For investors looking to purchase or refinance an investment property in Washington, bridge loans be a great option. Bridge loans that provide short term financing for a borrower before a longer term solution is established. Here is a five step guide to help you get started on getting a bridge loan for your investment property in Washington:
1. Decide Whether Short Term or Long Term Financing Fits Your Needs
When getting a loan for your investment property in Washington, there are pros and cons to getting bridge financing. If you are in need of a fast, short term solution, a bridge loan might be the way to go. A bridge loan can get you fast capital but will usually come with a higher interest rate. This may be a good option if you are looking to switch to long term financing within 1 to 2 years, or just need funds for renovation or improvements before you sell your property. Although, if you are not in a huge rush, would like a lower interest rate, and plan to keep this property for a while, you may want to look at long term financing.
2. Know Your Credit Score
Your credit score is one of the biggest determining factors on what kind of terms you are offered for your bridge loan. Review your credit score prior to applying for a bridge loan so that you can identify potential areas for improvement. If you are able to improve your credit score before applying, it will likely allow access better terms from lenders. Try to resolve any missed payments, mortgage lates, disputes, or collection dues before applying for a bridge loan.
3. Get Organized With Your Documentation
Applying for a bridge loan for your investment property in Washington can be stressful if you aren’t properly organized. Keep all of the documents that lenders give you separate, and have a place where you keep all of your own information ready when lenders request it. It is easy to miss details or send the wrong thing to the wrong place if you aren’t careful.
4. Understand the Terms that Lenders Offer You
When getting an offer for a bridge loan, there is more to understand than just an interest rate and a loan amount. Be sure to look at prepayment penalties, underwriting fees, lender and/or broker points, and fees for appraisals. Each lender will vary on these terms, and there are often ways to decrease your interest rate by changing one or multiple of these factors. Ask each lender what their options are, organize the information they give you carefully, and compare the information you receive with the other offers you get.
5. Read Everything You are Signing
After you decide that you in fact want a short term loan for your investment property, check your credit score, get organized, compare lender’s offers, and understand what options you have, its time to sign an agreement and get going. When you are doing this, make sure to read everything that you are given very carefully. If you need to, print out the final term sheet, make marks on it, have other people look at it, and ask any questions you have before making anything official.
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