# 12 Questions to Ask an Investor Lender First | KREC

*Twelve questions to ask any investment property lender, from programs and leverage to prepayment penalties, draws, timelines and who you'll talk to.*

## Choosing an Investor Lender: 12 Questions to Ask First

The right lender can make a deal and the wrong one can sink it. Ask these twelve questions before you commit.

Short answer

Before choosing an investor lender, ask about the programs they offer, leverage and rates for your scenario, total fees, prepayment penalties, how they set value and rent, reserves, draw processes on rehab loans, typical timelines for a complete file, which states they lend in, and who your point of contact will be through closing.

Key points

- Programs, leverage and total cost.
- Prepayment, draws and timelines.
- Coverage area and a real point of contact.

### The 12 questions

1. Which programs fit my deal: DSCR, fix and flip, bridge, portfolio or commercial?
2. What leverage and rate can I expect for my credit and property?
3. What are the total fees and points, itemized?
4. What prepayment penalty options do you offer? See [DSCR prepayment penalties](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/blog/dscr-prepayment-penalties).
5. How do you determine value and rent? See [the appraisal rent schedule](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/blog/appraisal-rent-schedule).
6. How many months of reserves will I need?
7. On rehab loans, how do draws work, and how fast are they funded? See [how rehab draws work](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/blog/how-rehab-draws-work).
8. Do you charge interest on undrawn funds?
9. What's a typical timeline for a complete file?
10. Which states do you lend in?
11. Can I borrow in my LLC? See [buying a rental in an LLC](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/blog/buying-rental-property-in-llc).
12. Who will be my point of contact from application through closing?

> Ready to start? Send your scenario and a KREC loan advisor will walk you through the next step. [Talk to an advisor](https://keyrealestatecapital.com/contact)

### What the answers tell you

Clear, specific answers in writing are a good sign. Vague answers on fees, timelines or penalties usually mean surprises later. The best lender relationship lasts across many deals, so pick one that takes the time to understand your plan.

### Frequently asked questions

#### What should I ask an investment property lender?

Ask about programs, leverage, rates, total fees, prepayment penalties, valuation, reserves, draw processes, timelines, coverage area and who your point of contact will be.

#### How do I compare investor loan offers?

Compare total cost over your expected hold, including points, fees, rate and prepayment penalties, not just the rate.

#### Why does a point of contact matter?

Investor deals move fast and raise questions. A dedicated contact keeps conditions, draws and closing moving without delays.

Get KREC insights first in Google Search.

### Related Articles

Hard money loans offer fast, flexible financing for real estate investors. Learn how they work, when to use them, and what to expect.

Everything you need to know about fix and flip financing, from loan terms to maximizing your profits on renovation projects.

How DSCR loans qualify a rental on its rent instead of your income: the formula, a worked example, what lenders check and a five-minute self-test.

### Ready to Apply What You've Learned?

Get pre-approved for your next investment property. Fast closings, flexible terms.

Flexible, creative lending solutions to help real estate investors scale their portfolios.

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## Article Metadata
- **Headline:** Choosing an Investor Lender: 12 Questions to Ask First
- **Published:** 2026-10-27
- **Author:** Key Real Estate Capital

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What should I ask an investment property lender?

Ask about programs, leverage, rates, total fees, prepayment penalties, valuation, reserves, draw processes, timelines, coverage area and who your point of contact will be.

### How do I compare investor loan offers?

Compare total cost over your expected hold, including points, fees, rate and prepayment penalties, not just the rate.

### Why does a point of contact matter?

Investor deals move fast and raise questions. A dedicated contact keeps conditions, draws and closing moving without delays.

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