There is too much confusion among the common public about hard money loans and soft money loans, and some don?t even fail to claim one better than the other. As an American citizen, you would know that getting loans can be an ordeal, especially when you are not sure about what loan type will suit your needs the best and would profit you.
There are trustworthy loan lenders like Maryland hard money lenders who would suggest you the loan according to your requirements. However, it’s still better to have a general idea about what hard and soft money loans are, to avoid possible mishaps.
Read the post until the end and understand the difference between hard money loans and soft money loans.
What Is a Hard Money Loan?
Hard money, also known as ?the last resort? is a type of loan given for a specific purpose and secured by collateral. They are short-term bridge loans, meaning hard money loans are borrowed for a short-term period. If you urgently need capital, a hard money loan is a loan you could for. It doesn?t have a long approval procedure and you will get the borrowed capital in no time.?
What Is a Soft Money Loan?
Soft money loans, on the other hand, are loan types that are acquired for no specific purpose, unlike a hard money loan, borrowers might not require collateral to guarantee them. This loan is borrowed for a long-term period, and there is a high list of requirements to become eligible for sanctioning it.
It?s a loan type which is borrowed when you are aware of the capital demand and have applied for the loan, knowing it would take time to process and qualify.
Credit Score
Both hard money loans and soft money loans have become terms in Banking Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI) industry. One of the biggest differences between both loan types is credit score and collateral.
To acquire a soft money loan, you would be demanded a list of requirements, especially a good credit score. Also, if you do not have a good credit score and stable income backup, lenders can ask to sign collateral as a security.
Things like credit score, income source, etc., are not paid much mind in hard money loans, as they are secured by collateral. Private money lenders generally lend these loans and borrowers need to follow up with collateral (mostly real estate).
Interest Rate
Interest rates of hard money loans and soft money loans differ significantly and can be a reason to prove one is better and more profitable than the other loan type.
As mentioned earlier, hard money loans are for shorter periods and are generally lent by private money lenders; they seek higher profits and do charge a higher interest rate.
Whereas soft money loans are a more profitable option for borrowers, with respect to the interest rate. These loans are mostly lent by government loan lenders and have a comparatively lower interest rate than hard money loans.
Duration
Tenure is another significant difference between hard money loans and soft money loans. Since the collateral involved loans, i.e hard money loans are lent by private lenders, they are of shorter tenure; generally ranging from 5-10 years.
On the other side, soft money loans are given out by public lenders and have a longer tenure. Lasting anywhere between 15- 30 years, this can be either an advantage or a disadvantage for borrowers.
Uses
Hard money loans are borrowed for a special purpose, whereas soft money loans can be used in different ways. The following are major uses of both:
Hard money loans
- For medical emergencies
- Short term financing
- Solution for foreclosure
Soft money loans
- To buy real estate
- To start a new business
- To repair the existing property
Verdict!
There is no good and bad between hard money loans and soft money loans; they both have particular uses and requirements.
If you are in an emergency or in urgent need of capital, hard money will be the best choice for you, as you would not have time and patience to deal with the approval procedure of a soft money loan. Similarly, if you want to buy real estate for residential purposes, a soft money loan will be a better option, unless you are in a demanding scenario to meet the end date, and require immediate cash.
The pros and cons of both hard money loans and soft money loans equate to each other, you can get one when the other doesn?t fulfil your needs. Thus, we conclude that both are efficient and essential loans and should not be compared.
