In the intricate world of real estate investing, assembling the right set of relationships can often be the difference between success and failure. Jay Conner, also known as the Private Money Authority, guides us through the essentials of raising private money. In a recent episode of the "Raising Private Money" podcast, Jay spoke with Kevin Amolsch, a seasoned hard money lender who’s facilitated more than $160 million in capital. This insightful episode sheds light on why having a diversified financial base is crucial and how quick financing options can save lucrative deals.

Meet Kevin Amolsch

Kevin Amolsch is a veteran in the real estate lending space with an impressive track record that includes over 2,200 transactions and the management of multiple mortgage funds amounting to more than $750 million in closed loans. He's also a prolific author, having penned books such as "45 Day Investor" and "Fund Your Flip." Kevin’s journey started on Wall Street as a mortgage bond analyst before diving deep into real estate financing.

The Need for Different Financial Relationships

Jay Conner opens the discussion by stressing the importance of having various financial relationships in place. While private money from individual real estate lenders can be abundant, there are times it might run short. During such periods, having a relationship with a hard money lender like Kevin can be a game-changer. Quick financing options can rescue deals that require immediate closings, thereby generating opportunities that might otherwise be missed.

From Wall Street to Real Estate Financing

Kevin shares that his primary entry into real estate occurred at a young age during his college years. Lacking both money and credit, he had to depend on creativity to acquire properties. "The creativity is what is so special about real estate as an industry," Kevin remarks. Over the years, he found his passion lay in financing and structuring deals rather than just buying and selling properties.

From Good Deals to Great Financing

Kevin’s journey into the financing side began in earnest in 2006, just before the real estate market crash. Instead of being deterred, he saw the crash as an opportunity to raise capital and focus on the lending side. Today, his company, Pine Financial Group, specializes in short-term, value-add, bridge loans for real estate investors.

The Importance of Speed in Real Estate Transactions

Case Study: The Fast Closing Advantage

Jay illustrates the importance of flexibility and speed by recounting a recent transaction—a beachfront condominium in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina. Despite higher offers on the table, Jay secured the deal because he could close in seven days. "[...] I bought that property for only $425,000, selling it for $595,000," Jay says, highlighting that the ability to offer fast closings can be the key to obtaining high-value properties.

Pine Financial Group: Setting Standards in Real Estate Lending

A Client-Centered Approach

One of the distinguishing features of Pine Financial Group is its client-centered approach. Kevin emphasizes, "We are in this for relationships and to help our clients succeed." This methodology means focusing on supporting clients from the pre-approval stage through to the final loan payoff. Such a service model ensures that both parties benefit from repeated, successful transactions.

Flexible and Nimble

Another competitive edge of Pine Financial is its flexibility and intimate knowledge of the real estate market, given Kevin and his team's extensive experience as investors themselves. "I'm not in the loan to own business. I'm in the loan to have a lot of loan businesses," Kevin succinctly puts it.

Navigating the Lending Landscape

Pre-Approval Process