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Vee Vu
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Denver, CO
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How soon can I refinance?

Vee Vu
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Denver, CO
Posted Feb 7 2018, 21:06

Hi everyone. I'm planning to buy rental properties in Baltimore, MD and nearby areas. And I really concern about the refinancing, because my capital is limited. I have a few questions:

1) How soon can I refinance after renting out the property?

2) Will any lenders/ banks let me refinance based on only the rental income of the house? (I don't have a job now). I really appreciate if I can receive some referrals to those lenders/banks.

3) How to add more value to a property which is bought at the market value? Are there any ways to make sure the appraisal for the refinancing will come at a higher value than the purchase price?

Thank you!

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Evan Roberts
  • Contractor/Realtor/Property Manager
  • Baltimore, MD
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Evan Roberts
  • Contractor/Realtor/Property Manager
  • Baltimore, MD
Replied Feb 8 2018, 03:35

if you don’t have a job then you’ll likely not be able to get past a seasoning period on the loan. Some lenders would let you refi if your global cash flow can support the debt but that requires income from multiple sources (w2 income, other rentals, etc). Also, given your out of state you’ll likely struggle to buy houses at a significant discount and force the value you need to ensure a cash out refi and also depends where you buy as there are many lenders who won’t touch certain parts of the city. 

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Ola Dantis
Pro Member
  • Multifamily Syndicator
  • Houston, TX
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Ola Dantis
Pro Member
  • Multifamily Syndicator
  • Houston, TX
Replied Feb 8 2018, 04:21

@Vee Vu Hey Vee, most people usually wait a year or two after they have stabilized their asset, meaning completed any renovations and/or escalated rents. 

Now, your situation is a little different because part of the REFi process is taking into consideration your income; however, some lenders might be welcoming to non W2 income, for instance, if you are 1099, it all depends on the lender really. 

Since you are invested out of state, it might be wise to find someone with boots-on-the-ground who focuses on the RE strategy: Buy and Hold rentals that you are considering. This is very important, as you want to minimize any risks associated with investing out-of-state. There is a good book called Long Distance Investing, so you might want to check it out. 

Hope this helps, Vee. Goodluck. Thanks! - Ola 

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Ozzy Sirimsi
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Baltimore, MD
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Ozzy Sirimsi
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Baltimore, MD
Replied Feb 8 2018, 05:27
Originally posted by @Vee Vu:

Hi everyone. I'm planning to buy rental properties in Baltimore, MD and nearby areas. And I really concern about the refinancing, because my capital is limited. I have a few questions:

1) How soon can I refinance after renting out the property?

2) Will any lenders/ banks let me refinance based on only the rental income of the house? (I don't have a job now). I really appreciate if I can receive some referrals to those lenders/banks.

3) How to add more value to a property which is bought at the market value? Are there any ways to make sure the appraisal for the refinancing will come at a higher value than the purchase price?

Thank you!

1-  First they are going to look at your income and your experience with      the real estate. Since you will not have much relationship with the bank those are the defining factors.In your situation, seasoning period would be min 12 months I would say.

2- You gotta have multiple houses with huge cash flow. One house will not cut it.

3- You gotta improve something in the house, but make sure you do don't over do it. 

Good Luck!!!

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Vee Vu
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Denver, CO
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Vee Vu
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Denver, CO
Replied Feb 8 2018, 19:14

Hi @Evan Roberts . Actually, I Just moved to Baltimore to do real estate. I'm going to update my profile :) And I'm trying to get a job now, hope this can help with the refinancing. 

Do you know if the lenders will let the investors know which parts/ zipcodes they won't lend money? I am planning to do networking with lenders, and not sure if this is an appropriate question to ask them.

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Vee Vu
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Denver, CO
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Vee Vu
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Denver, CO
Replied Feb 8 2018, 19:19

Thanks @Ola Dantis . I just moved to Baltimore, I should update my profile :D But you are absolutely right. I can see that Baltimore is a very tricky market. I need to do more networking and build a team with people who know more about the market than me. 

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Evan Roberts
  • Contractor/Realtor/Property Manager
  • Baltimore, MD
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Evan Roberts
  • Contractor/Realtor/Property Manager
  • Baltimore, MD
Replied Feb 9 2018, 03:33

@Vee Vu shoot me a message and we can connect about the lenders we use and our experiences thus far

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David Fernandez
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Vienna, VA
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David Fernandez
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Vienna, VA
Replied Feb 10 2018, 02:05

Hi @Vee Vu

1) Most banks will require a 6-12 month seasoning; however, I work with a couple of local banks in Baltimore City that do not require seasoning (one lends up to the lesser value of 70% of the purchase price + rehab cost or appraised value. the other lends 70-75% of the as-completed value). I didn't get this the first time I walked in with my first property, but you can find a bank that will work with you. Call as many as you can.

Other option is going with a HML, They are expensive, but you will have the ability to use minimal funds and have more available to buy more deals. If you factor the cost in your analysis, you know that you can be out in 6-12 months (make sure you can refi)

2) Most banks will probably ask you for a network higher than the loan amount and income (W-2, 1099, rental income) to protect the loan payments when the property is vacant.

Do you know anybody with a steady income that can be the guarantor on the loan? This will be enough for most banks.

3) The appraisal just won't come much higher than a property bought at market value. You need to either improve something or get creative to buy under market value (or both!).

Good luck!

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Vee Vu
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Denver, CO
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Vee Vu
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Denver, CO
Replied Feb 11 2018, 16:33

Thanks @David Fernandez. Did you talk to lenders/banks about the refinancing before you actually buy and rehab a house, or after rehab and rent it out?

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Philip Williams
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Rockford, IL
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Philip Williams
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Rockford, IL
Replied Feb 11 2018, 17:24

Hi I think some people are presenting a rosier picture than is typically the case. Banks hate investors without W-2 income! I always thought the deals came first but even commercial bankers want to see a global debt before proceeding any further. Do you perhaps have a partner on the deal who can bring some W-2 income to the table? I have found this to be immensely helpful. I spend time finding the deals and when it comes to the financing I have a solid partner the bank considers having a "real job"

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David Fernandez
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Vienna, VA
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David Fernandez
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Vienna, VA
Replied Feb 11 2018, 22:39

@Vee Vu, I talked with banks before and after I bought my first property. 

Before I bought my first property in Baltimore City my main focus when talking to bankers was to network. I met a few of them at the different REIAs that are organized there and just talked about the market, the products they have, what do they look for when working with an investor, explain them who I was, what I did before (I came from another market), and what my goals are. After buying my first property, I reached out to those connections (and called many more!) and we talked about the deal and terms. Now, I keep in touch regularly with a couple of bankers I work with. 

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Andrew Hinton
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Baltimore, MD
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Andrew Hinton
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Baltimore, MD
Replied Mar 12 2018, 22:16

Hi Vee Vu,

Hope you are enjoying your time in Baltimore, MD. I've been investing in Baltimore rentals for two years and also working full-time developing (first flipping and now on to bigger commercial projects). It's a blast, but you need to be careful when you are starting out. In this city, there are as many shady characters as really good people, and it takes some time to figure out who you can trust with your money

You mentioned capital is limited, but sounds like you have time on your hands. Flipping might be a good place to start and will improve your income situation, making you a more appealing investment to the banker. You may also join with other investors on a limited scale to grow your money and learn about Baltimore's rental market

Very happy to discuss in more detail if you are looking for someone to talk to! -Andrew

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Eric G.
  • Honolulu, HI
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Eric G.
  • Honolulu, HI
Replied Mar 14 2018, 06:38
Originally posted by @David Fernandez:

@Vee Vu, I talked with banks before and after I bought my first property. 

Before I bought my first property in Baltimore City my main focus when talking to bankers was to network. I met a few of them at the different REIAs that are organized there and just talked about the market, the products they have, what do they look for when working with an investor, explain them who I was, what I did before (I came from another market), and what my goals are. After buying my first property, I reached out to those connections (and called many more!) and we talked about the deal and terms. Now, I keep in touch regularly with a couple of bankers I work with. 

 Care to drop a name or two from decent lenders you've had good experiences with? I'm always looking to reach out to potential lenders.

-Eric

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Jojo Olaseha
  • Baltimore, MD
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Jojo Olaseha
  • Baltimore, MD
Replied Jun 7 2018, 21:12

I always suggest waiting a year (at least) that way you can pul out the full value of the home not just the amount you paid for the property. oh and Santana Brown at First Home mortgage is the best lender in Maryland.