Approximately, 673,000 homes were sold in the first four months of 2019, up 12.4 percent from the same period the previous year.
According to the same source, the real estate business has sold almost 20% of commercial drone utilization in 2020.
Sales of both commercial and residential properties are increasing. However, buying and selling aren’t always straightforward. Many homeowners are faced with a two-step process of purchasing a new property while also trying to sell their old one.
Nearly 90% of repeat buyers sold or intended to sell their previous residences in 2018.
You may need to take out a short-term loan if you need to buy before you sell. So, what are the advantages and disadvantages of bridge loans?
Bridge loans might help you get into your new home or commercial space quickly so you can concentrate on selling your old one.
What is a bridge loan?
A bridge loan is a loan that is taken out against the equity of an existing home in order to buy a new one. In essence, it’s a short-term loan to cover immediate expenses or to keep an investor afloat until he or she can secure a more long-term loan.
A private money bridge loan can be used by property investors to cover the costs of any unforeseen complications that arise during the rehabilitation phase of a fix-and-flip project, such as the necessity to engage more construction subcontractors to speed up the operation.
Bridge loans are normally for a brief period of time, ranging from six months to two years. Due to their short-term nature, lenders charge higher interest rates on bridge loans, ranging from 7.5 percent to 12 percent.
Here are the pros and cons of Bridge Loans:
The Pros and Cons of Bridge Loan: Pros
1. Bridge loans will assist you in navigating lengthy payment cycles
According to research firm CB Insights, cash flow issues are the second most likely reason for a startup’s failure. This is problematic because you could still run out of cash even if your firm is doing well.
Long payment cycles are frequently the cause of cash flow problems in a good organization. For example, if you operate a construction company, you can be paid at the start and completion of a project. In the meantime, you’ll need money to finish the job and cover other business expenses.
You might use the bridge loan to obtain funds to cover your immediate costs while you wait for the payment to address this issue.
2. No need for an income statement
Federal requirements that require you to furnish income evidence or a credit score are not applicable to bridge funds from private lenders. As a result, the proceeds from the sale of your existing home can be used to repay the loan.
3. Quick access to funds
Bridge loans often have a considerably speedier application, approval, and funding process than standard loans. Thanks to this streamlined approach, your company can get funding rapidly to buy equipment, pay for inventory, or meet payroll.
Bridge funding is especially important if you need to finish a project or bid on more jobs. Bridge financing gives you an advantage over other bidders by allowing you to close faster on an acquisition, whether it’s real estate or another business.
4. You Don’t Have to Give Up Control of Your Company
When a company’s cash flow is short, it’s customary for the owner to seek short-term borrowing from one of their equity partners. However, a larger share in the business for their partner is frequently part of the arrangement they make.
You won’t need to turn to partners because bridge loans are a short-term funding solution. You can also keep as much control over your company as feasible. It’s a win-win situation in this case!
5. Flexible repayment options
Private money lenders are used to mending and flip projects not going as anticipated or exit strategies taking longer than expected. Payments can be deferred or made into an interest-only agreement in certain situations until the sale of an existing property is completed.
The Pros and Cons of Bridge Loan: Cons
1. Larger Payments
Bridge loans often have maturities ranging from three to eighteen months. As a result, your monthly payments will be more than with other company finance options. This is only a minor disadvantage if you have sufficient funds to make the installments. However, if you’re late with your payments, fines, and interest can add up quickly.
2. Increased risk and debt
Every loan has some risk, and bridge loans are no exception. Property investors may split the loan between two properties in various instances. This means you’ll be obliged to repay two or three loans all at once for a period of time.
This may put a strain on your anticipated fix-and-flip budget. Moreover, if terrible circumstances arise, you may find yourself in a precarious financial scenario.
3. Interest rates may be higher than on traditional loans.
You won’t be paying interest for as long as you would if you took out a standard loan because bridge financing is designed to be a short-term loan.
Some lenders will demand a high-interest rate on bridge loans to compensate for this. So, while a bridge loan may have a lower overall interest rate, the interest rate will almost certainly be greater.
On bridge loans, it’s not uncommon for lenders to charge additional costs. Origination fees, as well as closing charges and fees, are examples of these fees.
4. It Can Be Dangerous If Future Payment Is Missed
You may be anticipating future payment if you’ve taken out a bridge loan, especially if you’re about to complete a project.
Unfortunately, if you plan to use the money from the payment you’re expecting, and it doesn’t happen, you could be saddled with a hefty, unexpected bill. Worse, you may find yourself with high debt-to-income ratios, making it difficult to run your company.
This, however, does not occur frequently. According to U.S. News, only about 1% to 2% of bridge loans encounter problems. Even yet, every loan has some risk, so think about it before you commit.
Although the notion of a bridge loan is straightforward, getting the most out of your bridge loan is not that easy though. It’s just as vital to know when and how to use your bridge loan as it is to know the specifics of the loan.
Consider the following list of benefits and drawbacks before determining whether or not to pursue bridge finance for your company.