Investor guides
New to investing? Start here.
Start with the investment, learn about the property, then explore the financing.
Understand the investment
Learn how people buy, improve, hold and sell real estate.
Fix & Flip: Buy, Improve, Sell
Understand how a renovation project could earn a profit, and where that profit can disappear.
Read the guide Bridge, without constructionBridge: Financing the Next Step
Short-term borrowing that connects the situation today to a sale, refinance or another next step.
Read the guide New constructionNew Construction: Build From the Ground Up
Learn how land, approvals, building costs and the completion plan fit together.
Read the guide Rental incomeRental Investing & DSCR
Understand rent, expenses, loan payments and the cash that may be left over.
Read the guideUnderstand the property
See what matters when evaluating different kinds of real estate.
Residential: One to Four Homes
Single-family homes, condos, townhomes and small properties with multiple homes.
Read the guide ApartmentsMultifamily: Evaluate the Rental Business
Learn why rents, occupancy and operating costs matter alongside the building itself.
Read the guide Business spacesCommercial & Mixed-Use Properties
Understand tenants, leases and how the property is used.
Read the guide Specialized propertiesRV Parks, Mobile Home Parks & Other Properties
Look at the land, infrastructure and income-producing operation, not just a building.
Read the guideUnderstand the financing
Connect the investment plan to the loan, your cash and the review process.
Understand Your Financing Estimate
See what the loan could cover, what comes later, and what you still need to pay.
Read the guide Your cashHow Much Cash Will You Need?
Understand the difference between your down payment and the money you may need during the project.
Read the guide Plan the workBuild Your Renovation Budget
Separate the work itself from contingency, financing costs and the cost of owning the property.
Read the guide Understand the reviewThe Four Pillars of Financing
Profitability, credit, experience and liquidity, explained without a borrower score.
Read the guide Get readyYour First Conversation With Ben
A short checklist for a useful conversation, even when you do not have every answer.
Read the guide Plain-language glossaryFinancing Terms, Explained
Look up common words such as ARV, LTC, holdback, draws and reserves.
Read the guide