Multifamily loans serve various property types and investment strategies. Understanding the available programs helps investors select appropriate financing for their specific multifamily investments.
Small Multifamily Properties: Duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes often represent entry points into multifamily investing or additions to single-family rental portfolios. These properties qualify for financing programs similar to single-family investments but with underwriting that considers multiple rental streams. Hard money loans can facilitate quick acquisitions of these properties, particularly when they require renovation or repositioning.
Apartment Building Acquisition: Properties with five or more units transition into commercial financing territory with underwriting focused on net operating income rather than comparable sales. Hard money apartment loans accommodate acquisitions of smaller buildings that may not qualify for agency financing or that require faster closing than conventional lenders can provide.
Value-Add Renovation Projects: Multifamily properties with renovation potential offer significant upside for investors who can upgrade units, improve amenities, and increase rents. Hard money loans fund both acquisition and renovation costs, with interest reserves that carry the property through the repositioning period until higher rents improve cash flow.
Stabilized Property Refinancing: Investors with performing multifamily properties often refinance to access equity for portfolio expansion, secure better terms, or transition from short-term financing to long-term holds. Cash-out refinancing allows equity extraction while maintaining ownership of cash-flowing assets.
DSCR-Based Financing: Debt Service Coverage Ratio loans evaluate multifamily properties based on their ability to generate sufficient income to cover debt payments. This approach benefits self-employed investors and those with complex personal financial situations by focusing on property performance rather than borrower income documentation.