Tag Archive for: real estate market

Can I Refinance A Hard Money Loan?

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There’s often a misconception that a hard money loan can not be refinanced. However, you do have options even when it comes to hard money loans.

There can be plenty of good reasons to refinance these types of loans. Consumers are facing challenges with all types of loans including mortgages, the increasing student loan debt crisis, and private loans.  This makes refinancing a smart move for loan holders looking to improve their monthly payments and avoid defaults.

Here’s how financial experts can walk you through refinancing a hard money loan.

Can A Hard Money Loan Be Refinanced?

Hard money loans can be refinanced. They can be refinanced through both hard money lenders and traditional lenders. A hard money loan can come with plenty of options for refinancing depending on the terms of your particular loan.

When Should You Refinance A Hard Money Loan?

There’s plenty of reasons to refinance a hard money loan. It all comes down to your financial circumstances and the goals you have for your project. Plenty of real estate investors choose refinancing as a viable option for adjusting their overall portfolio and assets.

Here’s why.

  • You need more time to complete the project or the sale of a property
  • You want to refinance your terms for better interest rates
  • You need to open up funding for your project
  • You can’t wait for a conventional loan and need funds quickly

Benefits Of Refinancing Hard Money Loans

There are several benefits for refinancing your hard money loans. The biggest of these have to do with improving your immediate financial situation. It works like this.

Refinancing your loan buys you more time and improves the situation for your investments. You can get extra time to complete a project before a loan comes due or lower your expected interest and payments. It’s all about improving your overall financial situation to open up your funds and let you complete your projects without being burdened by loan terms.

This is your financial outlook and refinancing can give you more options and more money down the road.

How To Qualify For Hard Money Loan Refinancing

In order to qualify for refining, you’ll need to have a few things in order. You’ll need all your documentation from your original loan, a strong financial plan in place, and a credit score that works with your refinancing lender.

The professionals at IMC Money can walk you through this process.

Refinancing With Professional Help

Refinancing a hard money loan is the right choice for your business. It frees up money and lowers future financial burdens. Get in touch with the loan refinancing team at IMC Money today to learn more!

A Proof Of Funds Letter In Hard Money Lending

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A proof of funds letter is a document showing a potential buyer that a real estate investor has the funds that they need to close the sale. This letter often contains information from the buyer’s loan provider as well as information about their company.

These letters are standard practice for real estate investment purchases. Real estate investors should know the process of handling the proof of funds letter inside now.

This is what real estate investors should know about a proof of funds letter.

Why A Funds Proof Letter Is Important

The current housing market is going through some major changes. Even the White House has stepped in to address some of the issues impacting the housing market. With such a competitive market, sellers have started to require proof of funds letters to ensure sails will go by smoothly.

When Should I Get A Proof Of Funds Letter?

Real estate investors typically obtain their proof of funds letter before submitting an offer for a property. This allows your hard money lender to underwrite the loan as well as ensure that funds are available for the purchase. This also shows the seller that you have all of your financial ducks in a row and you’re ready to close out the purchase.

How Do I Get a Funds Proof Letter?

The process for obtaining a proof of funds letter is very straightforward.

Your first step is to reach out to your hard money lender of choice. You should find a hard money lender that has experience working with real estate investors, favorable rates, and the professionalism that you can rely on. You will then have to submit an application which may or may not include a credit check.

Your hard money lender will then be able to issue you a proof of funds letter so that you can proceed with your real estate purchase.

Property Specific Funds Proof Letters

A property specific proof of funds letter is targeted for a specific piece of real estate. This allows the seller to have more confidence and your ability to close out the purchase and gives you financial clarity for the terms and conditions of your funding.

Get The Financial Services You Need Today

You need a financial services provider with experience working with real estate investors. IMCMoney has been working with real estate investors for years and their experienced financial team can work with you to handle everything from obtaining a proof of funds letter to a hard money loan.

Reach out to IMCMoney today to learn more!

What’s The 2022 Real Estate Forecast?

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Have you been wondering what the future of real estate looks like for 2022?

Everyone from people looking for house flipping loans to the homebuilding industry have been trying to figure out what this year is going to look like. These predictions are based on the latest information as well as the trends that have been established for the last few years.

Here’s what real estate is going to look like in 2022.

What Happened in 2021?

2021 saw historic increase in prices. The average home price went up 20% in 2021 which is a historically unprecedented gain. Home buying was also much more active in this year with more homes being purchased than in the previous years.

This created a lot of uncertainty in the market because some investors weren’t certain that these trends could hold on.

The 2022 Real Estate Predictions

Here are some of the most important real estate predictions for 2020 coming straight from industry experts.

Higher Mortgages

We can expect that mortgage rates are going to go up.

Mortgage rates took a huge dive at the start of the pandemic, but in 2021 mortgage rates increased. We’re going to see mortgage rates increase again to be even higher than they were in 2021.

It’s worth keeping in mind that most experts agree that mortgage rates still won’t hit their pre-pandemic highs.

More Sellers, More Buyers

2021 saw some of the highest volume for sales. There were more homes on the market and more buyers for those homes than ever before. It looks like 2022 is going to continue this trend with an increasingly active market.

This could make home buying opportunities type. With more buyers on the market, there is going to be more competition for homes and a tougher buying market.

Supply Chain Worries

The global supply chain crisis is still ongoing. However, it’s not certain how this is going to impact the real estate industry. Home building industry leaders are still confident that they’re going to be able to get the materials and supplies they need to build new homes, flip existing homes, and repair old ones.

Rising Prices Continues

The price of real estate is still going up. Most experts agree that the cost of real estate is only going to go up further in 2022.

Will 2022 Be as Wild of a Ride as 2021?

It’s hard to say with any certainty this really in 2022 if it’s going to be as wild of a ride as 2021. Some real estate experts suggest that these trends are going to continue in 2022 is going to be even wilder than 2021. However, it looks like we’re just going to have to wait a little bit and find out for ourselves.

2021 Holiday Season & The Real Estate Market

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The 2021 holiday season is upon us and one of the biggest impacts is going to have is in the real estate market. Most people don’t consider real estate when they think about holiday shopping trends, but it’s actually one of the most heavily impacted markets. Real estate finance leaders at IMC Money know the importance of staying on top of seasonal real estate trends.

Let’s take a look at a few of the major trends we’re going to see in this year’s holiday real estate business.

Holiday Market Trends

Here’s the general wisdom you need to know when it comes to the real estate market during the holidays. The real estate market starts to drop off around Thanksgiving as people focus on seeing their family, traveling, and getting ready for the holidays.

However, things start to pick up around December 24th. Potential homebuyers are off for the holidays and they’re using some of that free time to browse their local real estate markets looking for their dream home. You can take advantage of this sudden uptick in real estate interest by making sure your listings align with this new influx and potential buyers.

Serious Buyers Start Shopping During the Holidays

You’re also more likely to find serious buyers during this time of year.

This is a combination of harsh winter weather as well as how people spend their precious holiday vacation time. People who are out looking for houses and other real estate opportunities during the holiday season are going to be more serious about potential purchases than they would be during other times of the year.

Taking Advantage of Low Holiday Interest Rates

The market for real estate loans has its own fluctuations that don’t necessarily obey seasonal changes. However, one of the interesting trends that’s held true for the past few years is that interest rates tend to dip around the holidays.

This is another reason why potential buyers start flocking to homes this time of year.

Consider Your Timing

One thing that’s true no matter what sales industry or and is that buyers tend to prefer recently listed items rather than things that have been around for a long time. You can improve your timing by updating or listing properties at midnight on the 23rd or early morning on the 24th.

One Easy Tip For Holiday Real Estate Sales

Old real estate wisdom says that you should unlist your properties during the holidays, but this just isn’t true anymore. The holidays are a prime time to update and relist real estate listings.

Need more tips and tricks for real estate sales this holiday season? Property and finance experts at IMC Money can help you get your real estate moving!

 

Home Inspections: Tips and Common Findings

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In 2020 alone, more than 6.5 million homes were sold across the United States of America. Before every single one of these properties was sold, both buyer and seller were likely to undergo a home inspection. Home inspections are pivotal to the real estate market because they ensure both parties are protected from potential issues that may manifest following a sale.

Let’s take a closer look at home inspections, what to expect, and why they are so important.

What To Expect From a Home Inspection

Home inspections are thorough assessments of a property’s overall physical condition. Inspections are performed by licensed professionals who have been trained to visually assess and identify issues. Inspectors will traverse every inch of a property, from foundation to attic, to find issues that may manifest into costly or dangerous scenarios.

Common Findings During a Home Inspection

Home inspections are vital to the real estate industry as they give both parties a chance to assess issues before going through with a deal. For a buyer, this means potentially saving themselves from buying a property with hidden damage. For the seller, home inspections provide the opportunity to upgrade and maximize the value of a home.

The most common results of a home inspection will yield the following information.

  1. Roofing Damage – Nearly 20% of home inspections will yield at least one issue with the roof of a property. Roofing issues can vary in terms of how problematic they are. Leaks, material degradation, and ventilation issues are the most common inspector-detected roofing problems.
  2. Electrical Wiring – Nearly 52,000 electrical fires are started every single year within residential buildings due to improper wiring practices. Make sure that your property is up to code before buying or selling it. Frayed insulation, mismatched wiring, and rodent-related damage can all be identified during an inspection.
  3. Plumbing Issues – Plumbing issues may range from severe to barely noticeable. A leaky faucet won’t cause an inspection to fail, but outdated pipes and mismatched DIY solutions can cause serious headaches.
  4. Termite/Pest Damage – Don’t buy a home with a shaky foundation and don’t purchase a home that is infested with termites, two concepts every property owner should live by. Termite damage can cause structural issues that go unnoticed for years, often long after there is any time to prevent the issue. A skilled inspector can suss out any potential infestation during an inspection.

IMC Money was founded in 1993 to provide the best services and lowest possible rates in the lending industry. Experts in financing for individuals angling to flip property, contact IMC Money for more information.

Should Your Project Be a Rental or a Fix and Flip?

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When you’re looking at a potential investment property, one of the most important questions you’ll need to answer is whether the property is better suited as a rental or a fix-and-flip project. This is one decision that even some of the most experienced investors struggle with.

If you’re considering a real estate investment and aren’t sure which route will be best, there are some considerations you should keep in mind to help you make the right choice.

The Property’s Current Condition

The current and overall condition of the property, as well as its age, should play a major role in your decision to either buy the property as a rental or flip it. Generally, older properties will require more long-term maintenance and upkeep, which tends to make these homes better candidates for fix-and-flip investments.

Meanwhile, a newer property that needs some up-front work but is otherwise in decent condition may be more suitable as a rental. The exception to this may be a property that is located far away, which can create additional headaches for you as a property manager/landlord. If you’re investing in a property from afar, your best bet is typically to treat it as a fix-and-flip (unless you’re comfortable shelling out monthly fees for a property management company’s services).

Local Real Estate Trends

You’ll also want to consider local real estate market trends when deciding whether to buy a property as a rental or a fix-and-flip. While there are currently more renters in the residential real estate market than ever before, this won’t necessarily be the case in the exact area where you’re looking to invest. Taking some time to truly get to know your local real estate market and whether people are looking to rent or buy can make your decision a much easier one.

Your Budget and Preferences

If you’re looking for a property that can start generating income for you sooner rather than later, then a rental may make more sense. On the other hand, flipping a property rather than renting it out can prevent your money from being tied up in any single real estate investment for too long.

Of course, part of your decision to rent or flip will ultimately come down to personal preference. Some investors simply don’t like the hassle of playing “landlord” and would thus refer to flip and property, sell it, and be done with it. Likewise, other investors may enjoy the long-term income string that a rental property can provide.

Need a Hard Money Loan?

Regardless of whether you end up flipping or renting out an investment property, you’ll need to secure the right funding to get started. If you’re searching for a hard money loan for a real estate investment property, IMC Money is here for you. We offer a wide range of hard money loans and other financing options to suit your needs. Contact us today to find out more about our services!

Tips For Flipping A House For The First Time

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Flipping a house for the first time can seem a little intimidating. However, if you follow these tips, it should be smooth sailing.

Know and Analyze the Local Estate Market

It’s important to know the neighborhoods you want to invest in like the back of your hand. You need to familiarize yourself with the sales prices for different types of homes, schools, neighborhoods and demographics. Real estate sites like Trulia and Zillow can give you some data on current home selling prices. And you get the rest of the information from other local realtors. Once you get this information together, go ahead and analyze it. By analyzing the data, you’ll know how much local buyers are willing to pay and you’ll know the types of properties that buyers are interested in buying. Knowing this information will allow you to avoid winding up with a home that sits on the market for a while versus one that flips quickly.

Get a Team

Building yourself with a skilled team is critical for a successful flip. You’ll need a team of general contractors, realtors, lenders, accountants and real estate attorneys. You get a team together through referrals and networking. Start to go to meetings of local real estate investment organizations, join some business networking groups and become a member of the chamber of commerce. Realtors can give you access to properties that are currently on the Multiple Listing Service. You should speak to as many realtors as you can. This includes both selling and buying agents. Having a team is essential for a profitable flip.

Find a Flippable Property

Once you’ve identified what types of homes sell best, focus on those ones. For example, if four-bedroom houses are selling well, rehabbing one of these is likely your best bet. In addition, you need to know who your likely buyers are. It may be empty nesters, seniors or singles. Know what their needs are. A family with young kids may need a four-bedroom home with two bathrooms.

Keep an open mind, too. Your leads may wind up coming from a variety of sources, such as friends, banks, realtors, family members or trustee sales. Another good source for flappable properties is foreclosures. Just keep in mind that you’ll probably need a cashier’s check or cash to pick up a foreclosure. You also may not be able to view the foreclose. So, you may have to deal with squatters or hidden liens on the title.

Structuring the Deal

Once you’ve established the value of the property, you then need to calculate the after repair value. This will tell you if it’s a good deal for you. When you inspect the property, work with a good general contractor and review the budget repair sheet. You need to know all the repair costs in order to determine the after repair value. Follow the 70 percent rule. Only take on projects when the after repair value is less than 70 percent of the final selling price. Once you make the sale, use an experienced real estate lawyer to write up the contract.

Manage the Rehab Process

Keep yourself in the loop and work closely with a general contractor. This will keep you on track with the renovations and within budget. Obtain estimates from contractors and keep track of their progress on your project. Make a written timeline and make sure everything goes according to plan in a timely manner. This will help avoid carrying costs.

Real Estate Trends in 2019

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The real estate market has certainly seen its ups and downs over the past decade or so. Every year, new trends arise to the surface that can have a dramatic impact on how residents buy and sell their properties. As we approach the middle of the year, it’s important to take a good look at what the newest 2019 real estate trends are and how they can have an impact, whether you’re looking to sell your home in the near future or you’re on the hunt to find your ideal home, whether it’s your first or you’re looking for an upgrade or to downsize.

Home Prices on the Rise

After the housing market crashed and brought many homeowners underwater on their mortgages, many wondered how long it was going to take for the real estate market to recover. While some areas of the country aren’t quite there yet, the good news is home prices are on the rise. This is better news for those who are looking to sell their homes and not as great for buyers. However, it’s a clear sign the housing market is in good shape overall. With the largest jump last year at about 10 percent on average, home prices are still on the rise this year, although this has slowed down somewhat. Unfortunately, with the increase in prices, those who are looking to sell their homes are also seeing a decrease in the number of offers they receive. Rest assured, even if you don’t end up getting as many offers as you did before, there is still likely a buyer out there willing to pay the right price for your home. As long as sellers pay attention to the other homes on the market around them and price accordingly, as well as make their houses stand out, they should be able to find a buyer willing to pay the right price to still make a good profit. Buyers should also take their time when making a purchase and make sure they have enough money down (at least 10 percent) and don’t step outside their set budget for home buying.

Interest Rates Are Up

Although still nowhere near the peak it once was, mortgage interest rates are on the rise, which means buyers need to be careful about getting good rates on their loans. At the present, mortgage interest rates are predicted to rise to about five percent for 30-year mortgages and 4.4 percent for 15-year mortgages. This is the highest interest rates have been in seven years. While this may seem like bad news, it actually indicates the economy is doing well. The federal reserve raised their interest rates and the banking industry is only now following suit. Because of this, it’s best for buyers to opt for a 15-year mortgage if possible to help keep interest payments low. For sellers, high interest rates may seem as though they are irrelevant, but they can have an impact on how quickly you sell your home. This is because some buyers may be hesitant to buy with a higher interest rate or may hold out for a cheaper home in order to keep their payments within budget. The good news is your home is still likely to sell; it may take longer than it may have in years past, but you are still likely to find a buyer willing to pay what you ask or close to it.

Millennials Make Up a Large Portion of Buyers

Millennials have reached a time in their lives when they are most likely working stable jobs and at least thinking about starting their families, which means they’re among the biggest group of individuals to be looking for homes on the market to buy. In fact, they currently make up about 45 percent of the overall market. This is excellent news for the baby boomers and other older generations that are starting to think about retirement and downsizing their homes. In general, millennials are looking for homes that are affordable without sacrificing on the quality of the construction, have low maintenance needs and are located in areas with easily accessible larger cities for their convenience. With easy online shopping, it’s easier than ever to reach this generation of home buyers.