If you are buying an investment property remember that having “skin in the game” is crucial to getting your loan. The term “skin in the game” refers to having a vested interest in the property or investment. Every lender wants you to having something to lose if the loan goes south. Think of it like this, would you sell your house to someone for just a monthly payment with no money down. Sounds like a risky venture, right? Hard Money Lenders think the same way.
Most lenders structure their loans based on a percentage of the quick-sale value of the subject property. This is called the loan-to-value or LTV ratio and typically hovers between 50-75% of the market value of the property. This changes with the economy, strength of the deal and borrower. The LTV can also go much higher if you have other properties to cross collateralize or other assets the lender may see as desirable. We have seen instances of a large wine collection, art and coins to name a few.