Hard money loans are tools for investors, business owners, property owners, would-be property owners and others for whom conventional loans are unattractive or unavailable. Originally, the term was used to describe any loan that was secured by property or other collateral, as opposed to unsecured borrowing, such as cash advances from a credit card or bank line of credit. Today, although the meaning has not really changed, the way that the term is used has. It can all be confusing to the average person, so we hope to shed a little light on the subject.

At one time, it was relatively easy to get a hard money loan. The bank knew that if you could not make your payments, they could take possession of your property. The only real consideration was the value of your property.

Times have changed. Foreclosures take longer. Banks are often unable to recoup their losses. The large number of defaults in recent years has actually hurt some of the financial institutions. Believe it or not, the funds that commercial lenders have available are not endless. Some have had to reduce the number of loans that they make. In general, all lending institutions have adopted stricter qualifications for potential borrowers, in many cases, making it more difficult for individuals to get the money that they need.

Commercial banks are governed by the Federal Reserve and they must follow certain rules and regulations. In addition, each bank has its own policies. We commonly refer to the considerations, rules, regulations and bank policies as red tape. When we apply for a loan, the paperwork can be overwhelming and very difficult for the layman to understand. Read this, initial here, sign there, etc, etc. The red tape is meant to protect the consumer and the bank, but even when you understand that, it can be frustrating. Plus, the whole process takes a lot of time. You might wait weeks, only to hear that your request was denied.

This is where private lenders offering hard money loans may come in. In most of the United States, private transactions are not regulated by state or federal laws. There is less red tape, so you will get your answer faster. There is still no guarantee, but at least you will know that you should look elsewhere for financing in a shorter period of time. There will be less confusion and less frustration. Of course, the policies of individual lenders vary. Some check credit, references and employment. Others are more concerned about how quickly you can repay.

A hard money loan is generally a short term solution. It is most attractive to investors and others that need money quickly, in a matter of weeks, to close on a deal or take advantage of a potentially profitable opportunity. Long term financing may be available, but in the time it takes to find it, the opportunity may be lost.

There are several advantages to hard money loans from private lenders, as opposed to secured loans from conventional lenders (the banks), particularly for real estate investors. Suppose you have the opportunity to buy a property that "needs work". The seller is particularly motivated because he is facing foreclosure or moving out of state, so he is willing to sell for far below the assessed value of the property, as long as you can close the deal quickly. If you go to the banks, it will take at least 30-45 days (probably more) to close. A private lender may be able to hand you a check in a much shorter period of time.

Time is very important to someone who wants to take advantage of the auction of a foreclosed property or a trustee's sale. You may have the bidder's fee, but the trustees typically want the full amount within 14 days. The banks do not work that fast.

For those who can wait for the money they need for a real estate investment, traditional loans might be the way to go. But for everyone else, hard money loans make a lot of sense.

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