HOUSTON FiNTECH - NON-BANK PRIVATE CAPITAL

HOUSTON FiNTECH - NON-BANK PRIVATE CAPITALHOUSTON FiNTECH - NON-BANK PRIVATE CAPITALHOUSTON FiNTECH - NON-BANK PRIVATE CAPITAL

HOUSTON FiNTECH - NON-BANK PRIVATE CAPITAL

HOUSTON FiNTECH - NON-BANK PRIVATE CAPITALHOUSTON FiNTECH - NON-BANK PRIVATE CAPITALHOUSTON FiNTECH - NON-BANK PRIVATE CAPITAL
  • HOUSTON FiNTECH
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    • NON-BANK PRIVATE CAPITAL
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    • HOUSTON FiNTECH
    • PARTNER WITH US
    • LOAN PROGRAMS
      • NON-BANK PRIVATE CAPITAL
      • COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
      • RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE
      • COMMERCIAL LENDING
  • HOUSTON FiNTECH
  • PARTNER WITH US
  • LOAN PROGRAMS
    • NON-BANK PRIVATE CAPITAL
    • COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
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Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

What is HOUSTON FiNTECH?


HOUSTON FiNTECH is a non-bank private capital advisory and brokerage firm. We help real estate investors and business owners evaluate, structure, package, and navigate private lending and private credit solutions—from the initial opportunity through underwriting and closing.

Our role is to help clients pursue the right capital source with a transaction structure and presentation that align with lender expectations.


Is HOUSTON FiNTECH a lender?


No. HOUSTON FiNTECH is not a direct lender and does not make final credit or funding decisions.

We serve as a private capital advisor and broker. We evaluate the financing request, help structure and package the opportunity, identify potential capital sources, and support the client through diligence, underwriting conditions, and closing.


All approvals, loan terms, and funding decisions are made independently by the lender or capital provider.


What makes HOUSTON FiNTECH different from a traditional loan broker?


We do more than introduce a borrower to a lender.


Our process may include:

  • Evaluating the transaction before it is submitted
  • Identifying potential approval issues
  • Structuring the financing request
  • Organizing the supporting documentation
  • Preparing a lender-ready presentation
  • Matching the opportunity with an appropriate capital source
  • Helping manage diligence, conditions, communication, and closing


Our objective is to reduce avoidable friction and improve the quality and credibility of the transaction presentation.


What types of financing do you arrange?


HOUSTON FiNTECH supports a range of real estate and business-purpose financing transactions, including:

  • Bridge loans
  • Fix-and-flip financing
  • Ground-up construction loans
  • Rental property and DSCR loans
  • Acquisition financing
  • Refinance and cash-out refinance transactions
  • Multifamily financing
  • Mixed-use property financing
  • Commercial real estate loans
  • Retail, office, warehouse, and industrial property financing
  • Asset-based loans
  • Business term loans
  • Working capital financing
  • Equipment financing
  • Private credit transactions
  • Structured debt and customized capital solutions


Available programs depend on the property, borrower, project, requested amount, use of funds, financial condition, experience, and exit strategy.


What is the minimum loan amount?


For many real estate financing programs, the minimum requested loan amount generally begins at approximately $350,000 to $250,000,000.


Commercial real estate, private credit, and more complex capital transactions may have substantially higher minimums. Certain advisory or institutional capital assignments may begin at $1 million or more.


Minimum and maximum loan amounts are determined by the specific lender, transaction type, collateral, and financing program.


What documents are required?


Documentation requirements vary by transaction, but clients should generally be prepared to provide:


Borrower and Guarantor Information

  • Completed financing application
  • Government-issued identification
  • Personal financial statement
  • Credit authorization
  • Borrower résumé or schedule of experience
  • Ownership and entity information
  • Organizational documents
  • Operating agreement, bylaws, or partnership agreement


Financial Information

  • Personal and business tax returns
  • Recent personal and business bank statements
  • Year-to-date profit and loss statement
  • Balance sheet
  • Accounts receivable and accounts payable aging reports
  • Debt schedule
  • Rent roll or operating statements, when applicable


Property or Project Information

  • Purchase contract or settlement statement
  • Property address and description
  • Current mortgage statement
  • Construction budget or rehabilitation scope
  • Contractor information
  • Plans, permits, and project timeline
  • Appraisal, inspection, environmental, or title documents
  • Lease agreements and rent roll
  • Sources and uses of funds
  • Proposed exit strategy


Additional documentation may be requested during underwriting.


How long does the financing process take?


The timeline depends on the transaction, lender, property, documentation, and complexity of the financing request.


A straightforward private real estate transaction may close within approximately two to four weeks after the lender receives a complete and acceptable file. More complex commercial real estate, construction, business, private credit, or structured capital transactions may require 30days or longer.


The most common causes of delay include:

  • Missing or incomplete documentation
  • Appraisal or environmental requirements
  • Title issues
  • Changes to the transaction structure
  • Unresolved underwriting conditions
  • Delayed borrower responses
  • Third-party reports or legal review


HOUSTON FiNTECH works to keep the process organized, but no closing date can be guaranteed.


Do you charge an engagement or processing fee?


Yes. Depending on the assignment, HOUSTON FiNTECH may charge an engagement, advisory, packaging, due diligence, or processing fee.


For example:

  • Certain real estate loan packaging assignments may require a processing fee for each property or loan request.
  • More complex business financing or private capital advisory assignments may require an engagement fee before work begins.
  • A brokerage or placement fee may also be payable if the transaction successfully closes.


The applicable fees, services, and payment terms will be disclosed in a written agreement before the engagement begins.


Lender fees and third-party expenses—including appraisal, title, legal, inspection, environmental, credit, background, and document preparation charges—are separate from HOUSTON FiNTECH’s fees unless expressly stated otherwise.


Are engagement and processing fees refundable?


Generally, no.


Engagement, advisory, packaging, due diligence, and processing fees compensate HOUSTON FiNTECH for professional services performed, including transaction evaluation, file setup, document review, structuring, packaging, lender research, capital-source matching, and submission support.


These fees are generally earned when the engagement begins and are non-refundable, including when:

  • A lender declines the request
  • The borrower does not satisfy underwriting requirements
  • The borrower withdraws the application
  • The transaction does not close
  • The property does not appraise at the expected value
  • The financing terms are not accepted
  • Required documentation is not provided


Any exception must be specifically stated in a written agreement signed by HOUSTON FiNTECH.

Third-party fees are also generally non-refundable once the applicable service has been ordered or performed.


Does submitting an opportunity guarantee approval or funding?


No.


Submitting an opportunity to HOUSTON FiNTECH does not guarantee:

  • Loan approval
  • A specific interest rate
  • A specific loan amount
  • A particular loan-to-value ratio
  • A term sheet
  • A commitment
  • A closing date
  • Successful funding


Preliminary terms, indications, scenarios, and term sheets may be subject to underwriting, appraisal, title review, verification of information, lender approval, acceptable documentation, and satisfaction of all closing conditions.


The lender or capital provider makes the final decision.


Can you assist after a bank declines my financing request?


Yes.


Many clients contact HOUSTON FiNTECH after a traditional bank declines a request or determines that the transaction falls outside its credit policy.


A bank decline does not necessarily mean the opportunity is weak. The transaction may require:

  • A different lender profile
  • A private lending solution
  • A bridge structure
  • Additional collateral
  • A revised use of funds
  • A stronger equity contribution
  • A more clearly defined exit strategy
  • Better financial documentation
  • A different capital structure


We review the reason for the decline and determine whether the opportunity may fit a private lending, private credit, or alternative capital source.

A prior bank decline does not guarantee that another lender will approve the request.


Do you work with first-time investors or builders?


Yes, subject to program availability.


Some lenders offer programs for first-time investors or first-time builders. However, these programs may require additional support, including:

  • A qualified and experienced general contractor
  • A detailed construction budget
  • Approved plans and permits
  • Additional cash reserves
  • A larger borrower contribution
  • Strong credit
  • A realistic project schedule
  • Demonstrated project oversight
  • A clear and supportable exit strategy


For construction financing, the lender will evaluate both the borrower’s experience and the general contractor’s qualifications. Some programs may require the borrower to have completed similar projects before becoming eligible for construction advances or higher leverage.


What credit score is required?


There is no single credit-score requirement for every program.

Credit requirements vary according to the lender, loan type, property, leverage, borrower experience, liquidity, and overall transaction strength.


Many real estate investment programs generally prefer credit scores in the 620 to 680 or higher range. Certain DSCR, construction, commercial, or business financing programs may require a score of 680 or higher.


Some asset-based or private lending programs may consider lower scores when the transaction has strong collateral, adequate equity, sufficient reserves, and a credible exit strategy. Lower credit may result in reduced leverage, higher pricing, additional reserves, or other conditions.


Can foreign nationals qualify?


Yes. HOUSTON FiNTECH may assist foreign nationals and international investors with qualifying United States real estate investment transactions.


Depending on the program, a foreign-national borrower may be required to provide:

  • Passport or government-issued identification
  • Visa information, when applicable
  • Foreign credit documentation or credit reference letters
  • Proof of funds
  • Recent bank statements
  • United States entity documents
  • Employer or business verification
  • Property insurance
  • A United States bank account
  • A United States address or registered agent
  • A larger down payment or equity contribution
  • Additional reserves


Foreign-national programs vary by lender, country of citizenship, property type, and transaction structure.


What is the difference between private lending, private credit, and private equity?


Private lending generally refers to loans provided outside the traditional banking system. It is often used when the borrower needs speed, flexibility, or a transaction-specific structure.

Private credit is the broader non-bank lending market. It may include bridge lenders, debt funds, specialty finance companies, family offices, and direct lenders.

Private equity is ownership capital rather than a traditional loan. An equity investor typically expects ownership, profit participation, preferred returns, or other economic upside.


HOUSTON FiNTECH helps clients evaluate which capital structure is most appropriate for the opportunity. Equity placement or investment-bank-related services may be handled through appropriately qualified or authorized capital partners.


How are referral partners compensated?


Referral compensation depends on the transaction, referral source, applicable law, and the terms of a written referral or broker agreement.


When permitted, a referral partner may receive compensation after a referred transaction successfully closes and HOUSTON FiNTECH receives its applicable compensation.


Referral partners are not generally compensated merely for providing a name or making an introduction. Compensation is not guaranteed and may be affected by:

  • Transaction type
  • Loan amount
  • Revenue collected
  • Partner involvement
  • Licensing requirements
  • Lender restrictions
  • State and federal law
  • The written referral agreement


HOUSTON FiNTECH does not pay referral compensation when doing so would violate applicable law, lender policy, licensing requirements, or professional standards.


Can referral partners receive updates about their clients?


Yes, when the client has authorized HOUSTON FiNTECH to communicate with the referral partner.

We work to keep authorized referral partners informed about significant developments, documentation needs, underwriting progress, and closing status. However, certain financial, credit, legal, or confidential information may only be shared directly with the client or with the client’s express authorization.


How is client information protected?


HOUSTON FiNTECH treats client information as confidential and uses it for evaluating, packaging, presenting, processing, and supporting the financing request.


Information may be shared with parties involved in evaluating or completing the transaction, including:

  • Prospective lenders and capital providers
  • Loan processors
  • Appraisers
  • Title and escrow companies
  • Attorneys
  • Insurance professionals
  • Environmental consultants
  • Inspectors
  • Underwriters
  • Other authorized service providers


We seek to limit access to individuals and organizations that need the information for a legitimate transaction-related purpose. We also use administrative and technology-based practices intended to support secure document handling and communication.


Clients should use approved submission channels and avoid transmitting sensitive financial information through unsecured methods whenever possible.


HOUSTON FiNTECH does not sell client information to unrelated parties for their independent marketing purposes.


What happens after I submit a financing opportunity?


The general process includes:

  1. Initial review: We evaluate the financing request, borrower profile, property or business, requested amount, use of funds, and proposed exit strategy.
  2. Capital-readiness assessment: We identify missing information, potential underwriting issues, and areas that may need to be restructured or clarified.
  3. Document collection: The client provides the financial, entity, property, project, and borrower documentation required for review.
  4. Structuring and packaging: We organize the opportunity into a lender-ready presentation.
  5. Capital-source identification: We identify lenders or private credit sources whose criteria appear aligned with the transaction.
  6. Submission and preliminary feedback: The opportunity is submitted to one or more selected capital sources for consideration.
  7. Term review: If preliminary terms are issued, we help the client understand the pricing, leverage, fees, conditions, and structure.
  8. Underwriting and diligence: The client responds to lender conditions and completes required third-party reports.
  9. Closing coordination: We help facilitate communication among the client, lender, title company, attorneys, and other transaction participants.


Why should I use HOUSTON FiNTECH instead of contacting lenders myself?


Clients use HOUSTON FiNTECH because they often need more than a rate quote or a lender list.


They need assistance to:

  • Become lender-ready
  • Determine the appropriate capital structure
  • Identify the right type of capital source
  • Avoid poorly targeted or incomplete submissions
  • Present the transaction in underwriting language
  • Resolve documentation or structuring problems
  • Understand lender terms and conditions
  • Coordinate the process through closing
  • Access lending relationships they may not have directly


Our role is to help the client approach the capital market with greater preparation, precision, and credibility.


How do I get started?


Submit a summary of the opportunity that includes:

  • Requested financing amount
  • Use of funds
  • Property or business description
  • Purchase price or current value
  • Existing debt
  • Borrower experience
  • Estimated credit profile
  • Available equity or down payment
  • Project budget
  • Income or rent information
  • Proposed exit strategy
  • Desired closing timeline


After reviewing the initial information, HOUSTON FiNTECH will advise whether the opportunity appears to fit our services and what additional information will be required.


How can I contact HOUSTON FiNTECH?


HOUSTON FiNTECH
2100 West Loop South, Suite 800
Houston, Texas 77027

Office: 832-930-8484
Website: houstonfintech.com


Important Notice


HOUSTON FiNTECH is a private capital advisory and brokerage firm and is not a direct lender. All financing is subject to lender underwriting, independent approval, acceptable collateral, verification of information, satisfactory documentation, and satisfaction of all closing conditions.


Rates, terms, programs, leverage, and fees are subject to change. Nothing in this FAQ constitutes a commitment to lend, an offer of securities, legal advice, tax advice, or a guarantee of financing.

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