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Yash Warke
  • Atlanta, GA
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"Cash only" covers HELOC?

Yash Warke
  • Atlanta, GA
Posted Jan 23 2023, 14:02

Many sellers ask for "cash only" for their properties. If you have a HELOC that has enough line to cover the price, does that qualify to be a Cash only offer?

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Steven Foster Wilson
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Columbus, OH
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Steven Foster Wilson
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Columbus, OH
Replied Jan 23 2023, 14:07
Quote from @Yash Warke:

Many sellers ask for "cash only" for their properties. If you have a HELOC that has enough line to cover the price, does that qualify to be a Cash only offer?


Yeah, if you already have the HELOC then yes.

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Erik Estrada
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Erik Estrada
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Replied Jan 23 2023, 14:14
Quote from @Yash Warke:

Many sellers ask for "cash only" for their properties. If you have a HELOC that has enough line to cover the price, does that qualify to be a Cash only offer?

Yes you can use your HELOC. What is the goal though? Sounds risky using all of your HELOC for the purchase. Why not do a combination of both HELOC and Hard Money so you can have enough for reserves and renovations

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Michael Dumler
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  • Atlanta, GA
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Michael Dumler
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Atlanta, GA
Replied Jan 23 2023, 14:32

@Yash Warke, similar to how hard money is technically a loan but most sellers consider it as cash, I would assume a HELOC that covers the purchase price is suitable for most owners seeking "cash" offers. As others have noted, using a HELOC for the full purchase seems risky, I would run your numbers religiously before submitting offers.

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Yash Warke
  • Atlanta, GA
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Yash Warke
  • Atlanta, GA
Replied Jan 23 2023, 16:39

Goal is to buy my first rental investment property. I agree using HELOC for the entire amount to own it outright is risky, as it may leave me short on funds for renovations/rehab (is there any other tofu involved?).

What does it take to go down the hard money path? It is my first time doing this, so not familiar at all.

I might just steer clear of cash only properties and consider only deals that require a minimal downpayment with a conventional loan.

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Jonathan Taylor
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  • Los Angeles, CA
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Jonathan Taylor
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Replied Jan 23 2023, 16:43

@Yash Warke HELOC funds qualify as a cash buy but if you are using HELOC funds as a down payment and a loan for the rest, lenders have seasoning requirements and/or may not allow you to use these funds to purchase. The total purchase would be considered borrowed loan (down payment plus first lien position) which greatly increases the risk to the lender.

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Nathan Gesner
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Nathan Gesner
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Cody, WY
ModeratorReplied Jan 24 2023, 05:24
Quote from @Yash Warke:

Many sellers ask for "cash only" for their properties. If you have a HELOC that has enough line to cover the price, does that qualify to be a Cash only offer?


A line of credit enables you to write a check. It's the same as paying with actual bills and coins, a money order, or a cashiers check. It is considered cash.

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John McKee
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John McKee
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  • Fairfax, VA
Replied Feb 8 2023, 10:59

I have bought a few properties using a good chunk of my heloc and some of my own cash on hand.  To the seller it's just cash, so they really don't need to know any details of your own internal financing.  Always come in strong and brag about your experience if you have any.  Let them know that this deal will close and close fast.