How to Compete in Today’s Real Estate Market (2024)

In the past few days we have had 4 clients who lost properties that would have been really good flips. The reason that they lost the deal was because they didn’t secure financing beforehand. While getting into this business requires a lot of planning, it is imperative that investors set up their money correctly from the very beginning.  Those who do will be able to compete in today’s market and have more opportunities for the best deals! 

New investors prepare!

Those who are new to real estate investing should focus on setting up the proper financing immediately! The last thing that you want to do is to put a property under contract and not close . This could burn the relationship that you created with the realtor or wholesaler. Instead of being at the top of their list for good properties, you will instead move to the bottom of the pile.  Here at The Cash Flow Company we want to give you the competitive advantage. Part of that is making sure that you do everything correctly. It is a business! As a business it is important that you get pre-approved for the loans you need. 

Don’t miss out on deals!

Oftentimes real estate investors miss out on amazing deals because they are not prepared. Whether you are new or just into a new adventure, it is important to set yourself up for success from the beginning. If you are going to get into the real estate game, make sure that you are not only looking for properties, but that you are also keeping the money flowing. What do we mean by keeping the money flowing? Maybe you need 100% financing, need a second, or you’re new to flips and need to know what to do. By talking to lenders as you find properties and getting pre-approved, it will help you to move forward quickly on deals. 

Choose the right lender for the deal.

One of the most important things that you need to do as a real estate investor is to create a good relationship with lenders. Those who have a good relationship with their lender will be able to consult with them prior to purchasing in order to see what financing options are available. One thing to keep in mind is that your lending needs will not only change over time, but they will change depending on the property. For example, financing on a fix and flip will be different from the financing on a rental property. It is important to look around and evaluate your lending options annually in order to find the best options for you. 

How do you get pre-approved?

Before seeking out a pre-approval, it is imperative that you know what type of property you are looking for. Are you going to focus on flips, rentals, 1 to 4 units, or multi units. Those who do can then make sure that the lender lines up with what they are trying to do. By getting pre-approved can help you go into a deal with reassurance. How can you find the right lenders? The answer is by talking to those in the real estate community. They can guide you to the lenders who are closing, those who work with new investors, and also tell you about requirements that the lenders might have. 

Get the competitive advantage.

As you talk to lenders it is important to consider what their requirements are, and areas that you need to focus on. While one lender might require more money down, another may require a higher credit score. Find out all of the steps that you need to complete in order to guarantee pre-approval. Just to clarify, these steps can be done in conjunction with looking at properties. For example, you can work on improving your credit score or look for private money options while searching for properties. By taking your time to work through the process, you will have a competitive advantage.

What is gap funding?

Gap funding is borrowing money from someone for the down payment, carry, or any money that you have to put into the deal. When you are buying a property, the first lender requires something in order to approve the loan. This could be a down payment, reserves for payments, or they may require you to do the fix up. Many investors don’t have the additional funds that are needed in order to meet the lenders requirements. Real estate investors might go out and find a family member, friend, or someone in the real estate community who can lend them that money to bridge the gap. It is important to make sure that your primary lender allows gap funding before purchasing a property. If the lender doesn’t allow gap funding, it could jeopardize the deal. 

How do you find gap funding?

There are a lot of people out there who have anywhere between $10K to $50K that they are looking to invest. By working with you, they have a chance to receive a better return on their investment. So how do you find gap funding? There are real estate groups throughout the community that provide opportunities for investors to meet. While peer investors are not often interested in diving into real estate themselves, they are interested in getting a better return on their money. While you can start by asking family and friends, many fear that it will create an awkward situation. By finding peer investors in the community who have $100K or $200K set aside, you will be able to compete in today’s market!

Ready, set, GO!

One of the biggest hurdles in real estate investing is finding the funding you need to purchase properties! Thankfully there are a lot of options out there to help investors. These include HELOCs, credit cards, and peer lending, just to name a few. Here at The Cash Flow Company we have seen people use multiple ways to get the gap covered. Those who take the time to gather pre-approvals, will be ready to go when the next deal comes!

Contact us today to find out more about gap funding and what you need to do to get pre-approved.

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