Private money lending can be an attractive way for new real estate investors to get started and fund their first deals. It allows you to leverage other people’s money to invest, rather than having to save up large amounts of capital yourself. However, there are some important things to know before diving into private lending. Here are Private Money Lending for New Investors: Tips for Getting Started
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Do Your Homework
First, make sure you thoroughly understand private lending and how it works. Learn the basics around loan terms, interest rates, collateral, payment schedules, loan-to-value ratios, and documentation involved. Understand the risks and rewards for both the borrower and lender. The more educated you are upfront, the smoother the process will be.
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Also, research regulations around private lending in your state. Certain states require registration and licensing for private lenders. Make sure you comply with any requirements.
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Build Your Network
A strong network is crucial for sourcing private money lending opportunities. Let friends, family, business contacts, and anyone in your extended network know you are looking to lend. Join real estate networking groups and use social media. The more people you can connect with, the more potential opportunities will arise.
You can start small by lending to people you know well. But over time you will want to expand your circle of potential borrowers. Just be sure to still vet each opportunity thoroughly.
Have a Clear Loan Process
Before you start lending, have a clear loan process and documents in place. This includes a loan application, promissory note, loan agreement, collateral agreement, and repayment schedule. Setting professional expectations upfront will lead to smoother transactions.
Conduct Thorough Due Diligence
Do not rely on trust or relationships alone when lending money. Conduct proper due diligence on both the borrower and the real estate deal for each loan.
Review the borrower’s financials, credit history, experience, and track record. Make sure they have experience in real estate investing and the ability to repay. Also, scrutinize the real estate deal itself. Review the business plan, financial projections, purchase contract, comps, and projected rehab budget. Do not be afraid to ask lots of questions. If anything seems unclear or risky, it may be best to pass on the deal.
Start Small
When first getting started, lend small amounts to minimize risk. For example, you could start with lending $20,000 or $30,000 as your first few loans. As you gain experience, you can gradually increase loan sizes.
Also, consider lending on first-position loans initially where you will hold the mortgage on the property. Second-position loans are riskier for new lenders.
Set Clear Loan Terms
Have a loan agreement in place spelling out all the terms clearly for each deal – loan amount, interest rate, length of term, payment schedule, prepayment policy, etc. Do not rely on verbal agreements alone. Also include conditions around use of funds, regular inspections, insurance requirements, and recourse if the borrower defaults.
Having clear documentation protects both you and the borrower. Be sure to consult an attorney when creating your loan documents.
Evaluate Risks
Private lending certainly offers nice potential returns. But it also comes with risks, especially for new lenders. Defaults, declining property values, slow flips – these possibilities must be carefully evaluated. Do not let expected returns cloud proper risk assessment.
Start with more conservative loan-to-values and interest rates until you gain experience. Also, spread loans across multiple projects and borrowers instead of concentrating your lending. Staying prudent early on will help mitigate overall risk.
Finding private lending opportunities takes effort for new investors. But by implementing tips like networking consistently, thoroughly vetting deals, starting small, and setting clear loan terms, new investors can build a strong foundation for success with private money lending. Do your homework, proceed cautiously, and let opportunities grow organically over time.
