mortgage faq

Aurum and Sharpe was founded in 2017 by me, Bryan Hanley, and one of my best friends, Rudy Renelique. After many years working at big banks like Chase, and Wells Fargo, we decided we could bring value to a mortgage market that was starving for independent thinkers. So we started Aurum and Sharpe over a phone call about financing a multi-family deal in Brooklyn. Since starting this business we’ve been on many adventures from financing a $20 million portfolio of single families, to meeting the President of Rwanda and Finance Minister of Namibia.

Rudy has gone on to start his own firm, Overture Capital, while I’ve stayed on to grow Aurum and Sharpe. Aurum is the original Latin word for gold (that’s why the periodic table has it listed at Au). We chose it because we think of our word as “as good as Gold.” And in that vein, we want to add value to every customer we come in contact with. Our promise is that by working with us, you will increase your Freedom, Purpose, and Fulfillment.

Our process includes learning your overall objectives and where you want to go in your life so that we make sure your financing enhances your life and gets you to your destination much faster. What that means though, is that we are not like every other broker on the street that will only do a surface level amount of learning about you, your life, and your motivations. For us, that is Gold. We want to learn how we can tailor your financing so that you thrive in your life! So before we talk about rates, terms, or anything else, we are going to try and figure out how to add value through financing.

We know this approach isn’t for everyone. But if this resonates with you, lets talk: 917 475 6207

September 20, 2022

10 Common Mistakes First-Time Real Estate Investors Make

Real estate is the real big thing, as many would say. Many think of real estate investing as property ownership or a high return on investment. The first thing that likely springs to mind when you consider real estate investing is your home. Over the past five decades, real estate has grown in popularity as an investment strategy. Real estate investing is simply the business of acquiring property as an investment. This can be a building, land, infrastructure, or other immovable physical properties. In general terms, real estate investing is known to be a safe form of investment. However, there are a variety of alternative investments available to real estate investors, and not all of them are actual homes. There are different types of real estate which are classified by their uses. They include: Residential Real Estate: This includes all […]
September 20, 2022

Banks that Refinance Investment Property

Mortgage rates are historically low, and homeowners have no better time to refinance their properties. A Freddie Mac survey from 2020 revealed that the average interest rate on fixed-rate mortgages had dropped by 50% between 2010 and 2020. Although these rates have skyrocketed in 2022, the current sub-6 % rates still represent a vast improvement from what was available in the 90s and early 00s. Refinancing your property allows you to get better terms than you did when you initially took out your mortgage. However, there are several factors you must consider before refinancing your property, especially if it is an investment property, to ensure that you are making a wise investment. One of these considerations is who to refinance with. You may refinance your property through a traditional bank or other lending institutions. Each lender has its specific benefits […]
September 20, 2022

How to Refinance an Investment Property

The benefits of refinancing to investment property owners cannot be overemphasized A mortgage refinance enables you to reduce interest rates, redefine the loan terms, and finance new investments. Overall, refinancing your investment property enables you to cut costs and improve profitability. Here, we’ll discuss investment property refinancing and the process generally. Refinancing Investment Properties In real estate, refinancing is the process of replacing an existing mortgage with a new one offering better terms to the borrower. Depending on your lender, you may have collected a loan with a high-interest rate or generally more unfavorable terms. If the rates on the market change and you want to take advantage of the better rates, you can refinance your mortgage to get a better deal. Refinancing allows the borrower to customize the terms of the new deal by; Negotiating a lower interest rate […]
September 14, 2022

Who are the Best Non-QM Lenders?

Many mortgages went into default more than ten years ago due to the borrowers’ inability to continue making mortgage payments. The spike in defaults was mostly caused by a large number of mortgages that, while they initially helped borrowers buy homes, ultimately put those homeowners in a difficult financial situation. Non-QM lenders now offer safe alternative financing solutions by modifying their services. The Qualified Mortgage Rule was developed in 2014 by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). This rule established requirements for lenders, including the need for them to confirm the borrower’s ability to pay back the mortgage and the need for them to offer mortgage options that minimize risk for both the borrower and the lender. While some borrowers may not meet the requirements or are not eligible for a qualified mortgage rule, non-QM might be preferable. However, this […]
September 14, 2022

Is it harder to get a Mortgage for an Investment Property?

Real estate investment is one of the most profitable investments you can make if you know your onions. More than 10% of the wealthiest people in the world post real estate as their source of income, and this sector has become one of the most lucrative over the years, generating three times more revenue than every other income source over the last year. If you’re a small-time investor, the easiest way to make money off real estate is by renting out a property or flipping a property for profit. However, the personal capital to invest in property is often unavailable, making investment property loans worthwhile. Investment property loans allow you to increase your profit by using the loan to build or rehabilitate a property where there is a need while leveraging the terms of the loan. However, banks and lending […]
September 14, 2022

Can you use a Commercial Loan to buy a house?

Virtually everyone dreams of owning a home. Besides the pride and satisfaction in knowing that you never again have to worry about a place to lay your head, there is the obvious fact that buying a home is a valuable investment. Investing in a house is an excellent way to diversify your portfolio. You can use your house as leverage to buy other properties or as collateral to get loans for other investments. When it comes to buying a house, the first question on everyone’s lips is, “where do I get the money from?” Unlike stocks or cryptocurrencies, you can’t invest in property with “little change.” You need massive capital, which you often don’t have lying around idly. This is where loans and mortgages come in. You can collect loans from banks, insurance companies, credit unions, and other financial institutions […]
September 14, 2022

Types of Commercial Real Estate Loans (Including Non-Qm)

A commercial real estate loan is a mortgage that can be acquired using the business property as collateral or backup. These loans can be divided into three major categories: business loans, investment loans, and loans for development. Commercial real estate (CRE) includes any revenue-generating property utilized for commercial activities, such as offices, shops, hotels, restaurants, warehouses, and apartments. Loans for commercial real estate are only used to purchase commercial property; they are not used for buying private homes. However, residential properties with 1-4 units managed by an LLC can use commercial loans. Banks and lenders are in charge of offering commercial real estate loans, just like with any other kind of mortgage loan. Loans for residential real estate are granted to private borrowers, while loans for commercial real estate are given to commercial enterprises, including organizations, Limited liability companies, investors, and developers. […]
September 14, 2022

How Does Real Estate Investment Compare to Investing in Stocks or Crypto

A great approach to increasing wealth and preparing for retirement is through investment. Investors can diversify their wealth and reduce risk by taking advantage of various profitable investment opportunities. The world is full of investment opportunities. Choosing the right ones for you can be difficult. The benefits and drawbacks of every investment are unique. Maybe your financial adviser tells you to invest in stocks, your best friend tells you to invest in stocks, and every social media post wants you to invest in cryptocurrency. You may be confused about the right investment because they all look like the right one with future potential. Not to worry, this article will guide you on real estate, stocks, and cryptocurrency investment and how to choose the right one that specifically suits your circumstance. What is Cryptocurrency? Cryptocurrency is a digital currency that doesn’t […]
February 15, 2022
1031 Exchange

How to use a 1031 Exchange to Scale your Real Estate Portfolio?

If you’re a real estate investor looking to grow your real estate rental or investment property portfolio, you may want to consider using the 1031 exchange program offered by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Typically, growth in the real estate sector is driven by investors that do the following: buy a property at a low price, hold onto it for a certain time period, to then resell the property at a higher price, using the proceeds to buy another property and repeat the entire process. It’s a cycle that has made entrepreneurs millions. And within the industry, the more cash you have on hand the more you’re able to borrow, and the better assets you can purchase. The only roadblock with most real estate transactions, at least where an investor or non-homeowner is involved, is the profit generated that is […]
February 10, 2022
How to Accumulate a Property

How to Accumulate Property Fast?

In this article, we’ll discuss how to accumulate real estate fast. Investing in real estate and earning financial freedom is an important topic for many. In fact, the wealthiest people in the world attribute significant portions of their net worth to real estate. While at first glance it may seem difficult and slow to build your wealth in real estate, that is not necessarily the case. There are actually many different ways to accumulate quickly and effectively, which is why in this article we will explore some of the most efficient methods. We will also discuss best practices on acquiring a lot of real estate so that you, as the real estate investor, can protect yourself legally and financially. #1 – Buy a Real Estate Portfolio For those looking to grow rapidly in real estate investing, buying a portfolio of […]