Views from the Rock

Real Estate Investing, Real Estate Tips

Three Reasons to Consider DSCR Loans for Your Rental Properties

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...

Real Estate Investing

Secret to Success: Rock East’s Guiding Principles

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...

Real Estate Investing, Real Estate Tips

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.

Real Estate Investing, Real Estate Tips

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...

Real Estate Appraisals, Real Estate Investing

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...

Fix & Flip, Trade Tips

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.

Fix & Flip, General Tips

Going Green: Making Eco-Friendly Real Estate Investments

More and more real estate investors are considering making their projects more “green” not just to protect the environment but also to protect their wallet. If you’re going to hold the property as a rental, you can save on energy costs by investing in energy efficiency appliances. If it’s a flip, you can increase resale value by making your project more green with some of the tips below. The biggest challenge investors face when trying to make their real estate fix and flip more environmentally friendly is simply not knowing where to start. In addition, many people think making a project green is expensive and difficult, but in reality, there are a number of simple and affordable ways to reduce your environmental impact.

Financial Problems, General Tips

What Does the Fed’s Interest Rate Hike Mean for Real Estate Investors?

While the pandemic inflicted unprecedented losses on many businesses, one sector that did not follow that trend was residential real estate. The market both nationwide and here in the New York area continues to be red hot — largely as city dwellers move to the suburbs and the surge in demand has put the existing inventory of suburban homes in short supply. Although finding an investment property can be difficult right now, it’s also an opportunity to make big profits - multiple sources including Bloomberg, CNBC, and Forbes report profits on flips are at a record high. And it’s an especially good opportunity for those who have insider’s knowledge like contractors and realtors. I know first-hand – as an investor and contractor, I have renovated and flipped more than 180 properties in my career.

Top Strategies to Limit Real Estate Investor Tax Liabilities

When lenders are deciding whether to make a loan to real estate investors, they really only want to know one thing – am I putting my money in a project that is likely to succeed? Everything a lender asks you is designed to answer that question. As one of the most experienced Hard Money lenders in the industry, we know what questions to ask to determine if a deal is likely to be successful. In fact, we know the questions most other lenders will ask as well. Below are the five questions we always ask about the investor and their deal. By knowing these questions ahead of time, you can be prepared before you reach out to a lender. And when you do talk to a lender, you’ll demonstrate that you are prepared for the investment and increase your chances of getting the funding you need!

Fix & Flip, Trade Tips

5 Questions Hard Money Lenders Ask Their Real Estate Investor Clients

When lenders are deciding whether to make a loan to real estate investors, they really only want to know one thing – am I putting my money in a project that is likely to succeed? Everything a lender asks you is designed to answer that question. As one of the most experienced Hard Money lenders in the industry, we know what questions to ask to determine if a deal is likely to be successful. In fact, we know the questions most other lenders will ask as well. Below are the five questions we always ask about the investor and their deal. By knowing these questions ahead of time, you can be prepared before you reach out to a lender. And when you do talk to a lender, you’ll demonstrate that you are prepared for the investment and increase your chances of getting the funding you need!

General Tips, Trade Tips

How to Achieve Your Real Estate Investing Goals in 2022

Becky Nova is a Cancer Researcher by day, Real Estate Investor. After taking time away from the hospital, Becky lived in Spain and Portugal where she owned a Tour Company and then a bar, respectively. Unfortunately, she lost the bar and moved back to the States penniless. It was then that she met her now husband, Emilio. Emilio had immigrated to the United States a few years before and dreamt of Homeownership. In an attempt to not live mortgage payment to mortgage payment, Becky suggested they purchase a multifamily. Although finding an investment property can be difficult right now, it’s also an opportunity to make big profits - multiple sources including Bloomberg, CNBC, and Forbes report profits on flips are at a record high. And it’s an especially good opportunity for those who have insider’s knowledge like contractors and realtors. I know first-hand – as an investor and contractor, I have renovated and flipped more than 180 properties in my career.

Fix & Flip, Trade Tips

The Impact of Supply Chain Disruptions on Real Estate Construction and Renovations

While the pandemic inflicted unprecedented losses on many businesses, one sector that did not follow that trend was residential real estate. The market both nationwide and here in the New York area continues to be red hot — largely as city dwellers move to the suburbs and the surge in demand has put the existing inventory of suburban homes in short supply. Although finding an investment property can be difficult right now, it’s also an opportunity to make big profits - multiple sources including Bloomberg, CNBC, and Forbes report profits on flips are at a record high. And it’s an especially good opportunity for those who have insider’s knowledge like contractors and realtors. I know first-hand – as an investor and contractor, I have renovated and flipped more than 180 properties in my career.

Fix & Flip, House Flipping

Financing Fix and Flips: How Hard Money Lending Fuels Real Estate Investing

While the pandemic inflicted unprecedented losses on many businesses, one sector that did not follow that trend was residential real estate. The market both nationwide and here in the New York area continues to be red hot — largely as city dwellers move to the suburbs and the surge in demand has put the existing inventory of suburban homes in short supply. Although finding an investment property can be difficult right now, it’s also an opportunity to make big profits - multiple sources including Bloomberg, CNBC, and Forbes report profits on flips are at a record high. And it’s an especially good opportunity for those who have insider’s knowledge like contractors and realtors. I know first-hand – as an investor and contractor, I have renovated and flipped more than 180 properties in my career.

Fix & Flip, House Flipping

Attention Realtors and Contractors: There’s Never Been a Better Time to Consider House Flipping

While the pandemic inflicted unprecedented losses on many businesses, one sector that did not follow that trend was residential real estate. The market both nationwide and here in the New York area continues to be red hot — largely as city dwellers move to the suburbs and the surge in demand has put the existing inventory of suburban homes in short supply. Although finding an investment property can be difficult right now, it’s also an opportunity to make big profits - multiple sources including Bloomberg, CNBC, and Forbes report profits on flips are at a record high. And it’s an especially good opportunity for those who have insider’s knowledge like contractors and realtors. I know first-hand – as an investor and contractor, I have renovated and flipped more than 180 properties in my career.

Covid’s Effects on Real Estate Investing

Here we are, over one year since the world changed as a result of the COVID pandemic. But what a difference a year has made! Vaccines are now widely available, fewer restrictions are in place, and commerce and industry are on the upswing. So what does the emergence from Covid mean for real estate investors looking to grow their portfolios? No doubt, there is a shortage of properties for investors due, in part, to federal and state regulations to protect families from foreclosures and evictions, along with an extension on mortgage payment forbearance. Right now the search for property can be frustrating but for the diligent, patient investor, opportunity awaits!