Since its founding in 2015, RBI Private Lending has been a cornerstone in the hard money lending market, specializing in flexible, fast, and reliable loan solutions for real estate investors. During my tenure as CEO, RBI Private Lending has grown into a trusted partner for thousands of borrowers.
My team understands that not all borrowers purchasing real estate investment property fall under the traditional loan umbrella. Whether it’s an investor from another country or the often-slow timetable, there are many reasons, why traditional mortgages are not the best option for people. That’s where we come in.
As a direct private lender, RBI Private Lending offers products like bridge loans, fix and flip loans, DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) loans, and more, enabling clients to seize opportunities and achieve their real estate investment goals. We aren’t in the business of giving blanket denials to borrowers purely on the basis of metrics like debt-to-income ratios. We look deeper into a borrower’s true financial situation and the details of the loan itself.
A Family-Driven Vision for Success
My journey to becoming the founder and CEO of RBI Private Lending began in Venezuela, where my sense of entrepreneurialism began at a young age. I was always fascinated by finances and how that industry managed everything from real estate to investments. I moved to the United States in 2014 and quickly recognized that tons of condo developments were happening in Miami at that time. And many foreign national borrowers who were eager to have a slice of the American dream were requesting bridge loans to get a foothold in the USA.
To put it simply, they were having difficulties getting through the whole loan process smoothly and it occurred to me that there was a huge gap in the Miami real estate market for bridge loans that could cater to foreign nationals and local investors. RBI Private Lending offers high leverage loans for investment properties, emphasizing fast and reliable financing solutions tailored for investors in fix-and-flip projects. That was my light bulb moment to establish RBI Private Lending, with a mission to empower borrowers with financial solutions that were actually tailored to their specific needs, instead of having to choose whatever conventional loan was next best.
We didn’t create RBI Private Lending to fill its office with a bunch of smooth talkers who could talk potential clients into signing on the dotted line. What sets us apart is its foundation as a family business from Day 1. Many of our key roles are held by trusted family members, including CFO Leonardo Rostoker, CCO Andrés Saias, and Asset Manager Eli Cohen. We believe that this familial bond that already ties us together helps to foster a culture of trust, teamwork, and shared values that extend to our employees and clients alike.
Our success stems from finding talented individuals with great attitudes and ensuring every client feels satisfied. We’re not just about closing deals – we’re about building lasting relationships.
One way we are building those relationships is speaking with borrowers in their native language. With over 41 million people speaking Spanish at home and more than 57 million speakers overall, the Spanish language is the second most spoken language in the country. To that end. RBI Private Lending offers bilingual support to accommodate Spanish-speaking clients and help them work through the homebuying process.
What is a Hard Money Loan?
A hard money loan is a specialized type of short-term financing designed primarily for real estate investors, such as house flippers and developers, to fund their projects. Unlike traditional loans, which rely heavily on the borrower’s credit score and financial history, our hard money loans are secured by the real estate property itself. This makes them an attractive option for investors who may have substantial assets. By focusing on the property’s value, RBI Private Lending hard money loans offer a faster, more flexible way to access capital, enabling investors to seize opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.
How Hard Money Loans Work
RBI Private Lending hard money loans are funded by ourselves and our investor group rather than traditional banks. Hard money lenders prioritize the estimated market value of the property. This shift in focus allows for quicker approvals and funding, often within days. The loan terms are usually short, often less than a year, and come with higher interest rates compared to traditional loans. This structure is designed to provide real estate investors with the necessary capital to purchase, renovate, and sell properties swiftly, maximizing their return on investment.
A Partner for Real Estate Investors
I would suggest that one of RBI Private Lending’s main strengths is that we recognize that real estate investors are different types of borrowers when compared to standard homebuyers, and that no two real estate investors are alike. Our suite of loan products is designed to meet the unique needs of each investor. Whether it’s funding a quick fix and flip project, bridging the gap between property transactions, or offering tailored rental property financing through DSCR loans, RBI Private Lending provides solutions that are both versatile and accessible. An investment property is real estate purchased for income generation rather than personal use, and it comes with specific financing options and characteristics.
One major benefit of private lending is that it generally outpaces traditional financing in speed and flexibility. Unlike banks, which require lengthy approval processes, RBI Private Lending focuses on the potential of the investment itself. This approach has enabled investors to acquire, renovate, and enhance distressed properties, without being bogged down in traditional loan red tape, if not being outright denied. A healthy private lending market and process contributes heavily to urban revitalization and economic growth. Hard money lenders differ from traditional lenders in terms of lending money, including interest rates, loan terms, and approval metrics, providing tailored solutions that traditional banks might not offer.
Benefits of Working with Hard Money Lenders
Partnering with hard money lenders offers several significant advantages for real estate investors. One of the most notable benefits is the speed of funding. RBI Private Lending hard money loans can be approved and disbursed much faster than traditional loans, which is crucial for investors looking to secure a deal or complete a project promptly. Additionally, hard money lenders are known for their flexibility. We are often willing to work with borrowers and provide tailored solutions that traditional banks might not offer. This accessibility to quick capital can be a game-changer for investors aiming to capitalize on time-sensitive opportunities.
Typical Terms of a Hard Money Loan
For our current loan terms, please visit our loan program web page. The terms of a hard money loan can vary, but there are some common elements you can expect:
- Loan Term: Typically ranges from 6 to 18 months, providing short-term financing to complete projects quickly.
- Loan Amount: Often up to 85% of the property’s estimated market value, ensuring that the loan is well-secured. The loan amount depends on the type of loan and the borrower’s experience and other market conditions.
- Interest Rate: Generally falls between 10% and 18%, reflecting the higher risk and shorter duration of these loans.
- Fees: Can range from 2% to 5% of the loan amount, covering the costs associated with processing and underwriting the loan.
Built on Expertise and Innovation
What makes RBI Private Lending a standout in the competitive private lending landscape? It’s a combination of adaptability, customer-first service, and a long-term outlook. RBI Private Lending’s decision-making process prioritizes the borrower’s best interests, whether through quick approvals, tailored guidance, or clear communication. And we’ve been in business for 10 years – so we have a solid track record of success. Now, I know that I’ve spoken at length about how incredible the team at RBI Private Lending is, and that we love to help investors and fix-and-flippers. But by this point, you’re probably ready for me to talk about how we do that, exactly.
How we do that is by guiding our customers through a lightning-fast and fair loan process that sees past borrower challenges and evaluates each loan on its own merits. Highlights of our lending services include:
- Fast Closing: Approvals are usually issued within 24-48 hours, and closings typically occur within 7-12 days.
- Competitive Terms: We offer reasonable rates, interest-only payments until maturity, and no prepayment penalties.
- Inclusivity: RBI Private Lending happily serves foreign nationals, borrowers with little to no credit history, and new businesses, ensuring that no client is left behind.
- Foreign Nationals: One of our specialties is working with foreign nationals – those from outside of the USA who wish to purchase property here. Our DSCR loans are available to foreign nationals, often with a reduced loan-to-value (LTV) ratio, which for RBI Private Lending is 65%. This makes the loan accessible to a global pool of investors, as opposed to limiting investment opportunities to American potentials.
- Spanish speaking: Our bilingual team helps borrowers understand the process and speaks in the language they prefer – English or Spanish.
Risks and Considerations
When considering a loan from RBI Private Lending, borrowers should carefully evaluate their financial situation to ensure they are fully prepared to meet the loan obligations. It is crucial to demonstrate sufficient income to cover monthly payments when applying for a mortgage.
Empowering Growth and Looking to the Future Through Shared Values
As RBI Private Lending continues to expand its footprint – now operating in 40 U.S. states – our core mission remains unchanged: to be a leader in private lending by adapting to market dynamics and nurturing meaningful relationships. Our company started from nothing, with just two of us getting it off the ground, and is now thriving with over 60 employees. I take immense pride in RBI Private Lending’s collaborative culture, where employees are valued and clients are treated as partners. Our people are so incredible and we’ve built an internal culture that genuinely emphasizes teamwork and mutual care. This ethos of ‘family’ is at the heart of everything we do, both at work and in our private lives.
If there’s any single message I hope to impart here, it’s this: For investors seeking a reliable, efficient, and personalized lending partner, we at RBI Private Lending Private Lending are more than just a lender – we are a team of caring, responsible, and enthusiastic experts dedicated to your success. Whether you’re embarking on your first fix-and-flip project or scaling your real estate portfolio, RBI Private Lending has the tools and expertise to help you achieve your goals. Lenders often consider rental income as part of the qualifying income for mortgage applications, which can help buyers meet income requirements.
We know that every loan can be an intimidating undertaking, no matter the type or reason, but I truly believe that RBI Private Lending is the strongest hard money partner that any first-time, or long-time, investor could ask for. We stand by our history and success as a testament to the power of vision, adaptability, and unwavering service in an ever-shifting market.
To learn more about how RBI Private Lending can support your next investment, visit our website today!
About the author: Ernesto Rostoker is the CEO of RBI Private Lending. He holds a degree in industrial engineering and economics from the University of Miami and a Master in Accounting from Nova University. He also completed the Advanced Management Development Program in Real Estate at Harvard University. Ernesto founded RBI Auto Loans in 2014 and RBI Private Lending in 2015 and has been responsible for the firm’s growth and management ever since.
