Should I finance my current home for investment capital?

Should I finance my current home for investment capital?

Homeowner · Woodway, TX · Member since 2015 · 30 posts · 5 votes
Hey everyone, I'm from Texas, and I've owned my house for a little over 5 years, which I bought at near market value from a family member using owner finance. Now I have a bit of equity in the home and I'm interested in what you guys think of possible refinancing the home in order to obtain cash to get started in my investments. Here are a few details: Property value: 91,000 (assessed, not appraised Current loan pay off: 60,000 Years remaining on note: 15 Current interest rate: 8.5% Current loan payments :$650/month Current credit score: ~650 (probably my biggest issue) There are a couple of options that I'm looking into. 1.) refinance the home for $15,000 above payoff and use the cash as investment capital in a deal (probably my least favorite option) 2.) refinance the home for the current payoff at a lower interest rate (same 15 years) so that I could save the difference in the mortgage and invest that. (probably my most favorite option, if my credit score doesn't make it impossible) 3.) possible getting a home equity line of credit, if you can do that on an owner finance property. Other things to note are that I'm a college student making around $22k a year, so not a lot of income and I have yet to make my first deal and I'm completely new to the idea of real estate investing, and just curious on what you guys think would be a good idea for someone in my situation. I understand that any response I get is just opinions and you hold no legal responsibility for my actions taken because of them. Any questions just ask, Thanks!
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  • Developer · Daphne, AL · Member since 2015 · 463 posts · 86 votes
    11y

    There are a lot of gurus out there that will tell you to leverage your future and sell your kids to get started in real estate investing, but that's incredible unwise.  I would NEVER recommend that someone take on NEW debt in order to "get started" in a business they haven't even proven they can do successfully.  You could end up NOT being very good at it, and then you just have another $15k in debt and nothing to show for it.

    And you don't NEED $15,000 to get started in real estate investing.  You need a few dollars to get started with marketing and finding motivated sellers, and then you can wholesale to buyers with cash until you have enough money in your war chest to do deals of your own, and make the bigger paychecks.  You should be using your investing to PAY OFF your mortgage, not create more debt.

    Plus, when you BORROW money, and it's not your own hard earned dollar...you tend to make less informed decisions.  When it's coming out of your wallet from a week's pay, you think harder, do more research, and make sure it's the right marketing strategy before you pull the trigger...which is a good thing.

    So, my advice, if you can refinance the principal balance for a lower rate, and that frees up some money in your monthly budget so you can launch a motivated seller marketing campaign...then THAT is the right route. 

  • Investor · Cedar Rapids, IA · Member since 2013 · 494 posts · 407 votes
    11y

    Maybe consult with whatever bank you would use to finance the rental.  You can challenge your assumptions about what the bank would and wouldn't do.  Personally, I would do a cash out refi provided you can get that 8.5% down to 5% or lower.  Would a bank loan to you for a rental if you had the down payment?  Go find an investor friendly local bank or credit union and ask them.  Also, investigate what you can do to improve your credit score.

  • Homeowner · Woodway, TX · Member since 2015 · 30 posts · 5 votes
    11y

    @Matt Robinson 

    I agree 100% with everything you said, wasn't sure exactly how much I should need so I just threw $15,000 out there as an example. I really don't want to add debt in an effort to try to become debt free, that just makes no sense, but its always good to get an opinion from those with more experience. My ideal situation would be to do as @Glenn McCrorey stated and try to get that loan down to 5% which would get the payments down to around $475 which would fee up $175 a month at no cost other than closing, which sounds like a solid investment to me! thanks for the feedback, very much appreciated from the both of you!

  • Katy, TX · Member since 2014 · 134 posts · 18 votes
    11y

    How much can you rent your house out for? Can you get a roommate? I think it's better to have cash if the market turns than to be over leveraged. 

  • Real Estate Agent · Madison, WI · Member since 2015 · 328 posts · 88 votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Matt Robinson:

    There are a lot of gurus out there that will tell you to leverage your future and sell your kids to get started in real estate investing, but that's incredible unwise.  I would NEVER recommend that someone take on NEW debt in order to "get started" in a business they haven't even proven they can do successfully.  You could end up NOT being very good at it, and then you just have another $15k in debt and nothing to show for it.

    And you don't NEED $15,000 to get started in real estate investing.  You need a few dollars to get started with marketing and finding motivated sellers, and then you can wholesale to buyers with cash until you have enough money in your war chest to do deals of your own, and make the bigger paychecks.  You should be using your investing to PAY OFF your mortgage, not create more debt.

    Plus, when you BORROW money, and it's not your own hard earned dollar...you tend to make less informed decisions.  When it's coming out of your wallet from a week's pay, you think harder, do more research, and make sure it's the right marketing strategy before you pull the trigger...which is a good thing.

    So, my advice, if you can refinance the principal balance for a lower rate, and that frees up some money in your monthly budget so you can launch a motivated seller marketing campaign...then THAT is the right route. 

     I second that. The play should be improving your cash flow through a refi not adding more risk

  • Real Estate Agent · Madison, WI · Member since 2015 · 328 posts · 88 votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Matt Robinson:

    There are a lot of gurus out there that will tell you to leverage your future and sell your kids to get started in real estate investing, but that's incredible unwise.  I would NEVER recommend that someone take on NEW debt in order to "get started" in a business they haven't even proven they can do successfully.  You could end up NOT being very good at it, and then you just have another $15k in debt and nothing to show for it.

    And you don't NEED $15,000 to get started in real estate investing.  You need a few dollars to get started with marketing and finding motivated sellers, and then you can wholesale to buyers with cash until you have enough money in your war chest to do deals of your own, and make the bigger paychecks.  You should be using your investing to PAY OFF your mortgage, not create more debt.

    Plus, when you BORROW money, and it's not your own hard earned dollar...you tend to make less informed decisions.  When it's coming out of your wallet from a week's pay, you think harder, do more research, and make sure it's the right marketing strategy before you pull the trigger...which is a good thing.

    So, my advice, if you can refinance the principal balance for a lower rate, and that frees up some money in your monthly budget so you can launch a motivated seller marketing campaign...then THAT is the right route. 

     I second that. The play should be improving your cash flow through a refi not adding more risk

  • Homeowner · Woodway, TX · Member since 2015 · 30 posts · 5 votes
    11y

    @Sandra Gibson

    this is my personal residence, not a rental, at least not at this time, but yes I actually do have a roommate now, just looking for a way to gain a little more cash on hand.

    @Mark Shaffar

    I agree, thanks for the input!

  • Rental Property Investor · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2011 · 513 posts · 290 votes
    11y
    I agree with those that would refi existing amount due at a lower rate. Roommate would make you more money. I assume some loan payments on time etc. Will also help you with your credit score. I would do a written lease for roomates to show future lenders some experience with Landlording. I would read up on improving your score too. Maybe keep this house as a rental when you buy your next one and have a nice cash flow due to the amount financed. That equity will be there down the road (hopefully) after you have some more experience and you can take some out then if needed. I would try to squeeze your budget to save for another investment while you improve your credit score. Good luck!
  • Homeowner · Woodway, TX · Member since 2015 · 30 posts · 5 votes
    11y

    @Will Pritchett

    Great advise, thanks!

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