All Forum Posts by: Deborah Wodell

Hi Wade, fix-n-flips can still be a solid investment in North Florida, especially with Jacksonville’s growing market. Focus on undervalued neighborhoods with potential for appreciation and partner with an investor-friendly realtor who knows the area. With your construction experience, ensure you stay on top of renovation costs and timelines to maximize returns.

Achieving a DSCR loan with just 15% down is challenging in the current market. While some lenders may offer it, these scenarios often require near-perfect alignment of high DSCR ratios (1.2x+), excellent credit, and property cash flow projections that are difficult to meet with this leverage. Rates in this range are also typically higher, making it tough to achieve viable cash flow.

A more practical and attainable option would be 20-25% down. With this structure, lenders can offer more favorable terms, including lower interest rates, making your investments more profitable in the long run.

Paola, it sounds like you've done a great job building equity in the property, and the renovations have definitely paid off! If you're planning to move out, a conventional refi might be a solid way to get rid of PMI and lock in better terms—especially with your credit score.

0% down funding is generally not realistic for fix-and-flip projects. Most lenders require some skin in the game, whether it’s a percentage of the purchase price or proof of reserves. Using your first property as collateral could help reduce the cash you need upfront, but it’s essential to weigh the risks and it's not really recommended specially if this will be your first.

I recommend focusing on building reserves or seeking partnerships to fund flips. A good contractor is critical—get referrals and check references. Also, work with lenders who are transparent about terms and costs.

Best of luck on your first flip!

Great markets to focus on! For off-market properties, try connecting with wholesalers, sending direct mail to absentee owners, or driving around to find distressed homes. Local REI groups and Facebook marketplace can also be great sources.

I’m looking to connect with private money lenders or investors who lend their own funds for real estate deals. Whether it’s for fix-and-flips, rentals, or other projects, I’d love to learn more about who you’ve worked with and what your experience has been like.

Do you have any solid connections or recommendations for private lenders who use their own capital? Also, if you’re a private lender yourself, feel free to chime in—I’d love to hear from you!

Let’s share some insights and build stronger networks together. Drop your thoughts, recommendations, or experiences in the comments.

Looking forward to hearing from you all!

Great question! When investing out of state, it’s not always necessary to go with a local lender. Many nationwide lenders can fund deals regardless of location and often have competitive terms. Local lenders might have specific insights into the market, but it really depends on the type of loan and property you’re pursuing.

As for your credit, applying to multiple lenders can result in hard inquiries, which could temporarily impact your score. To avoid this, it’s best to work with a broker who can shop around and present you with options from multiple lenders without multiple credit pulls.

It’s exciting to hear you’re diving into commercial deals—there’s definitely a lot of opportunity there. Since it’s your first commercial transaction, I’d recommend starting by understanding your buyer’s financials, investment goals, and the property’s income potential. This will help determine the best funding route. 

most lenders won’t go below a 620 credit score. If you’re currently under that threshold, it’s a good idea to focus on boosting your score over the next month or so. Once it improves, we can revisit and explore the best options available to you.

It's great that you're considering a DSCR loan! They can be a great way to leverage cash flow without having to liquidate other assets. One tip I'd suggest is to make sure your property's rental income will comfortably cover the loan payment, as that's a key factor lenders look at for DSCR loans. sent you a message!