Bridge Loans in Arkansas: How to Unlock Home Equity to Buy Before You Sell

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Navigating the journey of selling your old home while securing your new dream house in Arkansas can be a complex dance of timing and financial coordination. Especially in today’s market, where low inventory meets high prices, achieving this balance often feels daunting. For many, the process seems to lead to an inconvenient and costly path: selling first, moving to a temporary residence, and then embarking on the search for a new home.

But what if there’s a smoother way to connect these dots? Enter the bridge loan – a short-term financial solution designed to bridge the gap. A bridge loan empowers you to purchase your next Arkansas home before you’ve sold your current one, offering a lifeline in aligning your real estate dreams with reality.

Discover the Innovative Way to Buy Your Next Home Before Selling Your Current Home

Through our Buy Before You Sell program, HomeLight can help you unlock a portion of your equity upfront to put toward your next home. You can then make a strong offer on your next home with no home sale contingency.

What is a bridge loan, in simple words?

A bridge loan is a short-term loan that provides you with the necessary funds to buy your new home before you’ve sold your existing one. It uses the equity in your current home as leverage, giving you the cash needed for a down payment and covering closing costs on your new property.

Think of a bridge loan as a temporary financial solution. It effectively “bridges” the gap between the sale of your current home and the purchase of your new one, easing the strain of timing and financial constraints.

Typically, bridge loans are short-lived, with durations ranging from six months to a year. Keep in mind, due to their short-term nature and the risk involved, bridge loans often carry slightly higher interest rates than traditional mortgages. However, they can be an invaluable tool in ensuring a seamless transition to your new home in Arkansas.

How does a bridge loan work in Arkansas?

A bridge loan provides a fluid transition, allowing you to move forward with purchasing your new Arkansas home without having to wait for your old one to sell.

Often, the lender who is financing your new home will also provide the bridge loan. They usually require that your current home be actively listed for sale and offer bridge loan terms ranging from six months to a year.

A crucial factor in this process is your debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Lenders will calculate your DTI by considering the payments on your existing mortgage, the new mortgage payments for the home you are purchasing, and any interest-only payments on the bridge loan, if applicable.

However, if your old home is already under contract and the buyer’s loan approval is finalized, some lenders may only account for your new mortgage payment in the DTI calculation. This consideration helps ensure that you can comfortably manage payments on both properties, providing a safety net in the event that your current home doesn’t sell immediately.

What are the benefits of a bridge loan in Arkansas?

There are several advantages to securing a bridge loan in Arkansas that can make your homebuying experience more flexible and less stressful.

  • Make non-contingent offers: This increases your competitiveness as a buyer.
  • Single relocation: Avoid the hassle of multiple moves.
  • Stage and sell post-move: Enhance your old home’s appeal without the living disruptions.
  • Potential payment flexibility: Some lenders may offer deferred payments during the loan period.
  • Swift action on ideal properties: Move quickly on desired homes without waiting for your current home’s sale.

These benefits make a bridge loan a strategic option for Arkansas buyers who need financial flexibility before selling their existing property, allowing them to comfortably transition to their new home.

What are the drawbacks of a bridge loan?

While bridge loans offer flexibility and can alleviate stress during the homebuying and selling process, there are certain drawbacks to consider:

  • Additional loan costs: Includes underwriting fees, origination fees, etc.
  • Increased financial burden: Juggling up to two mortgages plus a bridge loan simultaneously.
  • Stricter qualification criteria: Often more challenging to qualify for compared to traditional mortgages.
  • Potentially slower underwriting process: Can delay your homebuying plans.
  • Equity requirements: Limited borrowing if you owe more than 80% of your current home’s value.

Understanding these potential drawbacks is crucial in weighing whether a bridge loan is the right financial tool for your situation.

When is an Arkansas quick-action bridge loan a good solution?

A bridge loan isn’t the right fit for every real estate situation, but in certain scenarios, it can greatly ease the transition from your old home to a new one.

  • You need equity from your current home for the new home’s down payment.
  • Avoiding a double move and interim housing costs is crucial for you.
  • Your dream home is available, and you need to act fast.
  • Your offers with home sale contingencies are being rejected.
  • Selling an empty or staged home for a better return and convenience.

In particular, a bridge loan is ideal if you’re unable to prepare or stage your current home for sale while still living in it. Being able to move out and then stage the property can often result in a faster sale and potentially a higher selling price. This scenario is common for those seeking to maximize the appeal of their property in a competitive market.


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