Tag Archive for: real estate investing

How can a newbie invest in today’s real estate market?

Categories:

How can a Newbie Invest in Today’s Real Estate Market?

As a newbie real estate investor it can be incredibly daunting. The question on everyone’s mind is whether or not they should take the plunge and invest in 2024 with the high interest rates. There are a few things that new investors need to consider before they invest in this market. This includes shopping wisely, evaluating repair costs, and current interest rates. By taking all of these things into consideration, new real estate investors will be set up to win in 2024.

First, Focus on the Lower End of the Market 

Since interest rates are high, you should probably focus on the lower end of the market. This includes homes that are in the $300K range and below. Affordability is a factor when you’re flipping, because someone has to be able to afford to buy the property once repairs are completed. Thankfully, we have a good inventory shortage as investors, which in turn is creating a greater demand. Therefore, if you have a good price point and a good product, then it’s going to sell quickly. 

Second, Create a Product that People will want to Buy

Especially since you will be the one fixing up the property, it is important that you create a property people will want to buy. As real estate investors, it is crucial that you complete repairs both quickly and correctly in order to maximize your investment. By creating a nice fixed up property in this market, you will have an advantage over those who are not putting in the effort. 

Third, Consider the Impact that Interest Rates will have on your investment.

Interest rates will be a major factor when purchasing a property in this current market. However, if you can find a rental property that can break even, or better yet one that can make a little money, you should invest now to generate cash flow quickly. Interest rates should go down in the next 18 months to 2 years. When they do, you will be able to refinance and come out ahead of everyone who has been sitting on the sidelines.

In Conclusion

Take the plunge and invest in real estate in 2024! By strategically selecting properties and doing the research, a newbie can not only invest in real estate, but they have the opportunity to grow their wealth when rates drop. New investors need to set themselves up for success. In doing so, you will have the potential to increase cash flow and set yourself up to win.

Watch our most recent video to find out more about investing in today’s market.

We can help you get set up to win in 2024! Contact us today!

 

by

Don’t Let Bad Credit Scores Rob You!

Categories:

Your credit score is powerful. But bad credit scores can take you from making it big to losing a lot of money.

Especially in the real estate industry, credit scores play a huge role in the success of your investing. We see many investors (especially ones who are new to the game) struggle with some common issues:

  • Forgetting to pay bills on time
  • Overusing credit cards
  • Not using enough credit

Cultivating and maintaining a healthy score is a fine balance between creating debt and paying bills.

What Can I Do About Bad Credit Scores?

This is where companies like us or Hard Money Mike come in.

If your score has dropped because of late payments, the best way to fix that is simply time. However, if it’s low from over-usage, you have some options!

Usage Loans

So long as you are paying your bills on time and have a small amount of debt that keeps your credit score active, you can fairly easily raise your credit score with a usage loan.

We offer emergency usage loans here at The Cash Flow Company to raise your score FAST.</span>

Business Credit Cards

If you’re using personal credit cards for business-level investing, it’s time to re-evaluate. 

Real estate investing simply requires more usage than personal credit cards are designed to reward. Business cards, on the other hand, typically like higher usage.

If this is new to you, we have many resources to help you find the right business card for you.

 

Read the full article here.

Watch the full video here:

by

Boost Credit Scores Overnight With 911 Loan

Categories:

Does your credit score need some CPR? We have a 911 loan that can boost credit scores overnight.

In the current economy, credit scores are one of the primary determiners in whether or not you get a loan. Previously, there were more loans available for people with lower scores. More flexibility meant a larger safety net.

However, currently people with low scores are struggling to find loans.

If you do manage to get a loan, your credit score will likely affect your rates, terms, etc. 

Essentially, a good credit score can make you money. But a bad credit score can burn a hole in your pocket.

What is a Credit Score 911 Loan?

A Credit Score 911 Loan essentially comes in and pays off your credit card. It moves that balance to a non-reporting loan.

This lets your credit score skyrocket the moment the next report is processed.

This loan also moves quickly. We can work through the process efficiently on our end, meaning you could see results in as little as two weeks.

Should You Get a 911 Loan?

If your credit score needs an overnight boost, the first thing to do is figure out why your score is low. 

Typically, it’s due to one of two reasons:

  1. You haven’t paid on time
  2. You have a usage issue

If you haven’t paid your bills on time, then unfortunately, there isn’t a quick fix. You’ll just need to heal your score slowly over time.

However, if you have a usage issue, then you’re in luck!

Credit Usage Explained

Credit usage measures the percentage of your total allowed balance you use each month. 

For example, if your usage limit is $10,000, and you’re frequently using $7,000 of that, you have 70% usage.

Ideally, FICO wants to see you using about 20%-30% of your available credit. Any higher than that, and you become riskier for banks.

Especially when you’re beginning as a real estate investor, it can be so easy to rack up the usage: getting supplies at Home Depot, paying contractors, etc. with your personal credit cards.

When that usage percentage goes up, your score goes down.

When your score goes down, your costs go up.

That’s where a Credit Score 911 Usage Loan comes in to pay down that debt and boost credit scores overnight.

What’s Next?

If you’re wondering if a Credit Score 911 Loan is right for you, what steps should you take?

  • Look at sites like Credit Karma or TransUnion. See where your score is at, and run simulators to see what would happen if you paid off certain credit cards.
  • Consider the qualifications for a 911 loan. Are you paying on time? Do you need to fix the problem quickly?

If you’re ready to take the next steps or have questions, reach out to us at Info@TheCashFlowCompany.com. 

We’re always happy to talk you through a 911 loan, how it can pay down debt, and how you can set up your business to avoid this problem in the future.

by

How to Build Wealth Through Real Estate Investing

Categories:

If you want to build wealth through real estate, the key is leverage.

In the investing world, leverage is using other people’s money (typically in the form of loans) to build income.

If you master the art of using leverage, you’ll be able to build wealth easily in the real estate game.

Especially at the beginning, it can be tempting to try and use only your own savings for your real estate projects. However, those funds are limited, and it can take forever to save up for a full down payment on your own. Using loans and debt wisely will help you turn larger profits faster, ultimately making you more money, even factoring in the cut of the lender.

Leverage Makes Real Estate Investing Accessible

Especially in the central USA area, other people’s money (OPM) makes real estate investing accessible.

You don’t need to have generational wealth built up in your savings or your parents’ bank account. You just need leverage.

Leverage lets you grow your investing business from little-to-nothing. We see this over and over again in the industry. All you need is the willingness to take a little bit of risk and use OPM.

Types of Leverage and OPM

Leverage comes in many forms. When we talk about using OPM, we’re not implying you need to take up a collection at Thanksgiving dinner. 

These are the most common types of leverage/OPM:

  • Bank loans
  • Private loans
  • Hard money loans
  • Financial gifts

Obviously, in most of these cases, you need to pay the money back (with interest). However, that’s fairly easy to do once you’re selling an improved property.

What Does the Process Actually Look Like?

Most lenders want to see you put a portion of your own money into projects as well. But that doesn’t mean you need an extensive backlog of savings to get started.

Step 1. Buy

Hypothetically, if you wanted to buy a $200K property, you would only need around $10K of your own money. The rest could be covered with OPM. 

Step 2. Improve

If you put $30K-$40K into a property, you’ll significantly increase its value by more than you put in. These improvements can also be covered with OPM. 

Certain loans are created specifically for property-improvement projects, so look into options like DSCR or hard money.

Step 3. Sell 

This is where the money comes rolling in. You pay off your loans, and everything else is money in your pocket.

For our example of a $200K property, after $40K worth of improvements, it’s likely worth closer to $300K. 

That’s a worthwhile investment!

From $10K out of pocket, you end up with around $40K net worth that you’ve created with leverage.

The Long Haul Option

If you don’t want to do a basic fix and flip, you could go the rental route. If you keep a property like that as a rental, you’ll be able to pay the loan all the way down and own the property outright.

In today’s housing economy, hanging on to properties long-term is also a great investment. A property that began as a $10,000 investment could turn into your million-dollar retirement fund!

 

If you have questions about leverage or OPM, reach out to us at Info@TheCashFlowCompany.com or fill out a contact card.

You’re also welcome to check out our YouTube channel where we talk about how to WIN in real estate investing.

by

Does Credit Score Matter in a Bad Real Estate Market?

Categories:

When the real estate market tightens up, you might ask “does credit score matter anymore?” The answer is YES! Credit score matters now more than ever.

Once you’ve been in the business for as long as we have, you start noticing patterns. The investing world goes through cycles every few years where things tighten up before flowing normally again. 

However, a ‘bad market’ doesn’t necessarily mean bad news. 

If you’ve prepared beforehand, you can actually take advantage of the challenging landscape to build some wealth.

What is a ‘Bad Real Estate Market’?

Essentially, what’s happening right now is banks are tightening up. This means most are lending out less money, making it harder for investors to get the money they need.

This also means that, over the next 6-9 months, people are going to be getting rid of some properties and fewer people will be buying.

If this sounds like bad news, don’t worry. If you’re ready for these market changes, it can actually be the perfect time for you to buy. 

Get Your Credit Score in Line

In the past, 660-680 used to qualify you for an okay loan. Not anymore! As lenders tighten up, most will be looking for scores closer to 750-799+. 

Lenders are depending more and more on credit scores. Make sure your credit score isn’t holding you back!

If you’re using personal credit cards for your investing projects (using them to buy supplies, pay vendors, etc.) stop now! 

Personal credit cards aren’t made for that level of usage, and most cards will drop your credit score if you’re using too much of your balance on a regular basis.

This can lead to a significant usage issue. There are two things you can do to help fix this problem:

Once you raise your credit score, make sure you maintain it. Since lenders look so closely at your score, you should too!

 

Read the full article here.

Watch the full video here:

by

Why Do You Need Debt?

Categories:

Although most people spend years trying to get rid of it, you actually need debt to keep your score alive.

Especially in the real estate industry, your credit score plays a huge role in the success of your investing. We see many investors (especially ones who are new to the game) struggle with some common issues:

  • Forgetting to pay bills on time
  • Overusing credit cards
  • Not using enough credit or not having any debt

Cultivating and maintaining a healthy score is a fine balance between creating debt and paying bills.

Why Do You Need Debt?

Without some debt, FICO doesn’t recognize you. Without debt, even if you try and calculate your score, you can only get a low one.

This isn’t helpful when you’re trying to purchase investment properties.

Essentially, debt allows your score to exist and gives it the chance to be high—you just shouldn’t owe anyone too much money, and you need to pay your bills on time.

Consequences of a Bad Credit Score

If you end up with no debt, your credit score is likely to drop (or disappear altogether for a while). 

With a low credit score, you can expect higher interest rates on your house, car, and any other loans you hope to take out. 

This makes you lose money fast and can get in the way of your investing or even your retirement. 

Consequences of a Good Credit Score

In contrast, if you have a high credit score, you can look forward to cheaper interest rates and lower bills. 

This makes it far easier to create successful income from real estate investing.

Additionally, if you maintain a high score, you’re more likely to build positive relationships with lenders and grow your business more quickly.

 

Read the full article here.

Watch the full video here:

by

Why You Should Fix Your Credit Score for the Current Market

Categories:

If you’re stuck with a bad credit score, a 911 loan could help you fix your credit to thrive in this competitive market.

One of the most common issues of investors we talk to is low credit score.

In the real estate world, when the Fed tightens everything up (as they have done recently), credit scores become more and more important. This means that the threshold of what qualifies as a “good” credit score goes up, and it’s almost impossible to get a loan if you don’t meet that threshold.

How can you fix that quickly so it doesn’t tank your investments?

The Changing Economic Landscape

Everyone used to have options. If your credit score was a little low, it was alright; you could still find someone willing to lend to you without too much penalty.

In recent years, things have shifted.

As the Fed tightens up, there’s less money going around, meaning banks don’t have as much money to lend as they used to. 

How do they solve this problem? 

They raise the requirements for getting a loan.

Now, instead of being minorly penalized for a low credit score, some people are finding it difficult to find loans at all. And some of the loans they do find are smaller and have significantly higher rates.

Some banks may not even look at your loan application if you don’t meet their credit score requirement. Therefore, to survive in this market, you need to fix your credit score.

Understanding Your Credit Score

The 2 largest factors that make up your credit score are payments and usage.

  • Payments look at whether or not you’re paying on time. 
  • Usage looks at how much of your total possible balance you’re using each month.

For example, if your usage limit is $10,000, and you’re frequently using $7,000 of that, you have 70% usage.

Ideally, FICO wants to see you using about 20%-30% of your available credit. Any higher than that, and you become riskier for the banks.

Especially when you’re beginning as a real estate investor, it can be so easy to rack up the usage: getting supplies at Home Depot, paying contractors, etc.

It’s all-too-common to see people have $50,000 or $100,000 on maxed out credit cards.

This is where a credit 911 loan comes into play to pay down debt.

How Can I Set Myself Up to Avoid Needing a 911 Loan?

The root of this problem is almost always using personal credit cards for business-level needs. 

Getting the right business credit card in the name of your investing company has a number of benefits:

  • It won’t report to your personal credit if you pay on time.
  • They don’t penalize high usage.
  • Some business cards even reward running up a larger balance.
  • Even if your business is brand new, if you apply for a business credit card with a high personal credit score, you’ll likely be approved.

We’ve partnered with Nav to help you find a business credit card that works well with real estate investing. 

As with a personal card, you can find cards that offer perks and rewards that appeal to you. Just make sure you look for ones that 1) don’t report to your personal credit and 2) like high usage.

Our goal is to help you fix your credit score and get your business in order so that you never need a 911 loan again!

 

Read the full article here.

Watch the full video here:

by

How to Fill Your Money Bucket For a Bad Market

Categories:

When the real estate market tightens up, you need to be prepared with leverage in your money bucket so you can take advantage of opportunities.

Once you’ve been in the business for as long as we have, you start noticing patterns. The investing world goes through cycles every few years where things tighten up before flowing normally again. 

However, a ‘bad market’ doesn’t necessarily mean bad news. 

If you’ve prepared beforehand, you can actually take advantage of the challenging landscape to build some wealth.

What is a ‘Bad Real Estate Market’?

Essentially, what’s happening right now is banks are tightening up. This means most are lending out less money, making it harder for investors to get the money they need.

This also means that, over the next 6-9 months, people are going to be getting rid of some properties and fewer people will be buying.

If this sounds like bad news, don’t worry. If you’re ready for these market changes, it can actually be the perfect time for you to buy. 

Filling Your Money Bucket

Since there’s going to be fewer loans coming out of banks, what can you do to make sure your finances are prepared for the shift in funding?

For every project, there is an amount of money that goes into it. We call it a bucket of money, or, your money bucket. 

Your money buckets needs to cover purchase, rehab, closing costs, etc. Part of that bucket comes from lenders, and part of it comes from you. 

If you’re a newer investor, don’t panic! Read on to learn how to build up that money.

Finding Money for Your Bucket

If you’re new to real estate investing, this is often the hardest part. However, there are many ways you can work to fill your bucket without needing to drain your personal bank account.

Obviously your lines of credit can be an asset to your money bucket, but Other People’s Money (OPM) is also important.

Ask around your friends, neighbors, family members, or investment clubs. Many of them could be interested in investing a few thousand dollars into a project with a secured return of 8-10%.

There are so many creative ways to help fill your money bucket from hard money, to lines of credit, to OPM. With more money in your bucket, you can do more transactions.

If you need help filling your personal bucket, reach out to us. We’ve coached many new investors through this process.

 

Read the full article here.

Watch the full video here:

by

5 Major Roadblocks in Real Estate Investing Solutions Revealed

Categories:

5 Major Roadblocks in Real Estate Investing

Did you know there are 5 major roadblocks in real estate investing? From buying and holding rentals, to flipping properties, to dividing land, investors face numerous roadblocks that create frustration, and lead to defeat. But fear not! When investors identify these 5 roadblocks, they can ease their frustration, prevent a finance wall, and learn how to create consistent cash flow.

We work with many clients, including those who are just starting out on their real estate investment journey, to those who have become experts. Every day, our company receives numerous calls  from people saying, “I wish I would have,” or “I wish I did that too.” Therefore, we’ve  created a guide to help others skip bumps in the road that can impact their success. When you’re aware of these 5 roadblocks, do your research before embarking on your real estate journey, and reevaluate quarterly, the sky’s the limit.

So, what are the 5 Major Roadblocks that cause burn out, financial hemorrhaging, and, unfortunately, defeat? Well, here’s what you need to know to make your real estate investments successful.

5 Major Roadblocks:

1. Cash Flow 

The first roadblock that can greatly affect your success is not understanding the importance of cash flow. If your property’s expenses outweigh your profits, then that’s going to hurt you and your business. You want to make sure your profits are always greater than your expenses. The best way to avoid this roadblock is to make a plan and know your numbers upfront! Don’t dive into an investment before you know if your property will cash flow. 

2. Escrow 

The second roadblock every investor should understand is escrow. Escrow is a portion of the loan a lending company puts aside for repairs to the property. The only way to access these funds is to submit receipts, photos, and other proof to your lender that the repairs are underway. So, if you want to optimize your profits and avoid missing the market when it’s “hot,” you need to take all repair costs into consideration, make sure you have money to get the repairs started without your lender’s help, and complete repairs quickly and correctly.

3. Too Many Projects

The third roadblock is having too many projects. From multiple property costs to paying contractors, investors can get too big too fast. It is important to “err on the side of caution” to prevent the “finance crunch” that often occurs. So, slow down, be realistic, and limit your losses. 

4. Rentals

The fourth roadblock is navigating rental cash flow. The deal needs to be a positive investment not a negative one after considering all costs. These costs include rents, taxes, and insurance. In real estate investing, you cannot afford losses or simply break even. The numbers game is intense! It is vital that you are prepared and learn the ropes!

5. Personal Credit Usage

The fifth and final roadblock is the misuse of personal credit cards to cushion purchases or expenses. If you want to avoid spiraling into debt, then quickly set up your business and begin using a business credit card. Business credit cards are easy, fast, and make every investor’s life easier. 

At the end of the day, the ultimate goal is keeping personal and business expenses separate. It’s vital to a successful real estate investing.

Watch our latest interview to discover more about the 5 Major Roadblocks

 

Want more information on real estate investment roadblocks or have any other questions? Contact us today! 

by

The FASTEST Way to Pay Down Debt: Credit Score 911

Categories:

If you’re stuck with a bad credit score, a 911 loan could be the perfect way to pay down debt.

One of the most common issues of investors we talk to is low credit score.

In the real estate world, when the Fed tightens everything up (as they have done recently), credit scores become more and more important. This means that the threshold of what qualifies as a “good” credit score goes up, and it’s almost impossible to get a loan if you don’t meet that threshold.

How can you fix that quickly so it doesn’t tank your investments?

The Changing Economic Landscape

Everyone used to have options. If your credit score was a little low, it was alright; you could still find someone willing to lend to you without too much penalty.

In recent years, things have shifted.

As the Fed tightens up, there’s less money going around, meaning banks don’t have as much money to lend as they used to. 

How do they solve this problem? 

They raise the requirements for getting a loan.

Now, instead of being minorly penalized for a low credit score, some people are finding it difficult to find loans at all. And some of the loans they do find are smaller and have significantly higher rates.

Some banks may not even look at your loan application if you don’t meet their credit score requirement.

Understanding Your Credit Score

The 2 largest factors that make up your credit score are payments and usage.

  • Payments look at whether or not you’re paying on time. 
  • Usage looks at how much of your total possible balance you’re using each month.

For example, if your usage limit is $10,000, and you’re frequently using $7,000 of that, you have 70% usage.

Ideally, FICO wants to see you using about 20%-30% of your available credit. Any higher than that, and you become riskier for the banks.

Especially when you’re beginning as a real estate investor, it can be so easy to rack up the usage: getting supplies at Home Depot, paying contractors, etc.

It’s all-too-common to see people have $50,000 or $100,000 on maxed out credit cards.

This is where a credit 911 loan comes into play to pay down debt.

What is a Credit Score 911 Usage Loan?

A Credit Score 911 Usage Loan is essentially a non-reporting loan that pays off all credit cards, allowing your credit score to shoot upwards.

These loans act as a fast-acting antidote to your credit score usage problems. The next time your credit report is generated, you should see significant improvement.

Essentially, it’s a quick fix for people who pay their bills on time.

Who Should Use a 911 Loan?

If your credit score is weighed down by a long history of late payments, this loan is not going to help you very effectively. 

These loans are perfect for people whose credit has been plagued by high usage, who need to fix their credit score FAST.

In short, here’s what you should know about a 911 Usage Loan:

  1. It’s used to pay down debt that’s accumulated through usage issues, not late payments.
  2. We’re an asset-based lender, so make sure you have some real estate to secure your loan.
  3. You need an exit strategy. We want to make sure you have a way of paying that loan back.

Real estate investing is a fast-moving business, and it’s important to have a quick solution for an issue that could otherwise cost you thousands of dollars in higher payments or declined deals. 

How Long Before it Pays Down my Debt?

We call this a “Credit Score 911” because we understand that a low credit score can be an emergency need.

It can take as little as 2 weeks (or up to 30 days) to get this loan and see results in your credit score. The timing depends simply on when your credit cards report and when your statements come out.

You still owe the money, but now you owe it to a non-reporting entity.

Although it can be daunting to take out an unexpected usage loan, a delay of a month is far better than a long term delay where you can’t refinance or buy.

How Can I Set Myself Up to Avoid Needing a 911 Loan?

The root of this problem is almost always using personal credit cards for business-level needs. 

Getting the right business credit card in the name of your investing company has a number of benefits:

  • It won’t report to your personal credit if you pay on time.
  • They don’t penalize high usage.
  • Some business cards even reward running up a larger balance.
  • Even if your business is brand new, if you apply for a business credit card with a high personal credit score, you’ll likely be approved.

We’ve partnered with Nav to help you find a business credit card that works well with real estate investing. 

As with a personal card, you can find cards that offer perks and rewards that appeal to you. Just make sure you look for ones that 1) don’t report to your personal credit and 2) like high usage.

Our goal is to help you fix your credit score and get your business in order so that you never need a 911 loan again!

Next Steps

If you’re wondering if a Credit Score 911 loan is right for you, what steps should you take?

  1. Look at sites like Credit Karma or TransUnion. See where your score is at, and run simulators to see what would happen if you paid off certain credit cards.
  2. Consider the qualifications for a 911 loan. Are you paying on time? Do you need to fix the problem quickly?
  3. Draft a plan to pay off a credit score loan. Especially if timing is important, having your exit strategy ready helps us get that money to you more quickly.

Remember, you still need to pay everything on time. We’re just here to help people who have fallen into the trap of using personal credit cards for business purposes in this competitive environment.

If you’re ready to take the next steps or have questions, reach out to us at Info@TheCashFlowCompany.com. 

We’re always happy to talk you through a 911 loan, how it can pay down debt, and how you can set up your business to avoid this problem in the future.

by