Using Hard Money Loan to purchase/fix up house, then refi into a conventional primary

Using Hard Money Loan to purchase/fix up house, then refi into a conventional primary

Member since 2021 · 4 posts · 3 votes

Hello All,

I am thinking to purchase a fixer upper property using a hard money loan, fixing the property up and then refinance into a primary conventional mortgage loan and live in the house as my primary residence. Few reasons I'm thinking about using hard money loan to purchase the property:

#1.) The property is listed on the MLS as a cash only fixer upper and will not qualify for a conventional loan.

#2.) Using hard money loan to have a competitive "all cash" fast close offer. 

I saw a similar post about 7 months ago by "Mike Romano" with a similar question, however I didn't feel like he explained the reason why he was planning to use a HML instead of a standard conventional loan in the first place. I understand HML have lots of associated costs to them but the main reason im considering this option is because the home is listed way below market value and is a cash only property. The plan would be to take 4-6 months to fix up the property, and then refinance it into a 30/y fixed primary mortgage and then move in/live in the property as my primary home. Another possible option would be to do a cash out refinance to get some of my rehab money out of the property and only leave my 10-20% downpayment (whatever the HML lender requires to purchase the property)

I would love to know if this is possible or if there are any issue with the plan, especially in the refinancing into a primary portion. 

Thank you in advance. 

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  • AJ ExnerPro Member
    Lender · Springfield, MO · Member since 2023 · 661 posts · 320 votes
    2y
    Quote from @Artem Moskalenko:

    Hello All,

    I am thinking to purchase a fixer upper property using a hard money loan, fixing the property up and then refinance into a primary conventional mortgage loan and live in the house as my primary residence. Few reasons I'm thinking about using hard money loan to purchase the property:

    #1.) The property is listed on the MLS as a cash only fixer upper and will not qualify for a conventional loan.

    #2.) Using hard money loan to have a competitive "all cash" fast close offer. 

    I saw a similar post about 7 months ago by "Mike Romano" with a similar question, however I didn't feel like he explained the reason why he was planning to use a HML instead of a standard conventional loan in the first place. I understand HML have lots of associated costs to them but the main reason im considering this option is because the home is listed way below market value and is a cash only property. The plan would be to take 4-6 months to fix up the property, and then refinance it into a 30/y fixed primary mortgage and then move in/live in the property as my primary home. Another possible option would be to do a cash out refinance to get some of my rehab money out of the property and only leave my 10-20% downpayment (whatever the HML lender requires to purchase the property)

    I would love to know if this is possible or if there are any issue with the plan, especially in the refinancing into a primary portion. 

    Thank you in advance. 


    Artem,

    It is very doable. Especially if you set up with the lender going into it, but set it up as a 'delayed finance' that would recoup ~85% of the purchase price along with a small rehab escrow to reimburse you for the rehab that you plan on doing.

    Then, just set up with the lender that you are working with that your exit strategy is to 'refinance', which is true, but then refinance with a conventional lender and everyone is happy.

    Is that along the lines of what you are planning? Happy to help where I can!

  • Lender · Nationwide · Member since 2023 · 362 posts · 237 votes
    2y

    I believe there are new seasoning requirements for Freddie may and Fannie Mac before you can do a cash out refi if you use a loan to initially fund a property. 1 year according to my quick research. 

  • Bill J FayPro Member
    Lender · San Diego · Member since 2023 · 216 posts · 209 votes
    2y

    Since this will be for personal residence, look into a 203k loan instead of hard money. Hard money is typically used for investment only. 

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