Things To Look For In Private Lenders To Ensure Your Deals Get Funded

Looking for a Private Lender? Some Things to Think About

Banks continue to stand on the lending sidelines as uncertain economic factors and rising interest rates continue to weigh on the banking industry. Increasingly, private lenders have become the go-to lender to get deals across the finish line. However, a challenge with private money lenders is that reliable and trusted sources can be difficult to find.

Let’s start with some key takeaways.

Private money lenders make loans to real estate investors and are an alternative to traditional funding sources like banks or credit unions.
Private money loans, sometimes known as hard money loans, can be used to fund a variety of real estate deals, including fix and flip properties and single-family rental homes.
Because a private money lender works directly with an investor, loans can be more easily structured to meet the needs of a borrower.
When reviewing a potential loan, a private money lender generally is more concerned with the before and after property value rather than a borrower’s credit score.
Private money lenders can provide funds faster and with more flexible terms, although an investor may pay a higher interest rate and larger loan fees.

As an investor, important steps must be taken to find and vet a good private money lender include asking for referrals, creating a pitchbook of the intended deal, and reviewing past transactions a private lender has funded.

Where do I find a qualified private lender?

So how does one find a good private lender? Private lending is based more on relationships compared to larger banks or even a local credit union. Once a private lender knows they’ll be repaid on time and can trust a borrower, the greater the odds are of obtaining funding for future deals.. In general, private lenders usually get business through word-of-mouth versus advertising to the general public, thus they can be a little more difficult to find, but also well worth the time and effort.

Besides the slowdown in lending by banks, other reasons why an investor might seek private money lending include qualification, which is easier for a borrower since private lenders focus more on the specifics of a transaction and less on a borrower’s credit score. The process of funding is faster and requires less paperwork because private lenders fund and hold private money loans in-house. Cash deals may put an investor’s offer ahead of a buyer with a financing contingency and a private lender can fund multiple transactions at the same time, helping to bypass the loan limits that traditional lenders may place on real estate investors.

Make sure you vet the lender

While the field of private lenders is growing, it’s important to understand that not all private lenders are a good match for the borrower. Here are some suggestions you might follow when you begin your search:

Request references from a private lender for other real estate investors that have had recent transactions funded by the lender.
Verify that a private money lender is licensed if state law requires a lending license.
Review past deals a lender has been involved in, such as funding renovations on an investment property, to better understand a lender’s familiarity with various real estate projects.
Understand where a private money lender’s capital is coming from, such as the lender itself, or a syndicated loan with funds contributed from various investors.
Ask if funds are released in one lump sum, or if there is a draw process where loan money is received at different stages of the transaction.
Study loan terms from the private lenders, including documents required from a borrower, annual interest rate, points and fees, length of loan and amortization period, penalty for early loan prepayment, requirements to extend a loan, time required to fund a loan, and whether or not the private money lender has every backed out of a loan.

Newport Capital has emerged as a valuable source in the private lending market. Established in 2012, Newport Capital executives have decades of commercial real estate experience, including fund management, property acquisition, management, and disposition. We are an established operating platform that efficiently originates funds and services real estate private credit. With all operations and investment approvals handled in-house, the company prides itself on making decisions in a timely manner and upholding the terms and timeframes to which it commits. In addition to its broad industry knowledge, Newport Capital has established relationships and networks in private credit financing. Our niche expertise is invaluable to borrowers in providing support and guidance. Newport’s relationship-driven approach to lending can help connect borrowers with strategic advisory services to support their growth. If you would like more information, click here: Real Estate Private Credit - Newport Capital.

As the Banks Pull Back, Investors Need to Find Alternatives

Following a whirlwind of Fed activity which saw a string of 10 consecutive rate hikes in just over a year, The Fed took a break on raising interest rates at its June 2023 meeting. The central bank's benchmark interest rate remains between 5% and 5.25%, its highest in 16 years, according to The Washington Post.

For the Fed, an economy that is balanced—not too hot, not too cold--is the perfect scenario. When the economy booms and “runs hot,” distortions like inflation and asset bubbles can get out of hand, threatening economic stability. That’s when the Fed steps in and raises interest rates, which helps cool down the economy and keep growth on track. At times it can be hectic, to say the least. Finding a lender who can weather the storm of fluctuating rate hikes will play a key role in your lending needs.

It was already difficult for businesses to borrow money earlier this year. But following the collapse of three US regional banks and a series of rate hikes by the Fed, getting a loan has become increasingly more difficult. Indeed, more lenders have stiffened their standards, according to the Federal Reserve’s quarterly Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey (SLOOS).

Alternative sources for capital are emerging and have caught the attention of borrowers. For instance, Newport Capital offers 6- to 12-month loans with fixed rates that don't fluctuate based on federal interest hikes, but rather are determined by the project. The firm’s approach to deal underwriting, combined with its discretionary capital, allows for timely approval and an efficient funding process. Capital amounts range from $1 million to $10 million and can be deployed across the capital stack to meet the project-specific needs of its clients. Newport Capital is an option for fast funding to stabilize the project and then to secure long-term financing.

Round and round, it goes

Now, the Fed is looking at the impact the prior rate hikes had on inflation and the overall economy. In addition, the Fed is looking at the impacts of other economic activity, namely the collapse of three banks this past spring. It’s sort of like the board spinning game Round and Round It Goes, Where It Stops, Nobody Knows. Indeed, further rate hikes may be back on the table, with some Federal Reserve policymakers indicating there might be up to two additional rate hikes of a quarter-point each before 2023 comes to an end. Others were less aggressive in their forecasts, only predicting a single quarter-point hike. However, just two policymakers believed that rates would stay where they were through the end of the year. Additionally, Powel said at the June meeting that the Fed wants to move at a less aggressive pace going forward when it comes to rate hikes. "Given how far we have come, it may make sense for rates to move higher but at a more moderate pace. It's just the idea that we're trying to get this right," Powell said.

Accounting judgments may need revisiting (e.g., lease reassessments, conclusions around whether the effect of discounting is material for long-term provisions). Implementing mitigating strategies and structuring future contracts will also require attention to avoid adverse accounting consequences associated with rising interest rates. The Federal Reserve is next set to meet on July 25-26 this month. It isn't clear if rate hikes will resume then or if the Fed will wait a bit longer. Rate changes usually take "at least 12 months" to have "widespread economic impact," according to Investopedia. Nonetheless, non-traditional banks might be the perfect solution to your lending needs. That makes capital sources like Newport Capital a compelling option today. For more information on how we can help you in your lending needs, please visit us here: Real Estate Private Credit - Newport Capital

Unlocking the Power of Private Debt: Opting for Private Debt Over Equity in Commercial Real Estate Investments

Private debt is a popular alternative to equity investments in the commercial real estate sector. It has encroached on the banks’ primarily syndicated loan market and can provide attractive risk-adjusted returns.

Real estate debt funds make loans to commercial borrowers using privately sourced capital. Investors receive regular interest payments and payment priority of their capital if a commercial property is sold.

Tax Benefits

Private debt capital is an attractive asset class for real estate investors looking to diversify their portfolios and earn a competitive return. Non-bank institutions, such as business development companies, private equity firms, and wealthy individuals, can issue this type of debt.

A key advantage of debt funds is that their income stream is more consistent and predictable than equity. This is because private debt funds typically offer short-term loans that are senior in a project’s capital stack, meaning they have priority over other types of financing.

In addition, debt funds are incentivized to maximize a property’s value at disposition by improving, stabilizing, or otherwise optimizing the property. This enables the fund to sell the loan to another investor or lender at a higher price, which benefits its shareholders. Private debt funds also tend to have streamlined processes that can get deals done faster than traditional lenders. This nimbleness can be critical for owners and developers that need funding quickly to meet tight closing dates.

Higher Returns

As investors’ return streams come in the form of interest payments rather than an uplift in share value, private debt capital tends to deliver higher returns compared to equity. This is especially true for private debt funds focused on commercial real estate.

The higher return on commercial real estate debt capital is primarily because investment returns are not dependent on stock market performance or the timing of mergers and acquisitions (M&A). This non-correlation between asset values and returns is one of the reasons why institutional investors are increasingly deploying capital into private real estate debt.

Personalization and Niche Expertise

Private debt funds often specialize in specific industries or sectors, enabling them to understand the sector's dynamics, risks, and opportunities. Newport Capital executives have decades of commercial real estate experience, including fund management, property acquisition, management, and disposition.

In addition to its broad industry knowledge, Newport Capital has established relationships and networks in private credit financing. Their niche expertise is invaluable to the borrower in providing support and guidance. Newport’s relationship-driven approach to lending can help connect borrowers with strategic advisory services to support their growth.

Flexibility

Private debt capital provides nimble, flexible business financing to meet specific goals. This is especially true for commercial real estate, where the need for rapid closings is common. Private debt funds can often provide the capital required for construction costs, bridge loans, and renovation projects, even when CMBS or agency lenders may not be available.

Private loan funds can also make more granular changes to the loan agreement terms. For instance, they may allow borrowers to convert some loan payments into equity. This aligns the interest of both the sponsor and the lender, creating a win-win situation for all parties.

Private loans can be structured in many ways, including term loans, revolving credit facilities, second-lien loans, and unitranche facilities, combining senior and subordinate debt instruments into one investment vehicle. These types of hybrid-style deals are becoming increasingly popular.

4. Lower Risk, Higher Ownership

When you invest in private debt, your returns tend to come from monthly interest payments and the return of principal. In some situations, debt investors may negotiate a small equity stake or warrant in the underlying company to enhance returns potential and participate in growth as the real estate asset appreciates over time.

Another advantage of private debt financing is the potential for higher leverage. Lenders in private debt arrangements typically rely on the property as collateral, allowing borrowers to secure more significant loan amounts. This increased leverage can provide the necessary funds for property acquisition, development, or renovation while minimizing the need to dilute ownership through equity financing.

Another benefit of financing a commercial property with private debt capital is that it provides lower risk than equity investments. Debt typically sits above equity in the capital stack, so if a borrower declares bankruptcy, debts are paid out first, making them less risky of an investment than equity.

Additionally, many debt funds offer higher flexibility in lending guidelines than banks. They can tailor the loan covenants, repayment schedules, and other conditions to fit the borrower’s requirements. This allows for a more customized lending experience and demonstrates the relationship-driven nature of their approach. As a result, they are better equipped to help bridge companies through challenging times. They can be much more willing to work with borrowers to make granular changes to loan structures that aren’t always available through traditional bank lenders.

Privacy Concerns

Private debt financing can be a more attractive option for borrowers who prefer to maintain privacy and avoid disclosing sensitive business information to a broader pool of equity investors. Debt transactions can be negotiated privately, allowing borrowers to safeguard their proprietary information and retain a higher degree of confidentiality. This is an increasing concern as data is becoming more widespread and shareable across digital platforms in the blink of an eye. Protecting your information is controllable when transacting debt financing, as fewer parties are included in originating the capital.

To Sum It Up

Private debt financing offers greater control, flexibility, lower transaction costs, increased leverage, predictable costs, and enhanced privacy compared to equity financing in commercial real estate. Its personalized approach, niche expertise, advantageous fund structure in predictable and fixed costs, and mitigated risk make it a sounder financing option for borrowers. These advantages make it a compelling approach for property owners and developers looking to optimize their financing strategy and maximize their returns.