Hard Money Lenders New Orleans: Fast Funding Options

Are you planning your next real estate investment in New Orleans with a hard money loan? Hard money lenders offer financing that comes with flexibility and speed. These loans are an alternative to conventional financing, providing solutions for those with tight project timelines, limited initial capital, or credit issues.

If you’re not a real estate investor but still need to bridge the timing gap between buying and selling a home, we’ll explore some alternatives to help you leverage your home’s equity. This article will guide you through the essentials of hard money lending in New Orleans, helping you determine if this financial tool aligns with your real estate investment or home-buying goals.

Start Making Offers Without Waiting to Sell Your Home

Through our Buy Before You Sell program, HomeLight can help you unlock a portion of your equity upfront to put toward your next home. You can then make a strong offer on your next home with no home sale contingency.

Editor’s note: This post is for educational purposes and is not intended to be construed as financial advice. HomeLight always encourages you to consult your own advisor.

What is a hard money lender?

A hard money lender is a private individual or company that offers short-term loans secured by real estate. Unlike traditional lenders, who focus heavily on the borrower’s creditworthiness and income, hard money lenders in New Orleans prioritize the value of the property being used as collateral.

Their loan programs are popular among real estate investors, such as house flippers and those buying rental properties, who need quick access to funds and flexible terms. Hard money lenders use after-repair value (ARV) — the estimated value of a property after all renovations and repairs are completed — to determine the loan amount they are willing to offer. They typically lend a percentage of the ARV to secure the investment’s profitability and safety.

Hard money loans usually have higher interest rates, ranging from 8% to 15%, and shorter repayment periods, often between 6 to 24 months. Additional costs can include origination fees, closing costs, and points, which are a percentage of the loan amount paid upfront. If a borrower fails to repay a hard money loan, the lender can seize the property to recover the investment.

How does a hard money loan work?

If you’re a real estate investor seeking financing options that offer speed and flexibility, connecting with hard money lenders in New Orleans could be beneficial. Here’s a quick rundown of how hard money loans work:

  • Short-term loan: These loans usually have a repayment period of 6–24 months, unlike the 15- or 30-year terms of conventional mortgages. Some lenders may extend the term up to 36 months if needed.
  • Faster funding option: When you need to close a deal quickly, hard money loans can be approved within days, compared to the 30 to 50 days typical for a mortgage loan.
  • Less focus on creditworthiness: Approval relies less on your credit score or income history and more on the property’s value.
  • More focus on property value: These loans require collateral, such as a home, and are based on the loan-to-value ratio of the property.
  • Not traditional lenders: Individual investors or private lending companies usually provide hard money loans, not traditional banks.
  • Loan denial option: These loans are often used by those with poor credit who have been denied a mortgage but possess significant home equity.
  • Higher interest rates: Due to higher risk, these loans have higher interest rates than traditional mortgages.
  • Might require larger down payments: Borrowers may need to provide a larger down payment, sometimes up to 20%–30%, depending on the property’s value and loan specifics.
  • More flexibility: With less government regulation, hard money lenders in New Orleans can set flexible credit scores and debt-to-income (DTI) criteria, and loans can help avoid foreclosure.
  • Potential for interest-only payments: Unlike traditional mortgages, hard money loans may allow for interest-only or deferred payments initially.

What are hard money loans used for?

Hard money loans address specific financing needs in the New Orleans real estate market. They’re often sought after by investors who require fast funding or may have difficulty qualifying for traditional bank loans. Let’s learn more about what hard money loans are typically used for:

Flipping a house: For New Orleans investors focused on flipping homes, hard money loans offer fast access to cash for purchasing and renovating properties. These quick-turnaround loans help flippers acquire properties in competitive markets, make necessary improvements, and resell them for profit quickly.

Buying an investment rental property: Investors seeking rental properties can use hard money loans to snap up properties fast, especially those needing immediate repairs. Compared to traditional bank loans, hard money loans allow landlords to complete renovations and generate rental income more quickly.

Purchasing commercial real estate: Hard money loans are often used in commercial real estate transactions due to their flexibility and quick closing times. They are particularly useful in situations where timing is crucial, and a quick decision can mean the difference between securing a valuable investment or missing out altogether.

Borrowers who can’t qualify for traditional loans: Individuals with substantial home equity but poor credit or other disqualifying issues sometimes approach hard money lenders in New Orleans for assistance. With hard money loans, qualification is determined more by the asset’s worth than the borrower’s credit score.

Homeowners facing foreclosure: Homeowners nearing foreclosure may use hard money loans to refinance their debts or buy time to sell the property. This can provide a temporary solution to avoid losing their home or a foreclosure mark on their credit report.

How much do hard money loans cost?

The cost of hard money loans is typically higher than traditional loans due to the increased risk lenders undertake and the convenience of quick, less restrictive funding. Here are some typical costs associated with hard money loans:

  • Interest rates: These can range from 8% to 15% or higher, depending on the lender’s risk assessment.
  • Origination fees: Lenders may charge 1% to 5% of the total loan amount as an origination fee.
  • Closing costs: Additional fees at closing can include legal fees, appraisal fees, and other administrative costs.
  • Points: Lenders might charge points (a percentage of the loan amount) upfront, which can add to the initial cost of obtaining a loan.

There are several different online calculators available to give you an idea of your costs.

Alternatives to working with hard money lenders

If you’re a homeowner, rather than an investor, looking for a way to leverage your current home’s equity, here are a few options to consider:

  • Take out a second mortgage: If you have substantial equity in your home, a home equity loan or home equity line of credit (HELOC) can provide the needed funds at a lower interest rate compared to a hard money loan.
  • Cash-out refinance: This option allows you to refinance an existing property, pulling out cash to finance your new investment. It often comes with lower interest rates than hard money loans.
  • Borrow from family or friends: A personal loan from family or friends can offer flexible repayment terms and potentially lower or no interest rates, making it a more affordable option.
  • Use a government-backed loan program: Programs offered by the FHA, VA, or USDA can assist in purchasing homes with lower down payments and reduced interest rates.
  • Peer-to-peer loan: These loans are provided by individual investors through lending platforms, functioning similarly to hard money loans but often with different terms.
  • Specialized loan programs: If you already have a hard money loan and want to replace it, consider specialized loans for fixer-uppers or investment property refinancing.
  • Request a seller financing option: In some cases, sellers may agree to finance the purchase themselves, which can result in lower closing costs and less stringent eligibility requirements.

How to buy before you sell

Sometimes, the perfect listing pops up when you’re least expecting it. Maybe it’s a charming Creole cottage or a modern condo in the Warehouse District. If you’re a New Orleans homeowner wanting to buy a new home before selling your current one, HomeLight offers an innovative solution that streamlines the process.

The Buy Before You Sell (BBYS) program allows you to leverage the equity in your existing home to make a stronger, non-contingent offer on a new property. If your home qualifies, you can get your equity unlock amount approved in 24 hours or less, with no cost or commitment required. Once approved, you can confidently purchase your next home and then sell your current one vacant, avoiding the hassle of moving twice.

Here’s how HomeLight Buy Before You Sell works:

Although there’s a flat fee of 2.4% of your current home’s sold price, the potential savings you could see in other areas might outweigh the cost. For example, you might save on moving expenses, temporary housing, and even the final purchase price of your new home. On top of that, HomeLight’s BBYS fees are typically much lower than the interest rates on bridge loans, which currently range from 9.5% to 12%.

3 top hard money lenders in New Orleans

Traditional lenders may not always suit every real estate investment. If you need to move quickly to take advantage of a valuable opportunity, consider partnering with one of these top-rated hard money lenders in New Orleans.

Rehab Financial Group, New Orleans

Rehab Financial Group, a private money lender, provides loans to real estate investors to acquire and renovate residential properties. They lend in 21 states, including Louisiana, and serve cities like New Orleans and Metairie. They support numerous real estate projects with over $300M dispersed in private loans across Louisiana and 38 other states.

Lending clientele: Residential real estate investors

Loan criteria: Up to 70% of your ARV

Tidal Loans, Louisiana

Tidal Loans, a Houston-based hard money lender, provides nationwide lending for real estate investors. They support Louisiana investors in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and Lafayette with funds to purchase investment properties.

Lending clientele: Residential and commercial real estate investors and developers

Loan criteria: Up to 80% on “as is” or “as repaired” value if repairs are included LTV; Up to 90% LTC

LendingOne, New Orleans

LendingOne addresses investor frustrations with traditional banks and hard money lenders. LendingOne serves as a direct private real estate lender, providing short-term mortgage loans for investment properties nationwide.

Lending clientele: Residential real estate investors

Loan criteria: Loan terms vary: Fix-and-flip loan rates between 7.49%-12.9%, Up to 75% ARV

Investing in real estate?

Hire an investor-friendly real estate agent who can help you get access to off-market properties at a discount and assess potential rental income based on market trends. HomeLight can connect you with investment property specialists at no cost.

Should I partner with a hard money lender in New Orleans?

The decision to use a hard money lender in New Orleans should be based on your individual situation and real estate investment goals. Hard money loans are ideal for projects requiring quick turnaround or when traditional financing isn’t an option. If you’re ready to manage the higher costs and shorter repayment terms in exchange for fast, flexible funding, consider contacting a hard money lender in New Orleans for your next investment opportunity.

For homeowners looking to tap into their home’s equity, a program like HomeLight’s Buy Before You Sell might be a better fit. Instead of taking on a sky-high interest rate, you’ll pay a small flat fee while benefiting from a more competitive offer and a simplified move.

As with any major financial decision, consider your long-term strategy and consult with a financial advisor to make sure it aligns with your overall investment goals. If you’re looking to connect with investor-friendly real estate agents in New Orleans who have access to trusted hard money lenders, let HomeLight introduce you to top professionals in your area who fit that criteria.

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