Private lending is a powerful tool in the real estate investor’s arsenal. It allows both novice and seasoned investors to scale their portfolios by attracting funding without the traditional hassle of convincing lenders. In the popular podcast episode of “Raising Private Money,” Jay Conner and Ruben Izgelov dive deep into this topic, sharing invaluable insights and strategies for leveraging private money to build a thriving real estate business.
The Power of Networking: Starting Small to Raise Big
Ruben Izgelov, who has raised over $50,000,000 in private money, reveals a simple yet effective start—leveraging your immediate network. Friends and family are often your first potential investors, as their trust and familiarity with you create a solid foundation for initial funding. As Ruben mentions, trust must be coupled with a demonstration of your expertise and experience. The widespread use of social media today makes it relatively simple to showcase what you do and how well you do it. So, his first piece of advice to aspiring real estate investors is to ensure everyone in their social circle knows they’re in the real estate business and understands their capabilities.
Leveraging Social Media: Building a Consistent Digital Presence
In today’s digital age, social media provides an invaluable platform for sharing your real estate journey and drawing potential investors. Ruben emphasizes the importance of consistency in posting about your ongoing projects. From Instagram and Facebook stories to LinkedIn and even TikTok updates, the continuous flow of relevant content engages and informs your audience.
A fascinating tip Ruben offers is creating videos and images that demonstrate your work’s progress—both completed deals and those you’ve chosen to walk away from. This helps potential investors understand your thoroughness and decision-making process, enhancing their confidence in you. He suggests starting simple and scaling up; even the most basic social media posts can grow into comprehensive marketing strategies over time.
Creating Impactful Investor Decks: Confidence in Presentation
A lacking or overcomplicated investor deck can be detrimental. Ruben advises striking a balance; preparing just enough to showcase important details without overwhelming your audience. Investor decks should be straightforward, highlighting key property info, planned strategies, and anticipated returns. He suggests a landscape where real estate investors should be constantly learning and evolving. By keeping your pitches clear and straightforward, you build trust and show potential investors that you know your business inside out.
States Capital: A Refuge for Passive Investors
States Capital, Ruben’s private debt fund, provides an enticing entry point for accredited investors looking for real estate opportunities without the intricacies of ownership. As Ruben explains, States Capital focuses on attracting passive investors by offering them safer returns, given that they sit in the most secure part of the capital stack as debt investors rather than equity investors.
The fund is structured to support both short-term and long-term goals, providing fluidity and less lock-up compared to traditional syndications. This setup attracts those who want to earn passive income without being directly involved in every decision or deal negotiation associated with property ownership.
We Lend: Speed and Efficiency in Every Transaction
The service difference is what sets Ruben’s firms apart. We Lend, the originating arm of States Capital, specializes in providing fast, efficient loans for real estate investors. Speed is of the essence in property deals, and Ruben boasts turnaround times ranging from 3-7 business days, with existing clients sometimes experiencing funding within 24-36 hours.
Their approach stands out by focusing on the asset rather than exhaustive borrower vetting. No tax returns, no bank statements, just a clear, fair assessment of the property’s potential and the investor’s experience. This asset-focused lending, coupled with their speed, attracts experienced real estate operators drawn to We Lend’s efficiency and reliability.
Lessons Learned: Continuous Growth and Adaptation
One salient point Ruben makes is the importance of continuous learning and adaptation. No two deals are the same. By constantly putting out feelers and staying engaged with potential investors, you can refine your pitch, adapt your strategy, and ensure your investing approach remains relevant and compelling. Even after raising substantial funds, Ruben emphasizes that the journey never ends—your company grows, the deals get bigger, and so do your capital needs.
Conclusion
Private lending is a dynamic and powerful way to expand your real estate portfolio. By leveraging your immediate network, maintaining a consistent social media presence, preparing solid yet concise investor decks, and partnering with forward-thinking companies like States Capital and We Lend, you can set yourself up for exponential growth. The insights shared by Ruben Izgelov and Jay Conner in this podcast episode offer a robust foundation for anyone looking to excel in real estate investing through private money.
Whether you’re a newbie eager to dive in or a seasoned investor looking for advanced strategies, these practical tips and real-world examples will help you harness the full potential of private lending.
10 Discussion Questions from this Episode:
- Understanding the Basics: What are the fundamental differences between raising capital from private investors versus borrowing from traditional banks as mentioned by Ruben Izgelov?
- First Steps in Raising Money: Ruben emphasizes starting with friends and family when raising initial capital. Do you agree with this approach, and why or why not?
- The Role of Social Media: How can leveraging social media platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and WhatsApp help in raising capital more effectively for real estate investments?
- Storytelling in Investment: Jay and Ruben discuss the importance of telling a story through social media posts. How can real estate investors craft compelling stories to attract potential investors?
- Learning from Failures: Ruben mentions the importance of discussing deals that weren’t pursued. How can sharing failures or missed opportunities enhance credibility with investors?
- Speed of Execution: Ruben highlights the importance of speed in securing deals. Why is the ability to close quickly so critical in real estate investing, and how do We Lend facilitate this?
- Investor Deck Essentials: What are the key components that should be included in an investor deck or one-pager for real estate deals?
- Scaling with Preparedness: Ruben talks about balancing between being under-prepared and over-prepared. How can new investors find this balance, and what preparation strategy would you recommend?
- Understanding States Capital: How does States Capital provide a unique investment opportunity for accredited investors, and what are the benefits and risks associated with investing in a private debt fund?
- Funding Nuances: What specific advantages did Ruben and Jay highlight about using a private lender like We Lend for real estate investors, and how do these advantages compare with other sources of funding?
Fun facts that were revealed in the episode:
- Ruben has raised over $50 million in private money.
- WLend can close deals in as little as 24 to 36 hours for returning borrowers.
- Ruben’s first social media post for WLend was very basic but allowed him to build his marketing incrementally over time.
Timestamps:
00:01 Raising Private Money Without Asking For It.
03:41 Real estate entrepreneur showcasing expertise via social media.
09:12 Create concise, detailed investor decks; avoid over-preparation.
10:34 Would you be interested in a deal?
14:23 Debt fundraising from accredited investors.
19:50 Private lenders simplify funding with fewer investors.
21:57 Experienced operators favored despite credit; flexible lending.
23:58 Hard money lenders provide checks and balances.
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