Hard Money Loans Explained
A hard money loan is a loan from a private lender backed by a tangible asset like real estate. These loans usually have shorter terms and higher rates than traditional mortgages.
Definition of a Hard Money Loan
A hard money loan is a loan from a private or non-traditional lender. The asset being purchased is used as the collateral for the loan, reducing risk for both the borrower and lender.
- Alternate definition: A loan that bridges the gap between an investment purchase and long-term financing
- Alternate name: short-term bridge loan
Hard money loans are used for quick turnarounds between the purchase and sale of a property. They can also be used for quick home financing until the buyer secures a traditional loan.
These loans are generally used in the real estate industry. Some investors buy homes in need of repairs, fix them up, and then sell them for a profit. This is known as flipping and can be hard to get financing for.
Other real estate investors might use hard money loans for commercial or rental properties if they can’t find conventional financing.
A hard money loan is a way for you to borrow money for real estate without using traditional mortgage lenders. Instead, the funds come from individuals or investors who lend money based primarily on the property you’re using as collateral.
Traditional mortgage loans require proof that you can comfortably repay the debt. Lenders often review your credit scores and any income available to evaluate your creditworthiness. If you have plenty of income, savings, or can get another collateralized loan you might not need to worry.
However, the process becomes more challenging if you have a low credit score, an income source that is difficult to verify to your lender’s satisfaction, or a high debt-to-income ratio.
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