Special Columns
- Private Lending Titans
- February 2023
- I love when I help people realize their dreams through doing projects with RFG. We have many customers who are immigrants or people from disadvantaged beginnings and start with one project and then expand to many. These people are hardworking and frequently do rehab projects in addition to their full-time jobs.
- Private Lending Titans
- December 2022
- I began my career owning Subway restaurant franchises. As a small business owner, there was no backstop if you did not generate enough sales to meet your expenses. The reality of being a small business owner out of college gave me the experience of knowing that it was all my responsibility, meaning if I could not find a way to make sure that each location was profitable, it not only put my business at risk but the stability of my employees at risk. At the end of the day, it was always about making sure that the customer was satisfied.
- Private Lending Trailblazers
- December 2022
- To me, success means being able to achieve your personal and professional goals as well as contribute to the success of others. The days I feel most successful are when I am energized to start the day and have enjoyed my interactions with my customers and colleagues, delivered superior service, and hopefully shared a laugh or two along the way.
- Private Lending Trailblazers
- October 2022 (AAPL)
- "I believe my biggest contributions are still to come. On our quest to be the largest and best boutique private lending firm in the country, one day I hope to see all those who have contributed to our accomplishments successfully retire from the industry and make room for a new class to carry the torch."
- Private Lending Titans
- October 2022 (AAPL)
- "I think going through adversity or tough times gives you a better perspective for the future for addressing issues that arise and presenting solutions to them since you have already lived through something similar! I have always tried to take a long-term approach to building or retooling companies, so the lessons learned from the past help guide me in some of my decision-making processes today."
- Private Lending Titans
- August 2022 (Captivate)
- "Since founding MCM in 2007, we have faced a global financial meltdown, periods of incredible market volatility, and a global pandemic. Each of these, however, has made us stronger. You must prepare for the 100-year event as though it will happen this year, and often does."
- Private Lending Trailblazers
- August 2022 (Captivate)
- "My team is small but mighty, and they share the same passion and vision that I do. I like to think of each team member as a puzzle piece; we all need to connect to bring the vision to light," says Linda Hyde, Managing Director at AAPL.
- Private Lending Titans
- June 2022 (Women in Real Estate)
- Briana Hildt, Founder and CEO of Cardinal Capital Group, discusses her company role, explains why she chose the private lending industry, and shares advice for other young women just starting out in the private lending space.
- Shout Out
- June 2022 (Women in Real Estate)
- Alayna provides excellent customer service and has fantastic engagement skills with Arixa’s department heads and teammates. She is an incredibly organized self-starter, moves projects along seamlessly, and always provides her marketing deliverables on time.
- Private Lending Trailblazers
- June 2022 (Women in Real Estate)
- I’ve been in Private Lending for 13 years and entered this field as the market crashed. The money does not go away; other opportunities open.
- Private Lending Titans
- April 2022 (Innovate)
- I’ve lived through multiple housing crises, market changes, and now even a global pandemic in my career. When you have a team with the breadth of experience we have at Invigorate, you understand how to build a foundation that won’t crack with the first hard wind.
- Private Lending Trailblazers
- April 2022 (Innovate)
- Since I’ve joined, Renovo has grown from one market with 5 lenders (loan officers) and about $10-15MM per month in new loan originations to 20 lenders in 16 markets and $130MM per month in new loan originations.
- Private Lending Trailblazers
- February 2022
- Success, to me, is turning a vision into a reality (one of the main reasons I love working in the start-up world), having a direct positive impact, and delivering results consistently.
- Private Lending Titans
- February 2022
- I love the creative aspect of bridge lending, particularly where we get to understand the sensitivities of a business plan and then offer several solutions that can generate a win-win for our borrowers and our investors.
- Private Lending Titans
- October 2021
- "I love that my role is dynamic and constantly changing. Our success in capitalizing on the opportunities and challenges each new day brings has us on a path toward becoming a billion-dollar enterprise."
- Industry Spotlight
- October 2021
- “We are all citizens of the world,” says Bob Eakin. “Helping people succeed—regardless of the context whether it be financial or otherwise—is what motivates me the most.”
- Private Lending Titans
- October 2021
- "When my team is confronted with a difficult lending decision, we ask ourselves – “what is the intellectually honest answer to our conundrum”. The answer is often surprisingly obvious. Acting on our decisions kindly and fairly has rewarded us with strong relationships with our loan originating partners and borrowers."
- Industry Spotlight
- August 2021
- From its small beginnings but keeping pace with aggressive expansion of the industry itself, AAPL has grown to become the oldest and largest trade association for private lenders. It has continued its history of private lending industry firsts, some of which you may now recognize as trade standards.
- Private Lending Titans
- August 2021
- "While it is important to talk to a number of solid prospective employers, to the best of your ability, make sure you are working for the people and culture you identify with the most. There is nothing worse than waking up and not liking where you work every day."
- Private Lending Trailblazers
- August 2021
- "The past year’s climate has many of our competitors struggling, but we have utilized our strong relationships with Appraiser’s to continue to service our pre-existing clients and put in the work to foster and build relationships with new clients."
- Private Lending Titans
- June 2021 (Women in Real Estate)
- "In today’s high-tech environment from marketing to sales to operations to back-office execution, there are so many systems and programs that keep us well informed with dashboards to Artificial intelligence that help us perform at a higher level. The trick is to keep, analyze, and understand all the information and data and to be able to dismantle the information without overwhelming the recipient."
- Shout Out
- June 2021 (Women in Real Estate)
- "Kat’s strong morals and can-do attitude allow AAPL to continue to add value to its membership. She keeps the integrity of the lending industry as a priority, challenging herself daily to make sure AAPL remains committed to its core values," says Linda Hyde, Managing Director at AAPL.
- Private Lending Trailblazers
- June 2021 (Women in Real Estate)
- Opportunities will always be available for someone who is willing to put in the time to become an expert in their chosen field. Ask questions, read relevant materials, and stay updated on current events impacting your chosen industry. Be professional and know your business etiquette as well – this will take you a long way in the advancement of your chosen career path."
- Private Lending Trailblazers
- June 2021 (Women in Real Estate)
- The best advice I received early on was to never underestimate myself and to trust my decisions. I learned to voice my opinion, ask questions, and be as hands-on as possible.
- Private Lending Titans
- April 2021 (Innovate)
- "My mission is not just to reduce expenses and increase revenue but to provide a work environment for my staff that is both healthy and fulfilling. As they say, 'a company is only as good as its employees.'"
- Industry Spotlight
- April 2021 (Innovate)
- "I think the private lending industry will become stronger for the smaller, truly private lenders out there like Flynn Family Lending. Tightening credit guidelines and frozen capital markets allowed small lenders like us to shine in a moment of crisis. Investors became acutely aware of how important it can be to work directly with key business decision makers and those who control their own fund sources."
- Industry Spotlight
- January 2021
- "Stick to doing what you are great at; however, do not stay in a box. Always broaden your horizons even if it is outside of your current field of work. If I had known better, I would have become a private lender a long time ago. But as they always say…nothing beats time for experience!"
- Wisdom from the CEO
- February 2021
- "If it were easy, everyone would do it. It’s hard work. It’s lonely. You must embrace being uncomfortable, not knowing the answers, being unclear of the path forward, and making very difficult decisions with limited information on short timelines."
- Wisdom from the CEO
- November 2020
- "I believe that many things are simply out of our own personal control, and the only rational and productive concern a person can have daily are the very limited things that are actually within our control, and that can be changed by our actions," says Ryan Craft, CEO of Saluda Grade.
- Industry Spotlight
- November 2020
- "As a lender, it is important to understand the business plan on the property, to ensure that interests are aligned, and to thoroughly underwrite the opportunity. From a borrower’s perspective, it is also important to understand your lender – to know where their capital is coming from, their experience in more challenging markets, and their reputation for fairness," says Renee Lewis of Bloomfield Capital.
- Culture Corner
- October 2020
- Entrepreneurial spirit shows up in the work ethic of the Pacific Private Money team. The team is future-oriented, sets big goals and commits to clients and each other.
- Industry Spotlight
- October 2020
- "Our company underwrites primarily on “feel good” underwriting guidelines, so sometimes for best borrowers, best locations, and best properties, we can go very aggressive. We approach each and every loan scenario individually and come up with possible ways or creative structures of closing the loans," says Ani Kamikyan of LBC Capital.
- Culture Corner
- September 2020
- "While change is part of what we do, our core culture never does. Success is a series of planned events. Whatever the marketplace brings us, strong core executive management makes our company nimble and effective."
- Wisdom from the CEO
- August 2020
- "I actually realized that I didn’t need 10 ideas, I only needed one great idea. The moral of the story here is that, you only have to pick one unique thing and become the best at it. This strategy focuses your attention and sets you up to be an expert," says CEO John Beacham.
- Culture Corner
- August 2020
- Rooted in the idea of family, the team values quality time over shared meals. Sharestates employees take part in everything from informal birthday lunches to monthly team outings and barbecues. The love of food and a shared meal is a small but important part of creating a sense of family at Sharestates.
- Industry Spotlight
- August 2020
- "Fail hard earlier, network more, and build a business, not a job. Too often as an entrepreneur, I’ve found myself serving my business more than the business serves me. Flipping the script on this is crucial; life is meant to be lived, not done," says Abhi Golhar.
- Wisdom from the CEO
- July 2020 (3rd Anniversary)
- "Stay true to your convictions. There will be instances that will feel overwhelming. Think back to why you started your business and recall what led you to take the risk," says CEO Derrick Foote.
- Industry Spotlight
- July 2020 (3rd Anniversary)
- "Anyone that’s been in the Hard Money industry for longer than few years knows that you learn every day. Mistakes happen, lessons are learned, and we move forward. Mistakes are part of success," says Boris Dorfman.
- Culture Corner
- July 2020 (3rd Anniversary)
- We Lend, LLC, a hard money lender based in Queens, New York, believes the customer experience is defined by internal values and culture. The firm combines exceptional customer service, expertise, and simple, fast processes to build trusted relationships with clients.
- Wisdom from the CEO
- May 2020
- We teach people how to do real estate the right way, we lend them the money to put this learning into real action steps, which provide a return on their investment, and then overtime, through this method, they earn enough money to lend capital (through one-off investments or through one of our high yield funds) to other real estate investors seeking the same success. Our philosophy is that we only do well when our customers do well," says CEO Lee Arnold.
- Industry Spotlight
- May 2020
- "Jeff Tesch, founded the company with the intention of legitimizing hard money and pulling it out of the shadows. Providing our clients with transparency throughout the origination process and a superior customer experience are RCN’s core values and those values were carried through into every aspect of the business," says Erica LaCentra, Director of Marketing at RCN Capital.
- Wisdom from the CEO
- April 2020
- "I boil my life down into three words: time, wealth and purpose. Being an entrepreneur allows me to have the freedom of managing my own schedule, and doing what I want to do when I want to do it. It also has provided me the catalyst to create and sustain the lifestyle that I want. And that time that I have control of, and the wealth that has gotten me there, allows me to live out that third piece: purpose," says CEO Eddie Wilson.
- Wisdom from the CEO
- April 2020
- CEOs discuss the resources and technology they have used since the pandemic started and how their companies are adapting to this new normal.
- Wisdom from the CEO
- March 2020 (Women in Real Estate)
- "Go where the customers are and talk to them. There is no substitute for meeting your client base and listening to what their pain and needs are. Really engage with them and address their problems," says CEO Beth O'Brien.
- Culture Corner
- February 2020
- As the chief underwriter, Bob Eakin underwrites like an investor – because he is an investor. Bob has a position in most of the loans that are produced because he knows the loans are a sound investment, and he wants to be included in them.
- Retired Columns
- February 2020
- Although this city has the word "new" in its name, the Big Apple’s roots are in one of mankind’s oldest pursuits – the pursuit of a better life. For decades – and still to this day – the city has served as a beacon of hope for millions of immigrants from countries far and wide.
- Industry Spotlight
- November 2019
- "I admire organizations less per se, and more just regular everyday people in their regular everyday environments that somehow find opportunities to make someone else’s life a bit better. I am particularly inspired by people who reach outside their comfort zones and just do kind things. They remind me that it’s never really ‘convenient’ to be considerate or charitable, and that even small actions frequently make a difference," says Robert Jafek.
- Industry Spotlight
- September 2018
- "Our success is really built on the tried and true, like staying close to the deal, paying attention to details, and having a deep knowledge of our clients and putting their interests at the center of everything we do. We don’t take shortcuts or make expedient choices based on short-term thinking, because we are serious about the long-term success and prosperity of our clients as well as our own business," says Charles Towle.
- Wisdom from the CEO
- September 2018
- "Perfection is the enemy of action. In the drive for perfection, there is no exponential improvement for the time invested. Rather, it’s a completely negative return," says Anthony Geraci, CEO and partner at Geraci LLP.
- Retired Columns
- September 2018
- Seattle is often regarded by travelers as one of the most beautiful American cities for its modern and historical architecture, lush green forests (hence the name “Emerald City”), beautiful waterways, surrounding islands and mountains, and the incredible views from nearly every part of the city.
- Retired Columns
- August 2018
- Whether you’re driving or walking down the Strip at night, you will witness the magic of Las Vegas. The buildings are dripped in lights, spotlights dance throughout the sky, and the music has everybody walking to a beat.
- Retired Columns
- July 2018
- Our nation’s capital is one of the most appreciated historical places in the country. From the cherry blossoms to the museums, Washington, D.C. is a location anyone can enjoy.
- Retired Columns
- July 2018
- Remember customers have a multitude of options available to them when choosing who to use as a lender. When the services you offer are similar to others, distinguish yourself by building rapport and personalization. When customers choose a lender, they lean toward those companies that resonate with their personal values.
- Industry Spotlight
- July 2018
- “Clear Capital holds a long-term and persistent belief that apartments have supplanted homeownership and substantially fulfill today’s American dream, for both Millennials and Baby Boomers,” according to Eric Sussman, one of Clear Capital’s Managing Partners.
- Retired Columns
- March 2018
- Between the cost savings, the reduced environmental impact, and the increased productivity that emerge from a paperless loan process, you may wonder why anyone processes loan the old-fashioned way.
- Retired Columns
- March 2018
- As the capital of Texas, the “Live Music Capital of the World,” and the no. 1 spot on the “Cities of the Future” list (Forbes), Austin has developed quite a reputation. For the industrious and entrepreneurial-minded, the city presents limitless opportunities.
- Industry Spotlight
- March 2018
- The deep knowledge base and common purpose of the staff keep us going every day. This may seem like a cookie-cutter service business, but it’s really not. "Everyone who services our accounts moves in one direction and always works as a team. They understand our processes, why they’re important, and they’re sensitive to the ultimate goal of helping our account holders achieve their retirement goals."
- Industry News
- March 2018
- The House passed H.R. 2954 by a 243 – 184 vote. The resolution increases the threshold of mortgage originations that must be reached to trigger HMDA reporting. The legislation was supported by credit union trade groups and smaller mortgage lenders, as it will ease the burden of providing specific mortgage application data to the CFPB via the online HMDA reporting portal.
- Retired Columns
- February 2018
- There are very few American cities with more historical significance than Boston. Founded all the way back in 1630, this Massachusetts town was the focal point for some of the most significant moments in our nation’s past. Because of its internationally renowned status, it also attracts countless entrepreneurs and a wealth of startups.
- Retired Columns
- February 2018
- What would happen if the buyer purchased another house prior to the sale of the old house? Is it possible given the recent banking regulations that developed due to the mortgage meltdown in 2008? Jeff Strickler came up with a spreadsheet in which, if he plugged in some assumptions, he could figure out if it would make economic sense to acquire a new house before selling an old house.
- Industry News
- February 2018
- With the potential for rates to continue an incremental increase in the coming months, it is a good time for consumers considering refinancing to explore their options. Although there is a shortage of inventory, buyers are in an excellent position to take advantage of low mortgage rates before the Fed decides on future increases.
- Retired Columns
- January 2018
- When a national lender steps out of their geographic market or product type, they are open to heightened risk. Today, as national lenders aggressively expand, some of their lending choices are reminiscent of trends that brought about the recession of 2008. Looking closely at the market, we can see the warning signs that must be addressed.
- Retired Columns
- January 2018
- Portland is unlike any other city, and it’s proud of that fact. That’s probably why its unofficial slogan is “Keep Portland Weird!”
- Industry News
- January 2018
- “Millennials are beginning their journey into real estate, moving from their parents’ homes into rentals, and with those at the top of the generation beginning to buy, it makes sense that a growing number of them are looking to flip homes,” says Steven Davis, CIO, and CFO of 5 Arch, a private mortgage company for residential real estate investors.
- Industry Spotlight
- January 2018
- "When you do call, ask a lot of questions. If the answer is always ‘yes’ to everything, make sure you see each of those things on a granular level in action; basically, take your time doing your homework. When calling references, make sure you ask these same things. It can be time-consuming, but spending time (and money) on a non-stable product is much worse."
- Retired Columns
- December 2017
- You probably don’t need to be told that San Francisco is one of the greatest cities in the world- It’s nearly impossible to avoid exposure to this idea in some form. The city is a global industry leader in both technology and finance, not to mention its status as one of the world’s premiere tourist destinations. It also happens to be one of the most uniquely beautiful cities around, seamlessly blending classic Victorian and modern architecture to create a style all its own.
- Industry News
- December 2017
- "The most successful people in our space work tirelessly to care for people. My advice would be to work hard letting people know that you are here and don’t just look at the money. If you are working hard for the borrower, the money will follow."
- Industry News
- November 2017
- Cybersecurity should already be one of your top priorities, regardless of whether you’re running a small credit union or an international bank. The safety of your most precious information — your clients’ information — is one of the most expensive building blocks of any company.
- Industry Spotlight
- November 2017
- "Know your borrower. We’re all about understanding the story and the exit strategy. We get a lot of calls from brokers who are selling a deal they got from another broker and it’s not uncommon when the story we hear is not the true story of the borrower."
- Industry News
- September 2017
- In most states, HERO loans are issued by state bond laws. What does that mean? In short and simplified terms, it means these loans have the same priority as property taxes. That means that they are superior to the liens issued by mortgage lenders. Thus, failure to pay these liens puts all liens junior to them (the very financing used to ac- quire the properties in most scenarios) at risk.
- Industry News
- September 2017
- Building and maintaining trust is key. Our funds are relatively new, so we are very much in acquisition mode right now, both for investment capital infusion and acquisition of projects, developments and loans to service. Cultivating trust through relationship building and, of course, consistent positive returns for our client-base is key to our success.
- Retired Columns
- August 2017
- The Home Mortgage Disclosure Act, enacted in 1975, requires that banks and lenders gather information about a borrower and provide loan details, including loan terms and conditions, in the form of early disclosures. The HMDA changes will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2018, and industry stakeholders need to consider the ramifications the rules will have if not altered.
- Industry News
- August 2017
- After spending 12 years as an auditor in Armanino’s audit department, Dean transitioned to “Chief Relationship Builder” for the firm. In his role, he provides data-driven insights to his clients. Along with his observations and recommendations, he enables his clients to gain a distinct advantage over their competitors and brings to light where the best courses of action can be taken.
- Industry News
- July 2017
- "If we can create a platform that connects high-quality lenders to investors in a more systematic and transparent way, everyone wins. So we built a platform to do exactly that. Investors get better access with less complications and risk mitigation through greater diversification and transparency. Lenders get access to a new and efficient source of capital, with technology that automates administrative functions and is focused on making more quality loans and servicing borrowers."
ABOUT ORIGINATE REPORT
Our story at Originate Report began in 2017 with a singular idea: providing value to our readership. Through many iterations since its inception, Originate Report has risen to the challenge. We’ve grown our readership while honing in on what industry leaders need to know.
Today, our bi-monthly publication is found both in print at industry conferences and via digital distribution channels that provide thousands of loan originators, lenders, investors, and service providers in the non-conventional lending industry with the insight they require to weather industry trends and grow their businesses.
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