Tag Archive for: real estate investing

How Does a HELOC Work?

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What is it, where can I put one, and how does a HELOC work?

The amount of HELOCs in the US increased by 30% from 2021 to 2022. Why?

It can be some of the most flexible, least expensive credit for many people – especially real estate investors.

But how does a HELOC work? Let’s go over the basics.

What Is a HELOC?

A HELOC is like a big line of credit based on the equity you have in a piece of real estate. You can think like a big credit card on a property.

If a property you own is worth more than the amount you owe on it, then you could be eligible for a HELOC. You can use this line of credit for anything you want.

This line of credit is typically in second position. It works similarly to a credit card in the sense that you can use it and pay it off over and over.

How Does a HELOC Draw Period Work?

The draw period is the timeframe the credit union or bank allows you to use the line of credit. They typically offer a 5 or 10-year draw period. Within that period of time, you can borrow money and pay it back over and over.

Once the draw period ends, you can’t use the HELOC anymore – you just have to pay it off. It stops being a line of credit and now acts like a fixed mortgage you have to either:

  • Pay off over time.
  • Refinance into a new HELOC with a new draw period.

Can I Only Have a HELOC on the House I Live In?

You can do a HELOC on both your owner-occupied residence and your rental properties.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • A HELOC doesn’t work on a flip – but it does on a completed rental property.
  • The loan-to-value on a rental HELOC will be less than one on your own home.
  • Some investors have 5-10 HELOCs on different properties. It’s a common strategy.

Read the full article here.

Watch the video here:

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DSCR Loan vs Conventional Loan: 5 Main Differences

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5 key differences between a DSCR loan vs a conventional loan.

Conventional loans have a uniform underwriting process – which is usually long, detailed, and requires a lot of paperwork. DSCR loans, on the other hand, can be simpler. They’re more relaxed on income requirements, and they generally care more about the property itself than you as a borrower.

But what are some other differences between these two loan types? Let’s look at 5 ways a DSCR loan differs from a conventional loan.

1. Loan Limit

DSCR loans are great if you’ve maxed out the amount of conventional loans you can get. Conventional loans have a limit of 10 per person. Once you’ve reached that limit, you need to start looking for alternative options (like DSCR loans).

2. Credit Score

With most conventional loans in this economy, you’ll have a hard time getting any loans if your credit score is lower than 660.

With DSCR loans, the higher your credit score, the better. However, even people with lower credit scores (660 and below) have options with DSCR.

Keep in mind, a lower credit score means a more expensive loan. A more expensive loan will lower your cash flow. Lower cash flow might disqualify you for the loan.

For example, instead of a 7.5% interest rate, a poor credit score could only get you a 9.5%. A 9.5% interest rate might raise your monthly payment by $250. An extra $250 per month might put your debt ratio at 1 or below.

3. Holding a Property with a DSCR Loan vs Conventional

This is another area where DSCR loans differ from conventional loans: DSCRs come with prepayment penalties. This means if you pay them off before 3 or 5 years (whatever period is decided by the lender), then you get charged a hefty fee.

DSCR loans are best for people who want to hold the property, and not refinance or sell within the prepay period. Conventional loans have no restrictions on when you pay them off.

4. Property Condition

DSCR loans aren’t good for fix and flip properties. A DSCR property should need no work – it should be turnkey, totally ready. This means you should use a DSCR loan on either rental-ready purchases or a refinance on a completely renovated BRRRR-style rental.

Conventional loans are much the same. Your ability to use a traditional loan on a value-add property is restricted by the purchase price, fix-up price, and more.

5. Interest-Only Options

Lastly, DSCR loans are good for someone looking for interest-only payments. Banks and conventional loans don’t offer interest-only options. Doing interest-only improves your cash flow, giving you 5-10 years where you don’t have to pay any principal.

More on DSCR Loan vs Conventional Loan

Read the full article here.

Watch the video here:

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8 HELOC FAQs: How To Use a HELOC as an Investor

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The HELOC FAQs we hear most often from real estate investors.

Over our 20+ years in the business, we’ve helped many investors get correctly set up with HELOCs.

Leverage is your best friend in real estate, and a home equity line of credit can be some of the quickest, most flexible money available.

Let’s go over the 8 most frequently asked questions we get about HELOCs.

HELOC FAQs #1: What Is a HELOC?

A HELOC is like a big line of credit based on the equity you have in a piece of real estate. You can think like a big credit card on a property.

If a property you own is worth more than the amount you owe on it, then you could be eligible for a HELOC. You can use this line of credit for anything you want.

This line of credit is typically in second position. It works similarly to a credit card in the sense that you can use it and pay it off over and over.

HELOC FAQs #2: What’s the Draw Period on a HELOC?

The draw period is the timeframe the credit union or bank allows you to use the line of credit. They typically offer a 5 or 10-year draw period. Within that period of time, you can borrow money and pay it back over and over.

Once the draw period ends, you can’t use the HELOC anymore – you just have to pay it off. It stops being a line of credit and now acts like a fixed mortgage you have to either:

  • Pay off over time.
  • Refinance into a new HELOC with a new draw period.

HELOC FAQs #3: Can I Only Have a HELOC on the House I Live In?

You can do a HELOC on your owner-occupied residence, but you can also do one on your rental properties.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • A HELOC doesn’t work on a flip – but it does on a completed rental property.
  • The loan-to-value on a rental HELOC will be less than one on your own home.
  • Some investors have 5-10 HELOCs on different properties. It’s a common strategy.

HELOC FAQs #4: Where Do You Get a HELOC?

If you’re an investor, the number one place to look for a HELOC is credit unions. Next, is national banks. Those are the two best resources for HELOCs.

HELOC FAQs #5: What Should I Look For When Shopping for a HELOC?

The main thing you should look for in a HELOC is loan-to-value (LTV).

As an investor, you don’t need to worry much about rate – what you borrow will be paid off with your projects. Plus, a HELOC interest rate will be lower than most other forms of leverage available to you.

You also don’t need to be too concerned with the draw period. You can refinance your HELOC at any time.

Your main concern should always be maximizing the amount you can get. When shopping around, ask about LTVs.

HELOC FAQs #6: Are HELOCs Risky?

Are they dangerous? Is there a big risk in taking out a HELOC? The answer is yes and no.

It’s the same as any other line of credit. If you use it wrong (for personal use, living life, etc.), the debt accumulates with no way to pay it off. This becomes a burden not only for your credit but also for your home.

However, used correctly, HELOCs are a low-risk, high-value tool. Use them for a real estate project, then pay them off right after your project sells or refinances.

HELOC FAQ #7: Can I Do a HELOC on a Free and Clear Property?

Yes, you can take out a HELOC on a property you own free and clear.

A HELOC comes in first or second position (sometimes third, from some banks). So if you own your home, or a rental property, with nothing owed, then the HELOC will come in first position.

HELOC FAQ #8: What Can I Use a HELOC for in Investing?

You could use a HELOC for almost anything in real estate investing:

  • Down payment
  • Closing costs
  • Carry costs
  • Rehab/construction expenses
  • An entire property, if the line of credit is large enough.

A HELOC is some of the easiest, fastest, most flexible money you can get. Your greatest limitation is the LTV of the HELOC.

Get a Line of Credit for Real Estate Investors

Want a personalized list of the best HELOCs for you?

We’ve reached out to hundreds of credit unions and banks to find the best, highest-LTV HELOCs on the market.

Reach out to us at Info@TheCashFlowCompany.com to get this report.

You can also download this free checklist of questions to ask lenders to get the best deal on a HELOC.

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What You Need To Know About a HELOC Draw Period

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What HELOC draw period should you choose?

An important consideration when you’re shopping for a HELOC is the draw period.

This period is how long you can use the line of credit before needing to pay it off. During this draw period, you can take money out, pay it back, then take it out again, over and over.

HELOC Draw Period Options

Most HELOCs come in two different draw periods: either a 5-year or a 10-year. The longer the draw period, the more flexibility you have.

However, we still recommend setting yourself up with the longest draw period available to you. When you need to refinance, but you’re stuck in a down market, you’ll probably get worse terms on your new HELOC. A longer draw period gives you more control over a better refinance.

Refinancing a HELOC

You’re able to refinance a HELOC at any time. In fact, we recommend searching for better HELOCs every 1-3 years. If you refinance before your draw period ends, then that period doesn’t matter as much.

So, when you start the process of getting a HELOC to buy an investment property, set it up to be long-term. Even if you choose to refinance, you should still look to start with the highest LTV and longest draw period possible.

More Info on Using a HELOC as a Real Estate Investor

Want more information on how to talk to banks when looking for a HELOC to buy an investment property? Download this free checklist.

If you have any other questions, you’re always welcome to reach out at Info@TheCashFlowCompany.com, or check out our YouTube channel for more tips on real estate investing.

Read the full article here.

Watch the video here:

https://youtu.be/25VFJx66yZ8

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What Should Your Income Look Like for a DSCR Lender?

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5 important things to know about DSCR lender income requirements.

Compared to lenders of conventional loans, any DSCR lender will have unexpected guidelines when it comes to income. The qualifications they need from you, plus the kind of income they need from your property is unlike any traditional loan.

Let’s go over 5 key points about DSCR lenders and income.

5 Things To Know About a DSCR Lender & Income

1. YOUR Income

DSCR loans are best for borrowers whose current income over the last two years doesn’t qualify for either a conventional loan or a loan from a local bank.

If your tax returns are low over the last two years, that’s where a DSCR loan might come in for your rental property.

2. Business History

Many real estate investors are new, so they don’t have two years’ worth of tax returns for their business.

With DSCR loans, the length of your business does not matter. You could have opened the LLC the morning you close on the loan. Banks need your business information because they’re lending based on you. DSCR lenders don’t because they’re lending based on the property.

3. Employment Gaps

In the same vein as the first two items, DSCR loans are great for people who just changed jobs, moved, or haven’t had a continual work history for the past two years.

A conventional bank won’t be understanding about career shifts or gaps in work. But they won’t impact your ability to get a DSCR loan.

4. Investing History

Traditional lenders can be hard on new real estate investors. They want to see past successful projects in order to trust you. DSCR loans, though more designed for investment properties, don’t care about your past real estate investing history.

5. Cash Flow on a DSCR Loan Property

To get a great DSCR loan, the rental property must cash flow. While there are some DSCR loans available for negative cash-flowing properties, you’ll only get the best rates and terms when you have positive cash flow.

Read the full article here.

Watch the video here:

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10 Things You Should Know About a DSCR Loan for Rental Property Deals

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How do you know if you’re the right type of person for a DSCR loan on a rental property?

What makes a good DSCR loan? What makes a good DSCR property?

We get hundreds of people asking these questions. While traditional loan offerings will be more or less the same from lender to lender, DSCR loans are more like the wild west. Every lender will have slightly different requirements, expectations, and terms.

But DSCR loans are an amazing option when used in the right place, on the right property, from the right borrower.

Let’s go over 10 things that will help you understand what’s right for a DSCR loan on a rental property.

What’s a DSCR Loan for a Rental Property?

Debt service coverage ratio loans are loans designed for real estate investors. They’re most often 30-year products, but some lenders will offer other types.

The debt ratio in a DSCR loan is based on two things: the property’s income and the property’s expenses (mortgage, interest, taxes, and insurance). Cash flow is a vital piece to DSCR lending.

Let’s look at 10 things to keep in mind for DSCR loans.

1. Income

DSCR loans are best for borrowers whose current income over the last two years doesn’t qualify for either a conventional loan or a loan from a local bank.

If your tax returns are low over the last two years, that’s where a DSCR loan might come in for your rental property.

2. Business History

Many real estate investors are new, so they don’t have two years’ worth of tax returns for their business.

With DSCR loans, the length of your business does not matter. You could have opened the LLC the morning you close on the loan. Banks need your business information because they’re lending based on you. DSCR lenders don’t because they’re lending based on the property.

3. Employment Gaps

In the same vein as the first two items, DSCR loans are great for people who just changed jobs, moved, or haven’t had a continual work history for the past two years.

A conventional bank won’t be understanding about career shifts or gaps in work. But they won’t impact your ability to get a DSCR loan.

4. Investing History

Traditional lenders can be hard on new real estate investors. They want to see past successful projects in order to trust you. DSCR loans, though more designed for investment properties, don’t care about your past real estate investing history.

5. Cash Flow on a DSCR Loan Property

To get a great DSCR loan, the rental property must cash flow. While there are some DSCR loans available for negative cash-flowing properties, you’ll only get the best rates and terms when you have positive cash flow.

6. Loan Limit

DSCR loans are also good for people who have maxed out the amount of conventional loans they can get.

Conventional loans have a limit of 10 per person. Once you’ve reached that limit, you need to start looking for alternative options (like DSCR loans).

7. Credit Score

The higher your credit score, the better. However, even people with lower credit scores (660 and below) have options with DSCR.

Keep in mind, a lower credit score means a more expensive loan. A more expensive loan will lower your cash flow. Lower cash flow might disqualify you for the loan.

Instead of a 7.5% interest rate, a poor credit score could only get you a 9.5%.

8. Holding a Property with a DSCR Loan for 3-5 Years

This is another area where DSCR loans differ from conventional loans: DSCRs come with prepayment penalties. This means if you pay them off before 3 or 5 years (whatever period is decided by the lender), then you get charged a hefty fee.

DSCR loans are best for people who want to hold the property, and not refinance or sell within the prepay period.

9. Property Is Turnkey

DSCR loans aren’t good for fix and flip properties. A DSCR property should need no work – it should be turnkey, totally ready.

This means you should use a DSCR loan on either rental-ready purchases or a refinance on a completely renovated BRRRR-style rental.

10. Interest-Only

Lastly, DSCR loans are good for someone looking for interest-only payments. Banks and conventional loans don’t offer interest-only options.

Doing interest-only improves your cash flow, giving you 5-10 years where you don’t have to pay principal.

The Right DSCR Loan for a Rental Property

When you’re looking for cash flow, always look at all of your options before you jump into a loan.

We hope this article gives you an idea of what you should look for when you shop around.

Download this free DSCR calculator for the next time you’re shopping for rentals, and send any questions our way at Info@TheCashFlowCompany.com.

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How to Calculate HELOC LTV (And Other Things To Know)

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Simple facts: how to calculate a HELOC LTV, and more.

The #1 consideration when you start looking for a HELOC is, by a landslide, the loan-to-value.

LTV should be your priority for one simple reason: the more money you can get, the more you can do with real estate investing.

Depending on the property type, you’ll find that your bank or credit union will give you an LTV of somewhere between 70 and 90% in this market. In other markets, they’ve gone up to 100% loan-to-value.

Example of  How To Calculate LTV on a HELOC

Let’s say you own a property worth $400,000. You found a credit union that will give you a 70% LTV on a HELOC to buy an investment property.

Here’s the simple calculation:

$400,000  ×  .70  =  $280,000

So, they’ll allow $280,000 in a HELOC on that property.

If they offered an 80% LTV on the same home, then you’d get a HELOC with $320,000. At 90% LTV, you’d get $360k.

But What Is CLTV?

However, HELOC LTVs are a bit different than typical loans – after all, there’s already a first lien or mortgage on the property.

In this case, they look at a combined loan-to-value (CLTV) instead.

As an example, let’s say that property worth $400,000 has a mortgage that’s $270,000.

So here’s what the credit union will do for a CLTV:

  • They know their 70% LTV would give you $280k.
  • But since you still owe $270k, they’ll subtract that amount from your available LTV.
  • Therefore, you’ll end up with $10,000 for a HELOC.

Maximizing Your LTV

This is why LTV is so important for a HELOC. The higher the LTV, the more available funding you’ll have to put anywhere in your real estate deals.

In our previous example, the 70% LTV only gave you $10k in your HELOC. The same property with an 80% LTV would get $50k. And 90% would leave you with $90,000 to use on a HELOC – even with the mortgage still on the home.

It’s essential to make sure you’re working with an institution that will give you the maximum loan-to-value to get more flexibility in funds.

Read the full article here.

Watch the video here:

https://youtu.be/25VFJx66yZ8

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How to Get a Small Loan for Bad Credit

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Have high credit usage? Get a small loan for your bad credit like this.

Credit is a powerful tool for real estate investors.

A credit score, even more so.

Sometimes the very projects that are making you money stifle your ability to get a loan to start your next project. Let’s briefly go over why this happens – and how a small loan for bad credit could help you.

About Credit Usage Loans

Not every real estate lender offers loans under $75,000, but we believe this size of loan is important. A popular way our clients use these small loans is as an “Improve Your Credit Score” loan – a usage loan.

Credit usage is a common sore spot for many real estate investors’ credit scores.

Maybe you use your personal credit card to fix up your properties. You pay all the charges off once you sell or refinance your flip.

But in the meantime, you’re using a high percentage of your personal credit limit. This usage negatively impacts your score. With a bad score, you lower your chances of getting a great loan for your next project.

Here’s where our loans come in:

  • You take out a private loan with us.
  • Use those funds to pay off your personal credit cards.
  • Your usage goes down dramatically, improving your score so you can get approved for other loans.

Once you get the balances off your personal credit cards, we recommend moving your fix and flip expenses to a business card.

Get a Small Loan for Your Bad Credit

Have questions about how these small loans work? Need a smaller loan? Reach out at Info@TheCashFlowCompany.com and we’d love to see how we could help.

Read the full article here.

Watch the video here:

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How to Get the Best HELOC to Buy an Investment Property

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3 things you need to know when you start shopping for a HELOC to buy an investment property.

For 23+ years, we’ve worked with thousands of investors and funded over a billion dollars in loans. Over and over, we find the following to be true:

Real estate investors who are set up right with financing – HELOCs, business credit cards, real private money – are the ones who succeed.

In this post, we’re going to zoom in on using a HELOC to buy an investment property. Here’s what you need to look for to get the best HELOC for your investing needs.

HELOCs – The Basics

A HELOC is a Home Equity Line of Credit. Oversimplified, this means you can get credit from the bank based on how much of your house is paid off.

A few things to note about HELOCs generally:

  • They can be on either your primary residence or your rental properties.
  • Real estate investor can benefit from taking out as many HELOCs on all of their properties as they can.
  • They provide easy, flexible access to funds for all areas of your investing.
  • A HELOC can be used for:
    • Down payments
    • Earnest money
    • Closing costs
    • Carry costs
    • Rehab costs – material, contractors, or other bills
    • Buying a property outright, if the line is large enough

There are a couple rules of thumb we follow and questions you should ask when you start asking banks for a HELOC. Let’s go over the top 3.

1. LTV on a HELOC to Buy an Investment Property

The #1 consideration when you start looking for HELOCs, by a landslide, is the loan-to-value.

LTV should be your priority for one simple reason: the more money you can get, the more you can do with real estate investing.

Depending on the property type, you’ll find that your bank or credit union will give you an LTV of somewhere between 70 and 90% in this market. In other markets, they’ve gone up to 100% loan-to-value.

Example of an LTV on a HELOC

Let’s say you own a property worth $400,000. You found a credit union that will give you a 70% LTV on a HELOC to buy an investment property.

Here’s the simple calculation:

$400,000  ×  .70  =  $280,000

So, they’ll allow $280,000 in a HELOC on that property.

If they offered an 80% LTV on the same home, then you’d get a HELOC with $320,000. At 90% LTV, you’d get $360k.

But What Is CLTV?

However, HELOC LTVs are a bit different than typical loans – after all, there’s already a first lien or mortgage on the property.

In this case, they look at a combined loan-to-value (CLTV) instead.

As an example, let’s say that property worth $400,000 has a mortgage that’s $270,000.

So here’s what the credit union will do for a CLTV:

  • They know their 70% LTV would give you $280k.
  • But since you still owe $270k, they’ll subtract that amount from your available LTV.
  • Therefore, you’ll end up with $10,000 for a HELOC.

Maximizing Your LTV

This is why LTV is so important for a HELOC. The higher the LTV, the more available funding you’ll have to put anywhere in your real estate deals.

In our previous example, the 70% LTV only gave you $10k in your HELOC. The same property with an 80% LTV would get $50k. And 90% would leave you with $90,000 to use on a HELOC – even with the mortgage still on the home.

It’s essential to make sure you’re working with an institution that will give you the maximum loan-to-value to get more flexibility in funds.

2. Draw Period on a HELOC to Buy an Investment Property

The second consideration for a HELOC is the draw period. This is how long you can use it like a line of credit before needing to pay it off.

During this draw period, you can take money out, pay it back, then take it out again, over and over.

Draw Period Options & Refinancing

Most HELOCs come in two different draw periods: either a 5-year or a 10-year. The longer the draw period, the more flexibility you have.

Also, you’re able to refinance a HELOC at any time. We recommend searching for better HELOCs every 1-3 years. If you refinance before your draw period ends, then that period doesn’t matter as much. 

However, we still recommend setting yourself up with the longest draw period available to you. When you need to refinance, but you’re stuck in a down market, you’ll probably get worse terms on your new HELOC. A longer draw period gives you more control over a better refinance.

So, when you start the process of getting a HELOC to buy an investment property, set it up to be long-term. Even if you choose to refinance, you should still look to start with the highest LTV and longest draw period possible.

2. Interest rates for a HELOC to Buy an Investment Property

The third important consideration when looking for a HELOC is the interest rate. In other words: how much will it cost you to borrow from this line of credit?

Typically, HELOCs are based on prime plus a number. That “plus” number is where the banks make the profit. Almost all banks use prime as their starting point, then they add a factor. They add either one, two, or three to prime to determine your rate. 

Locking in a Fixed-Rate

We recommend looking for a fixed rate for more than a year. We’ve been locking people into five-year fixed rates, and a few years ago, we could offer a 10-year fixed.

Adjustable rates can be a little misleading. Some banks might offer you a prime minus 5 just to get you in. It’s a bit like if a credit card gave you 0% interest up-front, then jacked it up once you get comfortable with it.

Banks try this strategy because they know that once you get a HeLOCK, you’re less likely to refinance out and stay with the higher adjusted rate. This is another reason why we think you should always be on the lookout for better HELOCs to refinance into.

More Help on Getting a HELOC to Buy an Investment Property

These are the three main things to ask about when you’re looking for a HELOC for real estate investments:

  1. Loan to value. The most important. You want to maximize what you can get.
  2. Draw period. You want the flexibility of a 5-year or longer draw, but always look to refinance.
  3. Interest rate. You want a fixed rate so you’re safe despite turbulent or declining markets.

Want more information on how to talk to banks when looking for a HELOC to buy an investment property? Download this free checklist.

If you have any other questions, you’re always welcome to reach out at Info@TheCashFlowCompany.com.

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Cons of Private Money: What to Watch Out For

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Here are 3 cons of private money to keep you informed.

Private money (money from real people) is one of the most valuable tools a real estate investor can keep on-hand.

It’s flexible, it’s cheap, it’s easy… But finding and keeping lenders is the hard part.

Here are 3 cons to private money you should watch out for.

Cons of Other People’s Private Money

There are plenty of positives, but it’s wise to be aware of some potential trouble spots too:

  • It’s harder to find lenders. You can’t walk into a bank to get this kind of money; you just have to find the right individuals. Your OPM lenders don’t necessarily have to be millionaires, but they do have to have a good chunk of free money available for you. It can take time to find these people.
  • Keeping OPM lenders can be difficult. It’s takes a lot of time and attention to nurture your real private money lenders. You need to keep their money secure, pay them on time, and provide them with good opportunities. It’s best to have multiple OPM lenders available to you.
  • Finding other people’s money means selling the people on it. People who would most benefit from being a private lender might not even know what it means. If a doctor, dentist, teacher, etc is keeping their life savings in a bank account or IRA, then they might get a better return doing private lending. However, people outside of real estate might not understand how it works. It’s your job to explain how their money gets secured and how the process works.

The funding itself may be easier, faster, and cheaper, but with private money, finding and managing a relationship with a lender can be the hard part.

Just remember that anyone with money is looking for a stable return. If you can prove you’ll provide that, funding opportunities will start rolling in.

How to Get Other People’s Money

To avoid cons, how does the process work once you find other people’s money?

If you need help finding, attracting, convincing, or setting up an OPM lender, let us know. For the last 15+ years, we’ve raised millions and millions of dollars through OPM. Send us an email at Info@TheCashFlowCompany.com with any questions.

Download our free real private money checklist here.

Read the full article here.

Watch the video here:

https://youtu.be/CyS9V9Z7zBQ

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