How to Fund Real Estate Deals the Smart Way
Topic Thursday 31 with Adam Ben-Zev and Luca Beltrami (Stellar X Lending)
Funding is often the missing piece for agents and investors who want to scale.
In this session, Adam Ben-Zev sat down with Luca Beltrami of Stellar X Lending to break down how to finance any type of deal (from fix-and-flips to DSCR rentals) using creative structures and transparent math.
Luca explained how to approach deals strategically, avoid over-leveraging, and structure transactions that protect your margins. Whether you’re an agent helping investors or an investor yourself, this workshop is a practical guide to using the right financing tools to close more efficiently.
Replay + Resources
Resources to Explore
- Luca’s Resources
- YourConsultingHub.info
- WiseCapitalSolutions.com
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Welcome & Introduction to Stellar X Lending (00:00)
Adam Ben-Zev opened this session by calling Stellar X “a Swiss Army knife of real estate lending.” Their team helps agents and investors find creative, fast funding for any type of deal — from fix-and-flips to DSCR rentals.
Adam shared that EZ is currently working on a flip in Mill Creek, Washington, funded through Stellar X, with “the best rates, the best terms, and the lowest possible down payment.”
Lesson: There’s no one-size-fits-all loan. The right structure is what makes a deal both fundable and profitable.
One-Stop Shop for Real Estate Financing Solutions (01:48)
Luca Beltrami described Stellar X as a concierge lending service. They coordinate first-position loans, down payments, and closing costs under one roof — eliminating the runaround of using multiple lenders.
“We can help fund the first lien, the down payment, and the closing costs… we handle the full transaction.” – Luca Beltrami
Lesson: Consolidating your financing sources reduces friction, shortens timelines, and helps close more deals.
Understanding DSCR vs. Fix & Flip Loans (03:20)
DSCR loans are long-term options for rental investors — 30- to 40-year terms based on property income, not borrower income. Fix-and-flip loans, by contrast, are short-term and rely on asset value and borrower experience.
Luca explained:
“We’re starting to roll out 40-year DSCR loans… the longer term helps investors cash-flow better in today’s market.”
Lesson: Use DSCR for long-term holds and fix-and-flip loans for short-term projects. Match the loan to your exit strategy.
Bridge Loans & Ground-Up Construction Explained (04:57)
Bridge loans provide quick capital between transactions or before construction starts. Stellar X typically funds up to 75–85% loan-to-value on first position loans.
Lesson: Bridge financing helps investors close quickly, especially when they already have equity or a solid buyer lined up.
The Transactional Funding Concierge Service (07:30)
Luca introduced Wise Capital Solutions, which works hand-in-hand with Stellar X to offer three creative funding products:
Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) Funding – Cover deposits so you can make offers fast.
Double-Close Funding – Finance A-B-C transactions for wholesalers.
Stack Method – Combine seller financing and lending layers to reduce or eliminate cash at closing.
“Good investors know what they’re doing — they can buy properties this way with zero out-of-pocket.” – Luca Beltrami
Lesson: Funding creativity matters more than access to cash. The right structure lets you control more deals with less capital.
Earnest Money Deposit Funding Explained (12:07)
EMD funding is designed for agents and investors who want to secure contracts without locking up their own money. Luca’s team fronts the deposit, collects a small fee, and allows the deal to move forward without capital constraints.
Lesson: EMD funding helps investors scale volume — not just one deal at a time.
Double Close Funding for Wholesalers (13:13)
Wholesalers often need to close twice — buying from one seller and selling to another same-day. Stellar X funds both sides of that transaction, making it seamless.
One recent deal required $155,000 in funding and netted the wholesaler $24,000 profit at closing.
Lesson: The double-close model keeps assignments private and opens more opportunities for larger spreads.
Stack Method: Seller Carryback Strategy Examples (15:10)
This method layers seller financing (carrybacks) with first-position loans. In some cases, it even creates cash-positive closings.
“We have a guy that actually got paid to buy a multi-million-dollar property.” – Luca Beltrami
The concept: pair lender funds with seller participation to buy property with zero down — sometimes even earning a credit at closing.
Lesson: Seller carrybacks and stack methods turn “unfundable” deals into win-win transactions when both sides cooperate.
Case Study: $107K Profit from a Double Close (17:46)
One investor bought a $1.23M property, resold it the same day, and walked away with $107,000 profit, having only paid for the appraisal.
Lesson: With the right funding structure, even small spreads can scale when your capital is working multiple times a month.
Free Calculators & Tools for Deal Analysis (19:11)
Stellar X and Wise Capital provide calculators for DSCR loans, double-close profits, and stack-method projections.
“You just punch in the numbers, and it tells you what you’ll net at closing. No surprises.” – Luca Beltrami
Lesson: Modeling deals before committing capital builds credibility and prevents underestimating costs or overpaying for properties.
Q&A Highlights
Understanding Loan-to-Value Ratios (21:35)
Luca clarified that transactional funding typically covers 100% of the purchase when structured correctly — but equity helps sellers agree to creative terms.
Equity Requirements & Funding Fees (24:28)
Earnest money loans carry a 20% total fee (5% upfront, 15% upon success). Double-close deals average 1.5% fees.
“We charge 20% total, 5% upfront non-refundable, 15% only if the deal closes.” – Luca Beltrami
Proof of Funds Letters (35:20)
Stellar X provides proof-of-funds letters when they’re funding the deal — useful for wholesalers submitting offers that require verification.
Minimum Loan Amounts & Credit Scores (43:06)
Funding can start as low as $45K, and DSCR programs accept credit scores down to 620, depending on the deal strength and partnerships.
Lesson: Understand the math. Fees and terms vary by strategy — plan for them early so they don’t erase your margin.
Creative Deal Structuring for Win-Win Scenarios (47:05)
Adam and Luca emphasized that the best outcomes come from transparent, fair deal design. Sellers, buyers, lenders, and title companies all win when deals are structured for mutual benefit.
“We don’t want to close one deal — we want ten. Everyone makes money, everyone wants to do the next one.” – Luca Beltrami
Lesson: The long game in investing is relationships. The easier you make deals for others, the more consistent your pipeline becomes.
Fix & Flip Fees and Partnerships (52:40)
Luca outlined rates as low as 8.75% APR with draw funding included for experienced borrowers. He encouraged investors to partner with general contractors to strengthen loan applications.
“If your GC has done 10 or more projects, you qualify for the best terms.” – Luca Beltrami
Lesson: Teaming with experienced partners improves both approval odds and cost of capital.
Wrap-Up & How to Access Resources (55:56)
Luca invited attendees to download the calculators, request deal support, and book consults through:
Lesson: Don’t wait until funding becomes a problem. Build relationships with lenders now — before your next opportunity lands.
What’s Next? Get Connected and Keep Learning!
Communities to Join:
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Note: Quotations in this article may have been cleaned up to remove filler words and aid in comprehension.
