Tag Archive for: loan

Investor Mortgage Report 5.12.2020

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Remote Closings And You: How COVID-19 Has Redefined the Real Estate Closing Process

 

What We Know:

The financial side of real estate has been stalled on many fronts these past few months due to the economic lockdown.

 

Offices are closing, and would-be buyers are losing their jobs. Appraisers aren’t allowed into properties, title companies are limiting closings. There are also complications of safely converting everyone’s office jobs to work-from-home positions.  This influx of rapid-fire changes puts a strain on the mortgage process and adds stress to closing on properties.

 

But, things are improving. We are beginning to see some positive changes thanks to the introduction of remote and online closings.  

 

What Is Changing:

For starters, buyers and sellers are no longer required to physically drive across town at a prescribed hour that works for everyone and suit up with masks and gloves for a closing.

Closing from Home

Systems are now in place for closings to happen 100% from the comfort of home or office ( or really, anywhere you need to be.)  Remote closings are real and they’re happening, along with simple remote notarizations. These simple adaptations eliminate so many hurdles to the closing process and help speed things along, especially in these unique times.

 

Fidelity, one of the largest title companies in the industry, is all-in with the remote advancements and allowing clients to choose how they close.

 

What the Future Holds:

We could be heading for a time when remote appraisals are standard and virtual showings become the norm.  It’s not as far-fetched as it sounds. We’re inching closer to that reality by the day.

Remote Closings

Just imagine the mortgage process taking place in a week or two, and not months!

 

Of course, this is good news for investors selling SFR properties and/or refinancing.  Landlords owning commercial properties may see values drop. After all, more people are working from home without having to physically come into an office.

 

On the rate front, we’re seeing very stable numbers. However, we’re still staring at a wall when it comes to refinancing.

 

As states open up and lift restrictions, let’s hope people run out and get back to work and start spending like we are all used to.

 

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Investor Mortgage Report 4.28.2020

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States are slowly opening back up into an uncharted post-COVID19 closure world, but how does this affect the lending markets?

 

Some states have started to allow the gradual re-opening of businesses as stay-at-home orders begin to relax around the country.  What effect will this have on mortgages, rates, and availability of lending to investors?

 

What We Know:

Here’s what we think is reasonable to expect as we return to our new version of “normal”:

 

As businesses start opening up, there will be an influx of people employed and able to make their rent and mortgage payments.

 

The majority of the traditional lenders left investors out to dry over concerns of rents being paid. Government officials haven’t helped the matter with proposals to postpone or forego rent payments.  If tenant rents are not paid, how will investors react? Will they still be able to make their payments?  Will it affect those with larger portfolios to a greater degree than those with smaller ones?

 

These serious (and unanswered) questions are the main reason we have little to no funding options at the moment.

 

The only way we put these concerns to rest is by people going back to work (if they’re able.)  Feeling out the new “normal” flow of payments will help bring certainty to the lenders so that they can decide whether to open lending back up (at a limited pace and with tighter guidelines,) or keep it as-is (little to no options.)

 

The fate of the traditional lending world will hinge on payments: Those made by renters as they return to the workforce, and subsequently, those made by their landlords.

 

What You Can Do:

Be optimistic for more certainty over the coming weeks. As individual states’ economies reopen, let’s remain hopeful that jobs are still there, people want to go back to work, and that they are able to keep up with their payments.

Lastly, also let’s encourage government officials to stop putting out the idea that renters can “forgo” their rents.  This helps no one currently holding a mortgage (unless you want votes.)

 

Want to stay in the loop with the latest assessments of the lending climate, and ideas on how to keep your real estate investments funded in these trying times?

Sign up for our weekly industry newsletter and upcoming OPM webinar series here >>>

 

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Investor Mortgage Report 4.14.2020

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Investor mortgage report

Why did all the banks just make it damn near impossible to get a loan on an investment property?

 

 

For lenders, times are more uncertain than ever.

 

With conventional/standard loans as the only lending option available for rental investors, lenders went and changed the rules…and not in the investor’s favor.

 

As of this week, the new underwriting criteria has hit 90% + of the market for investor loans on rental properties. Plus, most lenders now require a minimum of 6 months reserves (and, a lot of times, up to 12 months) for every rental property that has a loan on it. That’s right. If you have four rental properties, you now need at least 6 months of payment reserves on each property. That adds up quickly.

 

That may not even be the worst of it.

 

In addition, most lenders are not allowing borrowers to use the rental income from their properties to qualify. If they do, they might only allow a very low percentage of the rent (like 50% of gross rent). That means if you have rent coming into a property at $2K, they may only count 50%, or $1K, of that towards your expenses (if they allow you to use it at all). In this example, if the rental property has expenses at or above $1K (and most will) the underwriters will expect you to cover the shortage with other non-rental cash flow.

 

So, if you don’t have great credit (lenders have raised the threshold here, too) and other income to qualify for a new loan, you will be out of luck…for now.

 

We don’t know how long this will last. It might be weeks, but more likely months. Nobody will know until banks and lenders figure out how current stay at home orders will affect the markets.

 

So, why exactly is this happening?

 

 

Once the lenders get the data, they will adjust. Let’s cross our fingers that rents are being paid and, likewise, mortgages are kept up.  This flow of money will help bring lenders and loan choices back to our market.

 

What can you do?

 

  • Keep informed on what is happening in the lending markets. If you are selling properties, then stay updated for your potential buyers, too.
  • Keep paying your mortgages. This will help the overall market, but especially you when you are looking to borrow in the future for better rates (the rates are expected to be great after we return to some normal) or new opportunities.
  • Keep your credit score high and keep working with your renters to pay what they can when they can.

 

Remember the loans and rates will come back. When they do, be prepared to take advantage.

 

If you have a credit score at or above 760, and have ability to income qualify, then your rate estimates this week for conventional loans look like the following:

 

  • Paying closing costs rates for rental properties (1-4 units) in the high 3’s for a rate and term. Typical break-even point is between 2 and 2.5 years.
  • Paying little to no closing costs rates are high 4’s (best for strategies for keeping a property under 2.5 years).

 

If you want to know where you stand and what you can do, schedule a time to discuss your lending needs with us today by emailing mike@thecashflowcompany.com.

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2-Step Loan Program: Quick to Buy, Quick to Refi

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Deals and Closings

One of the key factors to making more on your investments is working with a lender who can handle your short-term AND long-term loans. Or rather, being able to quickly buy and quickly refi a property.

Why find a 2-Step Loan Program?

Well, most investors don’t have the luxury of closing a deal in 30+ days. They need to close as fast as possible, especially if they’re buying from a wholesaler with a strict deadline.

However, many investors are nervous about using non-traditional funding to close a deal upfront. What if they get stuck in a hard money loan for months and months? What if they can’t get approved for a long-term loan and get stuck with an expensive loan?

That’s why it’s so important to work with a lender who can handle both sides of the coin. And not just any lender, but a lender who has experience with short and long-term loans.

When you work with an experienced lender who offers a 2-Step Loan Program, you’ll:

  • Be able to quickly buy and quickly refinance a property.
  • Maximize your return on credit.
  • Maximize your refinance.
  • Enjoy less confusion and stress.

Think of a 2-Step Loan Program like a one-stop-shop for all of your real estate loans.

Less work, less hassle, more money.

Ready to learn more? Contact us today to get the ball rolling.

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