Key Takeaways
- Real estate service revenue — property management, brokerage, consulting — qualifies for Bankable funding
- Real estate technology (PropTech) startups with recurring revenue also qualify
- OPT founders can own and operate real estate service businesses (not direct property purchase financing)
- SBA real estate business loans now require 100% citizen ownership — Bankable is the alternative
- 48-hour decisions for real estate businesses with $15K+ monthly revenue
Real estate finance, urban planning, and MBA graduates on F-1 OPT are launching property management companies, real estate technology platforms, short-term rental management businesses, and transaction services firms. These real estate-adjacent businesses generate consistent service revenue without requiring direct property ownership — and that service revenue is exactly what Bankable evaluates for funding eligibility.
Important clarification: Bankable funds real estate businesses (companies that earn revenue from real estate services) — not direct real estate investment or mortgage financing. F-1 OPT founders can own US property and real estate businesses; the funding from Bankable covers the operating capital needs of the business entity.
Real Estate Business Types That Qualify
- Property management companies: Monthly management fee revenue from residential and commercial properties managed for third-party owners
- Short-term rental management: Airbnb/VRBO property management for property owners, earning commission revenue
- Real estate technology (PropTech): SaaS platforms for property management, tenant screening, or real estate analytics
- Real estate photography and virtual tours: Service businesses supporting property marketing
- Moving and relocation services: Businesses that serve the real estate transaction ecosystem
- Home staging and interior design: Project-based service revenue from real estate transactions
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. F-1 OPT founders can own and operate real estate service businesses including property management companies, real estate technology platforms, and real estate transaction service firms.
No. Bankable does not require a green card, permanent residency, or citizenship. We fund the business entity based on its revenue. F-1 OPT and STEM OPT founders qualify on equal terms with any other business owner.
Yes. As of March 2026, SBA loans require 100% US citizen or national ownership. F-1 OPT and STEM OPT founders are fully disqualified. Bankable is a non-SBA lender — our approval is based entirely on your business revenue, not citizenship.
Yes. Non-citizens including F-1 visa holders can own US real estate. However, Bankable's funding is for operating businesses, not direct real estate investment or mortgage financing.
$15,000+ in monthly management fee revenue with 4+ months of operating history. Property management companies with 20+ units under management typically meet this threshold.
Your business entity — your LLC or corporation — continues operating regardless of your personal immigration status changes. Bankable's funding is with the business, not with you as an individual. If your OPT expires and you transition to H-1B, O-1, or another status, or even if you leave the US temporarily, the business continues and services the funding from its ongoing revenue.
Yes. Commission and management fee revenue from Airbnb/VRBO property management qualifies as business revenue for Bankable evaluation.
Yes. Growth capital for acquiring new property management contracts, hiring property managers, and expanding to new markets is a common use case for F-1 OPT founders in property management.