Understanding a California Private Money Loan

By Morgan A. Scott on July 16, 2009

The most often asked question when dealing with San Diego Hard Money is how does this work. Private money is another term used when referring to hard money.

In this article you will learn about a San Diego hard money loan and the different aspects it takes to complete one. Refinance loans, development loans, purchase transactions and processing of the loan will be explained.

If you will be working with hard money loans it is a good idea that you learn how they work. They are based in part on the value of the property. Therefore the loan to value (LTV) must be low.

The LTV is normally written at 65% or under. This means that the amount loaned when compared to the value must be under 65%. Also, the condition and value of the property is considered. A property that is in a less desirable traffic area may be considered by private lenders and investors as long as the LTV was very low in order to minimize perceived risk.

In addition, the ability of the borrower to repay the loan must be shown. These loans are justified by the borrower’s capacity for repaying the loan and the presence of strong collateral.

Rates, fees and terms will vary greatly depending on the transaction.

As a general rule, the rates are usually anywhere from 9 to 15% according to the risk of the loan, the type of property being used for collateral and the lien position. Unlike a bank loan, the terms for this type average from 1 to 3 years. However, the fees are double or even four times the fees charged for a typical loan.

Now that the guidelines as they typically occur have been discussed, here is some information that may help explain the use of hard money loans in various transactions.

1. Purchase Transactions – In this transaction an investor and lender will examine the appraisal and the purchase agreement very closely. This will be a priority for the lender when setting up this type of loan. The purchase agreement will communicate the market and form the base for the transaction. Complimented by the purchase contract, the appraisal gives the lender a sense of worth about the property.

The amount of the loan, as well as the LTV, will be decided by using the appraised value or the purchase price, whichever is lower. This follows the theory that price determines the true value. The price is usually an arms-length agreement between a buyer and seller. Lenders will use this as a general model barring of course situations where true value is significantly higher that agreed price. If this is the case then a lender would usually need proof from the borrower that there is actually additional equity available upon purchasing the property.

The other aspect that differs with purchases is that the borrower must bring in to escrow the down payment and any fees charged. This is different because in refinances the fees are typically financed into the overall loan amount.

2. Refinance Loans – The refinance loan differs from the purchase loan because the lender’s top concern is established value and respective loan amount. As a result, the lender will want to review the appraisal and any existing liens. Different that purchase transactions, fees are tied into the loan when dealing with a refinance transaction. The fees are added to the amount the borrower gets after paying off existing loans or obtaining cash out.

3. Development/Construction Loans – These types of loans have three distinct features. First, the LTV is often based off of a future value. Secondly, there is typically a draw schedule that mandates how funds are distributed.

And last but not least, an account called an interest reserve account is opened for the money to be deposited for repayment during construction. This is what makes a development loan different than other private money loans.

With all of these hard money loans, you will need some standard documentation, and possibly more specific documentation depending on the type of loan that you seek. Some standard documentation would include; appraisal, borrower’s application, borrower’s credit report, bank statements, income documentation, and a title policy.

More specific documentation might include; purchase agreement, executive summary, construction breakdown, and draw schedule. With most private money loans you are usually looking at 7-14 business days from lender receipt of the entire loan package. These times may vary depending on the complexity of the transaction.

In conclusion, hard money is a great way to fund non-conventional projects in a short period of time. Hopefully, you have a better idea of how San Diego hard money works.

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