Consequences of default on hard money loans
Hard money loans are a common way to finance a real estate project. In many cases, these loans can be used to purchase properties that banks will not finance due to their riskier nature. However, if you default on any of these loans, there will be consequences. This article discusses the repercussions of not repaying a hard money loan and how it differs from other types of financing options.
You can lose your property
If you cannot make your payments on a hard money loan, the lender has the right to take possession of the property that serves as collateral for the loan. This means you could lose your home or business if you can’t find the money to pay off your debt.
You will likely face legal action
Hard money lenders are generally more aggressive than traditional banks when it comes to collecting loans. If you fail to repay your loan, the lender is likely to take legal action to recoup its losses. This could lead to wage garnishment, asset seizure, and even bankruptcy.
Your credit will suffer
A hard money loan is a high-interest, short-term loan. This means that if you can’t make your payments, you’ll end up with high-interest debt that will hurt your credit score. This could impact your ability to get future loans and could even prevent you from renting an apartment or buying a car.
You will lose a key investment opportunity
Hard money loan financing is expensive. If you cannot repay your debt, it will represent a significant waste of potential income that could have been used to expand your business or fund future investments.
You can lose your capital
When you take out a hard money loan, you are usually required to provide some form of collateral. If you cannot make your payments, the lender has the right to sell this collateral to recoup its losses. This could mean losing some or all of the equity you have accumulated in your property.
You will find yourself in a stressful situation
If you are unable to repay your hard money loan, things can get very stressful. You may face legal action that will require hiring an attorney and could result in bankruptcy or foreclosure proceedings against your property.
This is why it is so important for borrowers to make their payments on time. if they can’t, there will be significant consequences down the road.
You may need hard money loans again in the future
The repercussions of not making timely repayments with a hard money lender can prevent you from getting loans in the future. This means that even if you manage to save enough capital for another project, borrowing funds can become extremely difficult without a good credit history and high levels of income.
You can ruin your business relationship with the lender
If you have a good relationship with your money lender, it may be possible to work out a repayment plan that allows you to avoid some or all of the consequences listed above. However, if you don’t repay your debt as agreed, you could ruin that relationship and make it difficult to borrow money in the future.
As you can see there are several consequences of defaulting on payment, paying on time will help you avoid all of these unfortunate outcomes and save your business.