Mortgage Underwriter, Private Lending / Hard Money presso F2 Finance
F2 Finance · Santa Monica, Stati Uniti d'America · Onsite
- Professional
- Ufficio in Santa Monica
F2 Finance is a balance sheet lender specializing in private real estate credit, with a focus on bridge, fix & flip, and other opportunistic lending across residential and commercial markets. We are part of the Faes & Co group, which has built and scaled various lending businesses globally.
F2 Finance partners with real estate entrepreneurs, investors, and developers to provide fast, flexible capital while maintaining a disciplined approach to credit risk and asset valuation.
The successful candidate for this role will play a critical role in evaluating and underwriting loans, with a strong emphasis on asset-level risk analysis, collateral valuation, and borrower credit underwriting. This role is best suited for a candidate with deep familiarity with real estate valuation methodologies, underwriting fundamentals, and borrower-level risk assessment.
In addition to underwriting borrowers, a key part of the role will be acting as our internal appraiser, working alongside third-party vendors to provide independent opinions of value, validate or challenge third-party appraisals, and ensure that rigorous valuation standards consistently support the firm’s lending decisions.
The role requires the ability to manage multiple transactions simultaneously in a fast-paced environment, balancing speed, accuracy, and risk mitigation. Success requires strong cross-functional collaboration with the sales team to ‘get deals done’.
As part of this role, you will be required to:
- Perform loan-level underwriting for our loans, including evaluation of collateral value, renovation scope, exit strategy, and local market dynamics.
- Act as internal appraiser, preparing value opinions across residential and commercial assets, and reviewing or challenging third-party appraisals.
- Evaluate borrower credit history, financials, and track record to identify potential performance concerns.
- Analyze renovation budgets and validate alignment with market comparables and borrower exit strategies.
- Confirm the eligibility of deals against F2 Finance’s internal underwriting guidelines and credit thresholds.
- Collaborate with sales to collect, verify, and analyze due diligence documentation.
- Provide underwriting feedback to sales during the structuring and eligibility discussions with borrowers. We want an underwriter with a ‘can do’ attitude that will work with the sales team to try and make deals work.
- Review and validate key title documents (title reports, estoppels, indemnities, etc.) as necessary.
- Maintain accuracy and completeness of underwriting information in the firm’s systems and databases.
- Participate in pipeline meetings and contribute underwriting insights to expedite processing and approvals.
- Ensure compliance with F2 Finance’s credit policy, valuation standards, and investor requirements.
- Assist with management’s development of our internal credit underwriting policies and procedures, and reporting to external investors and auditors.
- Assist with managing the back-book loan portfolio, and assist with working out defaulting loans and work with borrowers to try and bring about a successful repayment of the loan.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Real Estate, Economics, or related field.
- 4+ years of experience in commercial real estate lending, private credit, or banking, with direct exposure to underwriting, credit analysis, or appraisal. Experience in fix & flip, bridging or construction lending would be ideal.
- A licensed or previously licensed appraiser (MAI, MRICS, ASA, or equivalent) would be ideal.
- Strong knowledge of real estate valuation methodologies, market analysis, and loan structuring.
- Familiarity with borrower credit risk, KYC/AML compliance, and investor reporting standards.
- Proficiency in Google Business apps, Hubspot and Mortgage Automator would be ideal.
Must have requirements:
- a ‘customer service’ focus;
- the ability to explain things clearly and succinctly, using ‘plain English’;
- a willingness to work hard and a ‘can do’ attitude;
- the ability to work autonomously, and to prioritize tasks accordingly;
- a willingness to ‘get involved’ with the business and provide help and assistance as required.
Benefits
- Compensation package commensurate with experience
- Comprehensive medical insurance
- 401(k) with employer contribution
- 10 paid leave days a year
- Office lunch twice a week, good coffee, and endless snacks
- Parking in our building