Real Estate Broker · Raleigh, NC · Member since 2017 · 174 posts · 69 votes
Specifically for an investment property, as a buy-and-hold investor, would it be wise to take out a 5/5 ARM as opposed to a 30 year fixed loan (since it is very difficult to find a 30 year fixed conventional loan even with a 20% down)?
Rental Property Investor · Melbourne, FL · Member since 2011 · 3k+ posts · 2k+ votes
9y
You haven't looked around enough. There are some banks that top out at 4 mortgages, and others that top out at ten houses. The lender I use is one of those. If you plan better than we did, each member of a couple can get their ten mortgages, for a total of 20. The interest rate is a little higher and the down payment is a bit higher on mortgages 7, 8, 9 and 10. Additionally, there is a requirement to keep six months reserves for all houses. So, any way you slice it, the process is not "simple." Nor is it onerous. Just be methodical with your credit and savings usage.
After ten mortgages, our lender will then move us to their portfolio product. Ridge Lending, Caeli Ridge (Chay-lee) is the lender we use.
Call the community banks in your local area, as they are most likely to help you get past 4. Ask if they have an appetite for investor grade single family homes.
You haven't looked around enough. There are some banks that top out at 4 mortgages, and others that top out at ten houses. The lender I use is one of those. If you plan better than we did, each member of a couple can get their ten mortgages, for a total of 20. The interest rate is a little higher and the down payment is a bit higher on mortgages 7, 8, 9 and 10. Additionally, there is a requirement to keep six months reserves for all houses. So, any way you slice it, the process is not "simple." Nor is it onerous. Just be methodical with your credit and savings usage.
After ten mortgages, our lender will then move us to their portfolio product. Ridge Lending, Caeli Ridge (Chay-lee) is the lender we use.
Call the community banks in your local area, as they are most likely to help you get past 4. Ask if they have an appetite for investor grade single family homes.
I'm still on my first home (investment), will be a non-owner occupied SFR home. Not even close to getting past 4 yet, short steps first. But thanks for the input.
Lender · Glenview IL- CDLP NMLS#230554 · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 747 votes
9y
30 year fix is good option when you want to hold it for longer term otherwise it has higher interest rate compare to arm. There are so many lenders who can do investment property for 30 year fix term.
Investor · Austin, TX · Member since 2017 · 24 posts · 5 votes
9y
I would go with 30 years fixed but it is a close call. Market can do anything but at around 4.5% 30 years investment property rate - I would think 30 year may work out better.
Investor · Monroe, WI · Member since 2015 · 691 posts · 610 votes
9y
Is there a reason your looking for a SFH as your first investment? You should take full advantage of the economy of scale (and still getting that cheap 30yr money) and try an owner occupied 4-plex.