Key Takeaways
- L-1 holders operating real estate businesses qualify on rental income and management fee revenue
- Property management firms, investment LLCs, and brokerage operations all eligible
- This is business funding — not a personal mortgage — and does not require permanent residency
- SBA closed to L-1 holders — Bankable funds real estate business operations directly
- Decisions in 48 hours, funding from $50K to $5M
The distinction between personal real estate investment and real estate as a business is critical for L-1 holders. Personal mortgage lending for non-citizens is complex and lender-dependent. But real estate as a business — a property management company, a short-term rental portfolio LLC, a real estate brokerage, or a real estate development consulting firm — is a legitimate US business that Bankable funds on business revenue.
L-1 holders frequently structure their real estate activities as businesses from the start, for tax efficiency and liability protection. A property management company that manages 50 units generates $75K to $150K in annual management fees. A short-term rental LLC operating 10 Airbnb properties in a vacation market generates $300K to $600K in annual gross revenue. These are real businesses with real P&Ls, and their owners need working capital, property improvement loans, and expansion capital just like any other business operator.
Real Estate Business Capital Use Cases
- Property management firm expansion: Adding properties under management requires marketing, software, and staffing — capital that Bankable funds against management fee revenue
- Short-term rental portfolio expansion: Furnishing, photography, and the operational setup for each new STR property costs $8K-$25K per unit
- Real estate brokerage buildout: Office space, licensing fees, MLS memberships, and agent recruitment incentives for a brokerage
- Property renovation for rental income improvement: Capital improvements that increase rental income qualify when the revenue uplift supports repayment
- Working capital for property management operations: Emergency repairs, maintenance reserves, and payroll for property maintenance staff
See our page on buying commercial property on L-1 or check your Bankability Score.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Real estate businesses — management companies, investment LLCs, brokerages — owned by L-1 holders qualify for Bankable business funding. We evaluate business revenue (management fees, rental income, commission revenue), not personal immigration status.
No. Bankable provides business funding against the operating revenue of your real estate business. This is not a personal mortgage or commercial real estate loan secured by property. It is business working capital and expansion capital.
Yes. STR portfolio businesses with documented Airbnb or VRBO revenue qualify. We connect to platform data or review 6+ months of bank statements. Per-unit setup costs for new properties are a common funding use.
Bankable funds real estate business operations — not speculative ground-up development. A real estate developer with a track record of completed projects and consistent revenue qualifies for working capital funding. Hard money lending for construction is a separate product category.
Monthly management fees (typically 8-12% of gross rent), leasing commissions, maintenance markups, and tenant placement fees all qualify as business revenue for underwriting purposes.
Yes. A real estate brokerage with documented commission revenue, active agents, and 6+ months of business banking history qualifies. We evaluate the brokerage as a business, not the individual transactions.
Vacation rental and short-term rental businesses with seasonal patterns are evaluated on annual revenue with seasonal adjustment. Repayment structures can be timed to align higher payments with your peak revenue months.
Owning real estate as passive investment generally does not affect L-1 status. Operating a real estate business while on L-1 requires that the business activity is consistent with your visa category. Consult an immigration attorney for specifics.