Lenders/Brokers, What is your biggest takeaway for 2025?

[Erik Estrada]

The real estate market place is always evolving and 2025 presented many changes and challenges in the private lending and non-qm space. I know for me, technology has been a huge game changer in my business. There are now AI follow-up services to help us reach more customers and keep top of mind, AI searching services to help find zoning codes/property uses, and lenders adopting a more hands-off experience for borrowers. On top of that we are seeing more lenders entering the DSCR/ Hard Money Space, giving more options to our clients.

Now while we have a lot of great changes in our industry, we can't neglect the marketplace challenges to close more loans.. In my experience, I have been seeing a lot of first-time buyers, hold off or put pause on their searches, the deals I do receive are not so straightforward (multiple exceptions/loan structuring), and clients getting cold feet when the value comes in lower than anticipated. 

I am curious to hear from others, how your 2025 went? Did you survive? What do you think needs to change in our industry to keep the lights on?