All About Hard Money

Do you know what hard money is? Do you know why it’s called hard money?

Well, I get asked about deal funding all the time. And specifically, people want to know about hard money.

Steve Cook here with today’s lesson that’s devoted to just this topic.

I’m laying out some really helpful hard money info as a Q&A, followed by some useful tips to wrap it all up.

Let’s get to it…

What exactly is a hard money lender anyway?

Private – or “hard money” – lenders are private individuals with surplus money available for investment. Some have deep pockets while some have limited resources.

Based upon their own personal criteria, they lend this surplus money, primarily on a short-term basis, to real estate investors who use it for a variety of profitable purposes including buying and repairing distressed properties.

Why is it called hard money?

Don’t be confused by the term “hard money.” It doesn’t mean that this money is difficult to find or obtain. Actually, it is some of the easiest money to get.

Here’s why it’s called hard money…

In the world of finance, money is either “hard” or “soft.”

Hard money has stricter terms and a clearly defined repayment schedule.

Softer money has easier terms and a more flexible repayment schedule (for example, debt service subject to available cash flow).

In the case of private financing, the terms for hard money loans are exceptionally harsh with very low loan to values (LTVs), higher-than-market interest rates and a lot of upfront points.

What are the typical terms for hard money loans?

money Terms for these types of loans will vary from lender to lender and will depend upon the experience level of an investor, as well as the length of an investor’s relationship with a particular lender.

Generally, a hard money lender will provide a loan for 50%-75% of the after repair value (ARV) of a home at an interest rate of 12%-18% for a period of 6 months to 5 years.

They will also charge between 2-10 points as an upfront financing fee.

As you invest, you will discover that these terms will vary from lender to lender...

Some will only charge interest while some will amortize their loans.
Some will lend repair money, others won’t.
Some will place the repair money in escrow to be drawn out as the work is completed, others will let you leave the settlement table with it.
Some will lend closing costs, some won’t.

Ultimately, when finding hard money lenders, you will need to determine their terms and how they might fit into your plans as a wholesaler.

What’s the lending criteria for hard money lenders?

Like terms, lending criteria also varies from lender to lender.

Each has their own preferences with regard to areas in which they will and will not lend and types of investors to whom they will and will not lend…

Some will check your credit, some will not.
Some will do their own appraisals, some will not.
Some will charge for an appraisal, others won’t.
Some will charge an inspection fee for each draw from the repair escrow, others won’t.
Some will only lend in certain areas, while others will lend everywhere.
Some are more numbers driven when it comes to decision-making, while others go more on their feelings about you and/or the neighborhood.

What about my credit?

With terms so favorable to the lender, most hard money providers are concerned primarily with the value of the property, placing less emphasis, if any, on the credit of the payor.

They just want to know that in the event that the payor defaults, they will possess an asset from which they can extract their original investment and possibly more.

But, this is not to say that lenders want to go through the hassle and expense of taking back and reselling a property – it’s merely to point out that due to the terms of the loan, private lenders are secured, and feel secure, whether a borrower pays or not.

Hard Money Lenders Are People Too

You must keep in mind that most hard money lenders are private individuals. They are not institutional investors who have a set standard of guidelines dictated by the federal reserves.

They can be flexible, they can be tough.

They are people just like you and I.

You can talk to them. You can befriend them. You can laugh and joke with them.

They can be your neighbor, your doctor, your attorney or your bus driver. They usually don’t advertise that they lend money, but instead are found through word of mouth.

A Great Resource

Hard money lenders are a great resource for real estate investors, particularly a beginner with limited resources (lack of cash and credit).

Having a hard money lender on your team enables you to confidently make offers on properties. It enables you to purchase properties when your offers get accepted, and it provides you with the funds necessary to do the repairs if needed.

In fact, I have heard of some cases where individuals have even been able to borrow holding costs.

So…

Hopefully, now you have a better understanding of everything hard money. I encourage you to go out and find some hard money lenders for your deals today.