Tag Archive for: loan

DSCR: Do Lenders Care More About You or Your Property?

Categories:

If you’re considering a DSCR loan (Debt Service Coverage Ratio loan), you might wonder, “do lenders care more about you or your property?” It’s a common question, and understanding the process can help you get approved smoothly. Let’s walk through the exact steps.

What YOU Need to Get Approved for a DSCR Loan

Before you even think about a property, start with you. You’ll want to get pre-approved to ensure you’re ready when the perfect deal comes along. Here’s what lenders look at when they evaluate you:

  1. Credit Score
    Your credit score is one of the most important factors for getting the best DSCR loan rates. The higher your score, the better your rate. It’s smart to check where your credit stands now and see if there are ways to improve it before applying. For example, if your score is on the lower end, you might work on improving it before buying.
  2. Cash to Close
    Do you have enough money for the down payment, closing costs, and reserves? With DSCR loans, you typically need around 20–25% down. For instance, if you’re looking at a $250,000 property, you’ll need at least $50,000 plus closing costs. Make sure the cash is ready in your account, as lenders will check to see if it’s accessible.
  3. LLC Setup
    Most investors buy properties under an LLC. So, it’s important to make sure your LLC is set up correctly. Have your EIN, operating agreement, and other paperwork ready. This step will help speed things up when you put a property under contract.

What Your PROPERTY Needs to Get Approved

Now that you’ve got yourself ready, it’s time to think about the property. Lenders also care a lot about the property you’re buying, especially with DSCR loans. Here are the main things they’ll look at:

  1. DSCR Ratio
    The DSCR ratio is the most critical factor for your property. This ratio compares the property’s income to its expenses. A ratio of 1:1 means the property earns enough rent to cover its mortgage, taxes, insurance, and other costs. You can calculate this easily using a tool like the one available on the Cash Flow Company website. Make sure the property hits at least 1:1, or you might have to bring more money to the table.
  2. Location
    Where is the property located? Properties in rural areas can be tough to finance because lenders struggle to find comps (comparable sales) for the appraisal. If your property is too remote, it may be excluded by some lenders, which could limit your options.
  3. Size (Loan Amount)
    Lenders also consider the property’s value and loan amount. For example, if you’re buying an $80,000 property, it might be hard to find a lender because some have minimum loan amounts. Even though smaller properties can cash flow well, make sure the loan amount is big enough for the lender to approve.

Are You Ready to Apply for a DSCR Loan?

Before you start shopping for properties, it’s best to get pre-approved. This way, you’ll know your credit score is in order, you have the right amount of cash, and your LLC is ready to go. After pre-approved, you can focus on finding a property that qualifies based on its DSCR ratio, location, and size.

If the property you want doesn’t quite meet the ratio, don’t worry. There are options — but be aware the rates might be higher, and it could be trickier to get the property cash flowing.

Need Help with Your DSCR Loan?
If you’re unsure about your approval status or need help calculating your DSCR ratio, feel free to reach out to us at The Cash Flow Company. We’re here to help you get the best loan possible so you can build wealth and create the financial freedom you’re after!

Watch our most recent video to find out more about “Do lenders care more about you or your property?”

by

How to Make Real Estate Investing EASY: 3 Steps to Getting A Fix and Flip Loan

Categories:

How to Make Real Estate Investing EASY: 3 Steps to Funding Your Fix and Flip Deals

How to Make Real Estate Investing EASY: 3 Steps to Getting A Fix and Flip Loan

When you’re looking to buy a value-add property like a fixer upper, then you’re probably also looking to get a fix and flip loan (aka, a hard money loan).

But what exactly does a fix and flip loan process entail for real estate investors?

Well, let’s take a look at the first 3 steps you need to take to fund your fix and flip deals. Because in order to make the most money, you need to make sure you’re working with the best lender. For you!

S0, here we go!

Know the difference between fix and flip lenders

Just like houses, real estate lenders come in all shapes and sizes. Some require in-depth real estate portfolios, good credit scores, and 10 to 20 percent into each project. These are typically the larger national companies.

Some lenders will work with newer investors with little to no money in the deal. Some will charge higher rates and less points. And some have a ton of junk fees, while some have none.

Overall, you’ll likely find the more flexible the lender, the higher the cost.

But to discover the best lender for you, you’ll need to shop around in your area.

Know what you bring to the table

If you want real estate lenders competing for your business, make it easy for them. Become a borrower that all lenders want to help.

What does that mean? Well, simply put:

  • Keep your credit score high
  • Get projects done on time
  • Pay your lenders on time
  • And build your real estate portfolio to show everything you’ve completed and who’s on your team.

Know what you’re looking for

It’s so important you know what YOU need. For example, do you need a lender who requires less money in? Less experience? Better rates? Faster closings? Just ask yourself, “What will make me the most successful?”

Once you complete these 3 easy steps, we can guarantee your search for the perfect fix and flip lender will be a great one. And that means your bank account will be very happy with you.

Ready to chat? Our team is here and ready to help you find the right loan for you!

Happy investing!

by

How to Get an Easy Rental Loan in 3 Steps

Categories:

How to Get an Easy Rental Loan in 3 Steps

How to Get an Easy Rental Loan in 3 Steps

If you want to close a real estate deal fast and easy, then you need an Easy Rental Loan.

But to take advantage of these loans—and their affordable, long-term fixed rates—you need to study up a little bit with 3 easy questions. If you can answer each one, then you’ll be able to get a loan that’s perfect for you—and your cash flow!

 

Does your rent cover all of your costs?

It’s time to pull out your rental property calculator and add up your costs. These include your mortgage payment, taxes, insurance, and any HOA fees. You should aim to charge a rent that covers these monthly expenses. If it does, then it’ll help lower your rates and obtain higher loan-to-value products.

 Do you have a good credit score?

Sure, you can get an Easy Rental Loan with a score in the low 600’s, but it’ll cost you. Dearly. We’re talking about adding a point or more to your interest rate. That extra cost can suck your cash flow dry by adding another $200 to $400 a month to your payment.

If you need some tips to raise your credit score, check out some of our other videos on our YouTube Channel!

Are you working with a lender who offers many options and programs?

Why is this important? Because every mortgage company has an ideal client, and you want to make sure your real estate lender has an option for you. Something that’ll fit your needs at the lowest cost so you can keep more money in your pocket, pay less at closing, and boost your monthly cash flow.

That’s it! Those are the 3 key questions you need to answer before you dive into an Easy Rental Loan. And if one of them caused you to stumble, no worries. Our team is always here to help.

Happy investing!

by

What Are YOUR Funding Options: The Power of Fix and Flip Loans

Categories:

What Are YOUR Funding Options: The Power of Fix and Flip Loans

What Are YOUR Funding Options: The Power of Fix and Flip Loans

When you enter the world of fixer uppers and other value-add properties, you’ll need good funding options. Otherwise, your positive cash flow might take a hard hit.

So, what’s one of the things you can do to prepare for battle—er, your real estate investment?

Easy! Take a few seconds to learn about your loan options. And if you’re going to tackle a fix and flip, then you’ll want a fix and flip loan (aka, a hard money loan).

Now, contrary to belief, these types of loans will help boost your cash flow and profits.

Yes, boost. Not obliterate!

So, what is a fix and flip loan? Well, here are 3 keys facts.

Fix and flip loans are:

  1. A special type of loan usually secured by a real asset—aka, real estate. The money for these loans is typically provided by private investors or companies.
  2. Paid off fast! Unlike normal bank loans (that are paid off over 15-30 years), fix and flip loans are meant to be short-term. Like, 3 to 9 months. You can pay them off quicker or slower, but this is the typical range.
  3. Perfect for real estate investors who want to buy properties FAST. Fix and flip loans usually close in days, not weeks. They’re ideal for buying discounted properties (non-MLS)s. Think wholesalers and other under-market deals.

Basically, fix and flips loans are here to save the day when you need funding FAST for a project that’s going to make you a lot of money.

So, what are you waiting for? When you’re looking for good funding options, we’re here to help guide you. Because 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!

by

How to Get a Loan for Your Rental Property Investment

Categories:

How to Get a Loan for Your Rental Property Investment

How to Get a Loan for Your Rental Property Investment

Are you looking for a lightning fast, easy loan for your rental property investment? Something that comes with affordable, long-term fixed rates?

Then we have your solution.

We call it the Easy Rental Loan, but you might notice that other lenders in the real estate industry call it a DSCR loan (debt service coverage ratio loan).

Yeah, we’ll stick with Easy Rental Loan, because it’s just easier to remember!

 

All you really need to know about this type of loan is that it revolves around 2 key items:

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

What do we mean by “monthly costs”? Well, if you look at most rental property calculators, they have you add up the following to see what you owe on the rental property each month:

  • Mortgage payment
  • Property taxes
  • Insurance
  • HOA fee

If your property positively cash flows (aka, 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 good interest rates and a 30-year fixed term.

Better still, you don’t have to worry about submitting tax returns, being in business for 2 or more years, or having too many financed properties.

It really doesn’t get easier than that.

So, if you’re looking for a fast, efficient, and, most importantly, EASY solution to funding your rental and other value-add properties, then look no further. We’ve got an Easy Rental Loan waiting for you.

Ready to chat about your cash flow options? Great, our team is here and 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!

by

No Taxes: How to Get a Loan Without Tax Returns

Categories:

No Taxes: How to Get a Loan Without Tax Returns

No Taxes: How to Get a Loan Without Tax Returns

Have you ever wondered how you can get a loan with no taxes?

That’s right. You do not have to use your tax returns to get a loan for your real estate deals. Better yet, even without tax returns, you can still secure good, 30-year rates.

As long as you pay all of your bills on time and have a decent credit score, then you can explore this less-than-traditional path to loans.

Those who might like this option include anyone who:

  • Hasn’t had enough time to grow their business and show income on their tax returns.
  • Refuses to show all of their income on their taxes, because they prefer to write things off.
  • Hasn’t been in business for more than two years.

Real estate investors need to know they have options for their value-add properties. They don’t have to settle for high-interest loans, unfavorable terms, or, worst, a big fat no from lenders.

Well, when it comes to loans, we think the more options you have, the better. So, if you want to find out how you can skip using your tax returns and still get a loan with great 30-year rates, then let’s chat.

Our team is always eager to help you discover the loan that fits you and your situation the BEST.

Because we want to set you on a path that helps you make the kind of money you need…to live the life you want.

Happy investing!

by

Busting Hard Money Myths: Why Hard Money is a Cure, Not a Curse

Categories:

Busting Hard Money Myths: Why Hard Money is a Cure, Not a Curse

Busting Hard Money Myths: Why Hard Money is a Cure, Not a Curse

Today, we’re going to wrap up our Busting Hard Money Myths series, and talk about why hard money is a cure, not a curse.

But, first, be sure to check out our YouTube channel in case you missed any of our other hard money myth busting videos.

So, this past month, we’ve explored the important question of, “What is hard money?” That means we’ve busted myths and revealed how it:

  • Can be acquired for cheaper rates than most investors believe.
  • Are NOT a trap if you create a plan ahead of time.
  • And can be cheaper than bank lines.

As you can see, hard money is far from a curse.

It’s a cure.

A cure to:

  • Buying properties faster and cheaper.
  • Keeping your real estate investment projects moving along so you can sell or rent ASAP.
  • Boosting your cash flow.
  • Tackling more value-add properties than you ever could with a traditional bank loan.

Look, hard money gets a bad rep because so many real estate investors have serious misconceptions about it. But if you address each myth and see that that’s all it is—a myth—then you can transform your investments and generate positive cash flow.

No longer will you be limited to conventional loans that are harder to qualify for, and far more time consuming. Now you can buy fast, renovate fast, and either sell or rent fast.

Remember, time is money.

And hard money is the key to keeping your real estate deals moving along—AND keeping money flowing into your bank account.

Ready to chat about your hard money and other lending options? Great! Our team is here to help. We’re excited to set you on a path that makes you the kind of money you need…to live the life you want.

Happy investing!

by

Busting Myths: How Hard Money Can Be Cheaper Than Banks

Categories:

Busting Hard Money Myths: How Hard Money Can Be Cheaper Than Banks

Busting Myths: How Hard Money Can Be Cheaper Than Banks

Let’s keep busting hard money myths and talk about how hard money can be cheaper than banks.

But, first, in case you missed our other hard money myth busting videos, check them out on our YouTube channel!

So far, we’ve busted common myths like “Hard money is too expensive,” and “Hard money is a trap.”

Now, let’s look at another common misconception about hard money:

“Bank lines are cheaper than hard money.”

Okay, on the surface, bank loans are cheaper. Yes, that part is technically true.

However, when you scratch below the surface, you’ll discover hard money can be cheaper. All because of one important factor that doesn’t get calculated into the equation at the start of a loan:

Timing.

Think about how long it can take to close a bank loan. You might get lucky and close within 30 days, but it often takes longer. Sometimes MUCH longer.

Hard money, on the other hand, moves much, much faster. You can usually close within two weeks, but it can be even faster. Some lenders can close in just a few days. When you close faster, you can get to work faster…which means you can complete your project faster. Faster projects mean more money in your pocket.

Another timing issue real estate investors fail to consider: The amount of time it takes to fund escrow.

AKA, your rehab.

If it takes longer to access those funds, then it’ll take longer to pay your contractor. And if your contractor isn’t paid quickly enough, they might move on to another value-add property project.

Not only does it take banks longer to approve escrow funds, but they have stricter guidelines. Let’s look at an example:

You want to withdraw $10,000 from your escrow account to pay your electrician. But when you get the invoice from your electrician, you realize you only needed $8,000.

However, your plumber suddenly also needs to be paid $2,000.

Unfortunately, the bank won’t care about your plumber. They’ll send you only what you need to pay your electrician since that’s what you originally asked for.

You’ll have to waste precious time sending in another request for the $2,000. Within that time, your plumber might take off and find a different project. They can’t wait around for you to pay them so they can complete their work.

That means you have to search for a new plumber…which means you waste time.

And time is money!

Hard money lenders respect that.

Most of them focus on moving fast, being flexible, and working with you to get you through your project as quickly as possible so you can tackle your next real estate deal.

So, there you have it. In the long the run, hard money can be cheaper than banks.

Again, it all comes down to timing. And, again, time is money in real estate investing.

Stay tuned for our next video where we talk about the biggest and most misleading myth of all:

Hard money is a curse.

Ready to chat about your hard money and other lending options? Great! Our team is excited to set you on a path that makes you the kind of money you need…to live the life you want.

Happy investing!

by

Busting Myths: How to Get Out of Hard Money FAST

Categories:

Busting Myths: How to Get Out of Hard Money FAST

Busting Myths: How to Get Out of Hard Money FAST

Today, we’re going to bust another myth, and show you how to get out of a hard money loan FAST.

So many real estate investors believe hard money is a trap.

This is false!

In fact, many investors think hard money is a profit death sentence.

Again, this is FALSE.

Here’s the truth: Hard money loans should only be used as temporary solutions for your value-add properties. They’re not meant to be long-term options. If you enter a hard money loan with a long-term mindset, then yeah, you’ll probably lose most (or all) of your profits.

So, what can you do to ensure you’re in and out of a hard money loan fast? Here are 3 tips:

Make a plan to exit your loan as quickly as possible.

Don’t walk into your loan without a plan to get out of it.

If you’re doing a fix and flip, then make sure you have everything scheduled and set so you can get the work done and sell the property ASAP.

If you’re looking at fixing and holding (aka, rental property), then make sure you line up a long-term loan (aka, a traditional or bank loan) alongside your hard money loan. Don’t wait until you’ve completed the renovation portion of the project to start the refinance process.

If you work with the right lender, you can get help creating your specific plan, and get help with both your hard money AND long-term loan.

Focus on your credit score.

If you want to refinance out of your hard money loan quickly, then you’ll need to make sure you have a good credit score.

What is a good score? Ideally, you want it to be above 640. But that’s the bare minimum. Aiming for 670 or higher is even better.

If your credit score is below 640, then take the time to raise it before you get a hard money loan. Otherwise, you’ll likely get stuck because there aren’t many—if any—real estate lenders who can help you refinance with such a low score.

If you need tips on raising your score, check out some of our other videos on our YouTube channel.

Don’t delay construction.

Sometimes real estate investors close their deal with a hard money loan and then…sit. They don’t jump straight into the project and get things moving. Or they get started, but then hit a bump in the road and delay things.

Don’t do this.

The faster you get your work done, the faster you can sell or rent the investment property. Which means you can get out of your pricey loan a lot faster.

A great way to stay on track is through the Flipper Force app.

Listen, a hard money loan isn’t an expensive trap. It only becomes an expensive trap because real estate investors don’t go into it prepared.

If you need help preparing before you commit to a hard money loan, then our team is always here to help.

Stay tuned for our next video where we talk about bank lines compared to hard money loans. Believe it or not, bank lines aren’t always the cheaper path to take.

Happy investing!

by

Busting Myths: How You CAN Afford Hard Money

Categories:

Busting Myths: How You CAN Afford Hard Money

Busting Myths: How You CAN Afford Hard Money

It’s time to start busting myths about hard money, and discover how you CAN afford hard money.

Today, we’re going to bust one of the most common misconceptions about this investor-friendly lending option:

“Hard money is too expensive!”

False!

When you get a hard money loan, it doesn’t mean you have to automatically pay 12% interest or more.

In fact, if you take these 3 steps, the cost of your hard money loan will be drastically reduced:

Prove you have experience.

If you show a hard money lender you’ve completed real estate deals successfully, then they’ll feel more confident in giving you money. And confidence means better rates.

How can you show your experience? The best way is to present a real estate portfolio with before and after pictures, budgets, and profits earned.

Be willing to put money down at closing.

If you have skin in the game, then a lender will likely be more willing to lower the cost of your loan. Why? Because it reduces their risk.

But how much money should you try to put down at closing? Ideally, 10% or more. But even as much as 5% will help lower your loan’s cost.

Maintain a good credit score.

Your credit score matters when it comes to loans. The better your score, the better your rates.

If your credit score is on the low side (below 670), then you can find simple ways to boost it. Here are 3 tips to get you started:

  • Stop using your credit card and start paying it off. Simple, but effective. And when you hit a $0 balance, do NOT close the account. Closing an account that’s in good standing is anti-productive in keeping your score healthy. You want to show you have good credit history. So if you close your accounts, then your history won’t exist.
  • Keep your card balance low. Like, under 30% of its maximum. So, if your card has a maximum credit line of $1,000, then don’t let your balance rise above $300.
  • Pay your credit card bill on time. Again, simple, but effective. If you make your payments on time for the next 12 months, your score WILL rise.

Hard money doesn’t have to eat up all of your profits. We assure you that if you take these 3 steps, you can greatly reduce your costs and actually boost your profits considerably.

Stay tuned for our next video where we discuss the myth of getting trapped in a hard money loan. Spoiler alert, another pitfall that’s easily avoidable if you take a few simple steps.

Ready to chat about your hard money and other lending options? Great! Our team is here to help.

What is hard money? Learn more on our YouTube channel!

Happy investing!

by