HELOC on a California (CA) Investment Property

HELOC on a California (CA) Investment Property

Investor · Bend, OR · Member since 2017 · 5 posts · 21 votes

Hi Everyone,

I recently went through the process of setting up a HELOC on an investment property in California. Called maybe 50 banks and credit unions, and as you probably know, not a lot of people will do this right now.

I found a few who will, so I thought I'd post results here and maybe save someone the initial legwork.

They have various terms, conditions, etc., but I don't necessarily have all that info.  My goal here is just to give you the starter list for who to call.

This is relatively current (calls made between 3/23/2017 and 5/23/2017) and again, for a non-owner-occupied condo/townhome investment property in California.

Hope this is helpful for somebody out there!

Ryan

Banks/CUs Offering a HELOC Product for NOO Property in California

  • Bank of the West (I think they will do this for a single family, but not for a condo/townhome)
  • California Bank & Trust (up to 55% Combined LTV)
  • California Coast Credit Union (70% CLTV)
  • East West Bank (60% CLTV)
  • Fremont Bank (65% CLTV)
  • Pentagon Federal Credit Union (70% CLTV)
  • SAFE Credit Union (70% CLTV)
  • Union Bank (up to 65% CLTV)
  • Wells Fargo (up to 60% CLTV)
  • Wescom Credit Union (70% CLTV)
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Real Estate Broker · San Francisco Bay Area, CA · Member since 2015 · 116 posts · 76 votes
8y

@Stephen Chu - Amongst the real estate community in SF/Greater Bay Area, they're known for being amongst the worst in consistency. They never close on-time, and they always make mistakes on paperwork. The same can be said for the other "big-box" banks such as Citi or Chase, but Wells generally performs the best out of the four. Plus, as you probably know - the rates are usually teaser rates until you lock them in.

In my experience, its generally better to go with a relationship-based bank such as First Republic or a local credit union for HELOCs. Granted, if you have a great relationship/high deposits with one of the Big 4, you may get a decent discount on rates. 

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  • Rental Property Investor · Temple City, CA · Member since 2017 · 19 posts · 9 votes
    9y
    Great information, I have personally try to find a submission myself I want surprised at how many things did not support HELOC properties.
  • Ronnie S.Pro Member
    Investor · Coeur d Alene, ID · Member since 2013 · 109 posts · 29 votes
    9y

    This is great info....I was looking for HELOC for my rental property.

    Thanks for working through this!

  • Investor · Bend, OR · Member since 2017 · 5 posts · 21 votes
    9y

    Hi Ronnie, glad it's helpful.

    Let us know if you find anything different (or if guidelines have changed with any of these guys since I called).

  • Investor · North Hollywood, CA · Member since 2015 · 11 posts · 2 votes
    9y
    I just got my HELOC from Wescom, I had a BK about 5 or 6 years ago and they managed to get me approved. I think they are great so far.
  • San Francisco, CA · Member since 2017 · 5 posts · 1 vote
    9y

    Thank you @Ryan S., this is super helpful!

    Quick question: do you have information on the size of HELOCs these banks supported ? Or, what was the size of the HELOC you were looking for ?

  • Investor · Bend, OR · Member since 2017 · 5 posts · 21 votes
    9y

    Hi @Naveen Koorakula,

    Most of the conversations didn't get that far. The subject property was valued around $400K, and I was looking to get at least $20K on the line. Cap on the HELOC size was never in play as an issue in my situation, so I didn't take great notes on that.

    Here's what I do have:

    • California Coast CU: $10K minimum line
    • Fremont Bank: $25K minimum line
    • Wescom:  $250K max line (@Stanley Diaz, any confirmation on that number from your end?)

    Hope that helps!

  • San Francisco, CA · Member since 2017 · 5 posts · 1 vote
    9y

    Thank you @Ryan S., definitely helps!

  • Investor · North Hollywood, CA · Member since 2015 · 11 posts · 2 votes
    9y

    @Ryan S. I can not recall, but my HELOC was for $141,000 at 70% LTV. 70% was the max LTV.

  • Real Estate Broker · Thousand Oaks, CA · Member since 2017 · 63 posts · 33 votes
    9y

    Thanks for researching this!  I knew of Freemont and UBOC but not the others.

  • Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2016 · 10 posts · 1 vote
    8y

    @Ryan S., thanks for this information. I did not know that I could not get a HELOC on my rental property. I am getting ready to refinance and my main objective is to obtain a lower interest rate, thus lower my payments. On top of that, I would like to pull equity, but I am not ready for cash-out and increase my mortgage. My ideal plan is to use HELOC for other investments sometime in 2018, use the BRRR strategy, and pay back my HELOC.

  • Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2016 · 565 posts · 391 votes
    8y

    @Naveen Koorakula the caps are usually those CLTV percentages Ryan mentioned very often up to $750k or even $1M with a more simplified process if you stay under 500k.

    @Ryan S. Thanks for sharing your findings, Wonder what kind of rates were you given when you reached out to them?

  • Santa Clara, CA · Member since 2018 · 2 posts · 0 votes
    8y

    Thank you for the useful information! I just wanted to add that Penfed quoted me 7% APR for 10 year fix HELOC on investment home. My fico is above 720 and the LTV would of been at 70%. However, keep in mind Penfed will NOT allow you to use a HELOC on investment homes if you have over 4 mortgages under your name. Does anyone else have suggestions for additional HELOC lenders that does not mind investors with over 4 mortgages?

  • Investor · Bend, OR · Member since 2017 · 5 posts · 21 votes
    8y

    Hi @Kevin Lefeuvre, sorry but I do not recall.  I think everyone was "Prime plus x%," maybe a point or two?  I remember there was a higher cost because it wasn't owner-occupied.

  • Rental Property Investor · Mountain House, CA · Member since 2018 · 17 posts · 5 votes
    8y

    Thank you @Ryan S.! We're currently looking for a HELOC on our rented condo in CA so this is very useful.

    Just talked to Wells Fargo and they had a teaser FRA of 5.365% good for the first 11 mos and 8% thereafter. However our cap to withdraw was only $29K. We have decent equity on our home so I don't know why this was so low. 60% CLTV.

    I'm for sure looking at other options. Thanks everyone else for your input!

  • Member since 2018 · 1 post · 2 votes
    8y

    Hi @Stacy La Pienda, I would suggest you try Redwood Credit Union. They are headquartered in Santa Rosa with limited branches, one being in San Francisco. They allow an LTV up to 80% on investment property. The interest rates are slightly higher than usual because of that, but you can use their personalized quotation system on their website to see if it will work for you. I have used them several times and have been great to work with. They have been my go to for HELOC's on investment property.

  • Real Estate Broker · San Francisco Bay Area, CA · Member since 2015 · 116 posts · 76 votes
    8y
    Originally posted by @Moises Corrales:

    Hi @Stacy La Pienda, I would suggest you try Redwood Credit Union. They are headquartered in Santa Rosa with limited branches, one being in San Francisco. They allow an LTV up to 80% on investment property. The interest rates are slightly higher than usual because of that, but you can use their personalized quotation system on their website to see if it will work for you. I have used them several times and have been great to work with. They have been my go to for HELOC's on investment property.

    I would have to agree with Moises. Particularly due to the fact that Redwood Credit Union is a credit union vs. a big-box bank, they provide more individualized and tailored/flexible solutions for their clients. Redwood has a large share of the mortgage market north of SF up to around Mendocino. Whatever you do, don't go with Bank of America though!

    I would highly recommend John Ybarra, who has over 27 years of experience with loans. Happy to provide a personal introduction via email if you'd like. 

  • Rental Property Investor · San Jose, CA · Member since 2018 · 18 posts · 5 votes
    8y

    Thanks @Houston Garcia and @Moises Corrales. Found this thread because of my similar situation. I have 2 investment properties that I was hoping to HELOC which happen to both be in Santa Rosa. RCU certainly seems like the best option for me. Thanks!

  • New to Real Estate · San Carlos, CA · Member since 2018 · 13 posts · 6 votes
    8y

    @Houston Garcia Why did you say "don't go with BFA"? Their HELOC rates (at least against primary residence) seem to be quite low lately.

  • Real Estate Broker · San Francisco Bay Area, CA · Member since 2015 · 116 posts · 76 votes
    8y

    @Stephen Chu - Amongst the real estate community in SF/Greater Bay Area, they're known for being amongst the worst in consistency. They never close on-time, and they always make mistakes on paperwork. The same can be said for the other "big-box" banks such as Citi or Chase, but Wells generally performs the best out of the four. Plus, as you probably know - the rates are usually teaser rates until you lock them in.

    In my experience, its generally better to go with a relationship-based bank such as First Republic or a local credit union for HELOCs. Granted, if you have a great relationship/high deposits with one of the Big 4, you may get a decent discount on rates. 

  • Rental Property Investor · Temple City, CA · Member since 2017 · 19 posts · 9 votes
    7y

    SCE Credit Union

    • 80% LTV
    • 6.5% interest rate, variable , 2% max annual cap with %6 max cap lifetime.
    • $250k max loan
    • $50/year if balance is less than $10k
    • $500-$2k origination fees

    Best deal so far. Note: if you want more than $250k you'll probably need to get two HELOC's with different banks that have high LTV limits. Most credit unions will charge Prime +1% on the first HELOC, and the second lien HELOC will be PRIME + 2%.

    Stay safe out there borrowers!

  • Simi Valley, CA · Member since 2017 · 1 post · 0 votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Robin White:

    SCE Credit Union

    Best deal so far. 

    Had did they calculate your DTI ratios?

    I have 3 properties, with a 1st on each.  No mortgage on primary residence.

    If they add all monthly liabilities to the debt side of the equation, I need 2-25 as much on the income side of the equation to offset it to remain with a decent DTI. I don't have that income.

    Last time I did a refi, the way they handled investment properties is to look only at the positive (or negative) cash flow the properties generated, and added only that amount to the income (or debt) side of the equation.  Much easier to qualify.  (This was true for the other investment properties. Not sure if did the same for the subject property).

    Just had a chat with someone at SCE -- he was quite sure this is not the way this is handled.  Anyone?

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