Stop Chasing Yield. Start Protecting Principal.
If you’ve ever thought about becoming a private lender or you’ve already funded a deal and wondered if you structured it correctly this session was for you.
Here’s the truth:
Your first deal isn’t about maximizing return.
It’s about minimizing risk.
The Real Goal of Your First Deal
Protection.
Foundation.
Repeatability.
Too many new lenders chase the highest rate in the room.
Smart lenders build a system they can scale.
Your first deal sets the tone for every deal after it. If you build it wrong, you scale risk. If you build it right, you scale confidence and capital.
Ultra-Conservative Deal Analysis
Hope is not a strategy.
As a private lender, you must underwrite conservatively. That means:
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Verifying ARV using multiple recent niche comps
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Lending at a conservative Loan-to-Value (LTV)
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Ensuring a realistic timeline
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Reviewing a detailed, line-item scope of work
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Demand a clear exit strategy (Plan A and preferably Plan B & C)
And the ultimate test:
“If I had to own this property, would I feel good about it?”
If the answer isn’t a strong yes don’t fund it.
Build Your Team Before You Fund
Never do your first deal alone.
Before wiring a dollar, you should have:
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A real estate attorney
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A trusted title company
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An insurance agent who understands lender protection
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A CPA (especially if investing through an IRA)
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An experienced investor or lender for guidance
Private lending is simple, but it must be structured correctly.
What New Lenders Get Wrong
We addressed the biggest mistakes new lenders make:
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Chasing rate instead of safety
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Trusting too quickly
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Skipping document review
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Lending based on relationship alone
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Funding too much, too fast
When you lend money, you’re not just a friend.
You’re a banker.
Think like one.
Structure for Maximum Protection
These are non-negotiables:
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First lien position
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Proper recorded documents
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Title and hazard insurance naming you as mortgagee
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Personal guarantee
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Clear payment terms and maturity date
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Funds wired to title never directly to the borrower
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Defined draw schedule for rehab funds
Protection first.
Return second.
Scale third.
If you’re serious about becoming a private lender or raising capital the right way this training could save you from an expensive mistake.
Don’t learn this lesson the hard way.
👉 Missed it? Watch the full replay here.