2022 Metrics that Matter

Inflation, interest rates, and commodity prices came roaring back in 2022 and caused market turmoil in many asset classes.  Inflation peaked mid-year in the US at circa 9%, housing and food prices rose strongly, and many Wall St. instruments dropped precipitously.  Despite volatility in these capital markets, Trust Deed Portfolios continued to generate consistent results,…

Cash out and Capitalize

Now may be the time to Cash Out and Capitalize on the steamy housing market.  Home prices continue to reach record highs in the United States. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) released data showing that average home prices in June 2021 reached $363,300 — a 23.4% increase over the average of $294,400 in June 2020, as…

3 A.M. Wakeup

Trust Deed Investments and the secured, equity protected, non-correlated monthly cash flow should create peaceful and blissful sleep filled nights. Sometimes, however, I wake up at 3 in the morning wondering about this hard money lending business and our loan originations. Usually, these sleepless encounters result from an upcoming decision or circumstance that causes angst. …

Sacramento Foreclosure Legislation Update

Elections matter and votes for our current Sacramento elected officials have consequences. My last Blog discussed AB 2501 which was a proposed Foreclosure Law that would create moratoriums on Foreclosures.  Our voices, calls, letters and emails to elected officials quelled AB 2501, however the Super Majority in Sacramento took many of those same destructive ideas and passed…

Short to Close, Now What?

What does it mean to be short to close? Property sellers, brokers and borrowers cringe when they hear the phrase, “Short to Close”.  This Escrow alarm sent out to all stakeholders in the transaction means that the loan amount is not sufficient to cover all the costs necessary to close the loan transaction.  Unfortunately, the…

California Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Opportunities Update

What are the 2020 opportunities in ADU lending?   This Blog is an update to our Additional Dwelling Unit (ADU) Blog published in Sept. 2018.  Many new developments have happened in the last 1½ years relating to ADU’s that influence ADU requirements, development, construction, laws and financing. Recently I organized and spoke on a California…

Gaps, Cracks and Whacks: A Hard Money Lenders Guide to Identifying and Preventing Poor Quality Contractors and Construction

What to look for when evaluating the quality of construction? Many hard money loans in Orange County involve a borrower rehabbing or repositioning a property before a sale or rental. The resulting property sale or rental will happen  faster when the rehabber deploys proper project management and quality construction. A well-run project will facilitate a…

Hard Money Loans Solve Real Problems

How to solve real problems with hard money loans? In a recent top-rated business Podcast, Tony Robbins stated that “The Best Business’ Solve Real Problems.” Besides being simplistic, direct, transparent, and fast, Hard Money Loans and Trust Deed Investments solve real issues that finance seeking professionals encounter. This month’s Blog analyzes the problems facing Orange…

5 Changing Elements in Fix-and-Flip Loans

What is happening in the Fix and Flip marketplace? Change and upheaval constitute Fix-and-Flip finance today. FinTech (High-Tech Lenders) companies, Wall Street and others have entered the Fix-and-Flip lending arena with an avalanche of capital. This new capital benefits borrowers with lower rates but is creating havoc with traditional lenders who are scrambling to keep…