Creative Ways to Get Funding for Your Next Real Estate Deal

Sure, investors can shoot for a conventional mortgage (if they have strong credit, and only one or two mortgages already reporting under their belt), but when an investor has over four mortgages, it gets substantially harder for investors to qualify for a conventional residential loan.

And yes, hard money is always an option, but it’s also expensive, and typically a short-term solution at best.

What options are available for real estate investors who aren’t looking to use ONLY the traditional financing options?

Retirement Accounts

Have a hefty 401(k) balance?

Credit Cards

 

Buying real estate with credit cards is not as crazy as it sounds. Hear me out.

Crowdfunding Websites

 

Generally speaking, crowdfunding websites occupy a similar market niche as hard money lenders. They’re not quite a mainstream borrowing option and they tend to be expensive, but they also tend to be relatively quick and provide a shorter-term funding solution.

The Friends & Family Plan

After your first few (successful) deals, you may start to hear from friends and family members who are curious about your real estate investments.

House Hack!

Who wouldn’t want to live for free?

You’ve probably heard of house hacking, in a multifamily context. You buy a 2-4 unit property, move into one of the units, and rent out the other(s) to cover the mortgage.

Sell Your Stuff

 

Your spouse may not love this idea, but no one says you have to keep living “the lifestyle to which you’ve become accustomed.”

Cross-Collateralize

Selling your home isn’t the only way to capitalize on its equity. If you have some equity, but don’t want to sell or go through the hassle and expense of a second mortgage or HELOC, you may have another option.

Borrow Against Life Insurance

The first thing you need to know about borrowing against a life insurance policy is that it’s only available for whole-life policyholders. That is, policies that are good for the rest of your life.

Bring in Equity Partners

Most people want the lion’s share of any property they have partial ownership in (especially when they’re partnering with someone else).

Private Lending or Hard Money

Hard Money is not ideal for many investors because it is very costly.  Private Lending also comes with strings attached.  However,  both of these are feasible options to get funding for your next deal WITHOUT tolerating the dreaded 80% LTV rule.