What is a Private Mortgage?
Private Mortgages are, generally, short-term, interest-only loans. They are an alternative lending option for individuals that might not qualify for loans/mortgages through typical channels.
Who are Private Mortgages for?
There are a number of reasons that someone might seek out a Private Mortgage. While it is a common thread that many individuals seeking alternative solutions would not have qualified for loans from traditional lenders, the reasons for this can vary widely. Perhaps the property being purchased is unconventional and wouldn't be approved for typical financing options. Or maybe you're facing a time constraint and can't wait for the usual approval process.
It is NOT the case that everyone needing a private mortgage has bad credit. Some other reasons individuals seek out private lending: Bridge Financing, Construction Mortgages, Debt Consolidation, or Non-Verifiable Income (to name a few!) - we have expanded on a number of reasons you may seek out this type of loan below!
In what ways are Private Mortgages different from traditional Mortgages?
A few of the biggest ways in which Private Mortgages differ are as follows:
Short-Term: Where many traditional mortgages have an amortization period of around 25 years, Private Mortgages generally only have a term of around 1-3 years.
Interest Rates: It is to be expected that mortgages obtained through alternative channels will not have the same interest rates seen with a traditional mortgage. The interest rate you qualify for depends on a number of factors, but remember that these loans are designed for short-term use in situations where approval for all other options has been ruled out.
Payments: With a traditional mortgage, your payments go towards reducing the principal and the interest on the loan. With a Private Mortgage, your payments go only towards the interest. This is one of the main factors in this type of loan being a short-term solution. It is also why most will attempt to transfer their Private Mortgage to a more traditional solution at the end of the term.
How do Private Mortgage Lenders differ from traditional Mortgage Lenders?
Source of Funds: Private mortgage lenders are usually individuals or companies that invest their own money or raise funds from investors to provide mortgage loans. On the other hand, traditional mortgage lenders are banks or other financial institutions that use customer deposits to fund their mortgage lending activities.
Eligibility Criteria: Private mortgage lenders are more flexible in their lending criteria and may be willing to lend to borrowers who do not qualify for a traditional mortgage due to poor credit history or other reasons. Traditional lenders have stricter eligibility criteria and may not approve borrowers who do not meet their specific requirements.
Approval Process: Private mortgage lenders generally have a faster approval process and may be able to fund loans in as little as a few days. Traditional lenders typically have a longer approval process that can take several weeks or more.
Loan Amounts: Private mortgage lenders usually lend smaller amounts of money, often up to 75% of the property value, while traditional lenders can lend larger amounts of money, up to 95% of the property value.
What are the criteria for Private lending approval?
Source of Funds: Private mortgage lenders are usually individuals or companies that invest their own money or raise funds from investors to provide mortgage loans. On the other hand, traditional mortgage lenders are banks or other financial institutions that use customer deposits to fund their mortgage lending activities.
Eligibility Criteria: Private mortgage lenders are more flexible in their lending criteria and may be willing to lend to borrowers who do not qualify for a traditional mortgage due to poor credit history or other reasons. Traditional lenders have stricter eligibility criteria and may not approve borrowers who do not meet their specific requirements.
Interest Rates: Private mortgage lenders typically charge higher interest rates than traditional lenders due to the higher risk associated with their loans. Traditional lenders usually offer lower interest rates but may require more documentation and paperwork.
Loan Terms: Private mortgage lenders offer shorter loan terms, typically between one and three years, compared to traditional lenders, who may offer mortgage terms of up to 25 or 30 years.
Approval Process: Private mortgage lenders generally have a faster approval process and may be able to fund loans in as little as a few days. Traditional lenders typically have a longer approval process that can take several weeks or more.
Loan Amounts: Private mortgage lenders usually lend smaller amounts of money, typically up to 75% of the property value, while traditional lenders can lend larger amounts of money, up to 95% of the property value.
Private Mortgage lending and bad credit?
Our lenders recognize that your credit isn't always the most accurate picture of your overall financial situation. Just because your credit may be less than ideal, it shouldn't impact your ability to obtain a mortgage if you have the ability to meet terms. Existing equity, the overall quality of the property, and a number of other factors are used to determine eligibility for private lending.