Skip to content
×
PRO
Pro Members Get Full Access!
Get off the sidelines and take action in real estate investing with BiggerPockets Pro. Our comprehensive suite of tools and resources minimize mistakes, support informed decisions, and propel you to success.
Advanced networking features
Market and Deal Finder tools
Property analysis calculators
Landlord Command Center
$0
TODAY
$69.00/month when billed monthly.
$32.50/month when billed annually.
7 day free trial. Cancel anytime
Already a Pro Member? Sign in here

Join Over 3 Million Real Estate Investors

Create a free BiggerPockets account to comment, participate, and connect with over 3 million real estate investors.
Use your real name
By signing up, you indicate that you agree to the BiggerPockets Terms & Conditions.
The community here is like my own little personal real estate army that I can depend upon to help me through ANY problems I come across.
Private Lending & Conventional Mortgage Advice
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

Updated 29 days ago, 10/23/2024

User Stats

4
Posts
0
Votes
Chris King
0
Votes |
4
Posts

Do you have experience using a private money lender for foreclosure auctions?

Chris King
Posted

I am wanting to purchase properties to flip at foreclosure auctions in my area. I have spoken to PML that fund flips and they aren’t sure how to lend for auctions. The issue is funds are due immediately after winning the auction in the form of a cashiers check. The auction price can vary, but I would have a max purchase price for a property beforehand. The deed takes up to 30 days to receive from the trustee. So no lien can be recorded until the deed is received. Anyone have experience with PML for auctions? 

User Stats

194
Posts
133
Votes
Michael J.
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Greenville, SC
133
Votes |
194
Posts
Michael J.
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Greenville, SC
Replied

You will likely need to come up with the 5% deposit required at the time of winning the auction on your own. If you have access to a line of credit on your primary home, that could be a good option. Alternatively, you could take a loan against your 401k for that initial amount.

Once you’ve secured the property and paid the 5%, you can then work with a private money lender (PML) to close on the property once the deed is ready. 

User Stats

4
Posts
0
Votes
Chris King
0
Votes |
4
Posts
Chris King
Replied
Quote from @Michael J.:

You will likely need to come up with the 5% deposit required at the time of winning the auction on your own. If you have access to a line of credit on your primary home, that could be a good option. Alternatively, you could take a loan against your 401k for that initial amount.

Once you’ve secured the property and paid the 5%, you can then work with a private money lender (PML) to close on the property once the deed is ready. 


 I have been told that 100% of the funds are immediately due with a cashiers check upon winning the auction. 

BiggerPockets logo
Join Our Private Community for Passive Investors
|
BiggerPockets
Get first-hand insights and real sponsor reviews from other investors

User Stats

31
Posts
19
Votes
John Bowens
Professional Services
Pro Member
  • Investor
19
Votes |
31
Posts
John Bowens
Professional Services
Pro Member
  • Investor
Replied

I have done Private Money Loans on auctions in the past. I should preface this with, this is not an open door for me to loan, I do not offer my private money loans through this forum. I used my Self-Directed Retirement Accounts to loan on several sheriff sale auction properties in the past. I had  my borrower sign the promissory note and mortgage and then I went to the county recorder to record the mortgage. Likely best to have a real estate attorney handle this all for the private lender, unless they have experience or can navigate that process themselves. The attorney can assist with drafting the documents and recording the mortgage/deed of trust. 

Some private lenders are not willing to loan on auction properties, given the additional nuances and potential risk. 

  • John Bowens

User Stats

194
Posts
133
Votes
Michael J.
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Greenville, SC
133
Votes |
194
Posts
Michael J.
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Greenville, SC
Replied
Quote from @Chris King:
Quote from @Michael J.:

You will likely need to come up with the 5% deposit required at the time of winning the auction on your own. If you have access to a line of credit on your primary home, that could be a good option. Alternatively, you could take a loan against your 401k for that initial amount.

Once you’ve secured the property and paid the 5%, you can then work with a private money lender (PML) to close on the property once the deed is ready. 


 I have been told that 100% of the funds are immediately due with a cashiers check upon winning the auction. 


 It may vary by county.  My county its 5%

User Stats

41,897
Posts
61,690
Votes
Jay Hinrichs
Professional Services
Pro Member
#4 All Forums Contributor
  • Lender
  • Lake Oswego OR Summerlin, NV
61,690
Votes |
41,897
Posts
Jay Hinrichs
Professional Services
Pro Member
#4 All Forums Contributor
  • Lender
  • Lake Oswego OR Summerlin, NV
Replied
Quote from @Chris King:

I am wanting to purchase properties to flip at foreclosure auctions in my area. I have spoken to PML that fund flips and they aren’t sure how to lend for auctions. The issue is funds are due immediately after winning the auction in the form of a cashiers check. The auction price can vary, but I would have a max purchase price for a property beforehand. The deed takes up to 30 days to receive from the trustee. So no lien can be recorded until the deed is received. Anyone have experience with PML for auctions? 


YUP very easy work around for this but it does take a lender who will be a little less risk adverse than bigger HML that will simply say no title insurance no loan.. But this does and can happen.  Especially here in OR and WA.
business profile image
JLH Capital Partners
0.0 star
0 Reviews

User Stats

41,897
Posts
61,690
Votes
Jay Hinrichs
Professional Services
Pro Member
#4 All Forums Contributor
  • Lender
  • Lake Oswego OR Summerlin, NV
61,690
Votes |
41,897
Posts
Jay Hinrichs
Professional Services
Pro Member
#4 All Forums Contributor
  • Lender
  • Lake Oswego OR Summerlin, NV
Replied
Quote from @Michael J.:

You will likely need to come up with the 5% deposit required at the time of winning the auction on your own. If you have access to a line of credit on your primary home, that could be a good option. Alternatively, you could take a loan against your 401k for that initial amount.

Once you’ve secured the property and paid the 5%, you can then work with a private money lender (PML) to close on the property once the deed is ready. 


WEst coast  OR WA AZ NV CA etc is all cash on the barrel head there are no deposits and no over bids.. winning bidder presents the cashiers check and they have won the deal on the spot. Each state is different as you noted.. the OP is in Oregon so thats how that works..
So you have a gap between handing your check over to the Cryer for the sale and when you get the deed and there is no title insurance.. you can buy aftermarket after the fact title insurance but if there is any gotchas on title when you bought those will be exceptions.
business profile image
JLH Capital Partners
0.0 star
0 Reviews

User Stats

4
Posts
0
Votes
Chris King
0
Votes |
4
Posts
Chris King
Replied
Quote from @John Bowens:

I have done Private Money Loans on auctions in the past. I should preface this with, this is not an open door for me to loan, I do not offer my private money loans through this forum. I used my Self-Directed Retirement Accounts to loan on several sheriff sale auction properties in the past. I had  my borrower sign the promissory note and mortgage and then I went to the county recorder to record the mortgage. Likely best to have a real estate attorney handle this all for the private lender, unless they have experience or can navigate that process themselves. The attorney can assist with drafting the documents and recording the mortgage/deed of trust. 

Some private lenders are not willing to loan on auction properties, given the additional nuances and potential risk. 


 The issue I have ran into is the mortgage cannot be recorded until the deed is received from the trustee. They have up to 30 days to provide the deed after winning the auction. 

User Stats

4
Posts
0
Votes
Chris King
0
Votes |
4
Posts
Chris King
Replied
Quote from @Jay Hinrichs:
Quote from @Chris King:

I am wanting to purchase properties to flip at foreclosure auctions in my area. I have spoken to PML that fund flips and they aren’t sure how to lend for auctions. The issue is funds are due immediately after winning the auction in the form of a cashiers check. The auction price can vary, but I would have a max purchase price for a property beforehand. The deed takes up to 30 days to receive from the trustee. So no lien can be recorded until the deed is received. Anyone have experience with PML for auctions? 


YUP very easy work around for this but it does take a lender who will be a little less risk adverse than bigger HML that will simply say no title insurance no loan.. But this does and can happen.  Especially here in OR and WA.

 Can you walk me through this? My PML has asked me to provide a proposal. I'll need cashier's checks for varying amounts the day of the auction. The deed is not provided at the auction, so how is the loan secured? Is a promissory note enough? Then record deed of trust when I get the deed?   

User Stats

36
Posts
1
Votes
Aron Sperber
  • Lender
1
Votes |
36
Posts
Aron Sperber
  • Lender
Replied
Quote from @Chris King:

I am wanting to purchase properties to flip at foreclosure auctions in my area. I have spoken to PML that fund flips and they aren’t sure how to lend for auctions. The issue is funds are due immediately after winning the auction in the form of a cashiers check. The auction price can vary, but I would have a max purchase price for a property beforehand. The deed takes up to 30 days to receive from the trustee. So no lien can be recorded until the deed is received. Anyone have experience with PML for auctions? 


 Hey Chris, Let's connect and discuss this in more detail.

User Stats

438
Posts
431
Votes
Tanner Lewis
Pro Member
#5 Creative Real Estate Financing Contributor
  • Lender
  • Austin, TX
431
Votes |
438
Posts
Tanner Lewis
Pro Member
#5 Creative Real Estate Financing Contributor
  • Lender
  • Austin, TX
Replied

I would close in cash/with a HELOC and then do a refi with a hard money loan. It's hard to use hard money on these since you typically need an inspection of some sort.

  • Tanner Lewis
  • [email protected]
  • User Stats

    71
    Posts
    15
    Votes
    Jacqueline Wright
    • Lender
    • Nashville TN, USA
    15
    Votes |
    71
    Posts
    Jacqueline Wright
    • Lender
    • Nashville TN, USA
    Replied

    Chris, purchasing properties at foreclosure auctions can be challenging when it comes to using private money lenders (PMLs) due to the immediate payment requirements and the delay in receiving the deed. However, there are strategies and approaches you can explore to make this process smoother.

    If your PML is hesitant to fund directly for auction purchases due to the risks, consider structuring a partnership where the PML becomes a joint venture partner. In this scenario, they are investing in the auction and can take a share of the profits rather than operating as a traditional lender. This may alleviate their concerns about the timing of the lien.