Stratton Equities

From Homelessness to Multi-Millionaire: Michael Mikhail Leads Stratton Equities in Celebrating 5 Years of Success and Achievement

July 28, 2023 by Realty411 Team

(New Jersey, July 25, 2023) – Stratton Equities, the Leading Nationwide Private Money and NON-QM Mortgage Lender, proudly celebrates its fifth anniversary. Since its launch in 2018, Stratton Equities has experienced significant growth and expanded its operations. The company has successfully established itself as a prominent player in the real estate investment and lending industry under the visionary leadership of its Founder and CEO, Michael Mikhail.

Mikhail encountered numerous challenges on his path to becoming a prominent figure in the industry. Following a five-year journey spanning 19 countries, he returned to the United States in 2017, homeless and without financial resources. However, his unwavering determination to reshape his future propelled him forward as he drew upon his extensive background in mortgage lending from 2003 to 2010. He deliberately leveraged that experience and explored opportunities within the mortgage lending industry. He faced numerous obstacles, including a lack of managerial support, limited program options, a shortage of leads, inadequate training or technology, and unhealthy work culture. This toxic environment was an industry-wide issue, contributing to a high turnover rate and low production among loan officers.

Stratton Equities was born as a response to these challenges. Mikhail’s vision was to overhaul the methods used by the mortgage lending industry by incorporating more programs and generating an influx of organic inbound leads. Mikhail achieved remarkable success, making $1.3 million within six months of launching the company.

Due to Mikhail’s unwavering dedication to delivering exceptional service and driving success, Stratton Equities is a leading player in the private money and NON-QM mortgage lending industry. With its customer-first approach, state-of-the-art technology, and extensive expertise, Stratton Equities has expanded its market reach and aims to achieve an impressive target of $1.2 billion in closed loan volume annually, or $100 million monthly.

Reflecting on the milestone, Mikhail commented, “As we celebrate, I am humbled and grateful for the incredible journey we have embarked upon. It has been a testament to our unwavering commitment, relentless dedication, and the trust our clients and partners place in us. This milestone is a celebration of our accomplishments and a reflection of the transformative power of perseverance and innovation in the lending industry. We have expanded our reach, refined our strategies, and surpassed expectations each year. As we look back on our journey, we are energized by the opportunities that lie ahead. Together, we will continue to shape the future of real estate financing and empower dreams. This is only the beginning, and the best is yet to come.”

One of the many successes that Mikhail created for Stratton Equities is the unique programs, lead generation model, and loan portfolio milestones. Mikhail has revolutionized lead generation and digital marketing with his innovative platform at Stratton Equities. Unlike traditional private money lenders relying on loan officers to hunt for leads through cold calls and networking, Mikhail’s system brings leads to the company daily, eliminating manual prospecting. This powerful tool generates an abundance of organic leads, surpassing the strategies of other private money-lending companies and propelling the company’s performance while enabling aggressive hiring.

Moreover, Mikhail’s platform provides loan officers with access to the largest collection of nationwide private money and NON-QM mortgage loan programs. This comprehensive offering allows them to effectively cater to the needs of real estate investors, entrepreneurs, and diverse mortgage borrowers.

Stratton Equities has received recognition within the industry for its exceptional services and expertise, as well as for Mikhail’s success. In 2021, Forbes Magazine included Mikhail in their “The Next 1000” list, celebrating individuals redefining what it means to build and run businesses today. NJBIZ, New Jersey’s leading business journal, also recognized Stratton Equities as one of the Top 250 Privately Held Companies for 2021. They further honored Mikhail as one of their 2022 Leaders in Finance, and he was nominated for the prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year program.

Stratton Equities consistently achieves high levels of customer satisfaction. Through its commitment to providing personalized solutions and exceptional customer service, the company has built a strong reputation for its client-centric approach. Many clients have praised Stratton Equities for its outstanding service, professionalism, and ability to secure funding quickly. One client, John S., commended the company for its efficient processing and dedication to finding the best loan options, expressing gratitude for their personalized approach that ensured his unique needs were met. Another client, Sarah L., emphasized the team’s expertise in navigating complex financial situations, stating that Stratton Equities provided her with the guidance and support needed to secure a loan for her real estate investment. These testimonials and many more highlight the company’s commitment to client satisfaction and its track record of delivering outstanding results.

In addition to client testimonials, Stratton Equities has received positive feedback on reputable platforms such as Indeed and Glassdoor. Several employees have shared their experiences working for the company, consistently praising the supportive and collaborative work environment and highlighting the company’s dedication to fostering professional growth and providing ample opportunities for career advancement. Employees also speak highly of the company’s management, describing them as knowledgeable, approachable, and committed to the team’s and clients’ success. This positive employee feedback further supports the notion that Stratton Equities excels in serving its clients and maintains a workplace culture that values and nurtures its employees.

Mikhail’s visionary leadership and persistent commitment have solidified Stratton Equities’ position as a trusted and innovative company with high expertise, cutting-edge technology, and a customer-centric approach.

For more information about Stratton Equities, please visit their website at https://www.strattonequities.com. Follow Stratton Equities on social media on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube @StrattonEquities, LinkedIn @stratton-equities, and Twitter @Strattonequity.

Michael Mikhail, CEO Stratton Equities

Michael Mikhail is the Founder and CEO of Stratton Equities, the nation’s leading hard money-lender to national real estate investors, with the largest variety of mortgage loans and programs nationwide.

Having launched Stratton Equities in early 2017, Michael has always been an entrepreneur and innovator in the real estate market, purchasing his first home at 19.

A serial entrepreneur with a foresight for business opportunities, Michael had a slew of small businesses prior to launching Stratton Equities. One of his most prolific ventures was a car wash connected to a gym he was affiliated with in Florida during 2001-2002 while attending college.

It wasn’t until he graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Business, that he officially joined the mortgage industry in 2003 and decided to travel to explore his options globally.

After travelling to 19 countries in 5 years, Michael knew two things; he wanted to start his own business and launch it in the United States. He knew that moving back to the states was the best place he could start something small and grow it into something infinite.

In 2017, Michael noticed how the mortgage industry had transformed after the regulations presented from 2008-2012, and knew it was time to set out something on his own, thus creating Stratton Equities.

Under Michael’s leadership, Stratton Equities has grown into one of the biggest leaders in the Mortgage and Real Estate industry across genres and platforms.

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How Can Someone With Bad Credit Obtain a Hard Money Bridge Loan?

June 29, 2023 by Realty411 Team

By Michael Mikhail

You only have the traditional institutions (banks), mortgage companies, and direct private money lenders as possibilities if you’re a borrower seeking for finance for your investment property.

However, many of the conventional finance sources would not be good choices if you are a real estate investor with poor credit. The majority of banks and mortgage firms don’t have mortgage loan programs for those with bad credit. Fortunately, a Hard Money Bridge Loan is a wonderful choice to get funds and even raise your credit score in the world of private money lenders.

There are so many loans available, and a lot of them substantially factor a person’s credit score into whether or not they will grant them a loan. Thankfully, Hard Money Loans are an exception to this rule.

What conditions must be met to qualify for a hard money bridge loan?

The criteria for a hard money loan are your assets, not your FICO score. There is no required minimum FICO score for the borrower, but you must still furnish your credit score. Hard money lenders instead concentrate on the asset’s Loan-to-Value (LTV). There is no need to be concerned about bankruptcies, foreclosures, collections, etc. because there isn’t any underwriting involved in these loans either. They are typically limited to 75% LTV or below, with rates between 9.00% and 11.99%, and are always bridge loans for 12 to 24 months. True hard money loans never come with terms.

As was already mentioned, the emphasis is on equity and assets rather than credit. If there is enough equity in the property and the applicant can repay the loan, it may be possible to overlook the borrower’s terrible credit, prior bankruptcies and foreclosures. The property’s value is given additional attention. In comparison to typical loans, the financial checks for these loans are less thorough and take less time. Hard money lenders are exempt from many of the regulations that more conventional bank loan lenders must follow. As a result, a Hard Money Bridge Loan can be authorized considerably more quickly. Stratton Equities, the top Nationwide Direct Hard Money and NON-QM Lender, may fund a Hard Money Loan in as little as two weeks, when a standard bank loan might take 45–90 days.

There is more risk being assumed by the lender because of the short turnaround time and less stringent surface-level financial standards. Therefore, compared to regular loans, the repayment terms are much shorter. A Hard Money Bridge Loan must be repaid in a matter of years, as opposed to a standard loan, which may have a repayment period of around 20 to 30 years. Therefore, if a borrower has poor credit, the lender is taking a bigger risk and needs the money repaid faster.

How Can a Private Lender Improve Your Credit Score?

A real Hard Money Bridge Loan does not have a minimum credit score requirement and can even raise your score, in contrast to a term loan, which calls for a minimum credit score of 650.

If you are a real estate investor and you have a substantial amount of equity in your investment property (more than 50%), you may be able to use a hard money bridge loan to withdraw the funds and use them to settle debts or repair your credit.

Return to the private money lender and submit an application for a term loan after your credit score is more than 650. (ex. no documentation loan).

How can you submit a Bridge Loan application?

Due to predatory lending and expensive rules, hard money bridge loans are only permitted for investment properties. You cannot obtain a Hard Money Bridge Loan if you are shopping for an owner-occupied property.

Due to the substantial risks, some states have non-judicial foreclosure legislation as well. Due to the protection provided by these laws, lenders feel more secure providing these high-risk loans because they are not traded on the secondary market and the lender keeps the note. Additionally, rural communities are not eligible for these loans if they have poor FICO ratings.

If you have poor credit, get in touch with Stratton Equities to find out your available loan alternatives and which one will suit you the most.

Our goal at Stratton Equities is to make private mortgage lending simple, effective, and stress-free. With a straightforward three-step process that includes pre-approval, processing & underwriting, and funding, we assist other seasoned investors, borrowers, and experts in the mortgage and real estate industries in succeeding.

To find out if you qualify for loan pre-qualification, call us at 800-962-6613, send us an email at [email protected], or submit an application right away by clicking here!

Michael Mikhail, CEO Stratton Equities

Having launched Stratton Equities in early 2017, Michael has always been an entrepreneur and innovator in the real estate market, purchasing his first home at 19.

Under Michael’s leadership, Stratton Equities has grown into one of the biggest leaders in the Mortgage and Real Estate industry across genres and platforms.

What is the Difference Between a Borrower and a Real Estate Investor?

June 27, 2023 by Realty411 Team

By Stratton Equities

The real estate world can be complicated. There are a significant amount of terms and concepts that you need to understand to be successful in the field. Real Estate Investors, borrowers, and entrepreneurs are some of the most fundamental terms you’ll need to know.

Luckily, these are very self-explanatory and easy to understand. Here is what each term means and the differences as well as similarities between them.

What is a Borrower?

A borrower is generally a person who is looking to obtain funding for an investment property. Although prospective borrowers are individuals, once they are approved for financing, their funding is sent to their LLC or company that has been set up for the purchase.

In the context of hard money and private money lending, the funding provided is used to finance a real estate venture. In the world of private lending when funding a real estate investment, there are borrowers and lenders.

Real Estate Investors are people who purchase properties as investments to provide them with passive income. Real Estate Entrepreneurs are those who receive the majority, if not all, of their monthly income through real estate investing.

Once a real estate investor or entrepreneur has sought out financing for a property purchase, they become a borrower.

What are Real Estate Investors and Entrepreneurs?

Both real estate investors and entrepreneurs are individuals who invest in real estate to generate income or benefits. There are many similarities between the two, but they’re defined by a few key differences.

Real estate entrepreneurs were once investors, who have transitioned from solely investing in a few properties to creating a business acquiring multiple properties as their main source of income. Their business model as an entrepreneur is based upon the act of investing in real estate full-time.

Aside from having the technical ability to spot lucrative real estate opportunities, entrepreneurs hold the critical ability to seize them at the right time. Driven to succeed just as much as the entrepreneur, investors tend to have less experience, are just starting out in the real estate world, or don’t put in as much time into their investment ventures. As a result, they are more concerned with smaller details and the daily functioning of their company or portfolios.

When just starting out, it makes sense for any real estate investor to be preoccupied with the individual aspects of their property to make sure they stay afloat. However, as the investor grows, entrepreneurship and its tenets become more and more plausible. Any investor can become an entrepreneur, but not every investor does.

Real Estate Education

Being knowledgeable about the real estate market is critical in becoming a successful real estate entrepreneur or investor. That much is obvious. With more knowledge or experience in the field, entrepreneurs are able to lower risks, better investments, and build stronger relationships with lenders.

Stratton Equities is Hiring Mortgage Loan Officers to Join Their Dynamic New Jersey Team and Build a Lucrative Career in the Mortgage Industry

May 9, 2023 by Realty411 Team

Stratton Equities is looking for loan officers who are ready to say “Yes” more and to work with a company that’s invested in their success.

Parsippany, NJ – Stratton Equities, the Leading Nationwide Private Money & NON-QM Mortgage Lender, is excited to announce that they are seeking experienced Mortgage Loan Officers to join their headquarters in New Jersey.

This is an incredible opportunity for skilled professionals who want to work with a company that guarantees abundant direct organic daily leads, hands-on management training and support, niche mortgage loan programs with competitive pricing, and advanced mortgage technology.

Mortgage Loan Officers can expect to close their first loan within four to six weeks after the completion of their initial training.

Mortgage Loan Officers who join the Stratton Equities team can expect the following:

Stratton Equities provides Mortgage Loan Officers with inbound organic daily leads from borrowers who call or apply directly to their offices inquiring about a mortgage. Not the other way around.
Competitive compensation: Stratton Equities offers a highly competitive compensation plan, potentially allowing Mortgage Loan Officers to earn their first year $110,086.26 – $190,677.36.
Robust support: Stratton Equities provides Mortgage Loan Officers access to the most extensive library of nationwide private money and NON-QM mortgage loan programs under one roof. This gives multiple solutions to offer borrowers, allowing Mortgage Loan Officers to say “YES” more.
Strong resources: Stratton Equities’ interest rates are some of the lowest nationwide in private lending, starting at 6.75%, and can pre-approve a loan in 24 hours.
Room for growth: As a rapidly growing company, Stratton Equities offers ample opportunities for advancement and career growth. With a focus on promoting from within, Mortgage Loan Officers who join the team will have the chance to take on new challenges and responsibilities as they progress in their careers.
A dynamic work environment: At Stratton Equities, Mortgage Loan Officers will work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment focused on innovation and results. As a part of the loan officer team, you can work directly with prospective real estate investors, entrepreneurs, and borrowers on their real estate endeavors.

If you are an experienced Mortgage Loan Officer looking for an exciting new opportunity to grow your career or a licensed Mortgage Loan Originator that is new to the industry and needs help finding business, then Stratton Equities is the place for you to earn a great income.

This is an incredible opportunity to join a leading nationwide mortgage lender and build a bright future with a company that values its employees and their contributions.

For more information about Stratton Equities, please visit https://www.strattonequities.com.

To apply for a position with Stratton Equities, please visit their careers website at https://www.loanofficerscareers.com. Or you can email a resume to [email protected].

Is Becoming A Loan Officer Worth It?

February 21, 2023 by Realty411 Team

By Michael Mikhail

Have you ever thought about becoming a mortgage loan officer and working for one of the Nation’s Leading Private Money and NON-QM Mortgage lenders?

Well, guess who’s hiring? That’s right! Stratton Equities.

As the leading Private Money and NON-QM Mortgage Lender in the United States, Stratton Equities is looking to grow its licensed loan officer team.

2022 was a time of growth and expansion for the company. To support the abundance and high demand of direct inbound organic lead applications in the new year, they have decided to add a new roster of licensed loan officers to their sales team.

Have you been looking for a career as a mortgage loan officer?

Stratton Equities is passionate about creating a system of success for our winning sales team. We guarantee direct organic daily leads, niche loan products with competitive pricing, advanced mortgage technology, and hands-on training with management and support when working with our company.

When you’re a loan officer, everywhere else, you are hunting your own business, spending money on travel, promotion, and marketing expenses that cost thousands of dollars in hopes of leads or deals. We have solved this problem by providing our loan officers with a stable location and opportunities for pure profit. For example, a Stratton Equities loan officer will structure and price out 15-20 mortgage loan scenarios a day from our direct organic daily leads.

With a significant influx of clientele, we need all hands on deck to get borrowers the best mortgage program to fit their unique loan scenarios.

If you are a licensed Mortgage Loan Originator that is new to the industry and is having difficulty finding business, we have the solution.

Stratton Equities provides our loan officers with inbound organic daily leads from people who call or apply directly to our offices inquiring about a mortgage. Not the other way around.

We have a time-tested training model that includes a proprietary system for lead generation, an open-door policy with management, and one of the industry’s most comprehensive range of mortgage loan programs under one roof.

In addition, we have innovative loan products specializing in different mortgage loan programs such as Hard Money, No-Doc Loans, NON-QM Loans, DSCR Loans, Soft Money Loan Programs, Bridge Loans, Conventional Loans, Fix & Flip Loans, Commercial Loans and more.

Why should you become a Loan Officer with Stratton Equities?

Let’s first start with some motivation and intrigue. Why might someone be interested in becoming a loan officer? Well, as a loan officer, you will be able to work with numerous borrowers and real estate investors all across the United States and help make their investment dreams become a reality.

Here are some of the benefits of joining the Stratton Equities’ Loan Officer Team:

– Direct Organic Daily Inbound Leads

– Hands-on Training & Management Support

– Largest library of niche loan products – say “YES!” more!

-Cutting-edge industry technology

Yearly Earing Potential: $129,086.00 – $189,677.00 per year

Benefits: 401(k), Dental insurance, Health insurance, Vision insurance

As a part of our private lending loan officer team, you can work directly with prospective real estate investors, entrepreneurs, and borrowers on their real estate endeavors.

Stratton Equities has the most extensive library of mortgage loan programs under one roof and can offer borrowers an array of loan strategies. In addition, we work with real estate investors advising them on what mortgage program they should opt for, all while operating under a solid private lender umbrella.

We offer the most effective loan options for borrowers and direct access to new, organic leads for all our loan officers. As a result, our interest rates are some of the lowest in private money, starting at 6.99%, and we can pre-approve a loan in 24-48 hours. In addition, our new loan officers are supported to achieve the goal of closing their first loan within 4-6 weeks after training is completed.

Additionally, you will be a part of a massive operation in which you will help structure and maneuver hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars simultaneously with each client. The job will be demanding at times, but those with the patience and integrity to deal with problems as they arise will be rewarded with the satisfaction of pulling off an impressive feat for the financial glory of their clients and themselves.

How to apply to become a mortgage loan officer at Stratton Equities:

At Stratton Equities, we are looking for the following requirement for our new loan officer hires:

– NMLS License (Nationwide Multistate Licensing System)

– Have a minimum of 0-5 years of experience

– Ready to work/relocate to our New Jersey Headquarters Office

– Be a motivated individual and a team player

To be successful as a mortgage loan officer, you should be fully prepared and well-versed in our mortgage loan options. At Stratton Equities, we educate our loan officers through our extensive training program that prepares our team to reasonably help clients as they apply to secure mortgage financing.

Hands-on learning is the best way to become a master of your craft, and that is why we emphasize a direct approach with onboarding, as we want our new loan officers to be fully prepared for the career path and not stumble over minor details.

A license might be the proper prerequisite to knowing how a loan officer works, but finding out the nuances on-the-job will be the ultimate test.

Stratton Equities has openings in its next training cycle in February 2023. They will choose the following candidates for their new loan officer team during the training process.

In the office, training lasts one week, with ongoing management support and education.

Loan officer trainees are trained and supported to close loans on average between 4-6 weeks after the completion of training.

Are you interested in becoming a loan officer with Stratton Equities? APPLY NOW at www.loanofficerscareers.com or email at [email protected]

Michael Mikhail, CEO Stratton Equities

Having launched Stratton Equities in early 2017, Michael has always been an entrepreneur and innovator in the real estate market, purchasing his first home at 19.

Under Michael’s leadership, Stratton Equities has grown into one of the biggest leaders in the Mortgage and Real Estate industry across genres and platforms.

Soft Money Loans Are The Future of Lending

February 9, 2023 by Realty411 Team

By Stratton Equities

A soft money loan combines the advantages of a hard money loan with the greater security that a standard loan affords. The term “soft money” is relatively new in the lending industry. While a soft money loan needs more underwriting, it also comes with reduced risks, making it a very alluring alternative for borrowers who like the idea of a hard money loan but not its specifics.

Hard Money Loans

A hard money loan is based on the Loan to Value (LTV) of the investment property and is an asset-based loan. They are bridge loans that typically do not depend on a borrower’s credit score, making them quick loans for borrowers to be approved for. They are therefore considered high-risk loans for real estate investing. Some borrowers may be hesitant to pursue this sort of loan due to the significant risk involved as well as concerns from the housing market meltdown of 2008. This kind of loan also doesn’t raise a borrower’s credit rating, which can make them less desirable to credit-worthy consumers.

Soft Money: What Is It?

The advantages of both hard money loans and more conventional loans are combined in soft money, a creative new method of private money financing. First, a definition of the phrase “soft money”: The term “soft money” in the lending world differs greatly from “soft money” in the political campaigning world. The phrase “soft money” in the context of lending suggests that this kind of loan stands halfway between a hard money loan and a standard loan.

Soft money loans have lower interest rates and better security because they are subject to more underwriting than hard money loans. It is usually a term loan rather than a bridge loan and is based on both the borrower’s credit score and the property’s LTV. Additionally, real estate investors with credit scores of 650 or higher might benefit from this type of mortgage financing scheme. For many borrowers, especially those looking to invest in long-term rental properties, a soft money loan is a better fit than a hard money loan because of its cheaper rates, bigger LTVs, lack of tax returns, and longer time frame.

For the majority of investment property types, soft money loan rates start at 6.99% percent and can reach 80% LTV.

The Future of Lending is Soft Money

Although it may sound cliche and forced to refer to soft money as “the new hard money,” when given more thought, soft money is actually the way that private money lending will develop in the future.

While hard money loans are still the most common choice for many real estate investment scenarios, soft money loans are becoming more and more popular with first-time buyers, borrowers looking to hold an investment property for a long time, and investors with good credit who want higher LTVs and lower interest rates.

In contrast to conventional investment property loans, which have a maximum LTV of 70%, a NO-DOC Soft Money Loan Program has a maximum LTV of 80% and does not require PMI. As a result, the borrower can make their purchase with a smaller down payment.

Stratton Equities is able to assist you when you’re ready to invest. With the largest selection of programs, the lowest private money rates (beginning at 6.99%), a qualified team of experienced loan officers, and a speedy loan approval procedure, we are the nation’s top direct hard money and non-QM lender.

Call Stratton Equities at 800-962-6613, send us an email, or fill out an application for loan pre-qualification right away if you have an investment property and would like to talk with one of our Loan Officers.