ICSC Las Vegas – Recap From a Bridge Lending Lens
Last week I had the privilege of attending ICSC Las Vegas. Seemed like a normal trip but two days before leaving I was sent my 25th anniversary ICSC pin. To me, it was a bit of…
Industry Insights
Why Investors Are Looking Beyond Traditional Markets in 2026
For the better part of two decades, investors became conditioned to believe the traditional 60/40 (equities/bonds) portfolio was the answer to almost every market environment. Stocks moved higher, bonds provided stability, and liquidity was abundant. But today’s…
How Bridger Fund’s Waterfall Works: What Investors Actually Receive and Why
When a prospective investor evaluates a private real estate credit fund, they should understand how the economics flow, from the gross income of the fund down to an individual investor’s return. Most private real estate…
The True Benefit of Bridge Lending, Part 3 of 3
Most real estate investors have heard the phrase “passive income.” But anyone who has owned a rental property knows the reality — there is nothing passive about collecting rent, managing tenants, handling maintenance calls, navigating…
The Discipline of Conservative Underwriting — Why Loan-to-Value Ratios Are Important, Part 2 of 3
This is the second article in a three-part series on the unique value of bridge lending and participating in this income stream as a private lender. In Part 1, we covered the full spectrum of real estate investment structures and why…
Four Years In — What We’ve Built and Where We’re Going
Four years ago, we launched Bridger Fund with a straightforward premise: that conservative, disciplined private lending on California commercial real estate could deliver meaningful, consistent returns to investors — without the volatility, the management headaches,…
Diversifying Your Real Estate Portfolio: Why Debt Belongs in the Mix, Part 1 of 3
When most people hear “real estate investing,” they picture a rental property or a flip. Those are the most visible entry points, but they’re only a fraction of the landscape. And for investors serious about…
Why Retail Property Owners Should Consider Bridge Lending
Retail real estate is in a constant state of evolution. Vacancies emerge, tenants transition, and properties require reinvention to remain competitive. For owners navigating these changes, bridge lending has become an indispensable tool — one…
Case Study: Bridge‑to‑Perm Execution Creates 120%+ Value in 15 Months
Slatt Capital and Bridger Fund financed the full-circle acquisition, stabilization, and conventional payoff of a vacant 20,000 SF retail site in Escondido, enabling $3 million in value creation in just 15 months. In August 2024,…
Private Real Estate Liquidity, the “Bridger Fund 1” Way, Part 2 of 2
In our last blog post, we discussed how getting investment money out (liquidity) works differently in private real estate equity funds versus private real estate debt funds. Today, we’ll answer a common question that is…
Private Real Estate: How Liquid Is Your Investment? Part 1 of 2
One of the questions we hear most often from investors is the following: “How easy is it to get my money out of the fund? How liquid is it?” In our experience, this question isn’t…
How to Invest in Bridge Loans Using an IRA
When most investors think about using an IRA, they picture traditional assets like stocks, bonds, or mutual funds. What many don’t realize is that self-directed IRAs can be powerful tools for investing in alternative assets—particularly…
Embracing Volatility: How Global Market Uncertainty Creates Opportunity for Bridge Lending
In today’s rapidly shifting economic environment, commercial real estate (CRE) investors and lenders are confronted with unprecedented levels of market volatility. Headlines of macroeconomic disruptions, from global inflationary pressures to regional geopolitical events, can be…
Individual Trust Deed Investing vs. Debt Fund Investing: A Comparative Analysis for Commercial Real Estate Investors
Commercial real estate debt investments have become an attractive alternative for investors seeking steady cash flow and security backed by tangible assets. Investors must choose between investing directly in individual trust deeds or allocating capital…
Why Consider a Private Commercial Real Estate Debt Fund?
A private commercial real estate (CRE) debt fund is an investment vehicle that originates or acquires loans secured by real estate assets. These loans may include senior mortgages, first-position claims on collateral that have the…
REIT Dividends – Impact of Recent Tax Legislation
The Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction, also known as the Section 199A tax deduction, has generated a tax advantage for certain Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) investors since its introduction under the Tax Cuts and…
Bridge Loans 101
Commercial real estate bridge loans serve as a valuable financing option for investors by bridging the gap between immediate capital needs and long-term financing solutions. These types of loans are typically utilized in commercial real…
Debt Fund Investment From a SEP IRA
Investing in a debt fund through a SEP IRA can be a strategic move for individuals looking to diversify their retirement portfolios. SEP IRAs, or Simplified Employee Pension Individual Retirement Arrangements, are retirement plans that…
The Power of Diversification
Diversification is a cornerstone of any robust investment strategy, playing an especially vital role within the realm of real estate debt funds. This multifaceted approach to risk management is crucial for maintaining the stability and…
What is an Accredited Investor?
Accredited investors are individuals or entities that are deemed financially sophisticated and have a reduced need for the protection provided by regulatory disclosure filings. They are recognized by securities laws to be able to handle…