Tag Archive for: bridge loan

Loan Cost Optimizer: Find the BEST Loan for Your Deal

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Loan Cost Optimizer: Find the BEST Loan for Your Deal

Today we are going to discuss our Loan Cost Optimizer! This crucial financial tool helps you find the best loan for your real estate deal. Just like a house, a contractor, or a realtor, loans cost money and, more importantly, impact your bottom line. So, why wouldn’t you shop around and find the right one? 

Understanding Loan Costs.

In a nutshell, loans can be complicated. However, when you break it down, it’s all about simple math. Here’s what you need to consider:

  • Interest Rates: How much you pay to borrow the money.
  • Loan Term: The length of time you’ll be paying back the loan.
  • Fees: These include origination fees, appraisal fees, inspection fees, and more.

Therefore, each of these factors affects the total cost of your loan.

Why Use a Loan Cost Optimizer?

A Loan Cost Optimizer helps you compare different loan scenarios. By entering details about your project, you can see which loan costs you the least. Here’s how it works:

  1. Input Different Scenarios: Enter details like loan amount, interest rate, fees, and loan term.
  2. Compare Costs: See the total cost for each scenario.
  3. Find the Best Deal: Choose the loan that saves you the most money.

Examples

Let’s look at some examples to see how this works.

Example 1: Short-Term Fix and Flip

  • Loan Term: 3 months
  • Interest Rate: 8%
  • Fees: $2,000

Total Cost: $4,000

Example 2: Long-Term Renovation

  • Loan Term: 12 months
  • Interest Rate: 6%
  • Fees: $5,000

Total Cost: $11,000

With this in mind, even though the interest rate is lower in the long-term loan, the fees in addition to the longer term make it more expensive.

Tips for Using the Loan Cost Optimizer

This is an excellent tool that real estate investors can use in order to find the best loan option for their needs. It’s as easy as one, two, three! First, enter accurate details to ensure you get the best comparisons. Second, compare multiple loans to find the best option. Finally, consider the entire cost. This cost includes both the fees as well as the terms. To clarify, the entire cost is not just the interest rate. Additionally, there are a few more things that you need to keep in mind as well. Let’s take a look.

`1. Each Project is Different

Since every project has unique needs, it is important that you find the best loan every time. For example, sometimes you might need 100% financing, while other times, you can put more money down. With this in mind, let’s see how different scenarios can affect your choice:

  • Quick Flips: Higher interest rates along with lower fees might be better.
  • Longer Projects: Lower interest rates in addition to higher fees could be more cost-effective.

2. Keep Your Costs Low

In order to make the most money from your investments, keep your loan costs low. Here’s how:

  • Negotiate Fees: Don’t be afraid to ask for lower fees.
  • Shop Around: Compare offers from different lenders.
  • Match Loans to Projects: Use the Loan Cost Optimizer to find the best fit for each project.

Conclusion

Ultimately, using a Loan Cost Optimizer can help you find the best loan for your deal. In fact, by understanding and comparing the total costs, you can not only make smarter decisions but more importantly maximize your profits as well!

Ready to get started? Visit our website and try our Loan Cost Optimizer today! It’s free and easy to use. You don’t have to commit to anything, just see how it works and find the best loan for your next project.

Watch our most recent video to find out more about: Loan Cost Optimizer: Find the BEST Loan for Your Deal

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BRRRR Method: How Bridge Loans Pay Off

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Bridge loans on the front end are the key to successfully entering the BRRRR method.

BiggerPockets launched the BRRRR acronym a few years ago. BRRRR stands for Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat. This acronym outlines a helpful strategy for successful real estate investing. 

It centers around buying properties with built-in equity. After renovations, the investor can refinance therefore creating a sustainable cycle of investments. 

Strategic Loans

Instead of throwing a DSCR at the whole thing from the start, we suggest a different strategy of kickstarting your BRRRR cycle. 

1. Start with bridge loans.

The BRRRR method is all about sustainable investing. How can you use other people’s money to keep cash flowing in and out of your projects?

This means beginning with a loan that’s going to cover those starting costs so you can get ownership and claim that equity! Bridge loans are perfect for this (especially if you get a private money loan).

A bridge loan is more flexible than a DSCR so you can cover the purchase, rehab, even the closing costs. 

2. Add the DSCR.

Once you’re actually starting to rent out the property, that’s the time for the DSCR. DSCRs have more restrictions anyways, so they’re most effective when used for renting.

The DSCR can pay off the bridge loan and you can refinance the property for an even better outcome. 

The Beauty of the BRRRR Method

By using this loan strategy with the BRRRR method, we’ve worked with a client who was able to come up with a plan that should easily generate over $1,000/month of positive cash flow for himself. 

And it all started with strategically using other people’s money to enter the BRRRR cycle. 

This is the beauty of real estate investing. It’s accessible and profitable, even for beginners. 

 

Read the full article here.

Watch the full video here:

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The BRRRR Method: When to Use DSCR and Bridge Loans

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How can you use the BRRRR method to get you in and out of a property with little-to-no money down?

Let’s start with a real scenario we encountered a few weeks ago. A client from Michigan called. He’s done flips before and even kept a few rentals, but he’s new to the BRRRR method. 

In the past, he’s always used partners or cash to fund his investing. However, this property needs more money.

He’s buying it for $200,000, putting approximately $22,000 of rehab into it, and we’ll estimate closing costs around $7,000. That’s a total of $229,000 for a pretty basic investment property. 

Where can this client find the money, and how can he leverage it to his advantage?

What is the BRRRR Method?

BiggerPockets launched the BRRRR acronym a few years ago. BRRRR stands for Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat. This acronym outlines a helpful strategy for successful real estate investing. 

It centers around buying properties with built-in equity. After renovations, the investor can refinance therefore creating a sustainable cycle of investments. 

Can You Use a DSCR Loan to Begin the BRRRR Method?

The short answer is technically yes. However, since you don’t currently own the property, you can’t claim the equity in it just yet which makes it a not-so-great deal.

For our example client above, a DSCR loan will only cover up to 80% of the purchasing costs. This leaves 20% leftover — a large amount of cash that our client and a lot of newer investors simply don’t have.

Additionally, a DSCR loan won’t cover renovations or closing costs.

If you’re trying to exclusively use a DSCR for a BRRRR, you’re going to see the payments begin to add up really quickly.

A Better Plan

Instead of throwing a DSCR at the whole thing from the start, we suggest a different strategy of kickstarting your BRRRR cycle. 

1. Start with a bridge loan.

The BRRRR method is all about sustainable investing. How can you use other people’s money to keep cash flowing in and out of your projects?

This means beginning with a loan that’s going to cover those starting costs so you can get ownership and claim that equity!

A bridge loan is more flexible than a DSCR so you can cover the purchase, rehab, even the closing costs. 

2. Add the DSCR.

Once you’re actually starting to rent out the property, that’s the time for the DSCR. DSCRs have more restrictions anyways, so they’re most effective when used for renting.

The DSCR can pay off the bridge loan and you can refinance the property for an even better outcome. 

The Beauty of the BRRRR Method

By using this loan strategy with the BRRRR method, our client was able to come up with a plan that should easily generate over $1,000/month of positive cash flow for himself. 

And it all started with strategically using other people’s money to enter the BRRRR cycle. 

This is the beauty of real estate investing. It’s accessible and profitable, even for beginners. 

We’re Here For You

If you have any questions or want to discuss a project, reach out to us at Info@TheCashFlowCompany.com.

Please also check out the free tools on our website for downloads that can help set you up for success. Additionally, if you’re interested in the BRRRR method, make sure to explore our BRRRR roadmap. 

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Numbers Explained: DSCR Loan vs Bridge Loan

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Let’s break down an example of a loan comparison: DSCR Loan vs Bridge Loan.

DSCR loans and bridge loans are the main ways you can turn a flip into a rental.

Each loan has its pros and cons. When it comes to cost, a bridge loan is better for rentals you’ll keep for less than a year. DSCR loans, on the other hand, are best for rentals you want for two or more years.

But what about a rental you plan to have for between one and two years? Where’s the tipping point?

Let’s look at an example to see how it works.

A Look at the Numbers

To help us understand when a DSCR loan becomes the cheaper option, let’s look at an example. Then we can see exactly when the scale tips in the DSCR’s favor.

Let’s say we get a DSCR product with the following numbers:

  • A higher interest rate at 8%
  • All fees and loan costs at 2.5%
  • We’re a year or two into the loan and the prepay penalty is down to 4%

DSCR Loan vs Bridge Loan: Year One

Let’s look at the number comparison for a $250,000 loan.

The DSCR loan’s 8% rate adds up to $20,000/year. The fees at 2.5 points is $6,250. Lastly, that 4% penalty will cost us $10,000.

Now let’s factor in our bridge loan numbers. The average bridge loan for a $250,000 loan would look like an 11% rate costing $27,500 per year. This is $7,500 more yearly than the DSCR loan, or $625 more per month. The closing costs would be the same for the bridge loan, and then, of course, no prepay fee.

You can see the bridge loan is still almost $3,000 cheaper than the DSCR loan.

These calculations only represent year one of the loan, however. Within that first year, a bridge loan will definitely be cheaper. 

DSCR Loan vs Bridge Loan: Month 15 & 16

Here’s how things change by month 15:

The bridge loan’s interest starts adding up, and suddenly the DSCR doesn’t seem so expensive. And at month 16, the loans are the same price:

After 16 months, the DSCR loan in this scenario would always be the cheaper option. And every year, the DSCR’s prepay fee drops lower; meanwhile, the bridge loan keeps accruing high interest at the same rate.

Is 16 Months a Realistic Timeline for the Market Right Now?

We expect that the market won’t pick back up for another 14-16 months anyway. If your flip is stuck on the market now, you could:

  1. Get a DSCR loan for the property.
  2. Take a 12-month tenant.
  3. Leave 4 months to spare for getting the house ready, on the market, and closed.

This puts you right at the 16 month minimum to make the DSCR loan worthwhile.

Read the full article here.

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A Breakdown of Current Real Estate Loan Rates and Fees

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The market is changing fast. Here’s an update on current real estate loan rates and other charges for bridge loans.

There are 3 main types of bridge loan lenders: banks, capital funds/hedge funds, and local hard money lenders. 

But the market has changed. Here’s a glimpse into what you can expect for the next few months:

Current Real Estate Loan Rates and Other Info

Current Real Estate Loan Rates

Banks – Interest rates average around 6% to 6.5% for banks.

Capital Funds – Expect 10% to 12% interest rates for hedge fund bridge loans right now.

Hard Money – Hard money interest rates are about the same as cap funds, around 10% to 12%, but with a bit more flexibility.

Points for a Current Real Estate Loan

Banks – Banks have the cheapest money, at 1 to 1.5 points. Smaller banks tend to charge more in origination fees than national banks.

Capital Funds – Cap funds charge around 2 to 3 points.

Hard Money – You can expect 2 to 4 points on a hard money bridge loan transaction.

LTVs

Banks – Depending on your relationship with the bank, you can get up to  65% to 70% LTV on a bridge loan.

Capital Funds – You can get 65% LTV on a refinance or bridge loan with a hedge fund.

Hard Money – Hard money has the most LTV flexibility, like putting a cross-lien on other properties. Typical LTV range is 70% to 75%.

Terms for Current Bridge Loans

Banks – For bridge loans, banks have the most flexible, longest terms, from 1 to 3 years.

Capital Funds – For cap funds, 3-year bridge loans are now two. Two-year bridge loans are now one.

Hard Money – Bridge loans from hard money have the shortest terms – as short as 1 month, and typically no longer than 1 year.

Closing Times

Banks – Banks’ lead time for a bridge loan is typically 3 to 6 weeks. But lately, we’ve seen loans take up to a couple months in the current market.

Capital Funds – The standard closing time for cap funds is 2 to 3 weeks.

Hard Money – Hard money can close fastest – which is very important for a bridge loan. Depending on your relationship with the lender, the loan can take a week or less.

Location

Banks – Banks have a footprint they’ll lend within, which is typically very local.

Capital Funds – Hedge funds lend nationwide. They’re the best option for multi-state bridge loans.

Hard Money – Hard money lenders are flexible, but they tend to lend locally, or in other areas they’re familiar with.

Valuation

Banks – Banks require an appraisal for all loans over $250,000. (And some loans under that amount).

Capital Funds – Hedge funds always require an appraisal.

Hard Money – There is no appraisal in the hard money loan process. That’s why they can close so much faster than everyone else.

Overview

Banks – Will be your cheapest but slowest options. They have high requirements.

Capital Funds – Middle of the road for cost and speed, but helpful if you need loans within multiple urban areas.

Hard Money – The most expensive option for bridge loans, but also the most flexible and the fastest.

Where to Search for Current Real Estate Loan Lenders

Check with local real estate communities (REITs in your area, biggerpockets.com, etc). Once you get some lender names, call around. It takes some effort to find lenders.

Or you can offload the research onto us.

We search every day for the best bridge loans in the real estate world.

Email us with a question about a deal or a bridge loan need, and we’ll find a way to help: Info@TheCashFlowCompany.com.

Read the full article here.

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How to Make Money with a Bridge Loan

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How To Make Money with a Bridge Loan

How to Make Money with a Bridge Loan

Let’s talk about how you can make money with a bridge loan, especially if you’re stuck in a project or need temporary funding.

Now, you might be wondering, “What the heck is a bridge loan?” Well, it’s basically a short-term loan that closes a financial gap.

Let’s take a look at an example. If you have a hard money loan for a fix and flip or another value-add property, but you’ve run out of money, then this could be a perfect solution to help you finish it.

Because it’s way cheaper to get temporary funding than to get stuck in an expensive loan. It could take months or years for you to figure out a way to come up with the money to complete the project.

Not to mention dealing with the costs of an incomplete project. You have to think about things like materials, contractors, taxes, insurance…the list goes on and on.

Bridge loans also work great for starting a new project while waiting for current project to wrap up. You can use the equity in the current project to secure a new one. Once your current project closes, you can pay off the bridge loan and move on to your next real estate deal.

You can even use this type of funding to make a cash offer on a value-add property.

Essentially, a bridge loan is immediate cash flow.

It’s an excellent way to keep your projects moving along and your cash flow, well, flowing! Bridge loans prevent you and your bank account from growing stagnant—or worse, depleting. And that’s the last thing we want to see happen.

If you’re ready to chat about your options, we’re here to help! Our team is eager to set you on a path that helps you make the kind of money you need to live the life you want.

Happy investing!

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Temporary Funding: How to Generate Positive Cash Flow with a Bridge Loan

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Temporary Funding: How to Generate Positive Cash Flow with a Bridge Loan

Temporary Funding: How to Generate Positive Cash Flow with a Bridge Loan

Temporary funding is one of the keys to real estate investing right now.

So, the world is going a little crazy lately. Things seem to be changing on a daily basis. Many areas of the country are seeing extremely low inventory, which makes it harder to find profit-making deals.

So, what can you do to ensure your cash flow doesn’t take a major hit during these strange and uncertain times? Especially if you’re stuck in a project or need temporary funding?

We suggest getting a bridge loan.

What is a bridge loan?

It’s basically a short-term loan that closes a financial gap.

For example, let’s say you have a hard money loan for a fix and flip or another value-add property, but you’ve run out of money. Well, you can get a bridge loan to help you finish your project. Because it’s way cheaper to get a short-term loan than to get stuck in an expensive long-term loan for months or years while you figure out a way to come up with funds to complete it.

Not to mention dealing with the costs of an unfinished project. Think about materials, contractors, taxes, insurance…the list goes on and on.

Think about your next project!

Bridge loans also work great when you are looking for your next project, but your current project’s closing is delayed. A bridge loan can help with this. It allows you to use the equity in the current project to secure a new one. And then when your current project closes the bridge loan is paid off and you’re on to your next project.

These loans keep your business humming without the stalling out due to lack of funds. You can even get a bridge loan so you can make a cash offer on a real estate deal.

Essentially, a bridge loan is immediate cash flow.

It’s an excellent way to keep your projects moving along and your cash flow, well, flowing! It also prevents you and your bank account from growing stagnant—or worse, depleting.

Ready to chat? Great! Our team is here to help.

We’re eager to set you on a path that helps you make the kind of money you need…to live the life you want.

Happy investing!

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