There are lenders seizing an opportunity by operating outside of the restrictive FNMA guidelines. In the past year, we have seen loans improving for foreigners. It started with 50% LTV (loan-to-value) loans and now loans are up to 65% LTV for foreigners. The minimum loan amount is $100,000. Interest rates are not far off from the excellent rates American investors can get – mostly in the five percentile. Sometimes with a long fixed-rate period, perhaps just passing the six percentile.
Loans can be fixed for 5, 7 or 10 years (the latter ones touch a bit over 6% but the two former ones are well within 5%+). Americans can now also get 65% LTV loans with similar terms for properties between 10 and 20 (!). As we know, FNMA caps the number at 10, a restrictive barrier not enabling markets to fully engage investors. Will Bill Gates also be limited at 10 residential loans? Apparently yes, according to the FNMA guidelines.
In any case, having the ability to borrow at 65% LTV can enable a good contingent of veteran experienced investors, to continue investing and take advantage of the great rates prevailing in today’s markets. As someone who has seen rates be well in the teens, I can appreciate what it means to borrow on property number 16 at a rate that is a bit above 5%.
I am impressed with these advances. As a result, I have invited the lender to speak at our quarterly ICG 1-Day Expo on Saturday, May 30th. There will also be solid conventional lenders and loans featured prominently at the event.
In addition, there will be experts to teach us critical issues for investors: Scott Gerlis Founder and CEO of SAG Credit Consultants will speak about credit repair and enhancement and how to maximize everyone’s credit and avoid the pitfalls. Lucian Ioja, Financial Designer with Integrity Wealth Management, a respected financial planner, will teach us the overall way to look at arranging and optimizing our finances, not just via real estate, to secure a powerful retirement and other goal accomplishment. Joyce Feldman, Founder, and CEO of Joyce Feldman Insurance Company (Farmers Insurance) will teach us about how to use insurance correctly as the first and possibly the most important line in protecting our assets, common mistakes and how to avoid them, and a comprehensive look at our protection.
Needless to say, teams from the best markets in the United States will be there to update us on their marketplace, interact with us, and tell us about special deals in their markets. We have been holding these events for about 25 years now and I keep learning a lot during each and every event. Mention this blog post and you can attend free – just email us at info@icgre.com or call 415-927-7504.
