Private Money Loans Explained

*Includes expert insights from one of our private money lenders, Jeff Safi.

Private money loans are a quick solution for financing or refinancing a real estate investment. Especially if you don’t quality for traditional financing or don’t have time to go through the many hoops at a bank or other traditional lender.

That being said, a lot of people are unsure of what a private money loan actually is. Furthermore, they’re unsure of the scenario where they could use private money in real estate. That’s why we’ve put this blog together – to explain what you need to know about this form of lending.

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What is a private money loan?

A private money loan is usually a short-term loan used to purchase or refinance real estate. It’s primarily used for real estate investment acquisitions.

The loans are provided by private lenders, as opposed to traditional financial institutions such as banks or credit unions. Unlike these traditional players, private money lenders are far less burdened by red tape and regulations, which makes accessing finance quicker and more straightforward.

The terms usually run for around 12 months. Although, the loan term can be extended from 2-5 years. The amount that a borrower can get using a private money loan is of course based on the value of the property in question. The property may be one the borrower already owns or it may be the property the borrower is looking to purchase.

A private money loan in action

The formula for establishing the lending dollar amount with a private money loan is often the ARLTV (after repair loan to value). This is based on the ARV (after repair value). It differs from traditional lenders who typically rely on the “as-is” value.

For example, a private money lender may view a $200,000 property in need of $50,000 of improvements as worth $400,000 when the work is complete and may lend 65-70% of the ARLTV against the $400,000 after repair value. Where as a traditional lender would lend on the “as is” value.

A conventional mortgage would take anywhere from 60-90 days to close. Where as a private money loan would take anywhere from 3-7 days to close. 

When is the right time to use this type of loan?

These loans can be extremely useful if you don’t have the equity to finance a real estate investment opportunity. They can also be a good alternative to traditional property loans, as acquiring finance through traditional routes takes time and there are a lot of different hurdles along the way. And, as any experienced real estate investor knows, speed is everything.

They also fall into a number of different categories, which are used for different purposes, such as:

-Fix and flip loans

-Bridge loans

-Rental Loans

-Construction Loans

-Cash Out Refinance Loans

Are private money loans a good idea?

Private money loans provide quick access to financing for real estate investment deals, in a market where speed is everything. However, they may come with slightly higher costs. Therefore, before you look into these loans, it’s worth assessing the pros and cons:

Pros

• Good option for new real estate investors – Private money loans are a great option for those who want to be a part of real estate investment world and need a loan for this purpose.
• Asset-based lending – the lender places the most weight on the property when determining if and how much to lend. The borrower’s ability to repay the loan does play a role, but the emphasis is placed on the asset, not the borrower.
• Easy to leverage – It is never smart to leverage all your cash on one property. With a private money lender, you can leverage your cash to buy 2-5 properties and have multiple sources of income. 
• The speed – Private money loans are fast. This limits the possibility of losing investment opportunities and gives you a head start on your possible fix and flip project.
• No prepayment penalty – Another advantage of private money loans is the lack of prepayment penalty. You’re able to payback the loan as quickly as you would like without getting penalized.
• Payment may be interest-only – Private money lenders often allow you to make interest-only payments throughout the repayment period, which can be very useful if you only plan to have the loan for a short period.
• Limited credit and income standards – If you have a poor credit rating then getting finance through traditional means can be tricky. However, these loans are asset-based, which makes it easier to get financing that may have been previously denied to you.

Cons

• May require a large down payment – This largely depends on your experience and the profitability of the investment you are buying. However, in some cases, you may need a slightly bigger down payment. That being said, if you’re using the property as a fix and flip investment, you should be able to pay that back easily on the profit you make.
• For investment properties only – Private money lenders only make loans on investment properties, so they are not suitable for owner-occupied purchases.
• Extension fees – Private money lenders can grant loan extensions but borrowers will have to face extension fees. Therefore, it’s best to stick to your repayment windows.

Where can I get a private money loan?

The first thing to remember is banks and credit unions do not offer these types of loans. If you want a private money loan, you need to find private investors or a fund of investors, known as a private money lender.

If you’re looking for a private money loan on the East Coast, contact We Lend and speak to a member of our experienced and highly-qualified team.

WE LEND OFFERS A RANGE OF PROGRAMS TO SUIT EVERY TYPE OF RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE INVESTOR.

Private money loans: final thoughts

Private money represents a great opportunity for real estate investors. If you need to act fast on your investment or have financial complications holding you back from accessing conventional types of financing, then having an experienced asset-based lender in your Rolodex can be a strategic advantage.

To ensure you make private money work for you, you need a clear exit strategy and the right property. However, other than that, use them as the first stepping stone or another building block in your investment portfolio.