Ep.98 | Starting a Private Lending Business from Scratch: Lessons, Pitfalls, and Proven Strategies

In Episode 98, hosts Ryan and Neal dive deep into a thought experiment: what would they do if they had to start a private lending business all over again, with $0 in the bank?From building a business plan and securing the right licenses, to scaling smart, sticking to underwriting criteria, and leveraging marketing for deal flow, this episode breaks down the fundamentals and real-world lessons they wish they had known earlier.They also unpack Halifax’s record-breaking surge in apartment construction, explore the impact of shifting housing trends on private lenders, and debate whether the Canadian market is heading toward a true rental economy.Whether you’re an aspiring lender, broker, investor, or just curious about how private mortgage businesses are built, this episode offers actionable insights, hard truths, and practical strategies from two industry veterans.Show Notes:00:00 Intro & Halifax housing market update01:14 Apartment boom, vacancies & rental pressures06:13 Long-term outlook: family-run developers & rental economy shift12:41 Policy, homeownership & income as retention drivers14:00 Starting a private lending business: business plan, capital & partners19:46 Licensing requirements across provinces22:53 Scaling smart & building systems28:44 Marketing, brand building & sticking to underwriting criteria32:23 Lessons learned & advice for new lenders34:37 Recap, key takeaways & closingResources:Keystone Capital GroupCPLP Instagram: @cplpodcastKeystone Instagram: @keycapgroupFind Neal On:Instagram: @neal.andreinoLinkedIn: Neal AndreinoFind Ryan on:LinkedIn: Ryan MacNeilE-mail: [email protected]