As one of the fastest growing suburbs in the Phoenix Metropolitan region, Peoria has long been a city on the rise. There are numerous opportunities here, and the real estate market has been sizzling for quite some time. If you are a real estate developer looking to make some deals in this area, you might find that conventional mortgage options are not for you. They not only take quite some time to go through the application process, but not everyone qualifies to begin with. If that is the case with you, the short term solution you are looking for could be found in hard money loans.

Options Are On the Table

Investing in real estate takes on many shapes. You might find a property that you want to fix up and sell at a profit. On the other hand, there might be some land that you are hoping to quickly develop for residential or commercial purposes. There are many more reasons why you might need access to quick cash in order to make a deal work. Waiting around for a mortgage lender to decide on the fate of your application could mean that somebody else beats you to the punch. Hard money loans, such as those provided by Delancey Street, will help you avoid this.

Here are some possible solutions for you.

• A Construction Loan – As its name implies, this type of loan will give you access to cash that you need to develop a property. You will want it to be something that you can quickly build and then sell. Your aim is to pay off the loan quickly, or to refinance it.
• A Fix and Flip Loan – This is a popular type of hard money loan. If you find a good valued property in Peoria that is in need of repair, getting cash to quickly close the deal is what you need. You will then fix it up, sell it, and pay of the loan. This will all typically happen within a year or two.
• An Owner Occupied Loan – While not the most common type of hard money loan, it is possible to use this type of financing as a means of getting into your own home. You would then work to refinance the loan within a year or two.
• A Bridge Loan – For times when you just need to use some cash for a short time before other money is made is available to you, a bridge loan is there for you. You might have another property that you are in the process of selling. When it closes, you would then use some of the proceeds to either pay off or refinance the hard money loan.

These are just a few types of hard money loans you might consider. Delancey Street can go over other options that might work for you as well.

The Usefullness of Hard Money Loans

Many real estate investors have grown frustrated with the long process involved with qualifying for a conventional mortgage. In addition, that is a type of loan that not every purchase or investor will qualify for. You do not have to give up. The deal can still be closed with a hard money loan.

Keep in mind that hard money loans are designed for short term purposes only. Most of these loans will need to be paid off within just a few years, as opposed to up to 30 that you will get with a conventional loan. The tradeoff is that you can close on this type of loan quite quickly, often inside a week.

All loans require you to learn the ins and outs of financing. Commercial construction loans are no different. Here is what you need to know about commercial financing to help you make smart decisions.

The Basics of Commercial Construction Loans

A commercial construction loan is a type of financing that borrowers use to build or renovate commercial real estate. The majority of commercial loan borrowers are business owners. Lenders structure the loans so borrowers receive the funds during the construction or renovation process. Borrowers pay back the loans in monthly installments over a set period of time. Construction loans typically have repayment terms of 10 years or more.

As construction reaches specific targets, lenders will release funds to borrowers. For example, lenders may release funds when contractors pour the foundation or finish framing the interior or exterior walls. A unique feature is borrowers only pay interest on the money lenders release until construction or renovation is complete. There are three types of construction loans lenders offer:

• Construction-to-Permanent- If there is a clear construction plan in place, lenders will release funds from the loan using a timeline. After construction is complete, borrowers can convert this loan into a traditional commercial mortgage.

• Renovation Loans- These loans are common among borrowers who buy commercial properties in need of renovations.

• Construction Only- This loan type requires two separate transactions. First, borrowers take out a loan to complete construction on a commercial property. Second, upon completion of the construction, borrowers must find a second loan to pay off the principal on the first loan.

Interest Rates/Fees/Down Payment

Commercial construction loans have interest rates, fees and down payment requirements just like any other loan. Here is a breakdown of the fees and interest rates you can expect to pay for commercial construction loans:

• Interest Rates- Rates on these loans are typically higher than traditional mortgages. Rates can range from 4 to 12 percent depending on your credit score and other factors.

• Fees- How much a commercial construction loan costs you varies by lenders. However, typical fees include processing fees, documentation fees, project review fees and guarantee fees.

• Down Payment- Lenders consider construction loans high-risk, so they usually require a significant down payment. In most cases, lenders require a down payment of 10 to 30 percent of the overall cost of the project. There are very few instances where lenders finance 100 percent of construction.

Qualifying for a Commercial Construction Loan

Commercial construction loan requirements are much more stringent than traditional mortgages. If you have a marginal credit score and gaps in your income, chances are good you will not qualify for a construction loan.

The typical minimum credit score requirement is in the mid-to-high 600s. However, some lenders require scores in the 700s. If you own a business, lenders will evaluate your business credit. You also need a low debt-to-income ratio. Lenders will require detailed information about the property, and you must prove you have enough savings to cover any additional costs.

The Bottom Line on Commercial Construction Loans

If your business is ready for expansion, a commercial construction loan is a good option. Although it can be a challenge to qualify for a loan, it is not impossible. If you perform some due-diligence on what to expect from commercial construction loans, you will have a better chance of finding a lender willing to finance your expansion.

[flexy_breadcrumb]