Saturday, July 4, 2009

Factors to Consider in Obtaining Apartment Loans

By Bart Icles

Property management is one of the potentially most lucrative markets today. However, it can be quite a challenge to engage in the property management business. Doing business in the field of property management requires a large sum of investment, and it seems that one either has to be really rich heir or independently very wealthy. And there is another option: borrow money - and this is where apartment loans step into the picture.

A couple of questions that you need to ask yourself before you go down to the bank or investment company is "How long do I expect to own the apartment building or complex?" and "Will I be making a long term investment?" These questions are important in determining the kind of apartment loan that you will be obtaining.

Adjustable rate mortgage or ARM appears to be the best method of apartment financing if you plan to own a property in a couple of years or less. Adjustable rate mortgages are apartment loans that have varying interest rates. Interest rates change according to a certain index over a specific length of time. Adjustable rate mortgages typically have better initial interest rates compared with other types of apartment loans. This is done to counterbalance the risks posed by fluctuations in future interest rates. Mortgage holders are also protected through maximum interest rates or interest rate ceilings that are set for a certain period of time.

On the other hand, those who plan to engage in the property management business for a long time are better off obtaining fixed rate mortgages. Apartment loans with fixed rates guarantee borrowers that they will be paying for the same amount of interest rate for the rest of mortgage term. The risk in obtaining fixed rate mortgages comes in when one speaks of the interest rates at the time the loan is obtained. When interest rates are at historic lows at the time that you obtained a fixed rate loan, you are locked in at the best possible rate. However, if you obtained a fixed rate loan at a time when interest rates are at their all time high, you will end up paying higher interests than you would have with other types of apartment loans.

In obtaining an apartment loan, it is also important to consider the estimated cost of the apartment building or complex. If your property is valued at more than half a million dollars, you might be better off obtaining a loan from an investment company or a direct lending source. If your property is valued at less than half a million dollars, you might be given better rates if you seek funding from local banks.

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