San Diego, CA · Member since 2016 · 3 posts · 1 vote
I'm talking with North Coast Commercial Group about a commercial loan in the Cleveland area. Has anyone here on BP done business with them in the past? It would be great to hear about your experience and if you would recommend them or not.
Rental Property Investor · Missoula, MT · Member since 2020 · 7 posts · 3 votes
1y
Unfortunately, I had a terrible experience with Eli Torres at NCCG, and I would caution any out-of-state investor about working with them.
For context: I own properties in Montana, Wyoming, and Pennsylvania, and have been investing for nearly 5 years. This was my first Ohio deal and I’ve never had one go this poorly, nor have I ever seen a wholesaler take less accountability.
Property was supposed to be delivered vacant. It wasn’t. I was told “looks like you got squatters.” Now I’m paying out of pocket to remove them, with no idea what damage they’ll cause on the way out.
Cash to close doubled. I was originally told ~$5K. On the day of close, it jumped to $11K. Only after I pushed hard did they correct this.
Communication was evasive. Extremely hard to reach, avoided tough conversations, and when they do respond, they are patronizing messaged like "this is part of real estate" and their emails are clearly ChatGPT generated responses. It never felt like I was dealing with a real person who wanted repeat business.
Deals have challenges, that’s part of investing. But clarity, accountability, and responsiveness are non-negotiable. On all three, NCCG fell short.
Apartment / Investment Broker · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2016 · 107 posts · 68 votes
9y
@David Emmert I have had success on a couple Commercial / Multi Family transactions with Neal Wolf at North Coast Commercial. Recently he was able to secure financing on a 16 unit with a rehab / renovation component. Based on my experience, I would recommend. Good Luck!
Investor · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2008 · 67 posts · 14 votes
9y
@Matthew King I noticed that you mentioned that you had success with North Coast Commercial in the past. I just came across them this past weekend and was trying to find more information online about them. Is there anything else that you can add about your experience with them?
Apartment / Investment Broker · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2016 · 107 posts · 68 votes
9y
@Garrett May I think it is worth adding that I have had several clients who have all had favorable experiences with Neal and North Coast. Large to small deals. I was not involved in terms that were offered but expertise and ability to close on time and meet deadlines was all I could ask for. Good Luck!
@Garrett May I think it is worth adding that I have had several clients who have all had favorable experiences with Neal and North Coast. Large to small deals. I was not involved in terms that were offered but expertise and ability to close on time and meet deadlines was all I could ask for. Good Luck!
Matt,
Currently a client of mine is evaluating an offer on a portfolio of 7 properties (all SFR under $40k.) In your experience has North Coast been able to get those types of deals funded?
Apartment / Investment Broker · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2016 · 107 posts · 68 votes
8y
@James Wise I have seen them have success for some clients who have SFR's. Can't say that with 100% certainty as SFR's aren't in my wheelhouse but I have had folks who said they get it done. My two cents. Hope this helps.
@James Wise I have seen them have success for some clients who have SFR's. Can't say that with 100% certainty as SFR's aren't in my wheelhouse but I have had folks who said they get it done. My two cents. Hope this helps.
Architect · San Francisco, CA · Member since 2017 · 89 posts · 41 votes
8y
@David Emmert Did you end up going with them? I've been talking with James Markowitz there and would love to hear feedback from other out of state investors.
I'm still analyzing the model he has presented to me, which involves using a bridge loan to purchase multiple properties with different LLCs (all owned by the same investor).
Investor · Dayton OH/Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2017 · 30 posts · 11 votes
8y
Neal helped us to get two hard money loans (we bought two 27unit distressed projects) extremely fast. All communication and service were exceptional. We decided to work with him to get refinance as well once we stabilized first project and he found the great lender for us as well.
Will work with him again any time we would need fast bridge loan. We had regular structure though (one LLC - one property).
Real Estate Agent · Pickerington/ Buckeye Lake, OH · Member since 2017 · 23 posts · 8 votes
8y
I have done a few deals with Neil / James at North Coast Commercial and it was a good experience. I thought we would be doing much more business with them but the middle guy (James Mercantile) is telling me they do not do multi properties any longer? I think Im in the middle of a mess and that's why Im on here looking fro reviews currently. NOT SURE who is giving me the run around yet or if I should move forward with them.
Real Estate Agent · Pickerington/ Buckeye Lake, OH · Member since 2017 · 23 posts · 8 votes
7y
Sorry Steve, I missed this....It took me over 4 months to get 3 refis finished up. They told me they did to much business and needed to sell off 1/2 their business before they could be back in business. In the mean time I was paying hard money to ( I think) sister company until they got their SH** together. It was not a good experience. I was told there was 12 of us going through this waiting period. Every month I was told 2 more weeks. They did a great job the with my first 2 but now I dont feel all warm & fuzzy and have found great new bankers.
Investor · Cape Coral, FL · Member since 2019 · 135 posts · 41 votes
7y
@Leslie Fitch This group was recommended to me for lending on a blanket loan. I just wanted to see how your situation with them ended up playing out? Are they back in business as normal, and was your loan situated as planned?
Also, you mentioned that you found new lenders. Can you suggest additional lenders who do blanket loans on portfolios in the greater Cleveland area?
Rental Property Investor · Member since 2019 · 77 posts · 36 votes
7y
@Dan Sarao did you manage to understand if NCCG is stil in business and is good to work with them? @Leslie Fitch , you mentioned that have found great new bankers, any referral? @Mark Welp are you still doing deals with Neal at NCCG? Thanks
Investor · Cape Coral, FL · Member since 2019 · 135 posts · 41 votes
7y
@Amedeo M. - I do have a broker that will do blanket loans though. PM me if you would like their contact information. I believe the limit is $45 - 50K per property. They can give you the specifics.
Rental Property Investor · Missoula, MT · Member since 2020 · 7 posts · 3 votes
1y
Unfortunately, I had a terrible experience with Eli Torres at NCCG, and I would caution any out-of-state investor about working with them.
For context: I own properties in Montana, Wyoming, and Pennsylvania, and have been investing for nearly 5 years. This was my first Ohio deal and I’ve never had one go this poorly, nor have I ever seen a wholesaler take less accountability.
Property was supposed to be delivered vacant. It wasn’t. I was told “looks like you got squatters.” Now I’m paying out of pocket to remove them, with no idea what damage they’ll cause on the way out.
Cash to close doubled. I was originally told ~$5K. On the day of close, it jumped to $11K. Only after I pushed hard did they correct this.
Communication was evasive. Extremely hard to reach, avoided tough conversations, and when they do respond, they are patronizing messaged like "this is part of real estate" and their emails are clearly ChatGPT generated responses. It never felt like I was dealing with a real person who wanted repeat business.
Deals have challenges, that’s part of investing. But clarity, accountability, and responsiveness are non-negotiable. On all three, NCCG fell short.
If you're looking at Ohio turnkey or BRRRR deals, add these names to your due diligence list before wiring a dime: NorthCoast Consulting Group (Neal Wolf & Eli Torres, Eastlake OH), Jag Enterprises LLC (also Neal Wolf), Neo Property Management (Kim Strader, Amherst OH), and Platinum Key Renovations LLC (Demetrius Jeffries, Independence OH).
We bought a 3-unit and two SFHs from NorthCoast in summer 2025. Contracted rehabs were $139,750 total with a 2-month timeline. Nine months later the 3-unit is ~50% done, the houses aren't finished, and they've demanded an extra $112,600 beyond the signed contracts. NorthCoast referred us to the PM and the GC, and we weren't allowed to talk to the contractor directly until recently. Oh — and the seller (NorthCoast) is also the lender via Jag Enterprises, collecting high-interest payments the whole time. Same guy, same address.
25 years investing and this is the worst group I've dealt with. Complaints going to the Ohio AG, Division of Real Estate, and Division of Financial Institutions. I know of other investors with nearly identical stories.