Should you use cash to purchase your fix and flip property?

The real estate investing business is full of options. One thing that makes it so great is that you can support almost any way you desire.

There is no set template or blueprint you have to follow. At some point, you may have to decide on the best financing option. There are compelling arguments on both sides and no right or wrong answer. What is universal is that you always want to explore all available options. There are times when paying cash for property makes sense, and other times you should take advantage of financing. If you have capital or access to funds, here are some pros and cons of paying cash for your next property.

PROS:

You have increased cash flow. If you are purchasing a rental property with cash, one of the most apparent benefits is the increased cash flow. On a rental property with no mortgage, the only monthly housing payments are for taxes and homeowners insurance. Then, of course, there are utilities and other expenses, but the bulk of the price is in these two areas. So with a cash payment, you will have a surplus of cash left over every month. In addition, there is a handful of options with the property that you can use to grow other areas of your business.

More offers accepted have a greater chance of getting accepted. Many sellers do not want to deal with a financed offer, such as a conventional mortgage loan. A cash offer provides a sense of security between the excessive closing times and approval uncertainty. This security leads to more bids accepted on properties. Closing just one or two extra deals a year can be a real boost to your bottom line.

Instant equity. When you purchase property cash, you take ownership with instant equity. This equity gives you a series of options you would not have had otherwise. You never know what changes your business will go through down the road. Instead of waiting for appreciation, you can make the best decision, whatever the market brings. If you want to sell in a pinch, you can do so at any time. It would help if you considered the option of a second mortgage. Instant equity equals instant options.

Interest savings. Most of your monthly payment goes towards interest when you finance a property. For example, on a 30-year mortgage, the first ten years of payments are mostly allocated to the interest portion. Over the life of a loan, you end up paying hundreds of thousands more than you finance. By paying cash, you save your monthly cost on interest.

Faster closings. One of the actual benefits of paying with cash is the speed at which the transaction can close. It is not unrealistic to complete anywhere from five to seven days after you submit an offer. A fast closing helps to start the process quicker, which shortens the time you can see a return.

CONS:

Opportunity lost. Most real estate investors do not have a limitless amount of capital. To explore the next deal, they need to pull cash out of an existing one. When you pay money, you are locked into the property until you can turn it over or until the value increases. You never know when a great opportunity will come your way. If most of your funds are unavailable, you will be upset if a better one comes. Before you make a cash offer, you need to be comfortable that your funds are tied up for the short term.

Lack of leverage. There is something to be said about the ability to use other people's money. When you pay cash for a property, you lose that leverage. You no longer have the flexibility to act when you see fit. Leveraging a purchase means using the bank's money to earn a return on your investment. For example, you can make a 15-20% down payment and own the property. When you use cash, you pay 100% of the purchase.

Exposure. Depending on how you amass your capital, you are exposed. Getting money from a private or hard money lender is one thing. When you scrape together your savings, you enter into an all-or-nothing proposition. In most cases, the reward exceeds the risk, but there will be plenty of sleepless nights. Even the slightest change can have an impact on your bottom line. When you are all in, there will be plenty of uncomfortable moments.

Even if you don't currently use cash to fund your deals, you never know when you may need to in the future. A cash offer may make more sense on the right property in the right situation than financing. It would be best if you began exploring your options, including using a hard or private money lender when your business is slow. They can be a great resource in your back pocket when things get going. If you have your capital, you should always consider using it in the best possible scenarios. Having cash or access to it can be a great option in the right situation.

Dennis Dahlberg
Broker/RI/CEO/MLO
Level 4 Funding LLC
Hard Money Lender
Hard Money Loans
Hard Money Loan
Arizona Tel: (623) 582-4444
Texas Tel: (512) 516-1177
Dennis@level4funding.com
Dennis Dahlberg Broker/RI/CEO

About the Author: Dennis has worked in the real estate industry for the last 40 years. He purchased his first property when he was just 18 years old. He quickly learned about the excellent investment opportunities trust deed investing and hard money loans provided. His desire to help others make money in real estate investing led him to specialize in alternative funding for real estate investors who may have trouble getting a traditional bank loan. Dennis is passionate about alternative funding sources and sharing his knowledge with others to help make their dreams come true. Dennis has been married to his wonderful wife for 43 years. They have two beautiful daughters and five amazing grandchildren. Dennis has been an Arizona resident for the past 45 years. 9 17 22.