THE LLS JOURNALNotes from the desk.
Market notes, investor education, borrower FAQs, and the occasional unpopular opinion from twelve years of underwriting.
Featured:
From Retirees to Farmers: Who Benefits Most From Investing in a Hard Money Fund
Who is a hard money fund really built for? At Liquid Lending Solutions, the most satisfied investors come from surprisingly different backgrounds. Co-founders Owen Dashner and Chris Pomerleau break down the four groups that tend to benefit most: retirees seeking monthly income, farmers with paid-off land and untapped equity, business owners with idle cash, and real estate owners looking to diversify.
What ties them together is a focus on capital preservation and predictable returns. With funds spread across roughly 70 to 80 loans and no missed monthly payment in six years of operation, a diversified hard money fund can put dormant capital to work. Read on to see if it fits your financial picture.
How Underwriting Standards Have Changed and What Real Estate Investors Need to Know
Lending standards aren’t what they were a few years ago, and if you haven’t shopped for commercial debt recently, the shifts could cost you. Owen Dashner, Co-Founder of Liquid Lending Solutions, breaks down what changed after interest rates spiked in 2022, why banks are underwriting more conservatively today, and what that means for real estate investors navigating refinances and new acquisitions.
From last-minute term changes to more cautious appraisals, the risks are real but avoidable. Investors who understand their numbers, build in cash reserves, and partner with a transparent lender are best positioned to close without surprises. Read on for a candid look at today’s lending landscape, straight from someone in the thick of it.
Mid-Year Check-In with Liquid Lending
Liquid Lending Solutions is halfway through its biggest year yet. Co-founder Owen Dashner sat down to share what's driving record loan activity, how a new partnership with a real estate coaching group has tripled incoming deal flow, and why bulk portfolio acquisitions are one of the most exciting strategies on the table right now.
For borrowers, the message is clear: speed still wins. While traditional banks face uncertainty and slow timelines, Liquid Lending continues to close deals in as little as a week. For investors in the fund, a diversified portfolio of 70–80 active loans is targeting 8–10% annual returns. Read on for a candid mid-year update from the team.
The Biggest Risk Factors That Make or Break a Real Estate Deal, According to Experienced Investors
What separates a profitable real estate deal from a costly mistake? According to Owen Dashner, Co-Founder of Liquid Lending Solutions — a hard money lending firm that has funded over $100 million across 400+ transactions — it almost always comes down to preparation and risk awareness.
In this post, Owen breaks down the six most common risk factors he sees derail real estate deals: overpaying on the purchase price, underestimating rehab costs, overlooking soft costs like utilities and insurance, running short on cash reserves, taking on complex projects without the right experience, and ignoring appraisal risk when planning to refinance.
Whether you're a first-time flipper or a seasoned investor, understanding these pitfalls before you write your first check is what keeps deals profitable — and lenders confident. Read on to learn what makes a deal solid in the eyes of an experienced hard money lender.
Steps to Working With Liquid Lending
Getting started with Liquid Lending Solutions is simple. Our process is designed for real estate investors who need capital fast — here’s exactly how to apply, what to expect, and how quickly you can get funded.
Liquid Lending Fuels Fast Flip in Nickerson, NE
A Nickerson, Nebraska investor found a time-sensitive fix-and-flip deal and needed capital fast. Liquid Lending stepped in and funded the loan before a traditional bank could even schedule an appointment. Here’s how the deal came together.
Liquid Lending Facilitating a Highly Profitable ‘Whole Tail’ Deal In Bellevue, Nebraska
When an experienced investor found an off-market deal in Bellevue, Nebraska, the window to close was razor-thin. Liquid Lending funded the loan in record time, and the investor walked away with a $30K–$35K profit in just a few weeks.
How Liquid Lending Facilitated Flipping a Rural Nebraska Home in Record Time
Rural properties are notoriously difficult to finance through traditional banks. This case study shows how Liquid Lending Solutions provided a hard money loan where other lenders wouldn’t go — and how the deal delivered strong returns.
Avoid These 5 Mistakes When Securing Hard Money
Hard money loans are one of the most powerful tools in a real estate investor’s toolkit — but common mistakes can kill a deal before it starts. Here are the 5 pitfalls to avoid when securing private real estate financing.
Real Estate Lending Under Pressure: A Behind-the-Scenes Look
When market conditions tighten and timing is everything, traditional lenders are often too slow. See how Liquid Lending Solutions funds deals under pressure — with speed, certainty, and the flexibility active investors need.
Proven Results: How Liquid Lending Has Returned $4.5M to Investors
Since our founding, Liquid Lending Solutions has funded over $100 million in hard money loans and returned more than $4.5 million to our investors — without missing a single payment. Here’s how our model works.
5 Common Myths About Hard Money…and the Truth
Hard money lending has a reputation problem. The truth is, private loans are often faster, more flexible, and more accessible than most investors realize. We’re busting the 5 biggest myths about hard money lending.
What Real Estate Investors Need to Know About Hard Money.
Hard money lending is one of the fastest-growing tools in real estate investing — but it’s also widely misunderstood. This guide covers everything investors need to know before taking out a private loan, including costs, qualifications, and risks.