Once you’re already set on buying a second house, or investing in real estate property, the most important thing to do next is to settle the finances. The most common way properties are bought are with loans, which means investors must forge partnerships with lenders to make sure they both benefit from the transaction. 

It’s important to know how to look for a lender worth partnering with for a worthwhile investment. Lenders also need to find the best prospective client to make the most out of the entire investment. With the right amount of effort and preparation from both parties, right now could be the perfect time to find a great opportunity or a wonderful new investment. 

Given how many choices there are when it comes to lending, investors need to know what to look for when choosing a lender. Lenders need to find the right clients and connect with them quickly. Here are a few tips for investors and lenders for your next real estate venture: 

Advice For Investors 

1. Ask for help from your real estate agent to find a lender 

While it’s possible to find a lender on your own as an investor, it could be beneficial to talk to a real estate expert, and who better than your own agent to do the job? Agents are experienced professionals and can help you find the right lender for your budget and for your financial needs. They also have the benefit of knowing the local lenders, which makes the financing process easier. 

There’s also a guarantee that your agent will only do what’s best for you as their client. The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) prevents any agent from arranging a transaction that benefits them even if it won’t be beneficial to you as their client. This means that your agent will only suggest lenders that you can count on to be the best for you. 

2. Get pre-approved 

For you to have an edge over other investors, and for the sellers to trust you with the transaction even more, it’s best to get pre-approved for your loan. It’s a way to prove that you’re financially capable of buying the property and that your loan will close. It can also save you time in the future, because once you’re ready to put up an offer, the lender will already have all your information to quickly seal the deal. 

The process to get pre-approved involves sending an extensive list of your financial information to the lenders. This includes your bank information, tax returns, your source of income and other information that can prove you can pay off the debt. It’s also beneficial to get pre-approved by multiple lenders so you can compare rates and terms for the best deal on your loan. 

It’s also worth noting that being pre-approved is different from being pre-qualified. Pre-approval carries more weight, as this means that the lenders already know your full financial capabilities, while pre-qualified means they only have an overview. Pre-approvals carry more weight in the buying process, meaning that sellers prefer investors who are pre-approved rather than just pre-qualified. 

3. Be a strategic investor 

There are ways to make sure you secure a deal with a seller. While your agent should be a reliable source for these tricks of the trade, it might be nice to familiarize yourself with some tips to get your dream property. 

One way to look like the strongest investor of the bunch is by putting down a sizable downpayment. It shows that you are a serious and persistent investor that can give the seller a proper deal and that you won’t back out of the transaction. 

When it comes to presenting an offer, it’s best to be either the first or last investor. If the seller can respond right away and hasn’t set a deadline for offers, being first can make the seller feel like you’re a go-getter and might take your offer quickly. If they’ve set a deadline and are pooling offers to pick from, being first can only drive the price up, so it’s best to just go last. 

Trust your agent when it comes to these small tricks that could ultimately be the difference between scoring the property or going back to searching. 

4. Compare multiple lenders 

It’s not right to just settle with the first lender who gives you an offer. In fact, rate-shopping is a very important step to financing and investing in property. Compare the different rates, fees and terms to make sure the finances go smoothly for your new property.  

However, it’s also worth noting that there are plenty of different types of lenders like banks, independent lenders and credit unions. Be prepared to research to make sure you understand the pros and cons of each lender, the different types of loans they offer and their rates. 

More importantly, make sure you pick a lender that you want to keep in contact with and can trust. This makes the transaction much easier and could save you a lot of headache in the long run. 

If picking the right lender is starting to become too much to handle, then Smart Capital Center can help you find the best lenders for your real estate needs. The best rates and loan options are laid out right in front of you based on your budget and preferences. All that’s left for you to do is to pick one and proceed with your application. You don’t even have to talk to the lender, as Smart Capital Center does all the legwork for you. 

5. Be thorough when reading the contract and ask questions 

Different lenders offer different rates, but also differ in the ways their contracts are written. Before finalizing the deal or picking from the many lenders, make sure you understand all the details of the contract. Ask for help from your agent to make sure the paperwork is foolproof. 

Some of the most important questions to ask are directly related to their involvement in the real estate transaction. Ask how long it takes between their pre-approval and closing the deal. Make sure you know all the fees you are responsible for, like commission, appraisal fees and application fees. Get to know the ins and outs of your contract, and ask any question that comes to mind.  

Besides the financing questions, it’s wise to get to know your lender before working with them. Ask about their preferred means of communication and how active they can be in the process. These details might be the difference between a pleasant lending experience or a financial disaster. 

Advice For Lenders 

1. Connect with your network 

Expanding your network and engaging with a larger sphere of influence is a proven way to find and connect with clients and grow your real estate career. Regardless of the event, you should always be pushing yourself, introducing yourself to many people and showcasing your services. 

There are plenty of formal networking opportunities, like conferences, workshops and the Chamber of Commerce. However, don’t count out plenty of casual activities that could give you leads for clients. From different Facebook groups to your local hobby clubs, there are many ways to engage people who could be your clients in the future. If they aren’t looking for a lender, then you’ve gained a friend! 

When you introduce yourself to these people, make sure you have an “elevator pitch”. This is a speech that runs less than a minute where you introduce yourself and the services you offer. The short run time makes sure you communicate your value quickly and keeps the conversation engaging. Practice this speech to make sure you’re ready for potential clients asking for your services and credentials. 

2. Build relationships with real estate agents 

One of the most important relationships to have as a lender is a relationship with the agents in your area. While agents will always do what’s best for their clients, make sure you’re at the top of their mind when they suggest lenders to investors. This makes sure you’re at least in the running to become a lender in their next transaction, and your superior rates can land you a client. 

With enough connections to agents in your area, you can build a reputation with the major real estate sellers in your area. This added layer of trust and experience can increase the likelihood that you and your investor client can seal the deal on their new property. This all stems from having a good relationship with the top agents in your area. 

3. Use software to generate leads and automate the process 

Technology is an absolute necessity in the real estate industry these days. For a lender, it might be best to set up an automated email campaign that reaches out to clients and agents so you’re always in their mind whenever they need a real estate lender. 

Not only does technology boost your chances of finding high quality clients, it can also take a lot out of the legwork.  

Smart Capital Center takes the use of technology further by using automation and AI to enable faster loan processing. With the AI taking care of property valuation and local market data, the loan process becomes easier and finding the best clients becomes simpler.   

As they maintain constant contact with the lenders and the investors, SCC negotiates the best rates for both parties. Contracts are signed and deals are finalized without the investor having to communicate with the lender. 

4. Market yourself 

In a client-facing and directly-involved field like real estate lending, your profile is a powerful tool to get a leg up on the rest of the industry. Make sure people can see your credentials and your services displayed online. Start getting social media savvy and make sure you have a strong online presence, especially before the people that matter the most.  

Target your market by reaching out via the channels that matter most to them. This might include LinkedIn and Facebook, as targeted ads on these platforms can make sure you’re seen by potential real estate investors worth your time. It’s all about becoming the top-of-mind lender in the market, and social media is well worth the investment to make sure you’re a go-to for your clients. 

Don’t discount the power of a professional and well-presented real estate website that people can find. Make sure you’re a top search result, and that your landing page is presentable to make sure clients are enticed to inquire about your services. Whether it’s an agent looking for new lenders or the investors themselves looking for financing, your potential clients should easily find your website and avail of your services from there. 

Use Smart Capital Center to make better investment decisions 

Whether you’re an investor looking for the perfect piece of property to own, or a lender searching for clients and agents to partner with, Smart Capital Center makes sure that you connect with the right people. Using the latest in AI technology, the process is quicker, easier and much more rewarding. 

Smart Capital Center is with you during every step of the process, and ensures smooth transactions between investors and lenders. By simplifying the real estate process, everybody benefits from the right deals for their thriving investments. Call us at +1 (866) 725 – 0555 or send an email to hello@smartcapital.center to learn more about how AI can help investors and lenders in their loan processing needs.