Tag Archive for: #Hard Money Mike

After Repair Value (ARV) Explained – Real Estate Investing

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After Repair Value (ARV) Explained – Real Estate Investing

What is ARV? 

ARV stands for the After Repair Value, meaning, what the property is worth after it is repaired.To put it another way, ARV is the value that a property could sell or appraise for. 

How is the ARV determined?

ARV is determined by three main factors and subcategories. 

First

Determine what you will do to improve the property. This would include any upgrades or additions to the property, and the quality of the repairs. 

Second

Research what the comps are for your property. Comps are properties that are just like yours, but finished. It is imperative that comps are the same area (within half a mile), approximately same size, and have a relevant sales date that is within the last 3 to 6 months. 

Third

Are there any concessions? Concessions are when the seller helps the buyer purchase the property. You might contribute 3% to 5%, and this in turn does impact your bottom line.

Why is ARV so important?

ARV is very important because lenders use a percentage of the ARV to determine your loan amount. For example, if your property has an ARV of $200K, and the lender offers 75% of the ARV, then they will lend you $150K. 

How do lenders determine ARV?

Lenders determine the ARV by running comps. Just like you, lenders will compare square footage, the sale date, and the sales price to properties in the area. 

Be honest and realistic!

It is imperative that you are honest and realistic with your numbers. The more truthful you are, the better it is. An honest ARV leads to more deals, more loan approvals, better terms, and More Money!

 

For more information about ARV’s, watch our most recent clip. 

Contact us to find out more about the Art of Comping and much more! 

Hard Money Vs Banks: Which Lending Option is BEST?

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Hard Money Vs Banks: Which Lending Option is BEST?

Investors are always wondering which lending option is best for their needs and when is it better to use hard money instead of banks? Let’s start by identifying what is hard money. Hard money is asset based lending that real estate investors can use when their credit scores are not up to par with bank requirements. Unlike banks, hard money lenders aren’t looking at the credit scores. Instead, they are looking at the project and the property. Today banks are getting tighter and credit score requirements are increasing. As a result there is a decrease in funding. Have no fear! It is still possible to get 100% financing with a credit score below 700. Let’s compare hard money vs banks to determine which option is best for you.

Who uses hard money?

Hard money is for everyone! From the new investor, to those who have 20 years of experience, everyone can benefit from using hard money. Hard money creates flexibility that many banks can not provide. Whether it’s a small deal in a small community, seconds, thirds, or even land, hard money can help you complete any translation that is asset based. As long as the property is good, with a good exit strategy, then you can negotiate to get hard money lending 

What can we do for you at Hard Money Mike?

Here at Hard Money Mike we are able to provide 100% financing on BRRRR and 100% financing on fix and flips, as long as the ARV is good. For clarification, ARV stands for the after repair value. A hard money lender looks at the value of the property and what it can become based on the ARV. That’s another big difference between hard money and banks. It doesn’t matter when you go to a bank, or what kind of a deal you are getting. Banks will only focus on the LTV or loan to value amount.

Let’s look at an example of hard money vs banks:

 

Property purchase $300K

ARV 600K
Hard Money As a hard money lender, I would feel comfortable lending up to 100% on the deal because it’s a great deal.
Hard money is better than banks when you are basing it on ARV
Banks  If you go to a bank, they will compare the ARV and the purchase price and determine which is lower. In this example, the banks would base their decision on the 300K purchase price. 
From that base amount of 300K, the bank will then require you to put in 20% to 25%.

When you are deciding between hard money and banks, always remember that hard money is best when you have good deals based on the ARV, and when you don’t want to put a lot of money in. This is also true for BRRRR, if you want to find that undervalued property and use a hard money lender to fund 100% of the rehab. Once again, if it’s a good deal based on the ARV in this market at 70% to 75%, and you can refinance it, then hard money has the flexibility that you need. 

Credit score requirements and limitations.

Most hard money lenders do not look at your credit score to make their decision. Instead, they might look at your score to make sure that you are paying, not in bankruptcy, and not in foreclosure. However, hard money lenders will not be concerned by high usage or low scores. These values are not a big deal for hard money lenders. Most importantly, hard money lenders will not kick you out the door because you have a 679 credit score instead of a 680. 

You don’t need to fit into a box.

While banks often have slightly lower rates and longer term options than hard money lenders, banks want you to fit into their box in order to lend. Whether that is meeting their credit score requirements, income requirements, or their coverage ratios, banks do not have the same flexibility as hard money lenders. Flexibility and uniqueness is where you go for your hard money lending. Especially if the property is based on ARV and the value is there. 

3 instances where you should use hard money over banks 

  1. If you want to base your lending off of ARV and have a good deal. 
  2. If you have a credit score that does not hit into the 700s. 
  3. If your income just started or you aren’t 2 years out. 
  4. If you just write everything off. 

What do you need to look for in a hard money lender?

It is imperative that you get a hard money lender who is flexible enough to do your deals when you have a good deal. What is a good deal? A good deal is dependent on whether or not the market is good in the area, if you have a good exit strategy, and a great LTV. Another important factor to consider is if you have a bridge or a lender set up on the other side. Hard money lenders are not looking for deals that are 100% financing with 100% LTV. 

Where do you find hard money lenders?

1. A local person or company: 

This is a local person or company who is lending true hard money. Make sure that they are well established and have a web presence before diving in. Wall Street has taken over the big loans and only accepts investors who can fit into their box. Hard money on the other hand has no box! It provides the flexibility to fit any investor no matter what the deal. 

2. Real estate groups: 

Connect with the investors in your real estate group. They all know some hard money people who they have worked with in the past. This is especially true if they’ve been in this business for more than three years. By connecting with people in the community, you will find hard money lenders who are reliable.

3. Real estate forums: 

Real estate forums are an excellent place to go and ask questions to find out who the hard money lenders are in your area. There is always a need for hard money in real estate investing. 

What do you look for and what questions should you ask?

First and foremost don’t get involved with a hard money lender who has a lot of up front fees. Some may ask for $1,000 to $5,000 down. Don’t go down that path, because they are just collecting fees, not helping investors. Instead, look for people who have experience within your real estate groups and forums. Do your own research to make sure they are funding deals and have some flexibility with their lending. Whether it is a cross lien, second, or even commercial property. It is also important to ask what they will and won’t lend on. Finally, it is important to start working with them and building that bridge. This will help you in the future if you have another deal that needs hard money lending.

Watch our most recent video to find out more about Hard Money vs Banks to discover which lending option is right for you.

We are here to help you with your hard money needs here at Hard Money Mike. Contact us today to find out more.

How Good Debt Can Make Real Estate Investors Rich

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How Good Debt Can Make Real Estate Investors Rich

How can good debt make investors rich? As real estate investors, it is important to differentiate between good debt and bad debt. You do need debt to create income, which in turn creates wealth. That is what real estate investing is all about! Learning how you can create wealth using other people’s money, also referred to as OPM.  You don’t have to be rich, have a college degree, or a PHD to succeed in this business. All you need to understand is how using other people’s money can create wealth and income. Today we will run through the numbers to give a clear picture of what to expect when purchasing a property and how you can get rich off your investment. 

Investors who Fix and Flip

If you’re a flipper and making $50K to $200K a year or more, then it’s very likely and very doable that you will create wealth. All you have to understand is what is good debt and what is bad debt. Good debt is debt that is going to create income and wealth. Real estate investing is all about using leverage, or other people’s money. It may take a little bit of your money, if any, to get started on this venture. In the end it’s all about finding really good properties, undervalued properties, and properties that people no longer want. By purchasing them correctly and using the right debt, you will in turn create income and wealth very quickly. 

Wealth and Income Example for Fix and Flip Investors

Let’s take a look at a normal purchasing situation for a fix and flip investor. This is someone who is doing 4 to 5 properties a year. Yes, you can get into 4 to 5 properties very easily if you are focused and understand your cash flow. In order to accomplish this, you need to use other people’s money for the majority of the expenses, if not all of them, depending on the deal. Keep in mind that a good deal is something that is under 70% all in.

ARV: Is the estimated value of the property after repairs have been completed.

Profit: An average of what you want to make of the sales price. Normally a range between 10% and 15%

ARV = $300,000

Profit at 12% = $36,000  

4 flips a year = $144,000

5 flips a year = $180,000

Numbers break down:

ARV = $300,000 at 75% means that you are all in at $225,000

All in total $225,000 broken down:

Purchase price = $175,000

Rehab budget = $50,000

National lenders: 

10% of purchase price = $17,500

They cover 100% of rehab = ($50,000)

After closing costs and interest you are into this for roughly $25,000 to $30,000 for each property

Now where else can you put in $20,000 to $30,000 and come up with $36,000 in a matter of months? That is money that you are bringing into your life just by using other people’s money, using debt, and doing it correctly. 

How do these numbers compare to other types of investments? 

The majority of investors are only investing in stocks and bonds. If they get 8% then they are happy with their investment. However, if they put in $30,000, then they may only get a $2,400 profit for the year. Compared to the $36,000 that you created in a matter of 4 to 5 months, their profit is just a drop in the bucket.

Wealth and Income Example for Rental Properties

Maybe you want to invest in rental properties also. There is a process out there called BRRRR, which stands for Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat. These rentals are properties that you intend on keeping in your rental portfolio long term. They can not only create wealth, but will build equity and acquire a monthly income. You can get started by finding a property from a wholesaler or real estate agent that is a good deal. It may need some work, but real estate investing is all about finding undervalued properties and turning them into profitable investments.

Numbers break down:

ARV = $200,000 at 70% means that you are all in at $140,000

All in total $140,000 Purchase price and Rehab budget (normally less for rentals)

Refinance break down:

Refinance at 75% of $200,000 ARV  = $150,000 (what you owe)

Equity created = $50,000 net worth

There are some closing costs for both loans 

It’s all about getting into the right debt on the right properties. From purchasing the property to fixing it up, all of these expenses can be paid using other people’s money, a hard money lender, or even a private lender. Now it is time to use another form of debt. This is long term debt, such as a traditional loan, DSCR, or whatever loan is going to work best for your needs. If this is done correctly, you can then refinance everything including closing costs and payments, up to 75% or even 80% depending on the products that you use. 

In conclusion

All you need to get rich is a clear understanding of how using other people’s money can create wealth and income. Nowadays, we see more credit card debt and bad debt that is greatly impacting people’s ability to get rich. As real estate investors, we need to turn to more asset based debt, in order to create the lifestyle, income, and wealth that we want.

Watch our most recent video to find out more about how good debt can make real estate investors rich.

If you have a good deal at 70% or below the ARV, you can reach out to us! We would be happy to talk to you about your investments, provide a fix and flip loan, and help you find OPM.

How to Buy: Breaking Down BRRRR

The BRRRR Method

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Ready to build up a rental portfolio and get cash flow on properties with zero money down? The BRRRR Method.

Check out this 8-step guide to BRRRR investments.

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Have you heard of BRRRR? Here’s our 8-step guide to rehab and rent undermarket properties for maximum cash flow in your real estate investment business.

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Buy

Rehab

Rent

Refinance

Repeat

 

Check out these other crucial steps to the BRRRR  of real estate investing:

 

 

Read more on the BRRRR Method on Hard Money Mike here?

Download our free BRRRR roadmap at this link. And for more resources, check out these videos from our YouTube channel.

 

Wholesale properties

3 Must-Know Answers to Finding Undermarket Properties

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A real estate investor’s intro to wholesalers.

At the end of the day, successful real estate investing hinges on one thing: finding good deals on properties.

The #1 way to get those deals is through wholesalers. But how do you find wholesalers? And what should you do next?

What Are Wholesalers?

Wholesalers are companies that research and locate below-market-value properties. They find homeowners – through mailers, texting, or other means of marketing – that are willing to sell undermarket.

Wholesalers keep some of the properties they acquire, but they sell many of them off to real estate investors. That’s where you come in.

You can, and should, make wholesalers a profitable member of your investment team. Let’s talk about:

  • How to find wholesalers
  • How to get on their “A-list”
  • How to verify their numbers

1. Where Do You Find Wholesalers?

There are some really small wholesalers that find one or two properties a month. Others are huge companies that spend hundreds of thousands of dollars per month, finding hundreds of homes every year.

Generally, the only way to find wholesalers is to ask around about who is selling properties in your area. Here are three ways to do this:

  1. Search Google. Simple: look up “I want a house in” and your city name. You’ll get lists of people wanting to buy houses. These are the same people who will be selling them to investors.
  2. Use biggerpockets.com. Your best resource is other real estate investors. Log on and ask who the wholesalers for your area are.
  3. Join local Facebook groups. You can ask other investors who the wholesalers are. Or, you can look and see what people and organizations are trying to buy cheap properties. Those will likely be wholesalers.

Other investors are a good resource for finding wholesalers, but of course, they’re also your competition. Once you find wholesalers, your next step will be to find a way onto their A-list.

2. How Do I Get to the Top of a Wholesaler’s Preferred Buyer List?

Before they send out a property to their whole group, wholesalers will send it to their best buyers first. They will want to get rid of it as quickly and efficiently as possible. If they can sell it without having to coordinate property tours and indecisive buyers, they will. 

So, how do you get on that list?

  1. Know exactly what you want. Don’t show up uncertain. Come with either cash in-hand or a hard money lender. They will want a smooth, no-drama process.
  2. Find lenders they work with. This way, the wholesaler will be confident that the deal will close, close fast, and close with no issues.
  3. Close the deal. If you get under contract with them, follow through with the deal, and do it as fast as possible. Don’t get into a contract unless you know it’s what you want. 

In general, you’ll want to cause the least amount of friction possible. After all, you probably feel the same way: the people who make things easy and enjoyable are the people you’ll want to work with over and over again.

3. How Do I Know If I’m Getting a Good Deal with a Wholesaler?

You and the wholesaler will have different motivations in the deal. They need to make money, so they may be “optimistic” with the numbers they tell you. To protect your interests, you’ll have to be proactive and realistic.

Double check their numbers. This includes:

  • The current condition of the property
  • The cost of repairs to bring it to market
  • How long it will take to get to market

It’s also important that you go in knowing your numbers. It will make verifying their numbers a lot easier, and it makes the process smoother for them (see #2 of this list). 

If you’re not sure how to plan these financials for a deal, have a friend or a contractor help you get an estimate.

The Wholesaler and Investor Relationship

A wholesaler will be a valuable member of your real estate investment team. Do everything you can to stay on their good side, but also be prepared to advocate for yourself in every potential deal.

If you need extra help with evaluating cash flow for a property, download our free loan optimizer at this link, or check out this video series on our YouTube channel.

5 Ways to Make Money in a Volatile Market

5 Ways to Make Money in a Volatile Market

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5 Ways to Make Money in a Volatile Market

Check out our latest Market Watch videos here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb…

The current market is going CRAZY with increasing interest rates, rising inflation, and supply chain issues. As a real estate investor, how can you prosper in these times? In this video, we share 5 ways to make money in a volatile market. Check it out! STAY CONNECTED ========================

 

Reach Your Cash Flow Goals

Hard Money Mike: Reach Your Cash Flow Goals

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Hard Money Mike: Reach Your Cash Flow Goals

So, why do you need Hard Money Mike?

Well, our company goes far beyond providing quick hard money loans for your value-add properties. We also strive to help you reach your cash flow goals.

We think it’s fair to say that in real estate investing, cash flow is king. Right?

Generating positive cash flow is probably the key similarity among all investors. Whether you’re interested in fix and flips, rentals, or another value-add property, it’s likely main reason you risk your money, dedicate your time, and shed your tears is to make money.

A lot of it.

And the Hard Money Mike team gets that. In fact, we make it our main focus here. Because we know that cash flow means everything. It also means different things to different people. Such as:

  • Freedom from a 9-5 job
  • More time with family
  • Extra vacations
  • A safer, happier retirement
  • A comfier lifestyle
  • Daily Starbucks
  • A new house…Or, you know, a second house that you can escape to when winter hits. Because wouldn’t you’d rather spend the winter sipping piña coladas on a sandy beach than drinking hot cocoa in an ice-covered city? Well, to each their own, right?

Anyway, there are a million reasons why you might want more money in your life, and we want to support you by helping you create specific goals. And then a plan to reach each goal as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Because no matter what kind of real estate investing you’re interested in, it all comes down to numbers. If the numbers don’t work, then the real estate deal doesn’t work. And if the deal doesn’t work, then you won’t be able to generate extra income.

Then it’s bye-bye to those piña coladas. Or, you know, whatever your reason is for investing in real estate and making money.

So, if you’re ready to talk about your goals and creating a strategy to achieve them, then go ahead and reach out to us. Our experienced team is always here and eager to assist you.

Happy investing!

The Quick Deal Analyzer

The Quick Deal Analyzer: How to Guarantee Positive Cash Flow

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The Quick Deal Analyzer: How to Guarantee Positive Cash Flow

Have you heard of the Quick Deal Analyzer?

Because it’s an excellent tool to use BEFORE you buy a real estate property. Quick Deal Analyzer

The Quick Deal Analyzer helps real estate investors decide if a property is worth their time, money, and effort.

It’s an easy-to-use tool that allows you to quickly evaluate a fix and flip, rental, or another value-add property to see where the numbers land. Because, why bother negotiating with a seller, finding a lender, closing a deal, and renovating if the numbers don’t make sense from the start?

Why bother with all of that work if you’ll end up making little to nothing?

Quick Deal Analyzer

The Quick Deal Analyzer also lists some important questions that will, again, impact your cash flow and profits.

For example, how many months will it take to complete the project? The longer a project takes, the less money you’ll see in your pocket. Because you won’t be collecting rent or selling the property. Instead, you’ll be making payments to your lender and contractor.

Just remember, the Quick Deal Analyzer only works if you answer everything as honestly and accurately as possible. If you fudge the numbers or make false assumptions about your timeline and costs, then the profits you expect won’t be there when you go to rent or sell.

If you utilize this financial tool as you search for real estate deals, then you should be able to decide if you should walk away and find a different property. Or if you should stick with it and walk away with the kind of money you were looking to make.

Are you ready to try the Quick Deal Analyzer? Great! It’s here to download at any time. We also have other real estate investment tools you can download, like our Loan Optimizer. Because our main goal is to help you succeed and start living the life you’ve always wanted.

If you need help with the analyzer, or would like to run through your numbers with our team of experts, then reach out to us. We’re always happy to help!

Happy investing.

Happy Friday! Fall Has Arrived!!

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