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Address:

10811 Washington Blvd, Suite 370
Culver City, CA 90232

Phone:

(310) 280-9173

Email:

Chris@CoastalCapital.com
Scott@CoastalCapital.com

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Tenants Not Paying Rent Due to COVID-19? Look to Hard-Money Loans

A hard money loan can provide quick relief

Real estate is interconnected with so many other industries, it’s not surprising that the real estate market is going through some ups and downs during COVID-19. Some landlords are finding themselves in tight spots when renters can’t keep up with their monthly payments. If you find yourself in such a situation, you might be able to negotiate with your mortgage lender, but many property owners are finding this to be a dead end after following a long rabbit hole. Fortunately, hard-money loans offer a viable alternative.

Especially in California landlords are facing challenges

Due to zealous restrictions, approximately 3 million California residents are unemployed, and about 1 million of those are renters. This naturally impacts their ability to pay their rent on time and in full. With about one in seven households struggling to pay their rent, many landlords are seeing the impact. Even though the unemployment rate is improving, it’s still in the double digits. Many tenants are still struggling to keep up.

For landlords with commercial tenants, it depends on the types of properties you own. For example, many bars, restaurants, and salons are suffering right now. They simply are not bring in the same revenue as before. However, if your properties are home to essential businesses that are thriving during this time, collecting rent payments might not be an issue.

Tenant protections in California

The recent tenant and landlord protection legislation prevents landlords from evicting tenants through Feb. 21, 2021. The law says that missed rent payments due to COVID-19 but how can you verify? Between Sept. 1, 2020, and Jan. 31, 2021, tenants must pay at least 25 percent of their rent to qualify for this protection. For most property owners, that’s not enough. It’s true that tenants aren’t completely off the hook—landlords can start recovering debt in March. But what are landlords to do about the months in between?

In addition any landlords are lowering rents for a period of time for existing tenants and offering discounts in order to entice new tenants to rent vacant spaces. Incentives include free rent for one month, free parking, and more. Such offers might get new tenants in the door or keep existing renters in the building. However these types of concessions put a dent in landlords’ wallets.

How a hard money loan can help during the COVID-19 pandemic

Hard money loans are based on your equity in the property, not on your personal financial history or credit score. This means that if you have enough equity, you can get a hard-money loan to cover the gap. Even if you can’t secure a traditional bank loan with enough equity you can get cash in a week.

These trust deeds are designed to provide short-term capital to help you cover the mortgage and related expenses until you’re able to generate more rental revenue. Most importantly hard money loans enable property owners to keep current on their mortgages, avoiding expensive late fees and expensive default interest charges. Often the costs with obtaining a small hard money loan far outweigh the costs of going into default on a property.

Coastal Capital Group is here for you

If you have tenants who aren’t able to keep up with their rent, Coastal Capital allows you to use your equity to secure cash. Hard money loans close fast—think days, not weeks—so you can keep up with your monthly payments even if your renters can’t. For more information and to learn more please Apply today.

2021: The Year Ahead For California’s Real Estate Market

Will the California real estate market continue to soar?

Throughout the Golden State every real estate market saw incredible price appreciation in 2020. The state’s bird, the California condor, needs the power of wind to soar and reach new heights. This past year the wind powering residential real estate has been record-low interest rates and the COVID pandemic. This combination created incredible demand for new housing and those seeking to work from home in more comfortable spaces.

If we remember back to our Economics 101 class with heightened demand, comes greater supply. Problem with housing is that you can’t just flip a switch and create more homes. Development takes time, so California’s housing supply remains consistent. More demand and same supply means more buyers bidding up prices for California residential real estate!

Mortgage rate forecast

Ninety-five percent of home buyers have to be able to afford the monthly payment to purchase their home. The remaining 5% are those lucky enough to pay for their real estate in all cash. So mortgage rates play a huge part on the demand-side of the real estate market.

The Mortgage Reports recently provided its forecast of residential mortgage rates for the first-quarter of 2021. Specifically the forecast calls for record low rates to drop even more in January & February. Then creeping up a bit in March (but still well below 3% for a 30-year fixed mortgage.) We expect that rates will hoover in this territory for the remainder of 2021.

Mortgage rates primary driver is the Federal Reserve with its monetary policies. The continuation of the Fed’s commitment to easy money will keep pushing assets prices higher. Recently the Federal Reserve commented that this strategy of “loose money” will continue for at least 2 years! It is transforming from inflation-fearing to recession-fearing.

Pandemic demand continuation?

The COVID pandemic has forever changed the work environment landscape. Many workers report enjoying all the benefits that come with WFH. No commuting, more time with family, connivence of doing the work on their terms. Even with the vaccine on the horizon, many expect a fundamental shift to continue in all real estate markets in the US.

Post-vaccine we expect to see many companies switching to a hybrid-WFH business model. Many businesses are reporting much higher employee productivity with the elimination of commutes. Plus, a remote worker does not need the footprint in an office allowing for much smaller work spaces. Downsizing office and work space means more savings right to the bottom line!

Employees who enjoy the WFH will gravitate to employers that allow for them to continue with flexible schedules. Talent that is in scarce supply will walk now that they see the possibilities. Slowly workers will return to office and working spaces but not on a full time basis.

Prediction for 2021 California real estate market

Overall the real estate party will continue to roll in 2021 for residential markets. Commercial office space we expect more stagnation as new demand will be slow. So existing business will continue to reduce foot print sizes. For investors in residential real estate and trust deeds we expect strong returns to continue with minimal risk.

Here at Coastal Capital Group we won’t be changing our conservative and fundamental approach to underwriting. We will keep deploying capital into solid deals meeting our proven fundamentals. If you are sitting in cash, it’s pretty clear that you want to get out of it to avoid inflation erosion.

With the Fed’s commitment to fighting the recession, inflation will increase. Not surprising if the US sees inflation at 4% or more. We strongly suggest getting out of cash and investing in assets or strong cashflow. Start earning returns now either in purchasing residential real estate or investing with us! To learn more about Coastal Capital please visit our Investor Page.

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