Whether you’re looking to purchase a property to flip and put back on the market or to rent out to tenants, there are many ways to invest in real estate. One of the biggest questions investors might have is, “How will I finance this investment property?” Luckily, depending on your situation and finances, there are a few different ways to finance investment properties.

Let’s dive into four ways to finance your next investment property and see which method will work best for you!

Conventional Loan

Like traditional buyers, conventional loans are one of the most common ways to finance an investment property. Conventional loans conform to guidelines set by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, but the federal government does not back this loan, unlike with FHA or VA loans. 

Your credit score and credit history are considered to get approved for a conventional loan. The minimum credit score for a conventional loan is 620 or 740 if you want to receive a good interest rate. In addition, a 20% down payment of the home’s purchase price is required for conventional loans. 

Hard Money Loan

Professional individuals or companies lend money to investors specifically for real estate investing purposes. Hard money loans are easier to secure than conventional loans and are best if you’re looking to flip a property instead of buying or renting it. Hard money loans don’t look at credit scores or credit history; however, they take into account the property’s profitability. While hard money loans are one of the most common types for investment properties, they only last for 36 months and have higher interest rates, around 10% higher than conventional loans.

Private Money Loan

Private money loans are where you have people in your network or sphere of influence who have extra money and are looking for a good return on their investment. Private money loans have more flexible terms and are typically used by investors when banks have turned down. Loan terms and interest rates may differ, depending on your relationship with the person who loaned the money, but interest rates are usually lower, and the length of the loan is more flexible than with other loans.

Home Equity Loan

Home equity loans allow an investor to borrow against the equity of their primary home to use towards buying another home or investment property. These loans are essentially a second mortgage, but with a higher interest rate than your first mortgage.

Lenders will run a credit check and have an appraisal done on your primary property to determine creditworthiness and the market value of your home. In most cases, investors are able to borrow up to 80% of the home’s equity to use towards the purchase, repairs, and more. 

If you’re currently an investor or need help getting started, reach out to us at TALK Property Management. We would love to provide our expertise and answer any questions you might have.