What should be on the table before any funds move
The property address and appraised value, the exact loan-to-value ratio, the position on title, the term and rate, and the exit plan (refinance, sale, or project completion). All five, in writing, before a decision — not after.
Why urgency is the biggest warning sign, not a reason to move fast
A borrower who needs money in 48 hours with no time for a lawyer to properly register a charge is asking a lender to skip the one step that actually protects them — the pressure and the protection are directly in conflict.
How a first-time private lender should structure exposure
Starting with a smaller, first-position loan at a conservative loan-to-value on one property is a reasonable way to learn the mechanics before considering larger or riskier positions.