5 Things To Focus On In 2026 For Private Lenders - #315

In today's competitive and uncertain lending environment, private and hard money lenders need to be more strategic than ever. In this episode of the Private Lenders Podcast, hosts Jason and Chris break down the five most important things private lenders should focus on in 2026 to stay profitable, reduce risk, and continue growing their loan portfolios.

With increased competition from institutional lenders, shifting real estate markets, and changing investor expectations, this episode covers practical strategies lenders can apply immediately—whether you're running a small portfolio or scaling a full-time lending operation.

🎯 In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why outbound lead generation and borrower follow-up will be critical in 2026

• How to focus on conversion—not just lead volume—in a crowded lending market

• The importance of truly understanding local market values and underwriting conservatively

• Why proper systems and loan servicing software are no longer optional

• How private lenders can raise capital more effectively as investors seek alternatives to stocks and crypto

• Why creative and non-conforming deals may offer the biggest opportunities

• Bonus: How mastermind groups can accelerate growth and sharpen decision-making

Whether you're a new private lender or a seasoned operator, this episode provides real-world insights from nearly two decades of lending experience and lessons learned across multiple market cycles.

👉 Learn more about upcoming events and the private lending community at Hard Money Mastermind.

Please like, subscribe, and share! ✅

Are you a new or experienced private lender or hard money lender? Join Jason Balin and Chris Haddon from Hard Money Bankers as they draw from their extensive experience running a successful hard money lending company since 2007. Tune in weekly with episodes related to all aspects of private lending. From discovering lucrative loan opportunities to securing private capital, effectively managing your loan portfolio, handling defaults, and much more, we've got you covered.

✔️ Tune in now and watch the full video podcast at www.privatelenderspodcast.com

✔️If you enjoyed this podcast we would appreciate a positive review... https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-lenders-podcast/id1476153070

✔️Make sure to check out the #1 Online Community For New and Experienced Private and Hard Money Lenders.. Create your account at www.hardmoneymastermind.com

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL Get updates or reach out to Get updates on our Social Media Profiles!

✅ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hardmoneymastermind/

✅ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hardmoneymastermind

This is Why We Can't Use Appraisals - #314

Why can't private and hard money lenders rely on appraisals? In this episode of the Private Lenders Podcast, hosts Jason and Chris of Hard Money Bankers break down the real problem behind appraisals—and why valuation, not appraisers, is putting lenders at risk.

With recent DSCR loan fraud cases in markets like Baltimore and Philadelphia making headlines, the industry has been quick to blame appraisals. But the truth is deeper than that. This episode explains why appraisals alone fail for DSCR loans, fix-and-flip loans, bridge loans, and other private lending products, and why local market knowledge and borrower evaluation matter more than ever.

You'll learn:

• Why appraisals don't work for investor-focused lending

• The difference between homeowner loans and private lending valuations

• How DSCR loans expose valuation weaknesses

• Why lenders must understand local markets and borrower experience

• The risks of high leverage and institutional underwriting models

• A potential solution: in-house valuation teams vs third-party appraisals

This episode is essential listening for private lenders, hard money lenders, real estate investors, and capital raisers who want to protect their portfolios and lend responsibly in today's market.

Please like, subscribe, and share! ✅

Are you a new or experienced private lender or hard money lender? Join Jason Balin and Chris Haddon from Hard Money Bankers as they draw from their extensive experience running a successful hard money lending company since 2007. Tune in weekly with episodes related to all aspects of private lending. From discovering lucrative loan opportunities to securing private capital, effectively managing your loan portfolio, handling defaults, and much more, we've got you covered.

✔️ Tune in now and watch the full video podcast at www.privatelenderspodcast.com

✔️If you enjoyed this podcast we would appreciate a positive review... https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-lenders-podcast/id1476153070

✔️Make sure to check out the #1 Online Community For New and Experienced Private and Hard Money Lenders.. Create your account at www.hardmoneymastermind.com

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL Get updates or reach out to Get updates on our Social Media Profiles!

✅ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hardmoneymastermind/

✅ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hardmoneymastermind

The 3 Biggest Mistakes Hard Money Lenders Keep Making (And Don't Realize!) - #313

In this episode of the Private Lenders Podcast, hosts Jason and Chris from Hard Money Bankers break down the three most common (and costly) mistakes they see private and hard money lenders make—mistakes that can put your capital, deals, and entire lending business at risk.

Drawing from years of experience and real-world insights from running a nationwide private lenders mastermind, Jason and Chris explain how you can shortcut years of trial and error by avoiding these critical pitfalls.

✅ Why not truly knowing your numbers is the #1 risk for hard money lenders
✅ The difference between ARV, as-is value, and liquidation value
✅ Why local market knowledge is essential for underwriting safe loans
✅ How capital structures can quietly take control of your business
✅ The hidden risks of debt funds, credit lines, and institutional capital
✅ Why doing everything yourself leads to burnout—and how building the right team and systems creates a scalable, lifestyle-friendly lending business

Whether you're a new private lender or managing a growing loan portfolio, this episode dives deep into asset-based lending, underwriting best practices, capital control, and operational scaling—all with real examples from the field.

✅ Please like, subscribe, and share! ✅

Are you a new or experienced private lender or hard money lender? Join Jason Balin and Chris Haddon from Hard Money Bankers as they draw from their extensive experience running a successful hard money lending company since 2007. Tune in weekly with episodes related to all aspects of private lending. From discovering lucrative loan opportunities to securing private capital, effectively managing your loan portfolio, handling defaults, and much more, we've got you covered.

✔️ Tune in now and watch the full video podcast at www.privatelenderspodcast.com

✔️If you enjoyed this podcast we would appreciate a positive review... https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-lenders-podcast/id1476153070

✔️Make sure to check out the #1 Online Community For New and Experienced Private and Hard Money Lenders.. Create your account at www.hardmoneymastermind.com

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL Get updates or reach out to Get updates on our Social Media Profiles!

✅ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hardmoneymastermind/

✅ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hardmoneymastermind

The Most Overlooked Underwriting Step in Hard Money Lending: Exit Strategy - #312

In this episode of the Private Lenders Podcast, Jason Balin and Chris Haddon break down the most overlooked underwriting step in hard money lending: the borrower's exit strategy.

Whether you're a private lender, hard money lender, or active real estate investor, understanding how your borrower plans to pay off your loan is one of the most critical pieces of the underwriting process—and also the one most lenders get wrong.

With over 4,000 funded deals, Jason and Chris share real examples from their portfolio, including:
✔️ Why refinance exits fail more often than borrowers admit
✔️ The red flags you should look for before approving a loan
✔️ Why credit repair + "I'll just refinance later" is rarely a viable plan
✔️ How inherited properties and unsophisticated borrowers add hidden risk
✔️ Why mixed-use and commercial deals require longer timelines and lower LTVs
✔️ What addendums and upfront agreements can do to protect your position
✔️ How to avoid loans that get stuck on your books—and become expensive nightmares

From borrower psychology to collateral type to real-world case studies (including foreclosures, bankruptcies, and inherited properties gone wrong), this episode pulls back the curtain on how seasoned lenders underwrite exits before writing a term sheet.

Whether you're building your private lending business or tightening up your underwriting process, this conversation will help you protect your capital, reduce defaults, and build a cleaner, more profitable loan portfolio.

✅ Please like, subscribe, and share! ✅

Are you a new or experienced private lender or hard money lender? Join Jason Balin and Chris Haddon from Hard Money Bankers as they draw from their extensive experience running a successful hard money lending company since 2007. Tune in weekly with episodes related to all aspects of private lending. From discovering lucrative loan opportunities to securing private capital, effectively managing your loan portfolio, handling defaults, and much more, we've got you covered.

✔️ Tune in now and watch the full video podcast at www.privatelenderspodcast.com

✔️If you enjoyed this podcast we would appreciate a positive review... https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-lenders-podcast/id1476153070

✔️Make sure to check out the #1 Online Community For New and Experienced Private and Hard Money Lenders.. Create your account at www.hardmoneymastermind.com

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL Get updates or reach out to Get updates on our Social Media Profiles!

✅ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hardmoneymastermind/

✅ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hardmoneymastermind

The Script Real Hard Money Lenders Use to Close More Deals FAST - #311

Want to close more hard money loans fast? In this episode of the Private Lenders Podcast, Chris and Jason break down the exact sales script real hard money lenders use to increase conversions, build rapport with borrowers, and confidently quote lower leverage without losing deals.

Whether you're a private lender, hard money lender, loan officer, or part of an origination team, this episode shows you how to stop sending lazy email quotes and start using a proven call script that actually closes deals.

Chris and Jason reveal:
✔️ The #1 mistake lenders make when quoting deals
✔️ How to build rapport in the first 10 seconds
✔️ The needs-analysis questions every lender should ask
✔️ How to price-anchor loan amounts the right way
✔️ How to overcome objections on leverage, rates, and cash to close
✔️ Why you must get borrowers on the phone—not email
✔️ The closing timeline trick that boosts commitment
✔️ How they train their teams and Mastermind members for higher conversion rates

These scripting tactics come from 15+ years of originating private loans, running Hard Money Bankers, and coaching hundreds of lenders inside the Hard Money Mastermind.

If you want higher margins, better borrowers, and more confidence quoting deals, this episode is your blueprint.

✅ Please like, subscribe, and share! ✅

Are you a new or experienced private lender or hard money lender? Join Jason Balin and Chris Haddon from Hard Money Bankers as they draw from their extensive experience running a successful hard money lending company since 2007. Tune in weekly with episodes related to all aspects of private lending. From discovering lucrative loan opportunities to securing private capital, effectively managing your loan portfolio, handling defaults, and much more, we've got you covered.

✔️ Tune in now and watch the full video podcast at www.privatelenderspodcast.com

✔️If you enjoyed this podcast we would appreciate a positive review... https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-lenders-podcast/id1476153070

✔️Make sure to check out the #1 Online Community For New and Experienced Private and Hard Money Lenders.. Create your account at www.hardmoneymastermind.com

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL Get updates or reach out to Get updates on our Social Media Profiles!

✅ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hardmoneymastermind/

✅ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hardmoneymastermind

The Loan Servicing Software That Hard Money Lenders Won't Stop Talking About (Including Hard Money Mastermind Members)

Unlock the loan servicing software that hard money lenders cannot stop talking about — including members of the Hard Money Mastermind. In this episode of the Private Lenders Podcast, Jason Balin and Chris Haddon sit down with Bryce Matheson for a full demo of Lendr Software, one of the fastest-growing loan origination and servicing platforms in the private lending space.

If you're a private lender, hard money lender, fund manager, or note investor looking to streamline operations, automate payments, manage borrowers, track capital, or impress investors with clean reporting — this is the software demo you need to see.

▶ Check out Lendr Software: https://LendrSoftware.com
(L-E-N-D-R Software.com — tell Bryce the Private Lenders Podcast sent you!)

Whether you're listening on audio or watching the full video walkthrough on the Hard Money Mastermind YouTube channel, you'll get an inside look at how lenders are using this technology to scale their portfolios.

• Why more private lenders are switching to Lendr Software
• Live demo of borrower portals, investor dashboards, ACH payments & automation
• How lenders can track capital, maturities, applications, and pipeline forecasting
• Tools for underwriting, pull-credit features, document portals & draw requests
• How repeat borrowers use the platform (and how it saves lenders hours each week)
• How investor reporting, statements & tax docs are automatically generated
• Dashboard metrics every lender should monitor

✅ Please like, subscribe, and share! ✅

Are you a new or experienced private lender or hard money lender? Join Jason Balin and Chris Haddon from Hard Money Bankers as they draw from their extensive experience running a successful hard money lending company since 2007. Tune in weekly with episodes related to all aspects of private lending. From discovering lucrative loan opportunities to securing private capital, effectively managing your loan portfolio, handling defaults, and much more, we've got you covered.

✔️ Tune in now and watch the full video podcast at www.privatelenderspodcast.com

✔️If you enjoyed this podcast we would appreciate a positive review... https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-lenders-podcast/id1476153070

✔️Make sure to check out the #1 Online Community For New and Experienced Private and Hard Money Lenders.. Create your account at www.hardmoneymastermind.com

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL Get updates or reach out to Get updates on our Social Media Profiles!

✅ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hardmoneymastermind/

✅ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hardmoneymastermind

Should You Sell Your Defaulted Notes? Process, Pricing & Insights - #310

As a private lender, the big question eventually comes up: does it ever make sense to sell a defaulted note? The answer… it depends. In this episode of the Private Lenders Podcast, Chris and Jason break down the real strategy behind selling non-performing notes (NPNs), who buys them, when it's worth considering—and when it's better to ride it out yourself.

If you're a private lender navigating late payments, defaults, foreclosure timelines, capital deployment, or debt fund pressure, this conversation will save you time, money, and headaches.

• When selling a defaulted note actually makes financial sense

• Pricing, payoff scenarios & real-life examples

• Interested vs. third-party note buyers

• How second lienholders + business partners become natural buyers

• Structuring profitable exits without giving away equity

• Why month 2–4 of default can be the sweet spot for selling

• What note buyers look for—and what makes them walk

• Why early defaults may cure, and late defaults become too expensive

• How debt funds think about capital vs. time in non-performing assets

• Due diligence and legal considerations when transferring a note

Not every defaulted loan belongs on your balance sheet forever. If the numbers work, the buyer is motivated, and you're ready to redeploy capital—selling a non-performing note can be a win-win… but only in the right circumstances.

✅ Please like, subscribe, and share! ✅

Are you a new or experienced private lender or hard money lender? Join Jason Balin and Chris Haddon from Hard Money Bankers as they draw from their extensive experience running a successful hard money lending company since 2007. Tune in weekly with episodes related to all aspects of private lending. From discovering lucrative loan opportunities to securing private capital, effectively managing your loan portfolio, handling defaults, and much more, we've got you covered.

✔️ Tune in now and watch the full video podcast at www.privatelenderspodcast.com

✔️If you enjoyed this podcast we would appreciate a positive review... https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-lenders-podcast/id1476153070

✔️Make sure to check out the #1 Online Community For New and Experienced Private and Hard Money Lenders.. Create your account at www.hardmoneymastermind.com

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL Get updates or reach out to Get updates on our Social Media Profiles!

✅ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hardmoneymastermind/

✅ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hardmoneymastermind

Building A $10 Million Hard Money Loan Portfolio

Want to know exactly how to build a $10 million hard money lending portfolio—even if you're starting from scratch? In this episode, Jason Bailin from Hard Money Bankers breaks down the full blueprint his team has used to scale multiple lending offices to $10M+ in active loans across different markets.

With 19 years in the industry and a portfolio of $50M+ annually, Jason walks through every step of the process, including lead generation, underwriting, capital structures, team building, and the financials behind running a profitable private lending company.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:
✔️ How long it really takes to build a $10M loan portfolio
✔️ The exact lead generation system HMB uses (online + offline)
✔️ Risk management + underwriting essentials (LTV, ARV, borrower cash to close)
✔️ Capital structure options — funds, direct placement, unsecured debt & more
✔️ The hires you actually need to scale (and when to make them)
✔️ Tech stack recommendations for private lenders
✔️ Real financial breakdown: revenue, expenses & net profit on a $10M portfolio
✔️ What your portfolio looks like if you're lending your own capital vs. raising capital

Whether you're new to private lending or already operating and looking to scale, this episode gives you a complete roadmap to build a sustainable and profitable hard money lending business.

✅ Please like, subscribe, and share! ✅

Are you a new or experienced private lender or hard money lender? Join Jason Balin and Chris Haddon from Hard Money Bankers as they draw from their extensive experience running a successful hard money lending company since 2007. Tune in weekly with episodes related to all aspects of private lending. From discovering lucrative loan opportunities to securing private capital, effectively managing your loan portfolio, handling defaults, and much more, we've got you covered.

✔️ Tune in now and watch the full video podcast at www.privatelenderspodcast.com

✔️If you enjoyed this podcast we would appreciate a positive review... https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/private-lenders-podcast/id1476153070

✔️Make sure to check out the #1 Online Community For New and Experienced Private and Hard Money Lenders.. Create your account at www.hardmoneymastermind.com

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL Get updates or reach out to Get updates on our Social Media Profiles!

✅ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hardmoneymastermind/

✅ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hardmoneymastermind