Advertise on podcast: Investor’s Guide to Hard Money Lending

25 Houses in 18 Months—and self-managing all of them! After buying his sixth rental house, Leigh Cumbie called his mentor and said, “I can’t do this anymore.” Less than two years later, he owned 25—and was adding properties at a pace of two a month. In this episode, Leigh tells Alissa how he used hard money to scale with just a few thousand dollars at each closing, why he reinvests instead of taking profits, and how his rentals now average about $800 in monthly cash flow apiece. He also shares the less polished side of the business: relentless repair calls, costly HVAC surprises, and the landlord work that helped tenants refer him to new renters. https://corelendfinancial.com/ We are experienced local Memphis and Birmingham investors and the most experienced local Hard Money lenders. We care about your success and only fund loans we’d do ourselves.   📅 Have questions? Let’s talk! Schedule a free call: https://calendly.com/alissa-fowler

This week we welcome back Jim Johnson, now a licensed real estate agent with Crestcore Realty and Crestcore Property Management. Jim discusses the Memphis rental market, noting signs of improvement despite overall softness, with increased lease signings driven by personal marketing approaches. He emphasizes that Memphis is now a buyer's market, encouraging investors to purchase properties needing rehab, particularly in suburban areas. Key advice includes thorough inspections, quality renovations in kitchens and bathrooms, and leveraging Corelend's financing to cover both purchase and rehab costs for strong cash flow returns. https://corelendfinancial.com/ We are experienced local Memphis and Birmingham investors and the most experienced local Hard Money lenders. We care about your success and only fund loans we’d do ourselves.   📅 Have questions? Let’s talk! Schedule a free call: https://calendly.com/alissa-fowler

Corelend Deal Calculator: https://corelendfinancial.com/deal-calculator/ Corelend Off-Market Deals: https://corelendfinancial.com/investment-deals/ This week Alissa sits down with interviews Richey Ward, Director of Corelend Financial. Richey shares his journey from wholesaling in Nashville to scaling a Memphis rental portfolio using hard money lending. He explains how 100% financing enabled him to grow without tying up personal cash. The conversation covers current market shifts toward buy-and-hold rental strategies, the speed advantages of hard money over conventional loans, common investor pitfalls like underestimating rehab costs, and the importance of market knowledge. Richie emphasizes doing the math backward and building a strong team to succeed. https://corelendfinancial.com/ We are experienced local Memphis and Birmingham investors and the most experienced local Hard Money lenders. We care about your success and only fund loans we’d do ourselves.   📅 Have questions? Let’s talk! Schedule a free call: https://calendly.com/alissa-fowler

This week Alissa speaks with Ryan Guess from Northpointe Bank about non-qualified mortgage (non-QM) lending, particularly Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DCSR) loans. They discuss how investors use bridge loans with DSCR refinancing as an exit strategy, challenges like rental income coverage ratios, credit scores, and realistic appraisals. Ryan highlights ideal property value ranges for cash flow, prepayment penalty considerations, and the importance of maintaining financial reserves. The conversation also touches on portfolio scaling strategies and the evolving appraisal landscape for real estate investors. https://corelendfinancial.com/ We are experienced local Memphis and Birmingham investors and the most experienced local Hard Money lenders. We care about your success and only fund loans we’d do ourselves.   📅 Have questions? Let’s talk! Schedule a free call: https://calendly.com/alissa-fowler

This week Alissa welcomes back Mario Jaramillo from Red Rock Construction. Mario shares his buy-and-hold strategy, securing properties well below asking price and refinancing quickly to scale his portfolio. They also cover tenant relations, preventative property maintenance, and the importance of transparent hard money lending. Both agree it's an excellent buyer's market, encouraging investors to act strategically, build reliable teams, and leverage local expertise for long-term success. https://corelendfinancial.com/ We are experienced local Memphis and Birmingham investors and the most experienced local Hard Money lenders. We care about your success and only fund loans we’d do ourselves.   📅 Have questions? Let’s talk! Schedule a free call: https://calendly.com/alissa-fowler

This week Alissa sits down with real estate investors Jay and Arielle, who share their strategy of investing in West Memphis, Arkansas—a less competitive market with significantly lower property prices than Memphis. They discuss leveraging hard money loans to scale quickly using a BRRRR approach, navigating refinancing challenges, and building market comps through renovations. While still working as engineers, they emphasize patience, sticking to investment criteria, hiring property management, and taking calculated risks early. https://corelendfinancial.com/ We are experienced local Memphis and Birmingham investors and the most experienced local Hard Money lenders. We care about your success and only fund loans we’d do ourselves.   📅 Have questions? Let’s talk! Schedule a free call: https://calendly.com/alissa-fowler

This week Alissa Fowler speaks with Kelbert Fagan, Program Manager for Convergence Memphis. Kelbert explains how Convergence Memphis works to increase homeownership among low-to-moderate income and minority communities through education and affordable housing development. The conversation highlights the collaborative role of hard money lenders, developers, realtors, and nonprofits in revitalizing Memphis neighborhoods. Key topics include land development, down payment assistance, duplex construction, and homebuyer education. https://corelendfinancial.com/ We are experienced local Memphis and Birmingham investors and the most experienced local Hard Money lenders. We care about your success and only fund loans we’d do ourselves.   📅 Have questions? Let’s talk! Schedule a free call: https://calendly.com/alissa-fowler

Atlanta-based real estate investor Andre Stephens is here to share insights about his value-add multifamily investment strategy in Memphis's emerging markets. Andre explains how hard money lending enables him to move quickly on distressed properties that traditional banks won't finance. He shares insights on tenant management, renovation strategies, contractor oversight, and the importance of maintaining cash flow during rehab. He emphasizes the critical role of local knowledge, strong team-building, and realistic budgeting, while highlighting the current market softness as a prime buying opportunity for disciplined investors. https://corelendfinancial.com/ We are experienced local Memphis and Birmingham investors and the most experienced local Hard Money lenders. We care about your success and only fund loans we’d do ourselves.   📅 Have questions? Let’s talk! Schedule a free call: https://calendly.com/alissa-fowler

Memphis investor Clarence Terry shares his decade-long journey, from struggling with analysis paralysis and wholesaling to building a successful rental portfolio. He discusses key strategies including thorough renovations, Section 8 tenancy, tenant screening, appliance incentives, and smart exterior choices to reduce turnover. Clarence also highlights the importance of resilience, overcommunication, and mentorship. He shares cautionary tales about burst pipes and HVAC theft, emphasizing proactive property management, adequate insurance, and tenant education as essential components of long-term success. https://corelendfinancial.com/ #CoreLendFinancial #Financing #Loans 📊 We are experienced local Memphis and Birmingham investors and the most experienced local Hard Money lenders. We care about your success and only fund loans we’d do ourselves. https://corelendfinancial.com/ 📅 Have questions? Let’s talk! Schedule a free call: calendly.com/alissa-fowler

This week we travel down to Alabama to meet Birmingham-based real estate investors Austin and Jess Willingham. The couple shares their journey from wholesaling to building a rental portfolio using the BRRR strategy. They discuss Birmingham market conditions, renovation standards, appraisal challenges, and refinancing timelines. Austin and Jess emphasize the importance of quality finishes, multiple exit 📅 Have questions? Let’s talk! Schedule a free call: calendly.com/alissa-fowler

Our guest Mark Nichols AKA "Mr. Millington" shares his journey from working in the restaurant industry and skipping college to become a real estate professional at 18 years old. He discusses using $1.4 Million in hard money loans at age 18 for fix-and-flip projects, emphasizing education, conservative financial planning, and strong marketing strategies. Mark also reflects on a costly solo investment near the University of Memphis, highlighting lessons learned. The conversation covers the growth in the Millington, Tennessee market and tips for new investors. https://corelendfinancial.com/ #CoreLendFinancial #Financing #Loans 📊 We are experienced local Memphis and Birmingham investors and the most experienced local Hard Money lenders. We care about your success and only fund loans we’d do ourselves.  📅 Have questions? Let’s talk! Schedule a free call: calendly.com/alissa-fowler

This week we are joined by Memphis-based real estate investor Cali Smith to discuss navigating Memphis's shifting real estate market, appraisal challenges, and the importance of proper due diligence for investors. Cali shares insights on sourcing off-market properties, building trusted relationships, and advising first-time investors on avoiding costly mistakes. We also cover renovation strategies, property security, DSCR loans, and the value of transparency in closing deals. Cali emphasizes that integrity and referral-based business have driven her eight-year career. https://corelendfinancial.com/  We are experienced local Memphis and Birmingham investors and the most experienced local Hard Money lenders. We care about your success and only fund loans we’d do ourselves. https://corelendfinancial.com/   📅 Have questions? Let’s talk! Schedule a free call: https://calendly.com/alissa-fowler

This week Alyssa Fowler talks with Memphis investor Laksh Nandrajog about Memphis real estate investing challenges and strategies. They discuss the pros and cons of hard money loans, the appeal of new construction rentals, and the importance of property security and risk management. Laksh shares practical advice on dealing with theft, winterizing properties, and insurance pitfalls. The episode emphasizes adapting to market changes, understanding true costs, and prioritizing quality and preparedness, offering valuable insights for both new and experienced investors navigating today’s Memphis real estate market. https://corelendfinancial.com/    📊 We are experienced local Memphis and Birmingham investors and the most experienced local Hard Money lenders.   We care about your success and only fund loans we’d do ourselves.   📅 Have questions? Let’s talk! Schedule a free call: https://calendly.com/alissa-fowler

Memphis investor Ron Nichols shares how he and his wife began investing in real estate to secure their family’s financial future. He highlights the importance of cash flow, professional property management, and having a clear investment purpose. The discussion covers building a rental portfolio, leveraging loans, and the benefits of local ownership. Ron emphasizes education, community support, and strategic partnerships as keys to long-term success and encourages listeners to start investing early for lasting wealth and security. https://corelendfinancial.com/ We are experienced local Memphis and Birmingham investors and the most experienced local Hard Money lenders. We care about your success and only fund loans we’d do ourselves. 📅 Have questions? Let’s talk! Schedule a free call: calendly.com/alissa-fowler

Jason Hopkins shares his journey from corporate logistics to full-time real estate investing. Jason recounts overcoming doubts, learning from setbacks, and building a diverse real estate business in Memphis. He discusses the importance of mentorship, integrity, and adaptability, offering practical advice for aspiring investors. Jason also highlights his ventures in property management, construction, and social media, emphasizing the value of relationships and continuous learning in achieving long-term success in real estate. 📅 Have questions? Let’s talk! Schedule a free call: calendly.com/alissa-fowler 📊 We are experienced local Memphis and Birmingham investors and the most experienced local Hard Money lenders. We care about your success and only fund loans we’d do ourselves. https://corelendfinancial.com/