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Raising Private Money with Jay ConnerAuthor: Jay Conner
Are you a real estate investor whos tired of missing out on deals because you dont have the money to fund them? Maybe youre just starting in real estate, overwhelmed by all the conflicting advice, and wondering how to break through. Or youve done a few deals, but your business feels more like a hobby than a reliable source of income. If youre struggling to take your real estate business to the next level, this show is for you.Welcome to The Private Money Show with Jay Conner, where we cut through the noise to give you the truth about real estate investingand the tools you need to succeed. Most investors lose out on 87% of real estate deals simply because they dont have access to the money to fund them. But what if you could change that? What if you could fund every deal you wanted, eliminate your competition, and grow your business faster than you ever thought possible?Each week, Jay Connerthe Private Money Authorityshares exactly how to raise private money to fund your deals, close more opportunities, and build a thriving, consistent real estate business. Jay has been in the trenches of real estate investing full-time since 2003, and hes still doing it every day. He knows what works, what doesnt, and how to help you stop chasing bad advice from so-called gurus who havent done a deal in years.In every episode, youll learn:How to find and raise private money to fund your real estate deals on YOUR terms (no banks, no hard money lenders).Strategies for creating consistent deal flow and turning your investing business into a reliable source of income.How to structure deals with private lenders and create win-win relationships that benefit everyone involved.Real-world, step-by-step advice from investors whove been where you are and completely changed their game using private money.This isnt theory or fluff. Its the real deal. Jay and his guests break down real-world deals, showing you the numbers, the challenges, and the solutions, so you can see how to apply these lesso Language: en Genres: Business, Education, How To, Investing Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Scaling Real Estate with AI Underwriting and Private Money: Alex Kononov’s Journey
Wednesday, 11 February, 2026
Many aspiring real estate investors are held back by the belief that they need significant capital, personal connections, or a background in real estate to get started. However, the journey of Alex Kononov demonstrates that it’s possible to break into the field with limited resources, strategic thinking, and the willingness to leverage new technology.Alex began his investing career in 2018, starting with a W2 job and $30,000 in savings—no family wealth, no real estate experience. Instead of seeking out large deals, Alex focused on the basics: finding the right property and mastering the fundamentals. His first purchase was a two-family house in Trenton, New Jersey, introduced to him by a relative. The initial project was proof that the “BRRRR” strategy—Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat—could work even without abundant resources. By carefully underwriting hundreds of properties before buying, Alex was able to identify an opportunity where the numbers made sense and forced appreciation through strategic renovations. His first deal was far from smooth; he overcame setbacks with contractors and even had to supervise renovations himself, but he ultimately cashed out through refinancing, regaining his investment, and setting the stage for rapid growth.Within two years, Alex scaled his portfolio to 30 units. He continually refined his approach, forcing appreciation through smart renovations and focusing on value-add opportunities like finishing attics, basements, or converting office spaces into bedrooms. These improvements increased both rent potential and property value, providing a blueprint for other investors to follow.A core skill that set Alex’s strategy apart was his focus on underwriting—the process of analyzing deals, understanding market comps, and evaluating risk factors. Underwriting isn’t just crunching numbers; it involves reversing the appraisal process, understanding property types, market dynamics, rental rates, cash flow projections, and the factors that influence long-term value. Alex spent time analyzing hundreds of deals, which taught him how to spot great opportunities and avoid costly pitfalls. He emphasized that effective underwriting goes beyond spreadsheets; investors should consider neighborhood trends, school proximity, local businesses, hospitals, and universities—all of which can influence demand and property performance.Recognizing inefficiencies in traditional underwriting, Alex built uWise, an AI-powered platform for deal analysis and pipeline management. The system aggregates multiple AI tools and trusted data sources, guiding users through questions about property type, rental comps, renovation plans, and market conditions. Rather than making assumptions or relying on a single data provider, uWise creates a guided report that helps investors and passive lenders evaluate deals quickly and accurately. For example, investors can compare AI-generated reports with sponsor projections to spark informed conversations and deeper due diligence. The platform’s design ensures flexibility, letting users adjust risk appetite and customize their analysis to fit their business strategy.From the perspective of private lenders and passive investors, tools like uWise offer third-party perspectives on potential deals. If the sponsor’s numbers differ from the AI’s projections, the technology serves as a conversation starter—helping stakeholders discuss renovation plans, rental income assumptions, and other critical elements before committing capital.Alex underscores that, while AI speeds up underwriting and reduces the risk of bad assumptions, it doesn’t replace relationships and trust. Real estate is fundamentally built on networks, and effective technology supports better decision-making, not the removal of human judgment. By embracing AI solutions, investors can move faster and smarter—positioning themselves as reliable partners for private funding.The message f
