Monthly Archives: September 2012

Hard Money Lending Success – It’s All About Relationships

For those who are new to real estate investing, it often seems as though there’s an “inner circle” of deal makers-the people who know where the deals are, how to get the money to buy them, and always get there first. It’s no accident that the same real estate investors work with the same hard money lenders and private lenders again and again. They’ve built a successful relationship based on helping each other to make money-and anyone can do this!
Seasoned pros who have built incredible wealth through investing in real estate know that their relationships with hard money lenders is key to finding the good deals before everyone else, and having a ready source of private money to borrow to purchase those properties.
Here’s how even the biggest novice at real estate investing can forge relationships that lead to more and more successful real estate transactions:
Have lunch with your hard money lender. Once you have found a good, seasoned hard money lender, invite him or her to lunch once every few weeks. And you can do this with a few lenders. Get to know them personally, as well as their restaurant preferences, and always pick up the tab. Over lunch, you can discuss what deals they’re working on, what you’re looking for-and you might even pick up a deal!
Of course, it might take several months of these lunches to produce any deals. But you’ll get to know more about their business (their lending criteria and what kind of deals they work on most often) and they’ll get to know your business structure too (for example, whether you invest as an entity or an individual, and whether you prefer to “flip” investment properties for a quick profit or “rehab” them before selling).
Share the wealth with your hard money lender. Once you know your hard money lender(s) well, you can refer real estate investment deals to them that fit their criteria. They’ll appreciate it, and most likely, they’ll remember that they “owe you one.”
Make the hard money lender’s job a little easier. You can do this by submitting a professional, organized loan package with compelling information about why the investment is a good idea and what your plans are-and why the lender should make a loan to you with confidence. Anticipate questions that the hard money lender or private lenders might ask, and answer them in the loan package.
Get to know the private lender too. Private lenders can be real estate professionals or savvy businesspeople, but very often, they are simply retirees with money to invest. They lend out their money and it comes back to them effortlessly in the form of mortgage payments-with much higher interest than a CD or money market account would pay.
But just because private lenders don’t have to be actively involved to collect their checks doesn’t mean that they aren’t curious about the deals they are funding. If you send your loan payments directly to the private lender, remember to always send them in early, enclose information on how the project is going (such as before and after photos), perhaps let them know how much profit you made, and thank the private lender for being a “partner” in your project’s success. That makes the deal more rewarding to them-and those private lenders will be more likely to help you with future real estate financing needs.
Work with the same real estate investing team of hard money lenders and private lenders for continued success. Once you have a successful investment deal or two under your belt, don’t forget who helped you get there! If it’s possible, work with the same hard money lenders and private lenders on other deals-doing so shows that you are a person of integrity and someone they can trust.
Real estate financing through hard money lending is not about your credit score, your income or even whether or not you’re gainfully employed. Hard money loans are based on asset value-the quick-sale price of the property you’re buying. And that means that anyone can be a successful real estate investor…as long as you have the right relationships.

Real Estate Investment Financing

So you’ve made the calls, you braved the elements and headed out to look at properties in search of the deal and now you’ve found it. The next step is to determine which method of real estate investment financing you will use.

It depends a few things like whether you want to hold onto the property or resell it quickly or how much cash you are putting into the deal and how much you are borrowing. It depends on what your credit looks like.
Will you want monthly interest payments or do would you prefer to pay on the back-end. Should you use your cash or someone else’s cash?
Much of this will depend on your strategy and personal resources.
Real estate investment financing can take many forms. I’ll break it down simply into three categories.
Bank Financing
If you have the credit and the necessary down payment, you can get a loan from a bank or mortgage broker. When going this route it is important to make sure you factor in monthly costs such as taxes and insurance and make sure your budget will cover the monthly note.
Six months of mortgages with no income can strip all your profit out and leave you working for nothing.
If you’re buying rehab-grade property the bank might get picky, since the property will be their collateral after all. They might not like the idea of financing a property that isn’t reasonably habitable.
Another thing to keep in mind with banks is that you will pay a higher interest rate on non-owner occupied loans
Cash
Cold, hard cash is King when buying properties below market value. The ability to act quickly and not wait for bank approvals is key to acquiring distressed property or other-wise untouchable property.
If you don’t have your own cash for the deal, you can use a hard money lender.
Hard money lenders will be local investors most likely but there are some mid-size companies in the hard money business. Most will charge close to double the interest rate a bank will, plus extra points for funding the deal.
Many hard money lenders are long-time real estate investors that have branched out and will understand the process better than most bankers. They will care less about your credit than they will if you have a good deal or not.
Hard money lenders will only do business with you if you’re buying the property at or below 65-70% of the After Repair Value.
Another route is to find your own private investors to put up the cash and split the profits on the back end. Give the investor a 1st position on the property as collateral.
In this way, both private investors and hard money lenders can potentially make more money if you default by foreclosing and completing the project themselves.
Creative Financing
Many real estate investors specialize in buying homes with little or no money down.
They achieve it through a variety of ways that fall under the umbrella of “Creative Deals”. They’re usually situations in which the owners are in distress due to foreclosure, bankruptcy, divorce, or any other situation that creates urgency to sell quickly.
Methods include the Lease-Option, in which you lease the property with the option to buy later. You can assume the existing mortgage. In some situations the owner of the property can simply quitclaim the deed to you in exchange for taking over payments.
With creative deals make sure you have a good real estate attorney on your side making sure your doing everything legally and that all parties are well informed of their rights.
Any of these methods can allow you to finance or gain control of the property so you can then apply your strategy for wealth, whether it be renting it out or reselling.

California Hard Money Lender – The Ideal Solution and Great Source of Fund for your Real Estate Success

Are you into real estate investing but just having the problem maintaining your funds for its success? Are you having the difficulty in getting the loans that you need just when you’re in time of distress? What will you do if you are unsuccessful in getting funds through a conventional source for your real estate investment? An ideal solution is hard money loan.


Hard money loan is a short-term loan that you can use during situations such as acquisitions, turnarounds, foreclosures, and bankruptcies. Hard money loan is an asset-based loan for a short period. It is a very easy loan to obtain as you don’t need to qualify for the loan; it’s your asset that has to qualify. There are several hard money lenders in California who can help you out.


Today, hard money lenders have emerged as a quick access to the money required from private investors. Hard money lender firms provide funding solutions for homeowners, entrepreneurs, and real estate investors. The best thing about these firms is that they provide customized solutions as per your needs and circumstances and that too in a very fast and effective manner. Thus, these firms help you do away with the strict corporate banking policies, which very often lead to missed opportunities. In addition, since it is a private loan, the terms and agreements can be easily negotiated.


People having a bad credit history, no credit, unverifiable income, and those who have faced home foreclosure can seek the help from California hard money lenders. Although they charge a higher rate of interest than traditional mortgage home lenders, they are very prompt and efficient in providing loans in a very hassle-free way.


If you are planning your business in real estate investment in California and you are tired of hearing NO from banks, then don’t waste any more of your time. Go to a California hard money lender but make sure that you have a good plan for paying back the funds. California hard money lenders will give your business a competitive edge by providing quick funding options and hard money very quickly.


As there are several California hard money lenders, it is not very difficult to seek them out. You can look for them in directories. However, you must be careful in choosing the right California hard money lender to ensure your success. Some lenders may charge very high rate of interest and may not be willing to negotiate the terms and agreements. Remember that all hard money lenders are concerned about getting their loan paid back. So, the feasibility of the deal really matters to them. Hard money lenders take risk only because they expect good return.


GLOSSARY

Category : Hard Money Loans

[tabs tab1=”A” tab2=”B” tab3=”C” tab4=”D” tab5=”E” tab6=”F” tab7=”G” tab8=”H” tab9=”I” tab10=”J” tab11=”K” tab12=”L” tab13=”M” tab14=”N” tab15=”O” tab16=”P” tab17=”Q” tab18=”R” tab19=”S” tab20=”T” tab21=”U” tab22=”V” tab23=”W” tab24=”X” tab25=”Y” tab26=”Z”] [tab1]Absorption Rate
The rate (speed) at which vacant space is either leased or sold to users in the marketplace. This rate is usually expressed in square feet per year, or in the case of multi-family housing, in the number of units per year.

Acquisition and Development Loan [A&D Loan]
A loan for the purchase and preparation of raw land for development. Usually a construction loan or land sale is the source of repayment.

Adjustable Rate Mortgage [ARM]
A type of real estate loan in which either the interest rate charged or the length of the loan, or both, can change. This type of loan forces the Borrower to absorb the uncertainty of changes in interest rates during the life of the loan. ARM loans are normally tied to some index such as government securities. Also called variable rate mortgages.

Amortization
The repayment of a mortgage debt over a period of time in a series of periodic installments. It should be noted that a portion of each payment consists of a blend of interest and amortization of principal. Specifically, this is the payback of the principal portion of the loan owed to the lender. The effect of amortization is to build up the paper value of the owner’s equity while reducing the debt obligation.

Anchor Tenant
A well-known commercial retail business such as a national chain store or regional department store (AAA Tenant) strategically placed in a shopping center so as to generate the most customers for all of the stores located in the shopping center.

Anchored Centers
A shopping center with an anchor tenant.

Annual Loan Constant
The ratio of the annual debt payment on a loan to the original amount borrowed. The loan constant is also referred to as a mortgage constant.

Appraisal
A demonstrative narrative report of a specific market’s economic condition and an assessment of property value performed by a member of the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers. The property’s value is derived using three (3) separate methods of valuation including replacement cost approach, sales comparison approach and income approach.

Arbitrage
The simultaneous buying and selling of any securities, including mortgages, mortgage backed securities or futures contracts in different market places, for the purpose of realizing a profit from different prices.

Attornment
A tenant’s formal agreement to be a tenant of a new landlord.

Average Daily Rate [ADR]
The average rate charged by a hotel for one (1) room for one (1) day; arrived at by dividing the total room revenue by the actual rooms occupied.

Average Life
It is a way to look at the term of a loan or bond that accounts for principal paydowns. If a loan is interest only with a full balloon at the end, the average life will equal the maturity. If there is amortization, principal is being paid over the life of the loan, decreasing the balloon payment and the average life. This number is then used to find the treasury that has the closest remaining term, but is not shorter.[/tab1] [tab2] Basis Points
One-100th of 1 percent. Used primarily to describe changes in yield or price on debt instruments including mortgages and mortgage-backed securities.

Bridge Loan
A loan which enables a buyer to purchase a property, then allow for time to rehab and/or increase NOI prior to placement of permanent financing or enables buyer to get financing to make a down payment and pay closing costs before selling the present property. Also called gap financing.[/tab2] [tab3] Capital Reserves Expenditure [Cap-X]
A major improvement that will have a life of more than one year. Capital expenditures are generally depreciated over their useful life, as distinguished from operational repairs, which are subtracted from income during the year in which they were expended.

Capitalization
The conversion of a future net income stream into present value by using a specified desired rate of earnings as a discount rate. This capitalization rate is divided into the expected periodic income to derive a capital value for the expected income.

Capitalization Rate
The rate of return on net operating income considered acceptable for an investor. A rate of return used to derive the capital value of an income stream. The formula is value = annual income divided by the capitalization rate. Also known as cap rate.

Carve-outs
Specific items that a Lender will require the Borrower to personally guarantee for the life of the loan. Typically include (but are not limited to) environmental, fraud, misappropriation of funds, and theft.

Closing Costs
Various fees and expenses payable by the seller and buyer at the time of a real estate closing, (also termed transaction costs). Includes brokerage commissions, lender fees, title insurance, recording fees, prepayment penalty, inspection and appraisal fees, and attorney fees.

Combined Loan-To-Cost
The amount of the loan (first-position and mezzanine combined)compared to the total cost of the purchase/project.

Commercial Bank
A financial institution authorized to provide a variety of financial services, including consumer and business loans (generally short-term with full recourse to the Borrower). Commercial banks may be members of the Federal Reserve System.

Commitment Fee
A charge required by a lender to lock in specific terms on a loan at the time of Commitment.

Commitment Letter
An official notification from a Lender to a Borrower indicating that the Borrower’s loan application has been approved. It will state in detail the terms and conditions of the prospective loan.

Common Area Maintenance
Operational expenses related to the maintenance of retail and office properties. Under a Triple-Net lease the Tenant is required to reimburse the Landlord for their proportionate amount (based on square footage) of this expense.

Conduit
An entity, which issues mortgage-backed securities, which were originated by other lenders.

Constant
Percentage of the original loan paid in equal annual payments that provides principal reduction and interest payments over the life of the loan.

Construction Loan
A short-term, interim loan for financing the cost of construction. The lender advances funds to the builder at periodic intervals as work progresses. Typically, a recourse loan to the borrower.

Consumer Price Index
The most widely known measures of price levels and inflation that are reported to the U. S. government. It measures and compares, on a monthly basis, the total cost of a statistically determined “”typical market basket”” of goods and services consumed by U. S. households.

Correspondent
A specialized type of mortgage banker whose function is limited to the origination of mortgage loans which are sold to other mortgage bankers or investment bankers under a specific commitment.

Cost Approach
A method of appraising property based on the depreciated reproduction or replacement cost (new) of improvements, plus the market value of the site.

Credit Rating
An evaluation of a person’s capacity (or history) of debt repayment. Generally available for individuals from a local retail credit association; for publicly held companies by such firms as Dunn & Bradstreet; and for bonds by such firms as Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s, and Fitch’s.

Cross-Collateralization
Net income shortfalls on one property are offset by excess cash flow from other properties in a pool of crossed loans. Significantly enhances a transaction from the viewpoint of investors and rating agencies.

Current Yield
A measurement of investment returns based on the percentage relationship of annual cash income to the investment cost.[/tab3] [tab4] Debenture Bond

A long-term bond or note issued by governments and/or corporations and not secured by a mortgage or lien on any specific property. Since there is no specific property securing the debenture, the ability to repay the debt is based solely on the financial strength of the issuer.

Debt Service Coverage Ratio [DSCR]
The relationship between the annual net operating income (NOI) of a property and the annual debt service of the mortgage loan on the property. Both Lenders and Investors calculate this ratio to assist them in determining the likelihood of the property generating enough income to pay the mortgage payments. From the lender’s viewpoint, the higher the ratio, the better.

Debt Service
The periodic payment (monthly, quarterly, or annually) necessary to pay the interest and principal on a loan, which is being amortized over a longer term (usually 25-30 years).

Deed of Trust
The deed to real property, which serves the same purpose as a mortgage but instead of two parties, three parties are involved. The third party holds title for the benefit of the Lender. The Lender is called the “”Beneficiary””. The Borrower is called the “”Trustor””. When a loan is made, the Borrower conveys title to a third party called the Trustee who holds the title for the benefit of the Lender (although the instrument itself may remain in the Lender’s possession).

Defeasance
In defeasance, the lender replaces the cash flows of the original loan with actual Treasury Securities. The borrower pays the lender enough money to buy these securities and the lender goes out in the bond market and buys the right combination of bonds. After this is done, and the lender has a security interest in the treasuries, the property is released as collateral for the loan and the treasuries become the new loan collateral.

Discount Rate
The rate of interest charged to banks that buy money from the Federal Reserve System. An increase in the rate not only discourages the banks from borrowing, but it also serves as a signal that interest rates are probably going to increase. Also, a compound interest rate used to convert expected future income into a present value income.[/tab4] [tab5]Effective Gross Income [EGI]

Term used for an income-producing property, derived from the potential gross income, less a vacancy factor and a collection loss amount.

Equity Participation
The right of a Lender to a share in the gross profits, net profits or net proceeds in the event of a sale or refinance of a property on which the Lender has made a loan. Also known as an equity kicker.

Estoppel Certificate
A document by which a tenant certifies to a Lender that all rental amounts due and owing are current, and that the Landlord is in compliance with all terms and conditions of the Lease. Also, a document by which the mortgagor (borrower) certifies that the mortgage debt is a lien for the amount stated. The debtor is thereafter prevented from claiming that the balance due differs from the amount stated.

Expense Ratio
A comparison of the operating expenses to potential gross income. This ratio can be compared over time and with that of other properties to determine the relative operating efficiency of the property considered.

[/tab5] [tab6] Fair Market Value [FMV]
An economic concept designating the price at which a willing seller and willing buyer will agree when both parties are acting prudently, knowledgeably, and under no compulsion to sell or buy.

First Mortgage
A lien on property in which the lenders claims are superior to the rights of subsequent lenders. Certain lenders only make first mortgages due to regulatory requirements; others limit mortgages to these senior instruments due to company policy.

Fixed Expenses
Expenditures such as property taxes, license fees, and property insurance that are not directly affected, by the occupancy of the property. Fixed expenses along with operating expenses are subtracted from effective gross income to determine the net operating income of property.

Forward Commitment
An agreement between a permanent lender and an interim (typically construction) lender wherein the permanent lender issues a conditional commitment that will replace the construction loan once a given set of terms and conditions have been achieved.

Fully Amortized Mortgage Loan
A loan that is fully repaid at maturity by periodic (monthly) reductions of the principal. The first part of each monthly payment covers interest on the outstanding debt as of the payment due date and the remainder of the payment goes to reduce the outstanding debt.

[/tab6] [tab7] Gross Lease
A lease of a commercial property whereby the landlord (lessor) is responsible for paying all property expenses, such as taxes, insurance, utilities, and repairs.

[/tab7] [tab8] Hedging
The purchase or sale of mortgage future contracts by a mortgage banker or lender for the purpose of protecting cash transactions made at a future date.

[/tab8] [tab9]Income Approach
A method of appraising property based on the properties anticipated future income. Once the net income is established, it is then divided by the estimated capitalization rate to arrive at a fair market value.

Interim Financing
A loan, including a construction loan, used when the property owner is unable or unwilling to arrange permanent financing. Generally arranged for less than 3 years, used to gain time for operations and or market conditions to improve.

Index
A published interest rate, such as prime rate, LIBOR, T-Bill rate or the 11th District COF. Lenders use indexes to establish interest rates charged on mortgages or to compare investment returns.

Ingress and Egress
Applied to easements, meaning the right to go in and out over a piece of property but not the right
to park on it.

Internal Rate of Return [IRR]
The true annual rate of earnings on an investment. Equates the value of cash invested with cash returns. Considers the application of compound interest factors. Requires a trial-and-error method for solution.


[/tab9][tab10] Joint Venture [JV]
An agreement by two or more individuals or entities to engage in a single project or undertaking. Joint ventures are used in real estate development as a means of raising capital and spreading risk. For all practical purposes a joint venture is similar to a general partnership. However, once the purpose of the joint venture has been accomplished, the entity ceases to exist.

[/tab10][tab11] There are no entries for “K”
[/tab11] [tab12] Land Acquisition Loan
A loan made for the purpose of purchasing land only, not improvements on or to the land. Also called an acquisition loan.

Lease Abstract
A detailed recap of office and retail leases including tenant name, suite #, square footage, current rental rate including increases, lease start date, term, CAM requirements, extension options and rates.

Leasing Commission (Reserve) Escrow
The annual cost related to the leasing and releasing of commercial office and retail space. The amount deducted from the Net Operating Income prior to determining the net cash flow available for debt service coverage.

Lessee
An individual or entity to whom property is rented under a lease. A tenant.

Lessor
An individual or other entitywho rents property to another under a lease. A landlord.

Letter of Credit
An arrangement, with specified conditions, whereby a bank agrees to substitute its credit for a customer’s.

Leveraged Buy-out
The acquisition of a company, financed primarily with borrowed money, using the acquired company’s assets to collateralize the loan.

London Interbank Offered Rate [LIBOR]
The rate that international banks dealing in Eurodollars charge each other for large loans. Some domestic banks and other lenders use this rate as an index for adjustable rate mortgages. The LIBOR rate quoted in the Wall Street Journal is an average of rate quotes from five major banks. Bank of America, Barclays, Bank of Tokyo, Deutsche Bank and Swiss Bank.

Limited Partnership
Arrangement in which there is at least one partner whose liability extends beyond monetary investment and at least one partner who is passive and limits liability to the amount invested.

Loan Application Fee
A charge required by a lender or loan originator to be paid by the borrower to cover the credit report, property appraisal and other incidental expenses associated with underwriting the loan. The fee is generally not refundable.

Loan-To-Cost Ratio [LTC]
The amount of money borrowed compared to the cost (acquisition, construction, renovation, etc.) of the project at hand.

Loan-To-Value Ratio [LTV]
The amount of money borrowed compared to the value (appraised or sale price) of the real property purchased.

Lock-Box
Rental income is delivered to a trustee (or servicer), who then pays expenses and makes the loan payment, before excess cash is released to the borrower. The lock-box removes borrower discretion and control over funds.

Locked-in Interest Rate
The rate promised by a lender at the time of loan application or commitment. On income property loans, a lock-in generally requires a commitment fee or rate lock fee from the loan applicant.

[/tab12] [tab13] Management Fee
The amount charged by an independent company for the day-to-day management of a property. Typically based upon a percentage of the property’s income.

Market Approach
A method of appraising property by analyzing sales prices of similar properties (comparables) recently sold.

Market and Feasibility Study
A detailed analysis of activities in a market with regard to such influences as location, demand and competition, which may or may not affect the value of property. Includes an analysis of a real estate project to determine the most profitable use and the likelihood of the proposed use being a financial success. The study is often used by the promoter or developer to encourage would-be investors to participate in the venture and to assist lenders in making their decision whether or not to loan the necessary funds.

Market Rent
The rental income that a property is likely to command in the under current market conditions. Market rent, also referred to as economic rent, may be either higher or lower than what the property is actually renting for under the terms of a lease.

Member, Appraisal Institute [MAI]
An accredited third party appraiser and member of the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers.

Mezzanine Loan
A second mortgage. It usually bears interest at a higher rate than secured loans and sometimes carries the option to give the lender a stake in the equity.

Mixed-Use Commercial Project
A real estate development that contains two or more different uses all intended to be harmonious and complementary. An example would include a high-rise building with retail shops on the first two floors, office space on floors three through ten, apartments on the next ten floors, and a restaurant on the top floor.

Mortgage-Backed Securities
Securities purchased by investors that are secured by mortgages. Such securities are also known as pass-through securities since the debt service paid by the borrower is passed through to the purchaser of the security.

Mortgage Banker
A financial middleman who, in addition to bringing borrower and lender together, makes loans, packages them, and sells the packages to both primary and secondary investors. Usually the mortgage banker continues to service the loan (collect debt service, pay property taxes, handle delinquent accounts, etc. ) even after the loan has been packaged and sold. For this management service a small percentage of the balance paid to the investor goes to the mortgage banker. Quite often the loan origination fee or finder’s fee charged the borrower is more than offset by a lower interest rate from a lender not directly accessible to the borrower. As with mortgage brokers, mortgage bankers are regulated by state laws.

Mortgage Broker
A person who brings together borrower and a lender and in return is paid a finder’s fee. This finder’s fee is usually equal to one percent or so of the amount borrowed and is normally paid by the borrower. Certain sources of funds, particularly insurance companies, do not always deal directly with the person looking for capital; rather, they work through a mortgage broker. Normally, the mortgage broker is not involved in servicing the loan once it is made and the transaction is closed.

Mortgage Constant
The relationship between annual mortgage loan requirements and the initial mortgage loan principal, expressed as a decimal or percentage, for level-payment mortgage loans. Used for converting debt service into mortgage loan value.

Mortgage Correspondent
A person authorized to represent a financial institution in a particular geographic area for the purpose of placing loans.

Mortgage Securities Pool
A method by which securities backed by the value of specific real estate mortgages are issued in the financial market for investment purposes. Such securities, because they are mortgage-backed, are more marketable and are generally issued with a lower rate of interest than if no such backing existed.

[/tab13] [tab14] Net Leasable Area
In a building, the floor space that may be rented to tenants or the area upon which rental payments are based. Generally excludes common areas and space devoted to the heating, cooling, and other equipment of a building.

Net Lease
A lease whereby, in addition to the rent, it is stipulated that the lessee (tenant) pays such expenses as taxes, insurance, and maintenance. The landlord’s rent receipt is thereby “”net”” of those expenses.

Net Operating Income [NOI]
Income from property after all operating expenses and reserves have been deducted, except for income taxes and financing expenses (interest and principal payments).

Nonconforming Use
A use that violates zoning regulations or codes but is allowed to continue because it began before the zoning restriction was enacted.

Non-recourse Loan
A loan with no personal liability of the Borrower. Upon default, a Lender may take the property pledged as collateral to satisfy a debt, but have no recourse to other assets of the borrower.

[/tab14] [tab15] There are no entries for “O”
[/tab15] [tab16] Permanent Financing
A mortgage loan, usually covering development costs, interim loans, construction loans, financing expenses and marketing, administration, legal and other costs. This loan differs from the construction loan in that financing goes into place after the project is constructed and open for occupancy. It is a long-term obligation, generally for a period of 10 years or more.

Phase I Environmental Report
A comprehensive report required by most Lenders and produced by an independent company that details the current environmental condition of a property. Typically requires a historical review of the property’s previous uses and may require an operations and maintenance (O&M) plan for the future removal of asbestos and other harmful items.

Physical Condition Report
A comprehensive report required by most Lenders and produced by an independent company that details the current physical condition of a property. Typically includes specific items that require immediate repair as well as those items that should be replaced over the life of the loan. Basis used to establish the annual Replacement Reserve Escrow for the property.

Potential Gross Income
The amount of income that could potentially be produced by a real estate property assuming there are no vacancies or collection losses. Does not include miscellaneous or other income.

Prime Rate
The lowest commercial interest rate charged by banks on short-term loans to their most credit-worthy customers. The prime rate is not the same as the long-term mortgage rate, though it may influence long-term rates. Mortgage rates are generally higher than the prime rate, but exceptions occur at times.

Pro-forma
A financial or accounting statement using estimates and assumptions to project income and the performance of real property over a period of time.

Principal & Interest Payments [P&I]
A periodic payment, usually paid monthly, that includes the interest charges for the period plus an amount applied to amortization of the principal balance. Commonly used with amortizing loans.

[/tab16] [tab17] [/tab17] [tab18] Real Estate
Land and everything more or less attached to it. Ownership below to the center of the earth and above to the heavens.

Real Estate Investment Trust [REIT]
A real estate mutual fund, established by income tax laws to avoid the corporate income tax. It sells shares of ownership and must invest in real estate or mortgages. It must meet certain other requirements, including minimum number of shareholders, widely dispersed ownership, and certain asset and income tests.

Real Estate Market
The potential buyers and sellers of real property at the current time. It includes markets for various property types, such as office market, housing market, land market and condominium market.

Recourse
The ability of a lender to recover money from a borrower in default, in addition to the property pledged as collateral.

Rehabilitation Tax Credit
The Tax Reform Act of 1986 provides a 20% tax credit for rehabilitating certified historic structures, and a 10% credit for other buildings that were placed in service after 1936.

Replacement Reserve
Various account(s) maintained (typically by the Lender) to provide funds for anticipated expenditures required to maintain a building. A reserve account usually is required by a lender in the form of an escrow to pay upcoming taxes and insurance costs. A replacement reserve may be maintained to provide for replacement cost of short-lived components, such as carpets, heating equipment or roofing. Also, a tenant improvement and leasing commission account may be required for future changes in tenancy.

Revenue per Room [REVPAR]
REVPAR is calculated in underwriting (usually hotels) where the gross income is divided by the total number of rooms available (both occupied and unoccupied).

[/tab18] [tab19] Sale Leaseback
When a building is sold to a third party and then leased back from that entity. It enables the seller to convert real estate assets into cash while maintaining expense base.

Sales Comparison Approach
A method of estimating the value of real property by comparing recent sales of comparable properties to the subject property after making appropriate adjustments for any differences. The comparable properties chosen should be substantially similar to the subject property and should be arms-length transactions.

Secondary Mortgage Market
The means by which existing first mortgages are bought and sold. The secondary mortgage market provides a lender with an opportunity to sell a loan before its maturity date, thereby providing greater availability of funds for additional mortgage lending.

Self-Amortizing Loan
A mortgage loan that requires level annual payments sufficient to meet the interest requirements and fully repay the entire principal over its term.

Servicing Fee
The periodic (monthly or annual) payment made by the purchaser of a mortgage (Lender) to the mortgage banker (correspondent) who originally made the loan for servicing the loan. The fee, which varies from one-eight to one-half percent of the outstanding loan balance, covers the administrative costs of servicing such as collection and payment of property taxes and property insurance premiums. Servicing rights may be bought and sold along with the loan.

Spread
The difference between the rate at which money can be borrowed and the rate at which it is loaned. Typically the rate (percentage amount) that is added to the Treasury Bill by a Lender when quoting a rate to a borrower.

Stabilized
Term associated with the operation of a property wherein the income and expenses have achieved and maintained a consistent level of performance. The minimum is usually established when the property has performed at a specific minimum for ninety (90) days.

Subordinated Ground Lease
A land (ground) lease in which the rent payment due from the lessee (borrower) to the lessor (land owner) is subordinated to the debt service owed by the lessee (borrower) to the mortgagee (lender). Normally, a ground lease contains a subordination clause because without it, construction of improvements may be more difficult. A mortgage lender will consider the full value of the property only with a subordinated ground lease.

Survey
The process by which the precise physical boundaries of a parcel of land are measured. Legal descriptions appear in title reports, sales contracts, deeds, mortgages, notes, and other instruments involving rights and interests in real estate. When land is conveyed from one party to another, the survey provides a visual representation of the legal description.

[/tab19][tab20] Take-out Commitment
A written agreement from a Lender to provide permanent financing following construction of a planned project. The takeout commitment usually contains specific conditions for occupancy and income, such as a certificate of occupancy and/or a certain percentage of unit sales or leases in place and paying rent. Most construction lenders require takeout financing prior to beginning construction.

Tax and Insurance (Reserve) Escrow
An account required by a mortgage lender and established at the time of closing to fund annual property tax assessments and hazard insurance premiums for the mortgaged property. Funded through monthly contributions and maintained by the Lender.

Tenant Improvement (Reserve) Escrow
An account required by a mortgage lender and established at the time of closing for the purpose of reserving funds estimated to be necessary to improve retail and office space. Funded through monthly contributions and maintained by the Lender.

Third Party Reports
Reports required by a mortgage lender prior to funding a loan that include MAI Appraisal, Phase I Environmental and Physical Condition reports.

Title Insurance
An insurance policy that protects the holder from loss sustained by defects in the title.

Triple-Net Lease
A commercial lease in which the tenant is required to pay all operating expenses of the property and the landlord receives a net rent amount each month.

Trust Deed
A conveyance of real estate to a third party to be held for the benefit of another. Commonly used in some states in place of mortgages that conditionally convey title to the lender.

[/tab20][tab21] Underwriter
An employee of a mortgage banking company or lending institution, who reviews a loan application, verifies all information is accurate and makes a recommendation to a loan committee as to the desirability and risk of making the loan. The underwriting process is a critical part of the overall lending process.

Underwriting Criteria
In mortgage banking, the analysis of the risk involved in making a mortgage loan to determine whether the risk is acceptable to the lender. Underwriting involves the evaluation of the property as outlined in the appraisal report and of the borrower’s ability and willingness to repay the loan.

U. S. Treasuries
Only treasuries with an original term of 30 years are Bonds. All treasuries with original terms of 2-10 years are Notes. Anything shorter than two years is a Bill.

[/tab21] [tab22] Vacancy Rate
The percentage of all units or space that is unoccupied, not rented or from which there is no rental income. On a pro-forma income statement a projected vacancy rate is used to estimate the vacancy allowance (both physical and economic), which is deducted from potential gross income to derive effective gross income.

[/tab22] [tab23] Warehousing
Theprocess by which a mortgage banker assembles mortgages that they have made and prepares the mortgages to be sold in the secondary mortgage market. By selling these mortgages the originator now has additional capital that can be used to make more mortgages, which in turn may also be sold in the secondary mortgage market.

Wraparound Mortgage
A method of acquiring additional financing on real estate by placing the additional funds in a secondary or junior position to the existing debt. As its name implies, a wraparound mortgage ‘wraps around’ an existing first mortgage plus the amount of the new secondary or junior lien. This method of obtaining additional capital is often used with commercial property where there is substantial equity in the property and where the existing first mortgage has an attractive low interest rate. By obtaining a wraparound, the borrower receives dollars based on the difference between current market value of the property and the outstanding balance on the first mortgage. Thus, the borrower reduces the equity and at the same time obtains an interest rate lower than would be possible through a normal second mortgage. The lender receives the leverage resulting from an interest rate on the wraparound greater than the interest paid to the holder of the first mortgage. [/tab23] [tab24] There are no entries for “X” [/tab24] [tab25] Yield Maintenance

The prepayment premium, which will equal the present day value of any costs to the lender resulting from the difference in interest rates between the date of the note and the date on which the prepayment is made. In other words, the borrower must pay the lender enough money so that the lender can theoretically replace the loan’s future cash flows using Treasury Securities.

[/tab25] [tab26] Zoning Ordinance
The act of city or county or other authorities specifying the type of use to which property may be put in specific areas. The act of city or county or other authorities specifying the type of use to which property may be put in specific areas.

[/tab26] [/tabs]


How to Finance Your Real Estate Investments

Real estate investment is a good way for building wealth. There are many advantages of investing in real estate: portfolio diversification, stable cash inflows, and future appreciation. However, you do not want to use cash to buy houses even you have a full bank account. You may want to use other people’s money to finance your investment in order to buy as many as properties with limited money. Before you can make a real estate investment, you need to understand the most common mortgage types available in the markets:

Conforming loans: A conforming loan is a mortgage that meets the criteria set by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. To ensure the money is available for the consumers, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae purchase the loans from the lenders, issue securities that are backed by these mortgages and sell the securities to the investors. To qualify a conforming loan, the borrower must have verified income, enough cash for down payment and a good credit history. There is also a limit of a conforming loan. A conforming loan limit is the maximum amount of dollars Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae will pay for a mortgage. Conforming limit is not a fixed value, It is set by the office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO) according to the average home prices in different areas.

Nonconforming loans, Jumbo loans and Hard money loans: A nonconforming loan is a mortgage that fails to meet the criteria set by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Reasons include the loan amount is higher than the confirming loan limit, lack of verified income and poor credit history. A Jumbo loan is a loan that its amount is higher than the confirming loan limit. Hare money loans also referred to as Bridge loans, they are typically short-term loans with high interest rates. These kinds of funding enable the borrower to obtain funding in a hurry and to get larger and longer-term financing later. Bride loans are frequently used before construction funding are replaced by permanent funding.

Conventional loans: A conventional loan is a mortgage that is not guaranteed or insured by any government agency, including FHA, VA and USDA. Therefore, conventional loans could be either conforming or nonconforming. Conventional loans usually have fixed-rate terms, large down payments and high interest rates. They also have penalties and clauses that federal lending do not have. The advantages of these loans are the loan fees are negotiable, and you can use collateral for a mortgage rather than the property.

Government loan programs: There are two government loan programs: Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and Veterans Administration (VA) loans. They are loans that the government used to support the industry and are usually available for first-time home buyers. The government also offers loans to borrowers to assist in rehabilitating properties. They give borrowers access to funding that banks, and private sectors do not want to provide.


Recent Comments

    Although Magna Enterprises, LLC and Magna Capital Group, Inc. are referred to throughout the text of this website as Magna Group of companies, they are not affiliates, parent or subsidiary companies as both companies are separate and distinct entities. Any questions or issues regarding this disclaimer should be addressed in writing c/o Shawn Molem.