How does one actually become a private lender?

[Jeremy D.]

I know most people who get into private lending usually start by lending to friends or family or someone in their trusted network. Is it really as simple as that? Just draw up a promissory note, register it with county so you have a legitimate lean secured on the property?

How did you get started?

What is your process like to vet your borrowers and their projects?

Do you finance 100% of purchase price? 2nd mortgage or PMM?

I'm really interested in what others have to say. I've gotten so burned out trying to buy properties in this market and it's painful. For the first time ever I find I have more money available than I have projects to put that money to good use. Private lending seems like a great solution. My experience is that private funds are always in demand, why not capitalize?

Of course, the biggest factor for the lender is risk! How do you mitigate that? What metrics do you use? Any hard and fast rules for what you want to see?