Tag Archive for: real estate investor

This loan comparison can help you figure out what loan is right for YOU. 

Whenever we’re talking about rentals, we’re always going to come back to cash flow, and it’s important to find the best cash-flowing loan. 

We want to look at the pros and cons of each type of rental loan to help you understand which might be the best option to help your cash flow for a specific deal. 

Traditional Rental Loans

Pros of Traditional Loans

1. It’s a 30 Year Mortgage. This standardized timeline is reliable and consistent across most traditional loans.

2. No Prepay Penalty. Without a prepayment penalty, you can get out of the loan whenever you want. This is great if you anticipate a changing market and might want to sell early.

3. Lower Interest Rates. Between DSCR and traditional rental loans, you’re often looking at at least a whole point difference in the interest rates. While a single percentage might seem small, when you’re dealing with hundreds of thousands of dollars, the interest adds up very quickly, and you should consider it during loan comparison. 

Interest rates affect everything from your cash flow to your credit score to your debt ratio. Depending on where you’re at financially, lower interest rates can be a huge point in favor of these traditional loans.

4. Home Hacking. With traditional rental loans, you’re actually able to do an owner-occupied loan. This allows you to live in one of the units you’re working on. Especially if you’re working on multiple units, you can move from one to another as needed.

Sometimes these owner-occupied loans have lower down payments and better rates, so they’re often worth looking into.

5. Same Rules Nationwide. Traditional loans are consistent across the country. No matter where you go, the guidelines are the same. This makes them predictable although they often have stricter guidelines than other loan types.

Cons of Traditional Loans

1. Property Limits. With traditional loans, you’re limited to 10 properties or 10 units. So while they do often have the best rates, you’re limited in how many properties they cover.

2. Need Income Proof and Good Credit. Not all loans need proof of income, but traditional loans certainly do. Your rates will also be limited by your credit score.

3. Cannot Close in an LLC. Unlike other loan options, traditional loans require you to close in your personal name because you cannot own the property when you’re going through a purchase or refinance in an LLC.

An LLC typically works to protect individuals from the financial effects of a business. However, because of the limits of traditional loans, you can’t use that protection in this scenario.

4. One Year Seasoning. You’re not allowed to refinance until after a full year has passed. This is especially important to consider if you’re doing a BRRRR and want to tap into some equity with a full refinance or purchase.

DSCR Rental Loans

DSCR stands for debt-service coverage ratio. You’ll often see these loans come up for anything from a single family home to a larger multi-unit property.

Pros of DSCR

1. Flexibility. While traditional loans find strength in their consistency, investors sometimes find themselves needed a lot more flexibility. That’s where DSCRs come in. 

DSCRs are significantly more flexible because lenders and investors can negotiate unique terms that fit a project’s specific needs. When doing your loan comparison, consider how much flexibility you’ll need.

2. Ease! The biggest benefit of DSCR is ease. It doesn’t matter if you’re employed, what your tax return says, or how much income you have flowing. DSCR lenders only care about the rental property and whether it has the potential to produce cash flow.

3. Close in an LLC. Another big thing in the real estate investor world is closing in an LLC. Unlike traditional bank loans, you can both buy and refinance in an LLC, so you’re protected all the way through.

4. Available in all 50 States. No matter where you are, you will be able to find available DSCR rental loans. However, the details might vary.

Each lender offering DSCRs have their own terms, guidelines, etc. This makes it incredibly important to shop around to make sure you find the right fit.

5. Unlimited Number of Properties. You will find so many options in the DSCR world. You can find loans for specific properties or do a blanket loan for $50 million that could cover as many units as you wanted.

Always make sure that the lender and loan are the right fit for you, and remember that there are a ton of options available!

Cons of DSCR

1. Prepayment Penalties. The number one downside of DSCR loans are the prepayment penalties. If you’re looking to get in and out of a property within the first three to five years, there’s a prepayment penalty unless you buy it out.

2. Higher Rates. Rates for DSCRs typically run anywhere from 1%-3% higher than traditional bank loans, depending on credit score, size of loan, etc.

3. Might Disappear or Change Quickly. DSCR loans are prone to change quickly. When shifts happen in the real estate market, they might even disappear for a brief time before showing up again.

While traditional bank loans are more slow-moving, DSCR moves quickly, and sometimes that can become an issue to real estate investors.

4. Can’t Home Hack. DSCR also does not allow you to live in any of the units you’re working on as you could with an owner-occupied traditional loan.

 

Read the full article here to learn more about loan comparison.

Watch the YouTube video:

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How can real estate investors WIN in the changing 2024 market?

We’re expecting to see more foreclosures and more properties available at discounts in the coming year which is ideal for real estate investors in the business of fix and flips and rentals. 

No matter where you came from or whether you have a college degree, anyone with the willingness to work and learn can make good money in real estate. 

We’re here to share a few tricks so that, as opportunities show up in the coming year, you’re set for success. 

Preparing as Real Estate Investors

There are typically two sides of real estate investing: 1) finding good properties and 2) financing. 

As we said before, you need money to make the money. Today, we want to look at the financing side of things so you’re ready when the good properties show up. 

As an investor, it’s important that you’re attractive to lenders. Lenders, as a rule, want to lend you money, but it’s important to understand what they’re really looking for as well as how you can diversify your money bucket to maximize your success. 

Filling Your Real Estate Money Bucket

For any project you do, you need money. We refer to this collection of money as your money bucket

The money in your bucket comes from two sources: 1) a lender and 2) you.

Both of these areas of funding are going to come together and fill the bucket to finance your project. 

1. Be Honest With your Lender and Get Your Projects Done

This may seem obvious, but make sure you’re honest with your lender.

Make sure you’re upfront about your financial history. It should go without saying, but don’t try to hide that you’ve had a bankruptcy or defaulted on a loan in the past. 

If you’re concerned about your financial history, trust us: It’s much worse to hide it and make the lender find out on their own (which they will).

Once they find out, it will be harder for you to get a loan. And if you do find a loan, your options are going to be severely limited—not just because of the history, but even more so because you hid important information. 

Options are super important for real estate investors. 

Options drive down the costs of loans, and anytime you pay less for money, the more money there’s going to be in your bucket. 

Similarly, when you say you’re going to get a project done, get it done. Whether it’s a flip or a BRRRR, construct a solid timeline on the front end so you and your lender are on the same page.

It’s often a good idea to put in a bit of a cushion when talking to your lenders so that you don’t panic if there are minor delays in your project. 

Lenders want to see honest people who are doing their best. Most lenders are happy to support honest investors who are upfront with them with more money, more funding, more options. 

2. Your Credit Score Matters

The better your credit, the more options you’ll have. 

Impact of Credit: Banks love clients with high credit scores. The higher the score, the more options they’re likely to offer. 

As with finding a loan, the more options banks offer, the more likely you are to find a great deal.

Personal vs. Business cards: Using personal credit for investing can quickly turn into a problem. 

Using personal credit cards or lines of credit for business projects can drive people’s scores down.

We strongly recommend using business credit cards for your real estate investing. You should still make sure you’re paying everything on time, but that business credit card in your name isn’t going to be reported on your personal credit report.

This keeps your credit score higher as you’re looking for loans.

Lines of Credit: Having a variety of credit lines, and opening those strategically, helps real estate investors fill their money buckets. Lines of credit in business credit cards, HELOCs, etc. can get you more prepared for down payments, earnest money, repairs, and more. 

It’s helpful to have backup lines of credit that are ready for when you need money for time-sensitive deals. 

Fill your bucket and your options. 

3. Finding Real People’s Money as Real Estate Investors

When trying to fill your money bucket, you shouldn’t overlook your friends and family. 

Look out for real people in your life who are willing to invest in your project. Even if they only want to invest $10K, that can still help you cover your earnest money or smaller payments.

A lot of people are looking for private investments that offer better returns than traditional banks. Working with the real people in your life can make a huge difference in your ability to fund your project.

If you need help with navigating those personal investments, we’re happy to help. We have a lot of experience working with diverse money buckets and know how to keep notes for your financial records so those private loans are correctly accounted for.

Calling All Real Estate Investors: Prepare for 2024!

It’s important in 2023 to get ready for what’s coming in the future. 

Make sure you have lenders set up from hard money to neighbors and everyone in between. Check your credit scores now to ensure you have the options that will make your investing a success. 

You can also check out our free and easy tools to help get you ready for the upcoming market. We even have a free credit score checklist for you to use.

As always, we’re always happy to help! If you have any questions about the upcoming market, your loan options, or how to fix your credit, reach out to us at Info@TheCashFlowCompany.com.

You can also check out our YouTube channel to learn more about real estate investing.

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How has the changing landscape of real estate in 2023 affected requirements for DSCR loans? What are lenders looking at and how can you find the right deal for you?

The Power of Shopping Around

While this isn’t new, shopping around is very important in 2023. With a growing number of lenders loosening their requirements, finding a lender that specializes in projects like yours can make a big difference. 

If your project is unique or you’re dissatisfied with the rate you’re offered, reach out to mortgage lenders or brokers who have the power to offer something different. 

Requirements for 2023

Products change constantly, so it’s always a good idea to talk to professionals in your area, particularly when it comes to how DSCR lenders look at funding, financing limits, and credit:

Gift Funding Flexibility:

Lenders are trending towards having looser rules around gift money. Previously, it was better to have seasoned money in your account. Now, so long as the money is there for closing and it comes from your account, you’re usually set. That said, if you have any questions about gift funding, talk to your particular lender.

Property Ownership Limits:

A few lenders are also lifting their limits on how many properties you can finance. Previously, the majority of companies limited investors to 5-10 properties. Now, it’s fairly easy to find lenders without those restrictions.

Credit Influence:

Although DSCR loans don’t look at your income, they still look at credit. The better the credit score, the better the loan to value ratio. Also, the higher the DSCR calculation (rent ÷ income), the better the terms.

Standard Interest Only Options:

As always, there are interest only options. Depending on your project and the current market, these aren’t always the most helpful, but they are available. 

 

Read the full article here.

Watch the full video here:

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Is it possible in 2023 to find good DSCR loans for multi-units or larger portfolios?

If you’re looking for a DSCR loan for a large project such as a multi-unit or large portfolio, you’ve come to the right place.

DSCR loans have been around for a long time. In 2023, the real estate climate has experienced a few changes, and knowing how they relate to DSCR loans can help you get ahead of the game.

Changing Landscape for DSCR Loans

DSCR loans used to be most common for single-family or 1-4 unit properties. Now, in 2023 we’re seeing DSCR loans explode into multi-family, blanket loans for larger portfolios, and multi-units. 

With new options available, you need to know what to look for while remembering that all DSCR companies have specific niches. It’s important to find a lender who understands the particulars of your project.

Expanded Loans for Multi-Units

DSCR loans now cover a wider range of properties. It’s fairly easy to find options for large portfolios of more than $50 million, blanket loans for mixed-use properties, and larger multi-family units.

The range of these options provide greater flexibility when shopping around for DSCR lenders and exploring their requirements.

Flexible DSCR Loan Requirements

It’s now possible to find DSCR loan options for first time investors and investors who don’t own a primary residence. 

This opens up DSCR loan opportunities for investors who were previously more limited in their abilities to purchase investment properties.

Loans for Rural Properties and Condotels

If you’re looking to purchase rural properties, condotels, or other vacation rentals by owner (VRBO), you can now find DSCR loans for properties up to 20 acres. 

 

Read the full article here.

Watch the full video here:

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What out of pocket expenses should you expect to pay when you’re getting into the real estate investment game?

1. Initial Deposit and Closing Costs

When you sign the contract, you’ll need to put down an initial deposit. This is part of what you see in a HUD-1 settlement.

Additionally, if a lender lends 90% of the purchase price and a 100% of the rehab costs, it looks like all you have to bring in is the remaining 10% of the purchase price.

However, you should also be prepared for additional closing costs and fees. Lenders will not cover those, and you’ll need to pay out of pocket.

2. Out of Pocket Lender Costs

Lenders also have additional fees. They often charge between 1% to 2.5% of the loan amount for appraisals, credit underwriting, and other services

For example, if the total purchase cost of a property is $200,000, and a lender covers 90% of that cost, you can expect to cover the remaining 10% ($20,000). Additionally, lender fees can quickly add an extra $2,800 to $5,600 that we owe to the lender as an out of pocket cost.

3. Title Costs

On top of that, we have title costs. Title costs are typically 0.5%f to 1% of the purchase price. 

Using the same example, if you have a purchase price of $200,000, title charges will likely be an additional $1,000 to $2,000 in out of pocket costs.

4. Mortgage Tax (In Some States)

Check your area to find out about your mortgage tax rates. You won’t have to worry about this in every state, but do your research so you’re prepared.

5. Insurance Costs

Insurance often costs somewhere between $1,000 to $2,000 and needs to be paid out of pocket upfront. 

6. Out of Pocket Monthly Interest

Interest rates depend on your particular loan. To add to our earlier example ($200,000 purchase price, covered 90% and $100,000 rehab price, covered 100%), let’s say your interest rate is 12% (1% a month). 

If you have a loan for $280,000 and they’re charging you interest on the full amount, you could expect a payment of $2,800 every month. If you have it for four months, that’s $11,200 out of your pocket. 

Essentially, after we add up all of these expenses, you can expect to pay a fair amount of additional out of pocket costs that the lender won’t cover. You should also look out for HOA fees or overages that will also have to come out of your own pocket.

 

Read the full article here.
Watch the full video here:

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How much in out of pocket costs should you expect for your fix and flip?

For every fix and flip or investment property you buy, money is going to come from two places: lenders and your own pocket. 

We know lenders can lend up to 90% to 85% of the purchase and 100% of the rehab. But even with these big numbers, it’s important to know what out of pocket costs you’re on the hook for as a real estate investor.

What Does “Lender Funding” Actually Mean?

When lenders talk about funding 90% of purchase or 100% of a renovation, it sounds like they’re paying for more than they actually are. 

True, they’re taking care of a huge portion of the cost (that you will pay back eventually), but you’re still going to encounter additional costs and fees that you’ll have to pay out of pocket.

We’re here to explain these costs so you’re ready for them. If you’re not prepared, it stalls your project, and you might end up paying even more than you otherwise would have.

So What Are Your Out of Your Pocket Costs?

1. Initial Deposit and Closing Costs

When you sign the contract, you’ll need to put down an initial deposit. This is part of what you see in a HUD-1 settlement.

Additionally, if a lender lends 90% of the purchase price and a 100% of the rehab costs, it looks like all you have to bring in is the remaining 10% of the purchase price.

However, you should also be prepared for additional closing costs and fees. Lenders will not cover those, and you’ll need to pay out of pocket.

2. Out of Pocket Lender Costs

Lenders also have additional fees. They often charge between 1% to 2.5% of the loan amount for appraisals, credit underwriting, and other services

For example, if the total purchase cost of a property is $200,000, and a lender covers 90% of that cost, you can expect to cover the remaining 10% ($20,000). Additionally, lender fees can quickly add an extra $2,800 to $5,600 that we owe to the lender as an out of pocket cost.

3. Title Costs

On top of that, we have title costs. Title costs are typically 0.5%f to 1% of the purchase price. 

Using the same example, if you have a purchase price of $200,000, title charges will likely be an additional $1,000 to $2,000 in out of pocket costs.

4. Mortgage Tax (In Some States)

Check your area to find out about your mortgage tax rates. You won’t have to worry about this in every state, but do your research so you’re prepared.

5. Insurance Costs

Insurance often costs somewhere between $1,000 to $2,000 and needs to be paid out of pocket upfront. 

6. Out of Pocket Monthly Interest

Interest rates depend on your particular loan. To add to our earlier example ($200,000 purchase price, covered 90% and $100,000 rehab price, covered 100%), let’s say your interest rate is 12% (1% a month). 

If you have a loan for $280,000 and they’re charging you interest on the full amount, you could expect a payment of $2,800 every month. If you have it for four months, that’s $11,200 out of your pocket. 

Essentially, after we add up all of these expenses, you can expect to pay a fair amount of additional out of pocket costs that the lender won’t cover. You should also look out for HOA fees or overages that will also have to come out of your own pocket.

Reimbursable Out of Pocket Costs

You should also have extra funds in your money bucket to pay for certain projects up front. 

Most lenders only reimburse you for completed work, and you’ll need out of pocket money to fund the first one or two draws to keep the project going. 

These can be expensive and could cost around $15,000 each. You can find more information about how to pay for these first draws in this article from Hard Money Mike.

These draws will be reimbursed eventually, but you need the funds available up front to get the project moving. This isn’t technically an out of pocket expense, but it can feel like it while you’re waiting for those first projects to be completed.

How to Fund Out of Pocket Costs

It can be overwhelming to look at the out of pocket costs adding up. You can easily expect to pay an additional $20,000 in expenses alone, and that number can rise to $50,000 if you include the funding you’ll need for draws.

It’s best to have these funds available in a savings account, but you can also use gap financing

It’s also important to build your credit and be smart about how you’re using credit cards. Some business credit cards let you draw beyond the cash limits. This can be helpful in covering some out of pocket expenses. 

You can also look into hard money loans. Depending on your project, different loan options can be a better fit. Shop around on the front end to make sure your projects won’t be delayed. You can also use our loan cost optimizer to help you find the right deal for you.

If you have a deal you’d like us to price out, we’d be glad to help. Just reach out to us at Info@TheCashFlowCompany.com

If you want more information about real estate investing in general, check out our YouTube channel.

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How to Get Cash From a Credit Card

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Credit Myth: “I can’t get cash from a credit card for my real estate investments.”

We believe every real estate investor benefits from having a business credit card.

But only so many types of expenses can actually be put on credit. What if you need cash to cover a down payment, earnest money, paying certain contractors, and more?

There are lots of expenses in real estat investing that don’t take a credit card. So, how much good is a business card, really?

Fortunately, there’s a simple way to get cash from a credit card.

Getting Cash from a Credit Card

Most credit cards come with an option for a cash advance. But these come with limits that are usually well below what you need for cash purchases in the real estate world.

So how can you pull off getting cash from your credit card even above your credit card’s cash limit?

There’s a service called PlastiQ.

They charge your card and convert it to a wire, ACH, or check. So you can use up your full credit limit to as cash funds.

PlastiQ does charge a fee for this service, but it’s typically lower than your credit card company’s advance fee.

If you want to talk to someone about this service, here is a direct contact for you: Michael Locke, michael.locke@plastiq.com.

(This is not a paid referral – just a service we really think most investors should have in their bag of tricks.)

More on Credit & Investing

Have other questions about using credit cards in real estate investing? Need help setting it up? Reach out to us at The Cash Flow Company. We’re always happy to help.

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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!

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How To Make More Money with More Lender Options

How To Make More Money With More Lender Options

Let’s talk about how you can make more money with more lender options.

Because one of the biggest problems that impacts your cash flow is getting too comfortable with a single lender.

We’re talking about thousands-of-dollars-kind-of-impact.

Let’s face it. Sometimes it’s just easier to keep using the same lender for all your loans. But here’s the truth: Sticking with the same lender will suck money out of your pocket every month and make banks fatter.

Stop giving the banks your extra money every month!

That’s money you should be using to make your life easier and more enjoyable. If you want a leg up on most real estate investors, then spend an hour or so and shop around for lenders who can get you the best deal on each loan. Why? Because not all lenders are made the same or have the same products available. Or, worse, they think mainly of how much money they can make and not how much they can increase your monthly cash flow.

Let’s look at two examples that cost our clients thousands of dollars. All because they didn’t want to shop around or change their current lenders:

Example #1

Our team recently spoke with two couples who purchased a fix and flip together and decided to keep it. Neither had tax returns that made the cut to qualify for a traditional loan. So, they needed to use a non-traditional loan that qualified them using bank statements for income.

An important side note: Once you venture into non-traditional loans, rates can vary greatly between lenders. There are fewer lenders who offer these products, which leads to them charging higher fees.

So, back to our example! Our two couples entered a loan for $575,000 that had a 5.8% interest rate. They stuck with this loan for two weeks until they called us to chat about other options.

Our team priced the same loan 1.5% lower. That cheaper rate saved them hundreds of dollars every month, which means they enjoyed a huge boost to their monthly cash flow.

Example #2

A real estate investor reached out to us to chat about a rental property he wanted to purchase.

His current hard money lender offered him a loan that wouldn’t require him to use his tax returns, because he writes everything off and doesn’t show taxable income.

He decided to call us to see if he had other options. Using just market rents and a good credit score for approval, we were able to quote him a rate 1.125% lower than the lender he was currently working with.

Again, this was a big cash boosting move on his part. All because he chose to shop around rather than stick with who and what he knew.

As the markets tighten, there ARE ways to increase your positive cash flow. And there ARE ways to get the best rates and loan products for your unique situation.

Often times, it pays to avoid hitting the easy button for your loans. We understand comfort zones are a big deal for a lot of real estate investors, especially when it comes to funding their value-add properties.

But if you don’t break out of your comfort zone, you and your cash flow won’t grow the way it could (or should). So do your due diligence and spend the time shopping around. Go ahead, and discover your lender options. If you do, we can guarantee you’ll see your cash flow soar.

Ready to chat? Great, our team is here to help. We’re excited to set you on a path the helps you make the kind of money you need to live the life you want.

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

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

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

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

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

We suggest getting a bridge loan.

What is a bridge loan?

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

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

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

Think about your next project!

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

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

Essentially, a bridge loan is immediate cash flow.

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

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

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

Happy investing!

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