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All Forum Posts by: Katie Smith

Katie Smith has started 2 posts and replied 230 times.

Hi Rosmery!

Welcome to the community! It’s inspiring to see your diverse background and passion for continuous learning. Your journey in real estate and entrepreneurship is impressive, and it’s great to connect with someone who values growth and collaboration.

I’m here to support your clients with any funding they might need for their projects. If you ever want to chat about ways we can work together, or if you’d like to connect with more women in real estate, I’d love to help foster those relationships.

Looking forward to getting to know you better and sharing insights along the way!

Post: Finding Flip Deals

Katie SmithPosted
  • Posts 258
  • Votes 150

Hey there! It sounds like you've already got some solid experience under your belt. If you're feeling stuck, one tip that might help is connecting with wholesalers or local real estate agents who specialize in off-market properties in Huntsville. They often have deals that aren't on the MLS and can help you find something before the year ends. Networking at local real estate meetups is also great for building relationships with other investors who might know of deals. You might also want to consider expanding your search criteria a bit. Keep pushing, and you'll find the right deal!

Post: HELOC on investment property

Katie SmithPosted
  • Posts 258
  • Votes 150

Hi there! It sounds like you're in a great position with your investment property.
Another option you might want to consider is a cash-out refinance on the condo, especially since it's owned free and clear. With a DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) loan, you can tap into your equity and still retain the cash flow since it's based on the property's rental income rather than personal income. This can give you the flexibility to fund your flip without the restrictions of a HELOC. If you're open to exploring this route, feel free to reach out!

It sounds like you're off to a great start! For building a buyers list, I'd recommend joining local real estate investment groups, both in person and online. Networking is key, and places like Facebook groups, BiggerPockets, and REI meetups are perfect for finding active cash buyers. You can also reach out to wholesalers in your area—they often have established buyers lists.

For the contract, a typical timeline for a wholesale deal is 30 to 45 days. This should give you enough time to find a buyer and get everything squared away. Just ensure you're transparent with the seller about the process and keep communication open. 

Good luck, and it’s great that you’ve built such a solid rapport with the seller!

Post: Should I form an LLC?

Katie SmithPosted
  • Posts 258
  • Votes 150

Hey Robin!

Starting an LLC before purchasing properties can be a great idea, especially if you're focusing on multifamily and buy-and-hold strategies. An LLC can help protect your personal assets by limiting liability, and it also allows you to establish business credit early, which can be useful as you scale your portfolio. Plus, having an LLC in place from the start can streamline the process of acquiring and managing properties under a business entity. It's something worth considering before your first purchase!

Hi Pete!

Welcome to the BP community! It’s never too late to join, and it sounds like you’re already on an exciting path with your multifamily opportunity.

If you ever need help with financing for future deals or any guidance along the way, feel free to reach out. I used to live in Bartow so i'm very familiar with Lakeland! Looking forward to hearing more about your journey!

Best of luck!

Post: Hello-New Broker/Agent-Investor Friendly

Katie SmithPosted
  • Posts 258
  • Votes 150

Hi Julie!

It’s great to hear about your experience with distressed properties and working with investors. If you or any of your clients ever need funding for fixer-upper projects, I’d be happy to help with hard money lending options. I specialize in financing for real estate investors, and I’d love to chat and see how we can collaborate on future projects.

Looking forward to connecting!

Post: Real Estate Agent and Investor

Katie SmithPosted
  • Posts 258
  • Votes 150

Welcome to the real estate world!
If you come across any investors needing funding for their projects, I’d be happy to help. Feel free to reach out if you need any assistance or have questions about securing financing for investment properties. Good luck with your ventures in Alpharetta/Milton!

Post: How do you source deals?

Katie SmithPosted
  • Posts 258
  • Votes 150

Hey David! 

Connecting with wholesalers is a good way to get more land deals sent your way. Happy to connect you to a few! 

Post: Looking for Private Lender

Katie SmithPosted
  • Posts 258
  • Votes 150

Hi Sean! 

Congratulations on taking the steps to get started in the fix-and-flip market! It sounds like you’re in a solid financial position and with good credit, you could get up to 90% of the purchase price and 100% of the rehab. Happy to assist with this. 

Regarding your question about combining a private money lender (PML) with a hard money lender (HML) to reach 100% financing, you're right that most HMLs prefer to be in the only lien position on the property. This is because they want to minimize their risk and ensure that if something goes wrong, they have the first right to recover their funds.

Hard money lenders also typically want you to have some skin in the game. It shows that you’re committed to the project and have a vested interest in its success, which reduces their risk. This also gives you, as the investor, more caution when making decisions, knowing that you have your own money on the line. 

Another advantage of working with a hard money lender is that they often act as a second set of eyes on your deal. Since they're also invested in your success, they'll scrutinize the property's value, potential ARV, and the market conditions. This can be incredibly beneficial, especially for a new investor, as it provides an extra layer of due diligence.

As for private money, while it can be more flexible, it’s often more expensive than hard money, especially if you’re trying to piece together 100% financing. Private lenders might require higher interest rates or different terms that could eat into your profits.

In short, while it’s possible to find creative ways to reach 100% financing, it’s essential to weigh the costs and benefits carefully. Sometimes, keeping a bit of your own money in the deal can not only secure better terms but also ensure you’re working with lenders who are fully aligned with your goals.

Best of luck with your investing journey!