INVESTORS AND “HARD MONEY” LOANS

LENDER’S VIEWPOINT

By Forest Tardibuono

There was a really good article in the Wall Street Journal last week about Hard Money loans. It was informational to borrowers and investors alike. It spoke of the fact that Hard Money loans will account for 1% of the 5.5 million home loans originated this year, up sharply from prior years.

The Article features a Dallas attorney who has doing Hard Money loans as a “side business”.

He believes that originating home loans in the current environment, when many economists believe housing is at or near the bottom, is less risky than putting money in the “volatile stock market or opaque bond market.”

He states further “I can’t drive by and look at those stocks and bonds.” Plus, he says, investing in residential real estate earns “passive income that doesn’t require much work from me.”

The interest rate paid on these investments can be anywhere from 9% to 14% with 12% being fairly typical. They can be a first or second mortgage ranging in size from $30,000 to $1,000,000 or larger with a term of from 6 months to 7 years or more. These loans are secured by land, 1 to 4 unit residential, 5+ unit residential (deemed commercial), office buildings, strip centers, large commercial, etc.

The main qualification for a borrower is: 1. Equity or a good down payment and 2. Ability to repay the loan. If they do not make payments, they could forfeit the property that was the security for the loan to the investor.

Check out our website for further details.

Forest Tardibuono is a CA DRE Broker with over 23 years experience in real estate and lending. His number is (707) 523-2099. See website @ sunpacmortgage.com.