I've spent all this time and effort trying to figure out how to get private lenders to fund my real estate deals and now
you write an article on firing them! What are you thinking?!
Well, stay with me here and I'll explain. Most of a real estate investor's focus is about how to attract and keep private
lenders.
But what if a lender doesn't make your life better?
You got into real estate to make your life better, right? Well, shouldn't you work with people that make your life easy?
If you don't have private lenders at this point, being selective about them may be something you've never even
considered. If you do have private lenders, are they easy to work with or are they difficult to deal with?
Once you've done your homework, gotten your real estate education, and taken all the steps needed to attract private
lenders, you could quite possibly have an army of people wanting to loan you money. This is an awesome position to
be in. I've been there and it gives you a great opportunity to work with some pretty fantastic folks.
So what is a scenario where I might not work with a private lender who is trying to throw wads of cash at me?
1) Well, let's say they want to be too involved...
Your lenders are going to want you to succeed and are going to offer some advice from time to time. Sometimes a
well-meaning soul will want to "help" me by offering advice in an area where, frankly, I'm an expert.
I'm not talking about those folks. I'm talking about annoying, aggressive, overbearing, pushy, opinionated folks.
I've spent tens of thousands of dollars on my education and have been in the business for over 10 years. I know how
to do this business. I have definite ideas about the way I want to run my real estate business. I attend seminars all the
time. I'm always striving to learn and to improve.
This is where you need to have a solid education so you don't get sidetracked because you are going to run into these
folks.
Let's be clear on your private lender's job. Their job is to write a check and then set back and wait for a bigger check.
They give me money; I send them interest payments. It is the American Dream for them and you.
2) Another scenario I refuse to work with a private lender is when you find that someone wants to work "with" you and
even be a partner.
They believe that the money they invest in your business gives them the right to offer advice and they expect you to
take it, in the way you run your office, what properties you purchase, what rehab workers you hire, and so forth.
Just be aware that some folks will want to be a partner and if this is not what you want, be prepared to correct the
situation before it goes too far in the relationship.
3) They want to set the rules on how you should pay them. Points, interest, etc...
Hey, that is what banks and hard money lenders do. When I deal with private lenders, I set the rules and that is the
whole idea and my bottom line. It's my way or the highway.
4) Some folks are just plan hard to work with.
Ask the same questions over and over. They don't trust you and treat you like you are going to jip them.
The list goes on and on.
Do you cringe when they come in your office? If so, it's time to let cut them loose.
So how do I fire private lenders?
Well, I can work with most private lenders. In fact, I love my private lenders. I just stay away from people that
make my life tough and just work with the folks that want to work with me and make my life better.
The easiest way to fire private lenders is to never do business with them in the 1st place. If you can pick up on their
personality before any money is loaned and back away from them, it is the easiest and the best.
If they want to partner and/or set the rules. Just say no.
If they have already loaned you money, get them paid back and refuse future loans.
My advice is to always be professional about it. I'm gracious. I simply explain my position and my rational for what
I do without hurting anyone's feelings.
Private Lenders For Mortgages
The beautiful thing about using private lenders for your real estate investing business is that you get to set the terms by which you borrow. But what terms will you set? It is necessary to design a lending program that will not only offer competitive terms to your private lenders but that will also meet your business's needs. What interest rate will you offer? Will you offer monthly payments of interest or a lump sum repayment?
How long will the term of the financing be? What will be your maximum LTV ratio when purchasing properties? How will you collect and collateralize your investors' money? What documentation will you use? What sort of system will you use to keep track of all of your outstanding loans and their due dates? A substantial amount of thought must be given to these and similar questions in order for your private lending program to be effective.
One of the primary sources of private lending capital is funds from investors' self-directed IRAs. Lenders with money in an IRA may not withdraw the money but may direct it towards chosen investments. For you as the real estate investor this means that there is some extra paperwork involved. In order to invest with self-directed IRA funds you must work with a custodian called a Third Party Administrator to handle the money indirectly.
Conversely, the loyalty of your lenders is your greatest asset as a real estate investor. Loyal investors lead to long-term profitable business relationships. Loyalty stems from satisfaction as well as special treatment. Making sure that your promises to your lenders are fulfilled is the first step. Whenever possible go above and beyond their expectations. This will ensure long-term loyalty from your lenders.
And don't forget to make them feel special. Extra touches like follow up calls and thank you notes go a long way towards making someone feel like a person, which will help your lenders feel even better about doing business with you.
Also, I must importantly point out to you that as a purveyor of investment opportunities one organization that you should be aware is the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. The SEC is a federal commission that monitors the sale of securities, or investments. There are important distinctions that you should be aware of between selling shares in a business venture and borrowing money as a mortgage secured by real estate, but the details of making sure your are in compliance with the SEC should be left to your accountant.
Just be aware that if you are doing business within a single state then your activities will be of interest to that state's version of the SEC, and if you are doing business between states then your activities will be of interest to the federal SEC. Your business team should include a good accountant and/or attorney who can see to it that all of the appropriate filing and registration requirements are satisfied.
Both Alan Cowgill & Omar Johnson are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Alan Cowgill has sinced written about articles on various topics from Real Estate, Property Investment and Real Estate. Alan Cowgill is a national speaker, author, and real estate entrepreneur. Alan had bought or sold over 200 investment properties. His step-by-step system "Private Lending Made Easy" teaches Real Estate investors and mortgage brokers how to find pr. Alan Cowgill's top article generates over 2400 views. Bookmark Alan Cowgill to your Favourites.
Omar Johnson has sinced written about articles on various topics from tax, Real Estate and How to Sell on Ebay. Omar Johnson is a successful real estate investor and entrepreneur who offers a FREE minicourse on private lending for real estate investors. To sign up for free simply visit. Omar Johnson's top article generates over 12100 views. Bookmark Omar Johnson to your Favourites.
10 Cars In 10 Seconds Youve grabbed the visitors attention. Youve met their expectations and made them comfortable. Now they want to settle in and dig a little deeper. Gone in 10 seconds? Not this time