The Power of Trust: Bill Allen on Raising Capital for Your Real Estate Deals

Transitioning from flipping a house or two a year to managing a scalable, systematized business calls for expert insights and proven strategies. Enter Bill Allen, who shares the stage with Jay Conner on the "Raising Private Money" podcast to unlock the principles behind successful private money raising. Here's an in-depth look at the topics discussed, aiming to revolutionize your approach to real estate investing.

Building Trust and Confidence

One of the first things Bill Allen emphasizes is the vital role of trust in raising private money. According to Allen, building a high level of trust and being authentic is foundational. He recounts the necessity of transferring trust from past roles, such as being a Navy test pilot, into new ventures like real estate. Friends, family, and professional connections are often the first people who will invest based on pre-existing trust.

Allen’s story is a testament to the power of integrity and reliability in establishing credibility. His advice is clear: believe in yourself first. Confidence is compelling and contagious. If you don’t believe in your capabilities, potential investors won’t either.

The Importance of Framing: Investment vs. Loan

Jay Conner and Bill Allen agree on a critical semantic shift: talking about investments rather than loans. Conner points out that when you say "loan me money," that focuses on you, the borrower, not the investor. But when you talk about them investing, then the focus is on their benefit. This reframing not only positions you as a professional but also highlights the added value to potential investors, aligning with a servant’s heart approach.

Crafting Your Investor Matrix

Allen introduces a powerful tool he uses: the Investor Matrix. This method involves creating columns for different phases of your life, such as high school, college, and various workplaces, and listing names of people you know from each phase. Bill emphasizes rating these connections from 1 to 5 based on trust and potential financial capacity.

He elaborates that you should list out names of people you had relationships with during those times. This exercise often jogs your memory, revealing more potential investors than you initially thought possible.

Leveraging Social Media

Using social media to tell stories and plant seeds about your projects is another tactical approach discussed. Allen mentions how he makes use of Facebook and Instagram to share anecdotes about his private lenders’ successes and how they enjoy high returns without managing property hassles. He believes that marketing is essentially storytelling, so sharing these stories online can effectively attract interest.

Soft Approaches Over Hard Pitches

Jay Conner underscores the principle that desperation has a smell to it. This echoes Allen’s advice to avoid pitching a deal too early and instead focus on planting seeds. Conversations should be natural and relational rather than transactional. For instance, when reconnecting with an old friend, you can share what you’re up to and plant a seed about investing without pitching a specific deal.

Allen provides a closing line for such conversations that removes pressure. He suggests asking if they know anyone who might be interested in these kinds of returns. This approach often leads to the person expressing interest themselves or referring you to someone else, removing the risk of outright rejection.

Diversifying Investment Opportunities

As you grow in your venture, Allen advises creating varied investment opportunities to cater to different investor needs. Whether it's monthly payments through fix-and-flip projects or high annual returns via syndication and apartment deals, having multiple avenues ensures you can accommodate different investor preferences.

Conclusion: Learning from the Best

Raising private money takes ski