How to Present a Real Estate Deal to a Private Lender
Direct answer
To present a deal to a private lender, lead with the numbers: purchase price, rehab budget, after-repair value, your maximum bid, projected ROI, and the exit. Bring the underwriting, not the story.
Worked example: private-lender deal snapshot
| Purchase price | $126,000 |
|---|---|
| Rehab budget | $38,000 |
| After-repair value | $230,000 |
| Maximum bid / offer ceiling | $133,000 |
| Projected ROI | about 32% |
The lender can see the basis, equity cushion, exit, and margin before reading the story behind the deal.
Have a ZIP in mind?
Search live foreclosure inventory first, then bring any serious address back here for the state rules, checklist, and calculator math.
Open with the capital stack
Put the purchase price, rehab budget, closing costs, holding costs, and requested loan amount at the top. A private lender wants to know how much capital is needed, where it goes, and how much borrower cash or equity sits behind the loan.
Show ARV and your ceiling
Support after-repair value with recent sold comps, then show the maximum bid or seller offer you used before making the deal. If your offer sits below the calculator ceiling, say so. If it is tight, explain the reserve you kept for repairs, title, hold time, or resale risk.
State the exit before the upside
Tell the lender how they get repaid: resale, refinance, rental stabilization, or another defined exit. Include the expected timeline and the backup plan if the first exit runs late. Avoid big claims. A plain repayment path matters more than a dramatic upside story.
Bring the Deal Analyzer summary
Run the address through the free Deal Analyzer, then use the print-to-PDF or copy-summary control on the results panel. The summary gives you purchase price, rehab, ARV, holding costs, maximum bid, verdict, projected ROI, and notes in one shareable format.
Keep risk visible
Name the risks before the lender has to ask: repair overrun, appraisal miss, title issue, vacancy, permit delay, resale timeline, or borrower liquidity. Showing the weak points makes the presentation more credible because it proves the numbers were stressed before capital was requested.
What to bring to the lender meeting
| Number | Why it matters | |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | What you plan to pay | Shows basis before rehab and costs |
| Rehab budget | Contractor-backed repair range | Shows whether the loan request fits the work |
| ARV | Comp-supported resale value | Sets the equity cushion and exit math |
| Maximum bid / MAO | Your disciplined offer ceiling | Shows you did not chase the deal past margin |
| Exit | Sell, refi, or hold | Explains how the lender gets repaid |
Related tools
Deal Analyzer
Rule-based verdict combining ROI, margin, and opportunity signals.
Maximum Bid & MAO Calculator
Find your auction ceiling or maximum allowable offer to a seller without overpaying.
Foreclosure ROI Calculator
Project total return on a foreclosure purchase after rehab and resale.
Rehab Cost Estimator
Build a line-item rehab budget with contingency.
Take the checklist with you
Get the distressed-deal checklist, then use a real ZIP search to find properties worth underwriting.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I present a real estate deal to a private lender?
- Lead with the purchase price, rehab budget, ARV, loan request, maximum bid or MAO, projected ROI, and exit plan. Then show risks and reserves. Use a Deal Analyzer summary so the lender can review the underwriting without rebuilding your spreadsheet.
- What numbers does a private lender care about most?
- Most private lenders look first at basis, loan amount, ARV, loan-to-value, rehab scope, borrower cash in the deal, exit timeline, and repayment path. Profit matters, but repayment safety usually comes first.
- Should I bring comps to a private lender?
- Yes. Bring recent sold comps that support your ARV, plus notes on condition, distance, date sold, and adjustments. Do not rely on active listings or the seller's claimed value.
- Can I use the Deal Analyzer as a lender report?
- Use it as a first-pass underwriting summary, not a formal appraisal or legal document. The print and copy controls give you a clean starting point to discuss the deal with a lender, partner, or contractor.