All Forum Posts by: Montse C.

Gracias, for taking the time to reply in Spanish, AJ — that was a really nice touch! 😄

I also saw your private message and truly appreciate your interest. I’ll reply there as well.

I fully understand your perspective, and in fact, I agree with many of the points you raised. It’s true that lenders need to be cautious, and I respect that. I understand how, from the outside, someone just starting out and without a solid track record might raise concerns.

But we investors often feel the same way in reverse. When we don’t know the lender, we also wonder if they’ll be reliable, if they’ll stick to what was agreed, if there’ll be flexibility… or if they might back out halfway through the process. In other words, the lack of trust can go both ways. That’s why I believe the most important thing is to build trust-based relationships, beyond resumes or experience.

Every successful investor started out as an unknown at some point. Someone gave them their first chance—or they gave it to themselves—and it didn’t always come with a long background of experience. A great example for me is Pace Morby, he started with no capital or traditional background, embraced creative strategies, and now leads one of the biggest movements in real estate.

Regarding your second point, I completely agree, lenders offering 100% financing often impose very strict rules. Personally, I’m not looking to rely on that model. My goal is to explore other alternatives that allow for clear, flexible, and trust-based relationships. It’s not just about closing one deal, but about building repeatable, sustainable, and mutually beneficial agreements.

You also brought up something very interesting about private money. From my experience, what I value most about private lenders isn’t just the flexibility or percentages, but the more human, personal relationship they usually offer. With those I’ve met so far, I’ve seen a genuine interest in building long-term trust. In contrast, working with large corporations can sometimes feel like you’re just “another number,” with no real personal connection or shared vision.

And I know not all lenders think the same way, but that’s exactly why your profile stood out to me. I read on your website that you support both seasoned investors and those who are just starting out with a solid foundation. That says a lot.

I’m holding onto this phrase you shared:
“Es mejor ir por individuales y dobles, y sorprenderse cuando golpeas un jonrón, que tratar de hacer de cada trato un jonrón.”
So true — it perfectly aligns with my approach.

Thank you for your response, Chris. I completely understand your point about experience and the need to have realistic expectations. However, I’d like to share a slightly different perspective from my own experience:

I don’t believe that someone who’s just starting out would try to take on a full multifamily renovation right away. For example, I’m looking to start with a modest single-family home — two bedrooms and one bathroom — something much more manageable and logical for a first project.

As for the money aspect, I believe that’s also relative. I’ve seen people with capital and experience lose it all due to poor management, and others with limited resources succeed by having solid structure, focus, and commitment. In real estate, there are no absolute guarantees — that’s why analysis, attitude, and support make such a difference.

And regarding “learning to walk before running,” I completely agree. But I don’t think people want to run without first walking. Rather, I believe that in order to walk, someone has to reach out their hand. And in this case, that “someone” could be lenders willing to look beyond the numbers and invest in a new investor’s potential and determination.

As for DSCR loans, they're certainly a great option — although better suited for long-term investment. Personally, I'm currently focused on learning and growing through fix & flip deals that are well-structured, realistic, and sustainable.

Thanks for opening up this space for honest conversation. For those of us starting out with our feet firmly on the ground, reading this kind of feedback is truly helpful.

Gracias @AJ Exner  @Mohammed Rahman por compartir ideas tan claras y útiles. Realmente abren la conversación para aquellos de nosotros que intentamos hacer las cosas bien desde el primer día.

Actualmente estoy en proceso de obtención de financiación para mi primer proyecto de inversión inmobiliaria (de forma remota, desde los Países Bajos). Tengo una LLC activa en EE.UU. UU. y un equipo local, así que conozco muy bien tanto las limitaciones como las oportunidades.

A lo largo del camino he notado algunas cosas que vale la pena mencionar:

1. Parece que los prestamistas suelen ofrecer mejores condiciones o mayor flexibilidad a los inversores experimentados. Pero me pregunto… ¿no debería ser al revés? ¿No debería alguien bien preparado, con un equipo detrás y dispuesto a aprender, recibir más apoyo? La experiencia se construye con la práctica; alguien tiene que darte esa primera oportunidad.

2. Respecto a la financiación al 100%: Sé que existe, y también entiendo que suele reservarse para inversores con Múltiples acuerdos cerrados. Pero al final, creo que todo se reduce a cifras y confianza. Si el acuerdo es sólido y está bien estructurado, ¿por qué no?

3. Hasta ahora, mis mejores interacciones han sido con prestamistas privados, no con grandes empresas. Parecen comprender mejor la estructura, el potencial y el lado humano del proyecto.

De todos modos, estoy aprendiendo mucho a través de este proceso y realmente aprecio los comentarios honestos.

¿Qué le confiaría hoy en un nuevo inversor?

I’ve seen many great deals slip away because new investors don’t meet the standard checklist — but everyone has to start somewhere.

I’d love to hear from lenders:
• What matters more — credit score, team, down payment, personality, LLC setup…?
• What would actually make you say “yes” to someone doing their very first deal?

Yes, I’m indeed looking for 0% down opportunities. I’m exploring creative structures such as combining lender financing, seller financing, gap funding, or partnering directly with property owners to make that possible.


I hope this answers your question clearly.

Best regards,

Montse

Hello Drew,

Thank you for your message. I'm currently exploring different financing structures for my first real estate project in the U.S. through my LLC. I'm open to discussing various options, including creative financing solutions like combining lenders with seller financing or gap funding.

I’d love to understand how you typically work with international investors and what possibilities could be available depending on the deal.

Thank you!

Best regards,

Montse

Thank you very much for your reply to my post. I’d love to connect and would really appreciate it if you could share the contacts for lenders, attorneys, and accountants who are experienced in working with foreign investors.

Thanks again for your support!

Hello everyone,

I'm an international real estate investor based in the Netherlands, currently operating through an LLC registered in the U.S. I'm looking for financing options for our first Fix & Flip or renovation-only deal in the U.S.

I’m specifically looking for:
• Hard Money Lenders who work with foreign investors with an LLC
• Renovation-only loans (I can secure the purchase through seller financing)
• Gap funding to cover down payments or renovation costs
• Or private lenders open to collaborating

I’m open to deals in various states, mainly where the numbers make sense (Texas, Detroit, Florida, Arizona, etc.).

If you are a lender, investor, or someone who can offer financing or advice, I’d love to connect and discuss potential opportunities.

Thank you very much for your time — I look forward to connecting soon.

Montse

Hi,

I saw your message and I think I can help. I also live in the Netherlands and I'm interested in investing in the US, so I've already done some research on setting up an LLC as a foreigner. I know a company in the US that specializes in assisting foreign investors with LLC formation, tax advisory, and related matters.

Here's the link to that company: https://jamesbakercpa.com

If you need more information or would like to discuss further, feel free to reach out. I'm happy to share my experience!

Regards,

Montse

Thank you for sharing your ideas! I'm glad to see there are possibilities to invest remotely.

We are considering a future project in the United States, specifically in Florida, Texas, or California. We are not familiar with any of these markets, nor do we have anyone trustworthy there, or a real estate agent.

Our approach would be both rental and house flipping. We want to acquire a property in one of these areas, not only as an investment but also as a place where we can stay when we visit the United States. We'd love to escape the cold Dutch winters and enjoy a warmer climate.

When we're not using the property, we plan to rent it out as an Airbnb to generate passive income. Given your experience, what do you think about this strategy? Do you have any advice on the best markets for this type of investment?