Skip to content
✨ Looking for Ashmore Partners? That's us! New name, same great people. Read more on our blog.

How to Pick the Right Lender

When you’re looking for a hard money lender it might be difficult to understand what to look for. Understanding the differences between two common lending models will give you the insight and information you need to make an educated decision when it’s time to choose your lender.

First, it’s important that you understand the primary business model your lender uses so you have awareness of how the lending process will go. Some hard money lenders are “Correspondent Lenders”. This often means they originate loans with the intent to sell them to a third party, allowing the lender to operate with a smaller capital base. While this model can be effective, during difficult economic times (like the pandemic), it’s possible that as a borrower or investor you’ll have a harder time securing the funds you need if the correspondent lender’s capital sources dry up (as many did in the pandemic). So while your lender may be highly experienced and successful, if capital sources are not lending that experience won’t matter. Plus, you could encounter some limitations like slower draw times on your renovation and construction loans.

Working with an in-house portfolio lender can mitigate many of these correspondent lender issues. Portfolio lenders have balance sheets that enable them to keep their originated loans in-house, reducing or eliminating dependence on third-party capital sources to buy their loans.  They can use their balance sheets to continue lending even when third-party capital sources dry up. Wait times with in-house portfolio lenders are often shorter as there’s no need for secondary reviews by third-party capital sources slowing down the process. And you know when a portfolio lender says the loan is approved, it is approved as there is no second review by another institution. Time is money, right? In many instances, a portfolio lender can help you get your project started quickly and your construction draws faster.

The Builders Trust Capital Story

In August 2020, the Managing Partners of Ashmore Partners LLC, Peter Christiansen and Anthony Susco collaborated with a long-time lending industry veteran, Jeremiah O’Brien, to establish a new entity with a distinct approach to funding professional builders and developers.

The pandemic exposed weaknesses in the correspondent model. Good investors had difficulty procuring funding for quality projects due to a temporary shock that significantly curtailed capital availability. This was the genesis of Builders Trust Capital LLC. Peter, Anthony, and Jerry decided to start a portfolio lending company with a novel approach to private real estate lending.

Builders Trust Capital combines the speed and flexibility of hard money lending with responsible credit and construction risk management practices that enable the company to offer borrowers competitive rates and investors peace of mind.

Builders Trust Capital helps our customers build sustainable businesses capable of weathering market volatility and protecting their hard-earned assets. Our customers trust us to treat their businesses, their assets, and their money like they were our own as we offer advice and capital for their development projects.

Find out how Builders Trust Capital can help you.

Builders Trust Capital Client Success Stories

Partner with an efficient, personable team who has delivered $190,000,000 in real estate loans

Builders Trust Capital Success Story Photo: 1185 Route 9 South, Cape May Courthouse, NJ
  • Purchased $185,000
  • Rehab $150,000
  • ARV $475,000
  • Fix & Flip Philadelphia, PA
Builders Trust Capital Success Story Photo: 10 Anderson, Morristown NJ
  • Purchased $1,675,000
  • Rehab $450,000
  • ARV $3,955,000
  • Fix & Flip Cape May, NJ
Builders Trust Capital Success Story Photo: 10 Anderson, Morristown NJ
  • Purchased $550,000
  • Rehab $208,286
  • ARV $1,005,000
  • Fix & Flip Haddonfield, NJ

How to Finance Your Real Estate Investment

Our process is simple! We handle the entire loan process in-house. Loans are closed in as little as 10 business days.

Get Started

Fill in the form or call us at 856-422-3232 so we can contact you and begin working on your loan. We're local and happy to meet with you to learn your funding needs.

Pre-qualify

Complete your application and provide supporting documentation.

Proof of Funds

Increase your buying power with a proof of funds (POF) letter.

Loan Processing

Your appraisal and title work are ordered. Your application documents are reviewed. Our in-house processing team will contact you with any questions or additional documentation required.

Get Funded Now

After underwriting is complete, we make sure your closing docs are ready at the table and funds are disbursed timely so you can start your work without delay.

Testimonials

Photo of Alexandra Petruchenya

I appreciate your team's support during the entire rehab process for my property. This is my first deal, there were a lot of unknowns that came with that. The construction process intimidated me and held me back from doing real estate for several years. Kurt has been phenomenal, he was a wealth of knowledge. I appreciate how he gets in touch to talk through in-scope item completion and aligning on ways to ensure my construction draws are adequate. I'm thankful to have someone who has my business's best interests at heart.

Alexandra Petruchenya recommends Builders Trust Capital Oct. 2021
Photo of Sharina Jackson

I recently completed a cash-out refinance transaction with Builders Trust Capital. I would like to say thank you to Anthony for your partnership during this process, your excellent customer service and professionalism made the process easy for me.

Sharina Jackson recommends Builders Trust Capital Oct. 2021
Photo of Raphael Akinsete

If you are a newbie investor, I highly recommend Builders Trust Capital because your first few deals will impact your outlook on real estate investment. If you are a seasoned investor, I also recommend the company as they now offer products for both quick flips and long holds. This way you are covered in both your entry and exit strategy. As a longtime client of Builders Trust Capital I can testify that they are the real deal and there are genuinely good people behind this business.

Raphael Akinsete recommends Builders Trust Capital Oct. 2020
Photo of Kristian Latham

Just finished up my first project with the Builders Trust Capital team and wanted to share my appreciation for the good business. Success is often driven by effective relationships, and Builders Trust Capital’s partnership assisted me in strengthening my team all around. The process from beginning to end was smooth and efficient. They are a great partner to have to create opportunities for rookie and veteran investors.

Kristian Latham recommends Builders Trust Capital Aug. 2020
Photo of Timothy Rosenblum

Builders Trust Capital lives up to its name. They have truly been a partner to me with my projects. The process from underwriting to construction inspections has never wavered from their initial promise and Ive always been met with professionalism and efficiency. Rare in this space.

Timothy Rosenblum recommends Builders Trust Capital Apr. 2021
Photo of Mike Bonadies

Builders Trust Capital is an incredibly responsive and flexible lender for RE investors. They have been able to work with my unique situations and helped us close on properties no one else could. They know their local area well and can offer guidance. I highly suggest them.

Mike Bonadies recommends Builders Trust Capital Apr. 2021

Ready to discuss your funding needs?

Just contact us by phone 856-422-3232. If you prefer, send us a message and we’ll contact you shortly. Let's get started working together.

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.