $1,525
Amortized 8% $16,000 $1,333 $1,333 Interest + principle = $1,468 $1,618

One more step. Adding the DSCR ratio.

What you will normally find is that the interest only rates in this market will be a little higher than the amortized loan rate. However, we still have one more step before we can determine if you can qualify for the DSCR loan on this property. We will need to multiply the grand total for the month by the DSCR ratio. This will help us to determine if the property will qualify for a DSCR loan based on the current rent amount of $1,700. Just as a reminder, the rents are based on what is happening in the market and the assessments done by an appraiser.

DSCR ratio 1.1 Grand total for the month  Grand total for the month x 1.1 = Difference after adding the  DSCR ratio compared to the $1,700 rent
Interest only  $1,525 $1,677.50 Will qualify for DSCR
Amortized  $1,618 $1,779.80 Will not qualify for DSCR

With DSCR loans you will have the flexibility of a 5, 7, or 10 year period. A DSCR interest only loan also provides an excellent opportunity for you to cash flow on the property. 

If you have any questions or want to run though the DSCR numbers, contact us today. We can help you compare a DSCR loan to an amortized loan. This will help you determine which is a better fit for your needs. 

Watch our most recent video to Discover Your Best Option: DSCR Loan – Interest Only vs Amortized.

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Why You Need to Avoid Bad Properties in 2024

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Why You Need to Avoid Bad Properties in 2024

2024 is going to be a different market compared to years past. Rates are going to flatten out and everything that we have seen will be changing. Predictions indicate that the Fed is going to lower their rates to 6% or 7% starting in May. That is why real estate investors need to avoid bad properties! In an earlier post we discussed the 5 key things that real estate investors need to do in 2024 in order to succeed. Avoiding bad properties is one of the most important key things that real estate investors need to focus on. So what makes a property a bad property? Let’s take a closer look. 

What do we mean by bad properties

When the market is going, then every property sells. This includes properties on corners, busy streets, overlooking commercial properties, and even the ones that are next to big apartment complexes. These are the properties that are normally going to take a hit and sit on the market for a longer period of time. As the market changes, buyers will have more choices. They will also become more selective because of the cost. In order to be successful, real estate investors need to buy good properties that are in good areas. Take your time and do the comps in order to avoid bad properties in 2024! 

Contact us at The Cash Flow Company if you have any questions or would like to find out more about investing in 2024. 

Watch our most recent video to discover more about 2024 Real Estate Investing and the 5 Key Steps to Succeed

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What Are Points and How Do They Impact Closing Costs?

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What Are Points and How Do They Impact Closing Costs?

As a real estate investor it is important to 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. Today we are going to focus on points and discover how they can impact your closing costs. Let’s start by taking a closer look at what points are.

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 2% of 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. 

In conclusion

Whether you’re a new investor or an old pro, you need to master the 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. By focusing on how to calculate point today, you are now able to determine the origination fee quickly and easily. To learn how to master the 3 remaining key real estate loan calculations, please visit our website.

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.

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2024 Real Estate Investing: Why Should I Invest?

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2024 Real Estate Investing: Why Should I Invest? 

2024 is going to be an excellent year for real estate investing. Whether you are a new investor who is just starting out, or a seasoned investor who is looking to decrease your inventory, there is no better time than now. Today we are going to answer the question “why should I invest”. We will not only look at how things have changed over the years, but we will also discuss how the real estate community is changing in this current market.

New real estate investors

For new real estate investors there is no better time to get into the game. There are more deals coming out and more foreclosures. This is due to the fact that many people are becoming overwhelmed by debt and needing to give up their properties. New real estate investors will see 5% to 10% more homes available to them this year!

Investors are leaving the community

We are seeing more investors leave this community. The changes in the market over the past few years has caused everything to tighten up. The banks are swimming upstream to find the best of the best and lending has become harder to obtain. Many investors are not willing or able to continue in this current market We are seeing less people who are sticking around and even fewer who know what they are doing. As a new investor, the competition is going to be better for you, thus creating better deals.

If they are leaving? Why should I step in and take over?

By having less investors, it creates more properties and better deals for the people who are sticking around. For the first time in a long time, there are better deals, as well as better margins on deals. To put it another way, there is “more meat on the bone” with more properties coming up. Real estate investing is like anything else. Not everyone will be successful every time. There are a lot of people who do succeed and make a lot of money in real estate investing. 

What deals should you expect? 

In 2024, you are going to find better deals, including 60% to 70% LTV. There will also be more opportunities for you to succeed than there were two years ago. A few years ago there were more people bidding on properties. When there are too many people bidding, they become overzealous and crazy. This creates overbidding and causes properties to become less profitable. By having less investors in 2024, you will have more properties available, resulting in better deals for people who are sticking around.

What is the biggest hurdle you will face?

The biggest hurdle that you are going to face is finding money. Over the last 10 years, real estate investors have had big pools of money available to them and the rates kept going down. In today’s market, you will need to be prepared and ready for anything that lies ahead. In taking the time to set yourself up properly, you will have the opportunity to create the wealth and income you want. 

Now is the time to buy!

Now is the time for you to invest in real estate. This is the opportunity for you to take advantage of not only more deals, but more profitable deals in this market. As a new investor, you need to be able to jump in when other people are getting out. Here at The Cash Flow Company we can help walk you through the steps and ensure that you are on the path for success.

Watch our most recent video 2024 Real Estate Investing: Why Should I Invest? to find out more!

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What Makes a DSCR Loan Easy for Investors

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What Makes a DSCR Loan Easy for Investors

Are you looking for a loan that is easy to qualify for with very few requirements? Then we have your solution. We call it the Easy Rental Loan, 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 in order to qualify for a DSCR loan. Let’s take a look.

Two key items for the Easy Rental Loan are:

  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 of the Easy Rental Loan:

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

What makes the Easy Rental Loan Easy:

A DSCR loan makes it easy for investors to apply and qualify. 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.

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2024 Real Estate Investing: 5 Key Steps to Succeed

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2024 Real Estate Investing: 5 Key Steps to Succeed

Today we are going to discuss the 5 key things that real estate investors need to do in 2024 in order to succeed. It is going to be a different market this year compared to years past. Rates are going to flatten out and everything that we have seen in red from the National Association of Realtors, the Mortgage Brokers, and Fannie Mae will be changing. They are expecting rates to hover between 6% and 7% this year. Predictions indicate that the Fed is going to lower their rates starting in May 2024. However, the first quarter is going to be a little tougher for the consumer until we see that shift in rates. Just to clarify, consumers are those who are renting or buying. 2024 is the year that you are going to succeed and get better deals! Let’s take a closer look at the 5 key steps.

1. Build a cushion

Over the past 6 months, we have seen that for the mid to higher level properties you are going to have to build a 15% to 20% cushion. Due to affordability, you will need to build a cushion to make sure that you aren’t overpaying. Here at The Cash Flow Company, we are advising people to go back and look at the last 3 months of sales to see where they are heading. Make sure to watch what price you’re buying things at. This will ensure your success when you sell, refinance, or even if you keep the property as a rental.  

2. Look at more homes and do more research.

If you are going to be investing in this market, then you need to be willing to look at more properties. It is important to remember that you will need a 15% to 20% discount from where you were buying it a year ago. You will need to put in a little more effort and work. Those who look at 100 homes compared to 10 homes will find good properties. By spending 2 to 3 hours a day looking at properties, you will be successful in 2024.

3. Go smaller

In this market there is a shortage of homes compared to the number of people looking for properties. In order to find the more affordable properties, you will have to go smaller. What do we mean by smaller? The property would be less square footage or a smaller price point. In some cases both the square footage and the price point will be significantly less than they would have been a few years ago. By expanding your search area, you will find greater affordability. This might mean that you are looking into smaller communities in other states to find the best deals. 

4. Don’t buy bad properties

When the market is going, then every property sells. This includes properties on corners, busy streets, overlooking commercial properties, and ones that are next to big apartment complexes. These are the properties that are normally going to take a hit and sit on the market longer. As the market changes, buyers will have more choices. They also become more selective because of the cost. In order to be successful, you need to buy good properties that are in good areas.

5. Open up where you are getting your funding from

Investors need to start looking for peer to peer lenders to help fund their next deal. Here at The Cash Flow Company we have been using peer to peer lending since 2008. There are a lot of people right now who have money and are looking for something to do with it. As an investor you can make 2024 easier, better, and more profitable than ever before. A peer to peer lender provides an easy and cheap funding source no matter what amount is needed. These lenders can help with a down payment, fix and flip project, or even fund repairs for rental properties.  

Contact us at The Cash Flow Company if you have any questions or would like to find out more about investing in 2024. 

Watch our most recent video to discover more about 2024 Real Estate Investing and the 5 Key Steps to Succeed

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