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Soft Money Loans Are The Future of Lending

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By Stratton Equities

A soft money loan combines the advantages of a hard money loan with the greater security that a standard loan affords. The term “soft money” is relatively new in the lending industry. While a soft money loan needs more underwriting, it also comes with reduced risks, making it a very alluring alternative for borrowers who like the idea of a hard money loan but not its specifics.

Hard Money Loans

A hard money loan is based on the Loan to Value (LTV) of the investment property and is an asset-based loan. They are bridge loans that typically do not depend on a borrower’s credit score, making them quick loans for borrowers to be approved for. They are therefore considered high-risk loans for real estate investing. Some borrowers may be hesitant to pursue this sort of loan due to the significant risk involved as well as concerns from the housing market meltdown of 2008. This kind of loan also doesn’t raise a borrower’s credit rating, which can make them less desirable to credit-worthy consumers.

Soft Money: What Is It?

The advantages of both hard money loans and more conventional loans are combined in soft money, a creative new method of private money financing. First, a definition of the phrase “soft money”: The term “soft money” in the lending world differs greatly from “soft money” in the political campaigning world. The phrase “soft money” in the context of lending suggests that this kind of loan stands halfway between a hard money loan and a standard loan.

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Soft money loans have lower interest rates and better security because they are subject to more underwriting than hard money loans. It is usually a term loan rather than a bridge loan and is based on both the borrower’s credit score and the property’s LTV. Additionally, real estate investors with credit scores of 650 or higher might benefit from this type of mortgage financing scheme. For many borrowers, especially those looking to invest in long-term rental properties, a soft money loan is a better fit than a hard money loan because of its cheaper rates, bigger LTVs, lack of tax returns, and longer time frame.

For the majority of investment property types, soft money loan rates start at 6.99% percent and can reach 80% LTV.

The Future of Lending is Soft Money

Although it may sound cliche and forced to refer to soft money as “the new hard money,” when given more thought, soft money is actually the way that private money lending will develop in the future.

While hard money loans are still the most common choice for many real estate investment scenarios, soft money loans are becoming more and more popular with first-time buyers, borrowers looking to hold an investment property for a long time, and investors with good credit who want higher LTVs and lower interest rates.

In contrast to conventional investment property loans, which have a maximum LTV of 70%, a NO-DOC Soft Money Loan Program has a maximum LTV of 80% and does not require PMI. As a result, the borrower can make their purchase with a smaller down payment.

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Stratton Equities is able to assist you when you’re ready to invest. With the largest selection of programs, the lowest private money rates (beginning at 6.99%), a qualified team of experienced loan officers, and a speedy loan approval procedure, we are the nation’s top direct hard money and non-QM lender.

Call Stratton Equities at 800-962-6613, send us an email, or fill out an application for loan pre-qualification right away if you have an investment property and would like to talk with one of our Loan Officers.

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Hard Money Loans & Why You Should Work with a Hard Money Lender

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Photo from Pixabay

By Michael Mikhail, CEO & Founder, Stratton Equities

Are you looking to finance a real estate investment but cannot get conventional financing due to a recent foreclosure or short sale? A Hard Money Loan might be the right option for you. Working with a Hard Money Lender will allow you to have your loan approved in half the time a traditional bank loan takes, giving you the opportunity to quickly purchase high in demand properties.

What is a Hard Money Loan?

A Hard Money Loan is ideal for the real estate investor who might have issues obtaining a traditional bank loan or a loan with full underwriting, such as a Fix and Flip Loan.
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Photo from Pixabay

A Hard Money Loan is an asset-based loan: the financing is based on the Loan to Value (LTV) of the Asset. There are less restrictions than for other types of loans, so full underwriting and no minimum FICO score are required for the borrower, meaning you don’t have to worry about bankruptcies, foreclosures, collections, etc. They are usually capped at 65% LTV or less. Because of high cost regulations and predatory lending, Hard Money Loans are for investment properties only – so if you’re looking for an owner-occupied property, this is not the loan for you. Some states have non-judicial foreclosure laws, which protect lenders and make them more comfortable doing these high-risk loans, as the money is not sold on the secondary market and the lender holds the note.

How can I acquire a Hard Money Loan?

Applying for a Hard Money Loan is a fast and easy process. First, find an investment property and reach out to a direct private money lender to assess your loan scenario. Direct private money lenders, such as the Nationwide Lender Stratton Equities, can provide a Hard Money Loan for the following property types:
  • Single-Family
  • Mixed-Use
  • Multi-Family
  • Commercial
After applying for a loan, the prospective borrower will work directly with a loan officers to discuss their real estate investment dreams and how a Hard Money Loan can help them achieve their goals. Apply today and close in two weeks or less!

Why should I work with a Hard Money Lender?

Working with a Hard Money Lender gives you the security needed to take on a high-risk loan. With companies like, Stratton Equities, they have years of experience in working with real estate investors to achieve their goals. Direct Private Money Lenders provide loan programs with less underwriting and less guidelines that close within 14 – 25 days.
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Stratton Equities is the leading Nationwide Direct Hard Money and NON-QM Lender that specializes in fast and flexible lending processes. The team is owned and operated by experienced Real Estate Investors providing a reliable and knowledgeable team to help all Real Estate investors succeed. For more information, call Stratton Equities at 800-962-6613, email us, or apply for loan pre-qualification today.

Stratton Equities: Hard Money Loans Versus Fix & Flip Loans

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New Jersey based mortgage lender, Stratton Equities, reviews Hard Money and Fix & Flip Loans Programs

Regardless of the type of investor you are, Stratton Equities (www.strattonequities.com) has an array of loan programs that are designed to meet all your mortgage needs. Our background in real estate, mortgage lending, and finance, puts our expertise and experience far above our competitors. We bring something dynamic to the table, and we help you close your loans quickly, efficiently, and professionally.

Hard Money and Fix & Flip Loans are among the most popular programs that investors utilize for their real estate investments. Although, they are two different programs, many in and outside the industry believe them to be the same loan…but this is the furthest thing from the truth.

Hard Money Loans

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A true Hard Money Loan (www.strattonequities.com/hardmoneyloanprograms) is an asset-based loan, which means the financing is based on the Loan to Value (LTV) of the Asset. Unlike the Fix and Flip loan, it doesn’t go through full underwriting and there’s no minimum FICO requirement for the borrower, as it doesn’t have many guidelines and criteria.

This type of loan doesn’t have as many restrictions as one might think considering that it’s just money, so no more having to worry about bankruptcies, foreclosures, collections, etc.

Due to the lack of guidelines and underwriting, a true Hard Money Loan is generally capped at 65% LTV or less. For example, let’s say you have a home worth $1M, if you want $500K against it (50% LTV), you’re able to receive the money within 1-2 weeks (from day of application), commonly as a first lean position – because it’s just money. It’s normally in the form of a Bridge Loan, which is short term financing in a period of 12-24 months.

One of the reasons why Hard Money Loans are for investment properties ONLY, is due to the high cost regulations and predatory lending – you can’t put such high interest rates and cost on an owner occupied property.

In certain states, there are non-judicial foreclosure laws, which allow a Hard Money lender to get their money back quickly if the borrow defaults on the mortgage.

These foreclosure laws make the lender more comfortable doing high-risk loans, usually the money is not sold on the secondary market – the lender holds the note, they don’t sell the paper.

Fix & Flip Loans

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Fix & Flip Loans (www.strattonequities.com/fixandflip)are also asset-based loans, however they utilize more underwriting guidelines and criteria. While Hard Money Loans focus solely on the asset, Fix & Flip loans look at both the asset and the borrower.

The reason why people confuse Hard Money Loans with Fix & Flip Loans, are because both the loan and the laws are very similar – they are both private money to an investment property.

Virtually all fix & flip and hard money loans are funded by hedge funds, the money comes from the same place, but the underwriting is different.

Contrary to Hard Money Loans, Fix & Flip Loans are usually sold on the secondary market and goes through a full underwriting with tighter guidelines. For instance, depending on the lender, Fix & Flip loans have a minimum FICO requirement. Additionally, the borrower can’t have late payments, foreclosure, judgments, or bankruptcy on their credit for 24-36 months.

Furthermore, a Fix & Flip loan is a rehab loan, a loan that you utilize to acquire a property and then receive the funds to rehab that property in short term financing (12-18 months).

Stratton Equities

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As the leading Nationwide Direct Hard Money & NON-QM Lender, our reliable and professional team aims to help all real estate investors succeed. Our programs support projects like hard money, fix & flip, stated income commercial loans, blanket loans, and more! In 4 simple steps, you can apply for your mortgage and hopefully get approved quickly!

For more information on our services, please contact us today at (800) 962-6613 or visit our website at www.strattonequities.com

 

Meet Michael Mikhail

Michael Mikhail is the Founder and CEO of Stratton Equities, the nation’s leading hard moneylender to national real estate investors, with the largest variety of mortgage loans and programs nationwide.

Having launched Stratton Equities in early 2017, Michael has always been an entrepreneur and innovator in the real estate market, purchasing his first home at 19.

A serial entrepreneur with a foresight for business opportunities, Michael had a slew of small businesses prior to launching Stratton Equities. One of his most prolific ventures was a car wash connected to a gym he was affiliated with in Florida during 2001­2002 while attending college.

It wasn’t until he graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Business, that he officially joined the mortgage industry in 2003 and decided to travel to explore his options globally.

After travelling to 19 countries in 5 years, Michael knew two things; he wanted to start his own business and launch it in the United States. He knew that moving back to the states was the best place he could start something small and grow it into something infinite.

In 2017, Michael noticed how the mortgage industry had transformed after the regulations presented from 2008­2012, and knew it was time to set out something on his own, thus creating Stratton Equities.

Under Michael’s leadership, Stratton Equities has grown into one of the biggest leaders in the Mortgage and Real Estate industry across genres and platforms.