Would love to hear how funding choices influenced your growth path.

If you want to strengthen your relationships and influence (which is crucial in real estate), How to Win Friends & Influence People is a must-read.If you’re exploring different investment strategies, Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat by David Greene is a solid pick.

Needing growth capital — without giving up equity or control.That’s where mezzanine financing comes in.It sits between senior debt and equity, giving you leverage beyond the bank — while keeping your ownership intact.Here’s how savvy sponsors use it:1️⃣ Expand faster — Fund new acquisitions or ground-up projects while existing equity is tied up.2️⃣ Bridge valuation gaps — When senior lenders pull back (say, 60–65% LTC), mezz fills the missing 10–20%.3️⃣ Avoid dilution — Keep your investor pool tight and your decision-making power intact.4️⃣ Improve IRR — Leveraging mezz at the right rate can boost returns across your capital stack.💡 Example:A multifamily sponsor used a $10M mezz tranche to complete a $45M development — retained 100% equity and hit stabilization 6 months early.Mezzanine isn’t just “extra debt.”It’s a strategic growth tool — when used right, it accelerates your pipeline without giving up control.

I've JV'd with people who have Investorlift (Cartel Mode), I've posted to Facebook groups, boosted ads on Marketplace, created listings on Craigslist, sent out SMS blasts to cash buyers and landlords in the same city, zip or surrounding area as the property, etc.

For out-of-state investing, it’s a creative way to boost cash flow if you’re okay with the model, but I’d also make sure you understand the lease structure, tenant turnover, and how they handle disputes before diving in.

Some turnkey companies will fill it above market with an unqualified tenant to boost the price.

I was fortunate each project had strong collateral which influenced the lenders decision making but in the future, I will be making sure there's additional contingency funds set aside.

NOI gives you a monthly snapshot but leaves out all kinds of unknowns and variables that can boost or kill your actual return.

What factors influenced your decision (number of properties, equity, risk tolerance, state laws, lender requirements, etc.)?

I believe it is going to become more fluid as the economy continues to change and AI starts to influence jobs.