Skip to content
Private Lending & Conventional Mortgage Advice

User Stats

48
Posts
13
Votes
Don Jackson
  • Software Dev/Investor
  • San Jose, CA
13
Votes |
48
Posts

Use HELOC, then refinance or go conventional?

Don Jackson
  • Software Dev/Investor
  • San Jose, CA
Posted Sep 2 2015, 09:39

Hello BP folks,

I currently have 4 mortgages (my home and 3 single family rentals). I’ve read on BP that many banks will allow me to go up to 10, depending on my finances, etc. I just talked to a lender and he tells me my finances are fine and that he could easily get me another loan, with 25% down. My strategy is simple buy and hold.

The three rentals I purchased in 2007 with my HELOC, and then I refinanced each one. A lot has changes since then. My question: Does it still make sense to purchase a property with my HELOC, and then refinance? Or have all the changes since 2007 made it better to just go straight to the lender to purchase the property?

Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Don

User Stats

252
Posts
117
Votes
Aaron Wyssmann
  • Springfield, MO
117
Votes |
252
Posts
Aaron Wyssmann
  • Springfield, MO
Replied Sep 2 2015, 09:50

@Don Jackson You ask a great question. I think it would depend on a couple factors: 1) Does the properties you are considering buying need to be rehabbed? If so, then I think it is best to buy with private money or with your HELOC so that you can get the property's value as high as possible before putting it on permanent financing. 2) If no rehab needed then I would get it locked in at a great rate for however long you are comfortable. I personally like 20 years because they will be paid off when I'm looking to retire.

That's one way to look at it. 

User Stats

48
Posts
13
Votes
Don Jackson
  • Software Dev/Investor
  • San Jose, CA
13
Votes |
48
Posts
Don Jackson
  • Software Dev/Investor
  • San Jose, CA
Replied Sep 2 2015, 10:01

Thanks Aaron. I didn't consider the fact that the property will need to be rehabbed and it will appraise for less when I first buy it. After I buy , then rehab, it should appraise for more so I can get more from the refi.

BiggerPockets logo
BiggerPockets
|
Sponsored
Find an investor-friendly agent in your market TODAY Get matched with our network of trusted, local, investor friendly agents in under 2 minutes

User Stats

252
Posts
117
Votes
Aaron Wyssmann
  • Springfield, MO
117
Votes |
252
Posts
Aaron Wyssmann
  • Springfield, MO
Replied Sep 2 2015, 10:52

Exactly.  That's what @Brandon Turner calls the BRRR strategy and it is a good one.

User Stats

2,283
Posts
1,101
Votes
Charlie Fitzgerald
Pro Member
  • Lender
  • Las Vegas, NV
1,101
Votes |
2,283
Posts
Charlie Fitzgerald
Pro Member
  • Lender
  • Las Vegas, NV
Replied Sep 2 2015, 11:21

As mentioned, the private money strategy makes the most sense if there is rehab to do.  Send me an email with details.