Private money means borrowing from an individual or a private fund rather than from a bank, credit union or licensed mortgage company. Investors in Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania sometimes use it to buy or repair a property quickly or to fund a deal a traditional lender will not touch. This page explains how those arrangements are usually documented, how to vet the person lending, and when a licensed DSCR or bridge loan may suit you better.
Call to speak with a licensed loan officer about private money lenders for a property in Lower Burrell. Programs vary by borrower, property and investor.
Rents and rental stock in Lower Burrell
Rents in Lower Burrell run about $900 a month, against $900 for Westmoreland County. About 0.0% of the rental stock was vacant and listed for rent when the Census counted, a rough read on how quickly a finished unit may lease. 33% of rentals here were built before 1960, the kind of property private money often funds when a bank wants the work finished first.
How a private money deal is usually papered
Think of private money as a contract between two parties that should be written as carefully as one with a bank. The promissory note is your promise to repay and spells out the rate, payment schedule, maturity, late charges, default terms and any extension option. The security instrument, a mortgage or deed of trust, ties the loan to the property.
Recording that instrument with the county puts the lien on record and sets its priority against other liens. Ask who will prepare the documents, who records them and who holds the money until closing. A neutral escrow or settlement agent protects both of you. Before you sign anything, have your own attorney read every page, not just the summary sheet.
Start your application in a few minutes. A licensed loan officer reviews it and follows up with your options.
- Takes a few minutes
- Reviewed by a licensed loan officer
- No obligation to proceed
Prefer to talk first? Call (888) 865-8230. Applying is not a loan approval or commitment to lend; programs vary by borrower, property and investor. ClearPoint Mortgage Advisors, NMLS #173855. Properties in FL, NY, NJ, PA, CT and VA only.
Checking out a private lender before you sign
Because private lenders are not all regulated the same way, the vetting falls largely on you. Ask how long they have been lending, how many loans they have funded on property like yours, and whether they can share references from borrowers. Ask to see proof that the funds are available.
Then ask about licensing. Depending on the state, the type of loan and how often someone lends, a private lender may need a license, and some loans on homes people live in carry extra requirements. Ask the lender directly whether they hold a license in Pennsylvania and check what you can on NMLS Consumer Access or the state regulator's site. Be wary of anyone who wants large payments before closing or pushes you to skip an attorney.
Who this tends to fit
- The property or deal is unusual and falls outside standard programs
- You are borrowing for investment property rather than the home you live in
- You are willing to pay more in exchange for speed and flexibility
- You need funds faster than a traditional lender can usually deliver
- You can show the lender a realistic plan to repay or refinance
Lower Burrell offices and Pennsylvania rules for investors
- Deed and mortgage recording: Westmoreland County Recorder of Deeds. Your mortgage is recorded here after closing.
Pennsylvania foreclosure process: judicial. Pennsylvania's Rules of Civil Procedure (Rule 1141 et seq.) treat mortgage foreclosure as a court action that follows the rules for civil actions. Short-term loans carry real risk if the exit plan slips, so know how default is handled before you sign.
Pennsylvania LLC and business entity filings: Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations. Lenders lending to an LLC usually ask for its formation documents and good-standing record.
When a licensed loan may fit a Lower Burrell deal better
Before you agree to private terms, ask whether the deal could be financed through a licensed channel. Long-term rentals often fit DSCR programs. Short-term needs, such as closing fast or carrying a property until it can be refinanced, may fit a licensed bridge loan. Both come with standardized documents, disclosures and a regulated lender on the other side.
Private money still has a place when a deal is unusual or time is very tight, but it should be a choice made with the alternatives in view. This website is an information resource, not a source of private loans, and the licensed loan officer you can reach through it can walk you through the licensed lending options that may fit.
Before you call
- A check of the lender's licensing status where it applies
- Quotes for a comparable licensed DSCR or bridge loan
- Questions about the lender's track record, references and funding source
- The purchase contract, rehab budget or rent roll for the property
- Contact details for your own real estate attorney
Questions Lower Burrell investors ask about private money lenders
What is the difference between private money and hard money?
The terms overlap. Private money usually describes funds from an individual or a private fund, sometimes someone you know. Hard money usually describes companies that make asset-based, short-term loans as a business. Both focus on the property more than your income, and both tend to cost more than licensed bank or mortgage loans in exchange for speed. The paperwork and lender vetting matter in either case.
Should I borrow private money against the home I live in?
Be very cautious. A loan secured by your own home puts that home at risk if the loan cannot be repaid or refinanced on time. Loans on owner-occupied homes carry consumer protections, including the lender's duty to make a good-faith determination of your ability to repay. Talk to a licensed loan officer about regulated options first, and have an attorney review any private offer.
What should a private loan agreement include?
At a minimum, the promissory note should state the amount, interest, payment schedule, maturity, late charges, default terms, any extension option and how payoff works. The mortgage or deed of trust should describe the property and be recorded. Ask about prepayment terms, insurance requirements and who services the loan. Have an attorney review it, and talk to a tax professional about how interest is reported.
Is this website a private money lender?
No. This site does not lend money. It explains investor financing options and can put you in touch with a licensed mortgage broker who works with programs such as DSCR and bridge loans. If you are considering a private lender, use the steps on this page to review the deal and have an attorney look at the documents.
Get answers about private money lenders for a property in or around Lower Burrell. Subject to credit approval; programs vary.
Other investor loans in Lower Burrell
DSCR loans in Lower BurrellDSCR requirements in Lower BurrellDSCR down payment in Lower BurrellAirbnb / STR loans in Lower BurrellHard money lenders in Lower BurrellHard money for a primary home in Lower BurrellFix and flip loans in Lower BurrellInvestor bridge loans in Lower BurrellPortfolio lenders in Lower BurrellBlanket mortgages in Lower BurrellInvestment property loans in Lower BurrellHELOC on a rental in Lower BurrellInvestor cash-out refi in Lower BurrellSecond home loans in Lower BurrellInterest-only investor loans in Lower Burrell
Private Money Lenders near Lower Burrell
- Private Money Lenders in New Kensington, PA (2 mi)
- Private Money Lenders in Plum, PA (6 mi)
- Private Money Lenders in Oakmont, PA (8 mi)
- Private Money Lenders in Murrysville, PA (10 mi)
- Private Money Lenders in Fox Chapel, PA (10 mi)
- Private Money Lenders in Monroeville, PA (11 mi)
- Private Money Lenders in Wilkinsburg, PA (13 mi)
- Private Money Lenders in Allison Park, PA (13 mi)
Related guides
- Hard Money vs DSCR Loan: Which Fits Your Investment Property?
- LLC Mortgage Basics: Financing a Rental in an LLC
- How to Compare DSCR Lenders and Loan Offers
Private Money Lenders across Pennsylvania · Private Money Lenders guide · Pennsylvania overview
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, tables B25064, B25004 and B25036