Real Estate Information

Apartment Loan 101


So you're interested in going into business as a property manager? Have you given any thought yet to you'll enter this potentially profitable market? Reality check-unless you've just inherited a large sum of money from a relative or are otherwise independently wealthy you're going to find someone to borrow from. This is where an apartment loan comes in.

Before you visit the local bank or other lending institution, it may be wise to ask yourself how long you plan to own the apartment building or complex. Are you investing for the long-term? Answering this question will significantly influence the type apartment loan you should get.

If you are planning to own the property for two years or less, most experts agree that an apartment loan with an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) will be your best bet. Like the name suggests, an ARM is a loan will an interest rate that may change with time in accordance with various factors. ARM apartment loans usually offer a better initial interest rate than other loans to offset the risk of future interest rate changes. An interest rate ceiling that may be reset annually also protects the mortgage holder.

If you plan to stay in the property management business for the long-term, you may want to look at getting a fixed rate apartment loan. A fixed rate loan guarantees the same interest rate over the life of the mortgage.

Supposing interest rates are historically low at the time you secure the apartment loan, this type of loan will lock you in at the best rate possible. On the other hand however, if interest rates are historically high at the time of the loan, you might be stuck paying interest at a higher rate than you would have with another type of apartment loan.

Another important question to answer before seeking an apartment loan source is the approximate cost of the property. This may seem like a no-brainer when looking for an apartment loan, but too many first-time investors just take the interest rates they're given without question. If the apartment building you're interested in is selling for over $500,000, a direct lending source or investment company can usually give you a better interest rate than most banks or credit unions. However, if you're looking at a smaller apartment building selling for less than $500,000, you may want to check interest rates at the local bank.

With banks and other lending institutions anxious to provide you with an apartment loan, new loan options have emerged in recent years. Generally speaking, smaller banks and other lending sources like direct lenders have a greater degree of flexibility in what they can offer borrowers. In order to attract larger numbers of borrowers, many lenders now offer non-recourse.

A traditional recourse loan means that the lender has claim on personal or corporate assets in the event of a default by the borrower. On the other hand, a non-recourse apartment loan means the lender cannot hold you personally liable if you fail to repay the debt as promised. The only recourse for compensation to the lender is to take the property you've pledged as security for your loan, but he cannot claim any other assets or money from you if you default.

Whichever apartment loan option you decide on, it's important to be certain you understand the details. It's vitally important that you choose a lender that has both the experience and inclination to take the time to sit down with you and answer your questions clearly. Getting your apartment loan from a source you can trust will go a long way in helping you find success and enjoyment in the exciting world of property investing and management.

Cameron Brown is an internet marketer specializing in investment property. For more information on securing an apartment loan, please visit SNC.


MORE RESOURCES:

German Stocks Drop; Hypo Real Estate, Continental, E.ON Fall
Bloomberg - 1 hour ago
Hypo Real Estate Holding AG and Continental AG dropped at least 2 percent after Deutsche Boerse AG said the companies’ shares will be removed from the ...
Salzgitter, Beiersdorf to join German DAX-30 Index The Associated Press
Salzgitter, Beiersdorf to join Germany's DAX index Forbes
German Stocks Erase Gains; Hypo Real Estate, Continental Drop Bloomberg
Bloomberg - Bloomberg
all 80 news articles


Cousins Properties to Present at the 12th Annual Wachovia Global ...
MarketWatch - 1 hour ago
Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2008, Cousins Properties Incorporated is a leading diversified real estate company with extensive experience in ...
Kite Realty Group Trust to Present at 12th Annual Wachovia Global ... MarketWatch
all 13 news articles


Four Industry Greats Form National Real Estate Consulting Firm ...
MarketWatch - 3 hours ago
NEW YORK, Dec 04, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Real estate industry giants Henry Gallin, Michael Glick, Frank Sullivan and Ray O'Keefe announced the formation of ...


International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI) to Host European ...
MarketWatch - 14 hours ago
Austria has developed into a major European centre of real estate and financial transactions. It seemed most appropriate for FIABCI to hold its European ...


Reuters

China's CIC appoints real estate fund head -sources
Reuters - 13 hours ago
Besides real estate funds, Zhou's team is also responsible for CIC's direct investments and non-real estate private equity funds. ...
Israel stocks fall; Israel Corp., Discount in focus MarketWatch
Seabreeze's Kass favors US stocks over Treasuries Reuters
Developer Africa Israel posts steep loss in Q3 Reuters
Reuters - Reuters
all 1,886 news articles


ERA Pacesetter closes real estate business
Bizjournals.com, NC - 21 hours ago
One of Greater Nashville’s largest residential real estate firms — ERA Pacesetter Partners — is closing up shop, the latest casualty of tough economic times ...


Nokomis Real Estate Ventures LLC files bankruptcy petition
Bizjournals.com, NC - Dec 3, 2008
Nokomis Real Estate Ventures LLC filed a petition in Tampa federal court seeking Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company does business as the Nokomis Inn ...


Real Estate Pain on Tap for Smaller Banks
TheStreet.com - 1 hour ago
This is the second story of a two-part look at banks that could suffer from their exposure to commercial real estate and construction loans. ...


Neuberger Berman Real Estate Securities Income Fund Inc. Announces ...
MarketWatch - Dec 3, 2008
... in the markets for its portfolio securities, and in particular, common and preferred stocks issued by Real Estate Investment Trusts ("REITs"). ...
Marshall to raise $500m for Russian real estate PrivateEquityRealEstate.com
Marshall Capital Partners launches new $500 million fund for ... WebWire (press release)
all 9 news articles


ABC News

Keepin' It Real Estate: Treasury Tries to Re-Inflate Housing Bubble
Minyanville.com, New York - 4 hours ago
A protracted period of stabilization will ensue, during which time the opportunity to purchase high-quality residential real estate below its long-term ...
The real estate industry gets a favor from Bernanke Todays Financial News
See Your $800 Billion and Raise You $7 Trillion Smartmoney.com
New Treasury Plan May Lower Mortgage Rates Washington Post
The Associated Press - Boston Globe
all 587 news articles

Real-Estate - Google News

home | site map
© 2006