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The 60-Second Survey: What to Have Ready
Most investors lose time before a loan even starts. They open a long application, stall on a missing document, and come back three days later. A short survey avoids that trap. This guide covers what to gather before you start, so the whole thing really does take about a minute.
The survey is the first step in the process at Kings of Capital and how its survey opens every request. The lender states that it asks about your property, your purpose and your timeline. It does not ask for documents, charge fees or run a hard credit pull at this stage.
Why the Survey Is Short on Purpose
Kings of Capital describes itself as an asset-based lender. Its line is "We lend on the deal, not your W-2." That shapes the first step. If the deal drives the decision, the first questions should be about the deal.
A short form also protects your time. You can find out whether a lender is a fit before you spend a weekend pulling tax returns. If the answer is no, you lost one minute. If the answer is yes, a lending expert picks it up from there.
The Three Pillars: Property, Purpose, Timeline
The survey centers on property, purpose and timeline. Those are really the only three things it covers, so it helps to prepare one clear answer for each.
Property
Know the address or, at minimum, the city and state. Know the property type. The lender lists single-family homes, condos, PUDs, small multifamily, larger apartment buildings, mixed-use and several commercial types, though eligibility varies by program. If you are not sure whether your building fits, the occupancy rules page that explains owner use and closing conditions is a good thing to read first. Remember that one to four unit properties are investment-only.
Purpose
Say what you plan to do. Buy and renovate to sell? Buy and hold for rent? Refinance a property you already own? The purpose points to a program. Someone who wants to flip belongs in a conversation about fix and flip loans, where the survey asks about timeline. Someone who wants a long hold belongs in a different one.
Timeline
Timeline is the answer people skip. Give a real date, such as the contract deadline or the day you need funds. The lender cannot match your speed needs if it does not know them. The closing clock only starts after the appraisal payment and borrower conditions are met, so an honest date helps the team tell you what is realistic.
Numbers Worth Knowing Before You Start
The survey does not demand financial statements, but a few rough figures make your answers sharper and your next conversation shorter.
- The purchase price, or the current value if you are refinancing.
- The renovation budget, if any.
- About how much cash you can put into the deal.
- Your rough exit plan: sell, refinance or hold.
Run these through a quick sanity check first. The calculators to run before you answer the survey let you test payments and equity so you are not guessing. A deal that only works on paper at the best case is worth catching early.
What You Do Not Need on Day One
Investors often over-prepare. You do not need to upload bank statements to get started. You do not need a finished scope of work. You do not need to pay anything to see where you stand.
Documents come later, during underwriting. At that point the lender looks at cash, equity and experience. Credit is a factor, but it is not the deciding one. Reserves, track record, the down payment or equity, the property itself and its income all count. Those new to the subject may find the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development helpful as a reference.
What Happens After You Submit
Once you finish, the lender states that a lending expert returns preliminary terms within one business day. That is the 24 hours promise on the site. It is a preliminary answer, not a commitment, and it is not a guarantee that any borrower will qualify. Program terms are offered only to qualified borrowers and subject to change.
When the terms arrive, read them with your exit plan beside you. If something is unclear, you can book a call to review your survey answers with an expert and ask direct questions. Bill and the team work with first-time investors and experienced operators, so no question is too basic.
Match Your Answers to the Right Program
The program page lists different terms for different strategies. A short summary helps you pick the right door when you answer.
The hard money program lists loans from $75K to $5M, with up to 60% LTV, and 3 to 9 months interest-only. People buying quickly often start with hard money loans that begin with a short survey. For longer holds, the rental program lists 30-year fixed and several ARM options. Those who want to hold can look at rental loans that follow the same survey path. Again, these terms are offered only to qualified borrowers and subject to change.
Common Mistakes on a Short Form
Quick forms invite quick errors. Watch for these.
- Guessing a timeline instead of checking the contract.
- Picking the wrong purpose because another lender used different words.
- Leaving out a second property or a second exit option.
- Waiting to answer until you are certain of every number.
The last one matters most. The survey exists so you can start with incomplete information. You will refine details with a person.
If You Prefer Email Over a Form
Some investors would rather write a message. That works too. Use the contact page if you want to skip the survey and email, and include the property, purpose and timeline in the first lines. You can also call (267) 630-2875 or write bridge loans for investment property to [email protected].
A Simple Checklist Before You Click Start
Before you begin, confirm the address or area, the property type, your purpose, your date and your rough cash. Then open the survey and answer in order. Do not hunt for paperwork. Do not worry about perfect numbers. A minute of honest answers beats a week of waiting on documents you may not need yet.
If the deal changes after your first answer, say so. Prices move, contracts get extended and rehab bids come in high. A good lender expects that, and it is far easier to adjust terms early than late.