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Is it possible to refinance an investment property?

Author: Jessica Bennet
Community Mentor
Ask Jessica
Posted on: 05th Jan, 2009 10:28pm
If you want to refinance your investment property, your appeal may be rejected by the lender. But, it does not mean that it is not at all possible to refinance your investment property. Though it is comparatively difficult to refinance an investment property than to refinance your home where you actually stay, but it is not impossible at all. You may find out some other lenders who are willing to accept you appeal of refinancing your investment property.


Any property which is used to earn some returns can be termed as an investment property. In order to accept your request to refinance an investment property, lenders usually demand that you should hold more equity in the property. Some lenders may ask for equity of 50% or more of the value of the property. Generally, in case of refinancing an investment property, the rates and the points are little higher.


To refinance an investment property, you should have a credit score of 720 or more. You should also be ready with all the documents so as to get the approval. If you feel that you are a good candidate to get the approval for refinancing your investment property but still your lender rejects your appeal, then you can look out for other lenders.

Anonymous
Posted on: 05th Jan, 2009 10:28 pm
i have an investment property that the loan just adjusted and my payment went up by $400. now my broker is saying we cant refinance right now or do a loan modification. is there anything i can do to keep my property.
Hi Alvarengaj,

Welcome to our community forums.

I think you have taken out an adjustable rate mortgage on your investment property. The rate has reset and that's the reason payments have gone up. But did you ask the lender as to why he won't allow you for a refinance or loan modification?

By the way, a loan modification is allowed when you're in default on the mortgage. perhaps you haven't missed payments for 2-3 months. Until and unless you're behind on the loan, the lender won't allow for a modification. This is primarily a hardship program.

Compared to loan modification, I think you should opt for refinance because fixed rates are quite low currently. 30 year fixed mortgages have dropped down to 5.8% (national average rates) and 15 year loans are available around 5.16%.

Though there are loan costs involved in a refinance, yet you can get the benefit of low interest payments. The interest savings can offset the costs if you stay on the property for quite some time. Just have a straight talk with the lender as to why he has denied the refinance.

Regards,

Jessica
Posted on: 06th Jan, 2009 05:16 am
you didn't specify why your lender made such a statement. that would be instructive and would allow us to give you more information from this end.
Posted on: 07th Jan, 2009 02:03 pm
My lender told me that the banks are currently not working with owners who have investment properties. Is this true?
Posted on: 08th Jan, 2009 09:42 pm
Well, I haven't heard anything of that sort. You may contact other lenders as well and check if they are ready to work with you.
Posted on: 08th Jan, 2009 11:39 pm
i'm quite sure that there are lenders who will be more conservative and therefore discontinue their loans for investment properties. at the same time, i'm quite sure that there are plentiful lenders who'll continue to work with investors.

things are far more restrictive than we've seen in the past, but you ought to be able to find someone to work with.
Posted on: 09th Jan, 2009 08:21 am
The prior statements are all true in that there are lenders who will finance an investment property. However, we need more details...

Loan amount
Property value
type of property (condo, 4 family, etc)
credit score
Posted on: 09th Jan, 2009 06:49 pm
i saved my money for 5 years, and last january, bought my first property, which is actually considered a second home. (condo in ski resort - will be my retirement home, but now i rent it out). put down 10%, took a first mortgage at 6% (which is good, i know), and a second mortgage right away to avoid ppi insurance. i have been paying bi-weekly, and put $10k to pay down my 2nd mortgage- trying to do all the right things and be a good home owner.

when the rates dropped, i contacted wells fargo, and because i have more than 75% borrowed and it's not my primary residence, they said there was nothing they could do.

my credit is great, i work very hard, and things are getting tight in my house hold just like everywhere else. what can i do to take part in the lower interest rates?! the only company that said they could help was $8000 in fees, and a bit shady.

thanks in advance.
Posted on: 20th Mar, 2009 01:48 pm
rik, your situation is untimely. by that, i mean that you've run into a marketplace that shuns loans on second homes over a certain loan to value ratio.

in my opinion, you'll just be beating your head against the wall looking for someone to beat your 6% rate. inasmuch as you seem to be doing all the right things to reduce your debt, etc., the best bet is to simply continue doing that and sit tight.
Posted on: 20th Mar, 2009 02:37 pm
I can't refi my investment property because I have 10 points below the requirement score(mine is 631). How can I find mortgage companies with less restrictions for points or salary.
Posted on: 04th Nov, 2009 03:25 pm
Hi fari,

I guess it would be difficult for you to find such a mortgage lender who would approve your loan though your credit score is less. Why don't you improve your credit score and then apply for loans? It won't take much time to add 10 points to your credit score. Take a look at the given page to know some steps to improve your credit score:
http://www.mortgagefit.com/credit-rating/credit-repair.html

Thanks
Posted on: 04th Nov, 2009 07:36 pm
Fari,

you could look at some of the various methods of increasing your credit score - 10 pts isn't much and you could probably get it up pretty quickly.
Posted on: 08th Nov, 2009 02:52 pm
Fari,

there are a lot of lenders out there, and if you're that close you'll probably be able to find one that will bend a little for you but you've got to be prepared to look around.

the internet is a great tool for this as there are plenty of lenders that will provide quotes online. take a look at some Mortgage and refinancing sites and see what's around.
Posted on: 10th Nov, 2009 01:21 pm
"bending" isn't in the common parlance these days. lenders are predominantly married to the secondary market, and those forces are adamant about the paper they'll buy. a 630 score isn't going to find much bending being done. there are lots of sites, i agree, and lots of imaginary quotes out there...keep in mind that anyone can quote you a rate off the cuff, but getting it and keeping it are not quite the same.
Posted on: 11th Nov, 2009 01:42 pm
Fair point - lenders are pretty risk averse these days, but if you're that close you'll probably eventually find someone who wants your business enought to step slightly outside the box, it'll just be a harder job than previously, and you may have to accept some unfavorable terms.

Point is, don't be discouraged if you get a few knock backs - keep plugging away.
Posted on: 11th Nov, 2009 05:09 pm
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