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Unlocking the Secrets of Real Estate Investment Metrics

When it comes to making the right choice in real estate investment, there’s a lot more to think about than just the property’s price and rental income potential. Experienced investors rely on a set of carefully refined tools and calculations to guide them. These tools are not just for risk reduction but also for maximizing returns.

In the following sections, we’ll explore some critical metrics that serve as invaluable compass points, steering astute real estate investors through the complex landscape of property options and enabling them to make informed decisions.

October 10, 2023 by
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Unlocking Success: Must-Have Insurance Coverages for Landlords in the New York-New Jersey Area

As a real estate investor, safeguarding your assets is of paramount importance. After all, your property is not just a building; it’s an income-generating investment that deserves optimal protection.

As a licensed agent in Property Casualty insurance, I’ve outlined some crucial coverages to help you navigate the complexities of insuring your investment properties.

August 30, 2023 by
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Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Strategies for Property Investors in the US

Real estate is a significant contributor to global carbon emissions, accounting for about 40% of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. As such, real estate investors are beginning to recognize the benefits of implementing sustainable and eco-friendly strategies in their portfolio. By doing so, they can not only contribute to a more sustainable future but also save money — a win-win situation!

April 24, 2023 by
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Three Reasons to Consider DSCR Loans for Your Rental Properties

As banks tighten their requirements and underwriting becomes even more difficult, more and more investors are considering DSCR loans for their rental properties. In most ways, a DSCR loan is very similar to a commercial bank loan. One difference is that they are usually a little bit more expensive than bank loans, but in many scenarios the benefits outweigh the cost.

March 15, 2023 by

Secret to Success: Rock East’s Guiding Principles

While 2022 was a tumultuous year in the real estate investing industry, we are extremely proud that it was a record-setting year at Rock East Funding. While other lenders pulled back, or even disappeared, our clients continued to count on us to help them achieve their goals.

Why does Rock East continue to thrive? We believe it’s because we continue to stay true to the principles that have guided us since Alan first started lending more than 30 years ago. We have always stayed true to those principles, and we always will.

January 23, 2023 by
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When others are leaving the market it can be a great time to jump in

Rising interest rates, falling property values, uncertain rents. Added together, these can make any investor nervous and reluctant to buy more properties. However, all of these factors can also mean it’s the perfect time to continue investing. I’ve worked with small and large real estate investors, and here are three reasons why I think it’s a good time to be cautious, but not necessarily a time to be scared.

November 16, 2022 by
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3 Tips for Real Estate Investing in a Rising Interest Rate Environment

In real estate investing circles, it’s the most asked question these days: “In a rising interest rate environment, do I buy a rental property?” As a lender, who clients often turn to for advice, I’ve been attending conferences, webinars and reading a lot of articles to “get smarter” on the topic. Unfortunately, I can’t give you a definitive answer, but I can give you a few things to consider that really resonate with me…

July 28, 2022 by
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3 Things You Need to Know About Appraisals for Your Real Estate Investment

Just like banks who provide mortgages for people buying a home to live in, most private lenders, who finance real estate investors, require an appraisal on a property before making a loan. The appraisal is used to protect the lender – it helps them evaluate if it’s a good deal for the investor and the appraised value is also usually used to set the maximum loan amount. I have been doing appraisals for private lenders for over 10 years. During that time on many occasions the appraisal has differed significantly from the borrower’s estimate of value. Often times this is because the investor does not fully understand how appraisers select the comparable sales used to value the property. If you understand these three things about appraisals, it will help you evaluate your deals…

June 30, 2022 by
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3 Common Myths About Hard Money Lenders

When I joined Rock East Funding about five years ago and started meeting investors, I got one of two reactions when I met investors. The first reaction was “Oh great, you’re a lender. Tell me about your terms.” The other reaction was the opposite – “ohhh….you’re a hard money lender.” That reaction was from people who felt it’s a “shady” business where investors get “ripped off.”

Like any industry, unfortunately, there certainly are unscrupulous players in the Hard Money industry. However, if you are working with a reputable lender, Hard Money can be key to fueling your growth and success.

So, let’s dispel some of the Hard Money Myths.

May 25, 2022 by