The Financing Lesson That Surprised Me Most This Year

[Pierre Guirguis]

As someone who works in multifamily financing, I get a front-row seat to how investors actually fund deals — the good, the bad, and the expensive.

One of the most surprising lessons I’ve learned this year?

Most investors overpay on their loans — not because they don’t qualify for better, but because they don’t know what’s possible.

Here are 3 mistakes I see way too often (and how to avoid them):

1. Assuming the bank is your only option.

If you’re buying a multifamily, traditional banks can be slow, strict, and unpredictable. Many investors don't realize they qualify for DSCR loans, bridge loans, or even cash-out options without W2 income — and they could've closed weeks faster with less friction.

2. Letting a hard money loan drag on too long.

I’ve seen folks stuck paying 11%+ for 6+ months because they don’t have a clear exit plan. In most cases, we’ve helped them refi into a longer-term product with more breathing room and monthly savings.

3. Not understanding how lenders calculate income on rentals.

Some programs use market rent, others use actual leases, others look at your global DTI. I've helped investors go from declined → approved just by switching lenders who understood the deal better.

If you're buying or refinancing multifamily property, I could be of assistance to you.

I work on the lending side and help investors secure financing for everything from DSCR loans to cash-out refis and rehab projects. Even if you already have a lender, I'm happy to give you a second look or help you understand if there's a better option available.

What’s been your experience so far with investment property financing? Any wins, lessons learned, or horror stories? 

Drop them below, I'm always looking to learn!