Originally published Sep 30, 2016. Republished August 13, 2018.

Hard money lenders are very reluctant to provide 100% financing on a deal.  When prospective borrowers say they need 100% financing, they're raising questions about how much skin they have in the game.

Originally published on Jun 27, 2016. Updated May 25, 2018.

Even borrowers well-versed in hard money loans often still harbor questions about securing this type of financing. For the novice, these inquiries can become near-insurmountable challenges, and for good reason.

A hard money loan is typically valued against the property being used as collateral, so having all necessary information about the property is essential. But sometimes what the record turns up could scare off lenders and borrowers alike.  

For time-sensitive projects that require a funding decision immediately, a hard money loan lender may say yes to your application when a bank says no. A hard money loan has several advantages compared to traditional financing options.

Lenders often like to lend on multi-family properties because these assets can serve as the right collateral for several reasons.

Given the exponential growth of the assisted living and nursing care industry, it should come as no surprise that there's hard money loan resources for assisted living facilities.  Demographics are the driving factor. 

A regular loan differs from a merchant cash advance. Each has its advantages. So which one should a physician in need of capital choose to help their practice? Timing could be the answer.

Picking the right business loan is important for small businesses seeking capital because there are so many different lending products and services on the market today, But before they select their choice, businesses should make sure they also consider these factors such as the length of the loan, the loan amount and even the industry they're in.

It is important that hard money loan lenders can reduce risk any way they can.  Given the inherently risky nature of hard money loans, it should come as no surprise that due diligence exists for lenders in the hard money world as due diligence exists for hard money loan borrowers.   Although the basic rules are the same, lenders need to work a little differently on their side of the field. 

Small businesses, real estate owners and investors must conduct their due diligence when looking for a hard money lender online. While technology enables quicker, easier access to funding, it also creates new potential avenues for associated fraud. Knowing what to look for and how to best navigate online sources of hard money can help prospective borrowers steer clear of unnecessary risks and make smart, informed decisions.