Unlike traditional residential real estate mortgages, real estate investment financing is way more creative and offers more options than you think. The golden rule in real estate investment is OPM (Other People’s Money).
I have enough money; shouldn’t I buy my real estate investment for cash? No, I absolutely advice against investing large sums of cash into a single real estate investment. There are two reasons why not. First, you give away most of your profits by not leveraging your real estate investment. Second, it is far too risky to put every egg into one basket.
Let me explain the leverage issue for a moment. I will give you an example of a $100,000 investment property that typically increases its value (appreciates) by 7% average a year. Maybe more, maybe less depending where you live. Paying all cash for this property will yield in a 7% appreciation profit plus the net profit from renting the place. Now you’re looking at roughly 15% of returns.
If you’re conservative with your investments you might be satisfied with this kind of a return. These days you might get equal or better returns with other conservative investments minus the hassle of being a landlord. But you don’t mind being a landlord, because you understand and utilize the leveraging method with financing your real estate investment.
With the example above you will make roughly $15,000 a year in profits from your investment. Now let’s take a closer look at what leveraging can do for you. Today a typical real estate investor can get financing as high as 95% - 97% of the purchase price. Occasionally 100% financing is available as well. But this would be totally unfair in this example to compare this with all cash purchasing.
15% return sounds like a lot, but wait till you see this. Let’s assume that the rental income will cover all your expenses including the mortgage payments. Taking the same example from before your net return would be the 7% appreciation profits of your property. This would translate into a $7,000 a year profit. With a 95% financing in place you would get $7,000 return on $5,000 (your 5% down payment) invested. This is a whopping 140%
return on investment.
With the same $100,000 you can go out there and get 20 investment properties, finance 95% of it and make an amazing $140,000 profit a year. This beats the projected $15,000 profits with an all cash transaction any day.
Of course you will have a lot of trouble to get financing for 20 properties in a single year. Typically 5-6 new rental property mortgages are the maximum lenders will allow these days. This is the signal to get creative with your financing structures.
In this case sellers financing would be your key to achieve your goal of maximum leverage of your investment dollars. Despite the message from all these late night infomercials, seller financing is harder to get than they want you to make believe it is.
It all depends on the seller’s ability to offer seller financing and the seller’s motivation. Only about 1 out of 20 properties for sale are able to get seller financing. That means that there’s no mortgage balance on the property. From this narrow selection the seller must be motivated to sell under these conditions. This could be tax reasons, time constraints, personal reasons and many more.
As you can see this translates into a lot of work to achieve your goals. But let me tell you one thing. This separates the tire kicker real estate investors from the real go-getters. Wouldn’t you agree that a little bit of hard work and determination is well worth it to build a real estate empire?
I think it is well worth the trouble and hard work. At the end of the day you keep building your real estate investment portfolio and sooner than later you will be able to cash in.
Sincerely,
Peter Dobler
(c) 2005
Peter Dobler is a 20+ year veteran in the IT business. He is an active Real Estate Investor and a successful Internet business owner. Learn more about real estate investments at http://www.suncoastrenttoown.com or send a blank email to mailto:suncoastrenttoown@getresponse.com
Written by: Peter Dobler
Showing posts with label property. Show all posts
Showing posts with label property. Show all posts
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Buying A Spanish Property-How Do You Finance it?
Once you have decided on the home you wish to buy you need to know how to finance it. There are several ways in which you can do this. If you are lucky enough to have the cash in the bank then you don't need to worry about the actual financing of it - however take a look at the section on exchanging your money as this could save you a lot of money. If you don't have the finances readily available how do you finance the property?
The main ways are * Arranging a Spanish Mortgage * Arranging a mortgage with a UK lender * Re-mortgaging your existing property * Builders finance
Arranging a Spanish Mortgage Most Spanish banks will lend to foreigners providing they can prove an ability to repay. Prior to applying you will need a bank account and, although banks don't insist you have an account with them- they would obviously prefer it if you did.
The requirements are similar to the UK. Banks will lend upto 70% of the property value to foreigners (80% in some cases though this is now harder with a tightening market). However, this depends on the bank, the director and the property. It is easier to get a high mortgage on a new or nearly new property than it is to get a small mortgage on a ruined Finca needing a lot of work - banks don't appreciate the potential value of the property - only the current value.
The bank will require proof of income and in some cases your outgoings. Therefore you will need your pay slips for the previous 3 months and proof of outgoings. If self-employed you'll need to show accounts for the previous 2-3 years.
Most banks insist on life insurance and most mortgages are repaid over 10-15 years but they can extend to 30 years in exceptional circumstances, however most banks will insist on repayment before the age of 70. It is also possible you may need a guarantor - I for example had to guarantee my parents mortgage as they are both retired (although their pensions were more than I earned).
Spanish banks charge from 0.5% - 3% of the mortgage value for taking a mortgage with them (it isn't enough that you're paying interest as well). It's possible to reduce this if you persist - so ask your bank - you may get a discount on this fee. (If you don't speak Spanish ask your agent to do so- but beware he may be getting a commission from the bank and may be reluctant to.)
You will need to think about the monthly cost when transferring money to Spain for the mortgage. If you have bought to let then the rental should cover the monthly repayments. If not then you may be as well looking into transferring money through a specialist- such as http://www.currencyuk.co.uk - who have provided our clients with excellent service in the past.
Currency fluctuations and transfer fees can cost you a fortune and your bank is not the best to deal with - they have little experience in the currency market. For example a friend bought a house here and her Euros cost her £500 more (on £14,000) by using her bank than if she has used a currency broker.
Obviously it's your money but a broker is able to buy currency at a commercial rate as they deal in currency every day. They can even secure a fixed exchange rate for up to 12 months - so you know in advance the cost of buying your home. If you are using this sort of service for your monthly mortgage payments, you may be better transferring 6 months at a time because they generally don't deal in amounts less than £5,000.
The process of applying for a Spanish Mortgage.
Applying for a Spanish mortgage is usually a case of visiting the bank and speaking to the director. They will fill in the forms for you so you just need to sign. Once he has established your credentials he will give you a preliminary yes or no. Once a yes is given it is dependent upon a satisfactory survey. Although the final decision is taken by the banks head office, seldom the decision given by the director overturned.
Arranging a UK Mortgage
There are many UK lenders who will lend against a Spanish property but these are more expensive than a Spanish Mortgage. However, it is always wise to check every avenue before committing yourself.
The approval process is similar to getting a buy to let mortgage in the UK in that you would have to prove around about 125% of the potential mortgage payments in rental income.
The amount you can borrow for a property in Spain also depends on the property valuation. Obviously, the higher the valuation, the more you can borrow. For UK mortgages (or offshore mortgages) the Loan to Value is generally a lot lower than getting a mortgage in Spain.
So what are the advantages of a UK based mortgage? Firstly you will be no language problems. Secondly the repayments will be in Sterling so there will be no exchange rate concerns if the rate fluctuates wildly - you will always know what you will be paying.
However, if you are buying a property to rent then it may be advisable to have a Spanish mortgage - especially if the rental income will be paid in Euros. However the final decision to go for a Spanish Mortgage or UK one lies with you.
Re-mortgaging your existing property
The easiest way of raising finance for your property in Spain is to re-mortgage your existing property. This obviously depends on the equity you have in your existing home and your income in respect of the amount you would like to borrow. However the bank already knows you so the process is more straightforward, the amount you can borrow is not dependent on the value of the property you are buying therefore your dream Finca is more realistic) and the process takes less time than obtaining a UK Mortgage.
Builders finance
Many developers of properties can now offer upto 80% mortgages for non residents. This is achievable because of the value new properties generally represent when buying off Plan. However for off plan investments it is very difficult to get a mortgage until the certificate of habitation is issued.
Documentation required
Whatever type of mortgage you decide on there are certain documents you will need. The documentation required will vary from bank to bank. As a guideline it is a good idea to prepare much of these as soon as possible.
If you are employed you will need:
* Last 3 salary slips. * Last income tax declaration (P60 in the UK) or evidence of latest annual tax assessment * Letter from your employer confirming date of employment and proof of income.
If you are self-employed you need
* Latest income tax declaration * Copies of the accounts for the last 2 / 3 years * Company report, confirming personal drawings
Other documents you will need:
A Spanish bank account
NIE number from the local police station
The nota simple from the property registry
Offer letter of sales/purchase contract
Copy of passport / residence permit /NIE
Copies of last 6 months bank statements
Bank reference letter.
About the author:
Vince Barnes - www.SpanishProperty-Direct.co.uk - information about the buying process in Spain. up to date with news affecting the Spanish Property Market. New Book - "The Insiders Secret Guide To Buying A Property In Spain" - at www.spanishproperty-direct.co.uk/book.htm.
Written by: Vince Barnes
The main ways are * Arranging a Spanish Mortgage * Arranging a mortgage with a UK lender * Re-mortgaging your existing property * Builders finance
Arranging a Spanish Mortgage Most Spanish banks will lend to foreigners providing they can prove an ability to repay. Prior to applying you will need a bank account and, although banks don't insist you have an account with them- they would obviously prefer it if you did.
The requirements are similar to the UK. Banks will lend upto 70% of the property value to foreigners (80% in some cases though this is now harder with a tightening market). However, this depends on the bank, the director and the property. It is easier to get a high mortgage on a new or nearly new property than it is to get a small mortgage on a ruined Finca needing a lot of work - banks don't appreciate the potential value of the property - only the current value.
The bank will require proof of income and in some cases your outgoings. Therefore you will need your pay slips for the previous 3 months and proof of outgoings. If self-employed you'll need to show accounts for the previous 2-3 years.
Most banks insist on life insurance and most mortgages are repaid over 10-15 years but they can extend to 30 years in exceptional circumstances, however most banks will insist on repayment before the age of 70. It is also possible you may need a guarantor - I for example had to guarantee my parents mortgage as they are both retired (although their pensions were more than I earned).
Spanish banks charge from 0.5% - 3% of the mortgage value for taking a mortgage with them (it isn't enough that you're paying interest as well). It's possible to reduce this if you persist - so ask your bank - you may get a discount on this fee. (If you don't speak Spanish ask your agent to do so- but beware he may be getting a commission from the bank and may be reluctant to.)
You will need to think about the monthly cost when transferring money to Spain for the mortgage. If you have bought to let then the rental should cover the monthly repayments. If not then you may be as well looking into transferring money through a specialist- such as http://www.currencyuk.co.uk - who have provided our clients with excellent service in the past.
Currency fluctuations and transfer fees can cost you a fortune and your bank is not the best to deal with - they have little experience in the currency market. For example a friend bought a house here and her Euros cost her £500 more (on £14,000) by using her bank than if she has used a currency broker.
Obviously it's your money but a broker is able to buy currency at a commercial rate as they deal in currency every day. They can even secure a fixed exchange rate for up to 12 months - so you know in advance the cost of buying your home. If you are using this sort of service for your monthly mortgage payments, you may be better transferring 6 months at a time because they generally don't deal in amounts less than £5,000.
The process of applying for a Spanish Mortgage.
Applying for a Spanish mortgage is usually a case of visiting the bank and speaking to the director. They will fill in the forms for you so you just need to sign. Once he has established your credentials he will give you a preliminary yes or no. Once a yes is given it is dependent upon a satisfactory survey. Although the final decision is taken by the banks head office, seldom the decision given by the director overturned.
Arranging a UK Mortgage
There are many UK lenders who will lend against a Spanish property but these are more expensive than a Spanish Mortgage. However, it is always wise to check every avenue before committing yourself.
The approval process is similar to getting a buy to let mortgage in the UK in that you would have to prove around about 125% of the potential mortgage payments in rental income.
The amount you can borrow for a property in Spain also depends on the property valuation. Obviously, the higher the valuation, the more you can borrow. For UK mortgages (or offshore mortgages) the Loan to Value is generally a lot lower than getting a mortgage in Spain.
So what are the advantages of a UK based mortgage? Firstly you will be no language problems. Secondly the repayments will be in Sterling so there will be no exchange rate concerns if the rate fluctuates wildly - you will always know what you will be paying.
However, if you are buying a property to rent then it may be advisable to have a Spanish mortgage - especially if the rental income will be paid in Euros. However the final decision to go for a Spanish Mortgage or UK one lies with you.
Re-mortgaging your existing property
The easiest way of raising finance for your property in Spain is to re-mortgage your existing property. This obviously depends on the equity you have in your existing home and your income in respect of the amount you would like to borrow. However the bank already knows you so the process is more straightforward, the amount you can borrow is not dependent on the value of the property you are buying therefore your dream Finca is more realistic) and the process takes less time than obtaining a UK Mortgage.
Builders finance
Many developers of properties can now offer upto 80% mortgages for non residents. This is achievable because of the value new properties generally represent when buying off Plan. However for off plan investments it is very difficult to get a mortgage until the certificate of habitation is issued.
Documentation required
Whatever type of mortgage you decide on there are certain documents you will need. The documentation required will vary from bank to bank. As a guideline it is a good idea to prepare much of these as soon as possible.
If you are employed you will need:
* Last 3 salary slips. * Last income tax declaration (P60 in the UK) or evidence of latest annual tax assessment * Letter from your employer confirming date of employment and proof of income.
If you are self-employed you need
* Latest income tax declaration * Copies of the accounts for the last 2 / 3 years * Company report, confirming personal drawings
Other documents you will need:
A Spanish bank account
NIE number from the local police station
The nota simple from the property registry
Offer letter of sales/purchase contract
Copy of passport / residence permit /NIE
Copies of last 6 months bank statements
Bank reference letter.
About the author:
Vince Barnes - www.SpanishProperty-Direct.co.uk - information about the buying process in Spain. up to date with news affecting the Spanish Property Market. New Book - "The Insiders Secret Guide To Buying A Property In Spain" - at www.spanishproperty-direct.co.uk/book.htm.
Written by: Vince Barnes
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Bridging Finance Loan
Bridging finance is a short-term loan that is used as a way to provide funding for the purchase of a new property while the borrower awaits the sale of an existing property. Unless all the stars are in perfect alignment, it’s tricky to coordinate the sale of one property and the purchase of another property so that the transactions occur simultaneously.
Bridging finance or a “bridge loan” as it is more commonly referred to, makes such transactions possible. They keep the borrower from ending up in a dire financial situation as can happen when forced to pay two mortgages at the same time. Bridge loans can be used either for business or for personal reasons.
Primarily short term in nature, the process for obtaining a bridge loan is similar to that of most types of loans. Most importantly, it’s advisable to work with a lender that has experience with this type of loan. Also, since the need for a bridge loan often arises with little advance notice, being pre-approved for such a loan is a good idea.
Bridge loans typically are structured as interest only loans meaning that the borrower pays only the interest on the loan each month. The borrower continues with this repayment plan until the property the loan is being used for is sold. When the sale finally does occur, the proceeds of that sale are used to repay the principal. The principal payment typically is in the form of a one-time, lump-sum payment.
The lender does not need to worry too much about default because the borrower is required to put up collateral to secure the loan. This can be in the form of another piece of property, business machinery or inventory on hand. But rest assured the lender will still thoroughly review the credit history of the applicant, the business and any partners or others with an ownership interest to assess the level of risk it is undertaking.
The interest rate assigned to the bridge loan is based on several factors: the anticipated risk associated with the bridge loan, the prevailing interest rates and a premium added by the lender. Since bridge loans are short-term, generally not longer than two years, the lender has only a short time to make money on the deal. The profit is derived from the interest rate.
Expect to pay a higher rate of interest for a bridge loan. And remember, the monthly payments on a bridge loan generally will be for interest only. Expect to pay off the bridge loan in full, usually as a one time balloon payment, as soon as the property is sold.
In the event that the property is not sold before the bridge loan matures, it can usually be converted to a conventional loan without paying a penalty. But it’s always a good idea to double check this before assuming.
About the Author
Specialists in Commercial Bridging Finance Commercial Lifeline. Independent UK based Commercial Bridging
Finance brokers.
Feel free to reprint and distribute this article as you like. All that we ask is that you do not make any changes, that this resource text is include, and that the link above is intact.
Written by: Darren Yates
Bridging finance or a “bridge loan” as it is more commonly referred to, makes such transactions possible. They keep the borrower from ending up in a dire financial situation as can happen when forced to pay two mortgages at the same time. Bridge loans can be used either for business or for personal reasons.
Primarily short term in nature, the process for obtaining a bridge loan is similar to that of most types of loans. Most importantly, it’s advisable to work with a lender that has experience with this type of loan. Also, since the need for a bridge loan often arises with little advance notice, being pre-approved for such a loan is a good idea.
Bridge loans typically are structured as interest only loans meaning that the borrower pays only the interest on the loan each month. The borrower continues with this repayment plan until the property the loan is being used for is sold. When the sale finally does occur, the proceeds of that sale are used to repay the principal. The principal payment typically is in the form of a one-time, lump-sum payment.
The lender does not need to worry too much about default because the borrower is required to put up collateral to secure the loan. This can be in the form of another piece of property, business machinery or inventory on hand. But rest assured the lender will still thoroughly review the credit history of the applicant, the business and any partners or others with an ownership interest to assess the level of risk it is undertaking.
The interest rate assigned to the bridge loan is based on several factors: the anticipated risk associated with the bridge loan, the prevailing interest rates and a premium added by the lender. Since bridge loans are short-term, generally not longer than two years, the lender has only a short time to make money on the deal. The profit is derived from the interest rate.
Expect to pay a higher rate of interest for a bridge loan. And remember, the monthly payments on a bridge loan generally will be for interest only. Expect to pay off the bridge loan in full, usually as a one time balloon payment, as soon as the property is sold.
In the event that the property is not sold before the bridge loan matures, it can usually be converted to a conventional loan without paying a penalty. But it’s always a good idea to double check this before assuming.
About the Author
Specialists in Commercial Bridging Finance Commercial Lifeline. Independent UK based Commercial Bridging
Finance brokers.
Feel free to reprint and distribute this article as you like. All that we ask is that you do not make any changes, that this resource text is include, and that the link above is intact.
Written by: Darren Yates
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)