Debt Investing and the Future with Matt Rodak

Is debt investing the hidden gem of real estate wealth building, offering stability and returns in a volatile market?

Host Taylor Loht welcomes Matt Rodak, founder and CEO of Upright, to unravel the complexities and advantages of debt investing in real estate. Matt shares his journey from landscaping for fix-and-flip investors to creating a platform that bridges the gap between active real estate investors and passive debt investors. This episode dives deep into the intricacies of debt versus equity investing, highlighting how individuals can build wealth in real estate by becoming lenders rather than landlords. Through Matt’s insights, listeners will explore the strategic benefits of debt investing, including risk management, investment returns, and the evolving landscape of real estate financing.

Matt Rodak is the CEO and Founder of Fund That Flip, which was founded in 2014. Matt developed the premise of this fintech company because he was struggling to get access to stable, reliable, and fast capital for his own real estate projects. Since then, Fund That Flip has grown into an end-to-end financial technology platform that helps real estate entrepreneurs and investors transform their neighborhoods and communities. Matt has been featured on the Bigger Pockets Business Podcast, Forbes magazine, and countless other publications.

[00:00:00-00:05:00] The Genesis of Upright: Matt Rodak’s transition from real estate enthusiast to debt investing pioneer.

• Matt’s early exposure to real estate through a landscaping business.

• The motivation behind creating a platform for debt investing.

• The impact of peer-to-peer lending on Matt’s investment strategy.

[00:05:00-00:10:00] Debt vs. Equity: Analyzing the pros and cons from an investor’s perspective.

• The fundamental differences between debt and equity investing.

• Risk and return profiles of debt investments.

• The concept of loan-to-value ratios and their significance.

[00:10:00-00:15:00] Navigating Rising Interest Rates: Adapting strategies in a fluctuating economic environment.

• Impact of federal rate changes on debt investing.

• The evolution of interest rates in Matt’s lending practice.

• How Upright remains competitive and relevant amidst economic shifts.

[00:15:00-00:20:00] Project and Borrower Selection: The underwriting process and criteria for successful lending.

• Importance of experience in potential borrowers.

• The shift towards new construction financing.

• How Upright evaluates and selects projects for investment.

[00:20:00-00:25:00] Future of Single-Family Housing: Predictions for the next decade in real estate.

• Demographic trends influencing housing demand.

• Challenges and opportunities in single-family housing development.

• Matt’s vision for Upright and the real estate market.

• Book recommendation: How to Win Friends and Influence People

• Who inspires Matt?: His sons.

Quotes:

“We think there’s a very long tailwind… around single-family housing.” – Matt Rodak

“You can always make more money, but you can’t make more time.” – Matt Rodak

Connect with Matt:

Website: https://www.upright.us/

Apply to Invest with Taylor at www.investwithtaylor.com

Track your wealth for free with Personal Capital, go to www.escapingwallstreet.com

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