Tips for Choosing the Right Hard Money Lender

Hard money loans are preferred among real estate investors because of their quick turnaround time. However, not all nationwide hard money investment lenders are the same. To avoid getting talked into a bad deal, check out these tips for choosing the best hard money lender.

Choose a Firm that Specializes in Hard Money Lending

This might seem like a no-brainer, but many people confuse private investment lenders with hard money lenders. Hard money loans require the expertise of a hard money specialist to make sure all servicing, origination, and other requirements are completed correctly. While on the surface these loans look simple, they’re actually rather complex and must be structured well to make sure the lending process is facilitated well.

Shop Investment Property Lenders

Hard money lenders are concerned about how much equity is in the property because the equity is their protective measure against default. Therefore, most hard money lenders are going to want to appraise the property before issuing a loan. Choosing a knowledgeable lender that has experience lending across the nation makes the application, appraisal, and closing process seamless.

Insist on Transparency

Don’t sign paperwork blind and never sign a contract you haven’t read fully. Some hard money lending companies don’t abide by standard business practices. They may coerce you into a bad deal by promoting teaser rates. Insisting on transparency every step of the process ensures you have a better handle on the situation and know the exact terms of the deal.

Know Your Hard Money Needs

There are many types of real estate investors. What type are you? Are you a house flipper searching for a property to buy cheap, fix up, and sell for a profit? Are you interested in buying several homes and flipping them at the same time? Perhaps you’re interested in buying homes cheap and renting them. You might not be interested in residential properties at all, but are more interested in commercial properties. Knowing the type of investor you are helps you find the best investment lenders and the cheapest rates. Some hard money lenders only provide loans for residential real estate, whereas other lenders have numerous programs for all kinds of investment opportunities.  

Lender vs. Broker

Not all investment lenders are the same, especially when it comes to hard money lending. Ideally, you want to work with a local lender. Doing so ensures you get personalized customer service and you always knows who has your loan. Some hard money lenders aren’t lenders at all, but they’re actually brokers and take your information then work to find an actual lender to help you get the money you need. While there’s nothing wrong with this system, not every investor wants to work with brokers. Decide what type of investor you are in this regard and choose accordingly.

How Fast Do You Need Funding?

When choosing a lender, this is an important question to ask yourself. Hard money lending goes faster than traditional bank loans, but each lender works within different timeframes. Most hard money lenders process loans within 7-14 business days. However, there are some who have the ability to process loans in as little as 5 days. Knowing how fast you need your money will help you make the best choice.

Are you looking for a hard money lender? Call or visit Investor Loan Source today to learn more about hard money loans for real estate investors across the nation.