How did you find your first capital partner?

Question

Hey everyone,

I’m looking to get into my first flip and wanted to hear how others here found their initial partners.

For those of you who partnered on your first deal:

• - Did you bring the deal and find someone with capital?
• - Or did you already have a relationship with someone who funded it?
• - How did you structure the split (especially with little to no experience going in)?

I’m not interested in wholesaling — my goal is to actually be involved in the flip and build experience that way.

I’m currently analyzing deals and trying to understand the best way to approach potential partners without sounding inexperienced or getting brushed off.

Would really appreciate hearing how you got your first deal done and any advice you’d give someone in my position.

Thanks in advance.

Robin Simon · Answer

Do you have any capital at all?  Even if its a small amount, its really really valuable to show that you, yourself has "skin in the game" when starting out and looking for a capital partner.  People are going to be very very hesitant to fund 100% of a project even if you are really going to do 100% of the work

Jay Toluganti · Answer

For my first flip, I partmered with my mentor. She found the deal, she has the crew. I brought the money, we did cashout refi after rehab and got all the momey out in 3 months. Once we sold it as turnkey midterm rental, we split the profit in next four months. Along with chunk change, that deal qualified me with my hard money lender and my flipping journey began. So, my advise, find local investors in REIA meetings, visit their properties, understand how they underwrite the deals, and see if you can JV with them. Your LLC should be on the title for hard money lender to qualify you.

Chris Seveney · Answer

I did 10+ deals myself with my own funds that went full cycle, presented case studies of those to people along with potential deals I was looking at on webinars and meeting people in person. Its much easier to raise money when you can show experience and full cycle deals.

Dominic Mazzarella · Answer

Showing full cycle deals definitely helps. I found that being straightforward about where I was in my journey also worked. People appreciate honesty over trying to sound like an expert before you are one. Also, bringing potential partners into deals where I had skin in the game was a big factor. When I was starting out, I focused on small projects with clear returns and made sure to communicate the risks clearly.

Vontay Callahan · Answer

Jack — great question, and you’re definitely not alone in trying to figure out how to approach that first capital partner.

A lot of investors here found their first partner through local REIA meetups, webinars, or by connecting with someone more experienced who already had crews, systems, or capital in place. What usually matters most early on is showing that you’re serious, prepared, and willing to bring value — even if that value isn’t capital yet.

One approach that works well for newer investors is to bring a solid deal and pair up with someone who already has funding or experience. Several people in this thread mentioned that their first partnership came from simply showing up consistently, walking other investors’ projects, and learning how they underwrite. That’s often where trust starts.

Another path is what a few investors here did: build a relationship first, then partner once a real deal appears. One commenter mentioned meeting their first capital partner on a webinar, following up, and nurturing that relationship until the right opportunity came along.

If you’re analyzing deals now, you’re already ahead of most beginners. The best next step is to start talking through those deals with local investors, ask how they’d structure them, and see where you can plug in — whether that’s sweat equity, project management, or simply bringing a well‑vetted opportunity.

If you ever want a second set of eyes on a deal structure or want to understand how lenders look at first‑time flippers, feel free to reach out. Always happy to help someone getting started.

Jay Toluganti · Answer

@Cleeford Faustin Chris is in a different league 😀 Checkout his bio..

Cleeford Faustin · Answer

cool. is this the best way to start? I mean i know some people who offer sweat equity. so idk

Kenneth Garrett · Answer

@Jack Nolan

I found my private lender(s) at local REIA meetings when I first started out.  They funded the purchase on my first BRRRR and I funded the rehab.  After that project they funded my entire deals (purchase and rehab).  The money is short term, 6 months +-, interest rate 12%, but if you can execute and turn projects over; it’s a great way to scale.

Jay Toluganti · Answer

@Cleeford Faustin i am not there yet but would definitely connect with you. Please DM me. We can take it offline.

How did you find your first capital partner?

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