From Distress to Opportunity: How Lenders Are Reshaping the One-to-Four Market

Episode Overview

While commercial and multifamily markets struggle to find their bottom, one unlikely segment is thriving: the one-to-four family asset class.

In this episode of Confronting the Impossible, Leo Jacobs sits down with Solomon Soleman of WeLend to break down how creative financing, smarter borrowers, and better underwriting have created a rare bright spot — and why the right lender relationship is now more important than ever.

This is not just a market update. It’s a blueprint for what’s working when everything else is falling apart.

The Hidden Strength of One-to-Four

What’s behind the surprising rise of 1–4 unit deals?

✅ Stronger Underwriting — Today’s borrowers are better qualified, better capitalized, and better prepared.
✅ Built-In Demand — Over 7 million homes are still needed in the U.S.
✅ Creative Value-Add Plays — Investors are converting rowhouses and townhomes into condos — and multiplying their returns.

"These guys are buying for $1.5M, investing $800K, and selling each condo for $2M. That’s the new playbook." — Solomon Soleman.

The Relationship That Determines the Outcome

Deals don’t fall apart because of numbers — they fall apart because of people.

Solomon shares how borrowers get trapped by aggressive, deceptive lenders… and how WeLend steps in to refinance deals that were never meant to be fair in the first place.

🛠️ Construction draw games
⚖️ Retroactive default interest
🧱 Loan-to-own traps

"We go above and beyond. Sometimes that means working relationships, sometimes it means fighting in court — but we get it done." — Solomon Soleman.

Borrower Bill of Rights — and the Fight to Enforce It

Leo introduces the Borrower’s Bill of Rights, calling for:

• Fair and honest treatment
• Transparency from servicers
• Oversight of abusive private lending practices

"Some lenders believe your signature in 2015 gives them the right to destroy you in 2025. That’s not just wrong — it’s abusive." — Leo Jacobs.

Regulation, Relationships & Restructuring

This episode doesn’t shy away from systemic problems. It digs in:

✅ Why regulation must balance fairness and function
✅ How private lenders can stay competitive without being predatory
✅ Why borrowers must think long-term — and pay the premium for partners who’ll stand by them

"I’d rather pay a higher rate and know I’ll be treated right, than go cheap and get crushed." — Solomon Soleman.

Final Thought

Some markets thrive in chaos — but only when backed by people who know how to navigate it.

Solomon’s message is clear: the 1–4 unit market is alive, but survival comes down to relationships, transparency, and the willingness to fight for your borrowers.

🎧 Watch ReDeal Episode 08 Now
See how lenders like WeLend are flipping the script — and helping investors win, even in the most distressed situations.

PODCAST - Confronting the Impossible with Leo Jacobs.

Leo Jacobs, Founder and CEO of Jacobs PC

Known for finding creative, expedient solutions to complex and high-profile cases, Leo excels in matters including distressed investment and asset management, real estate law, corporate law, dispute resolution, business divorces, negotiation, and more. Leo’s extensive expertise in debt and equity structures enables him to employ a full spectrum of legal tools to achieve swift, optimal results for clients. His practice, Jacobs P.C., bridges commercial litigation, corporate transactions, and financial rehabilitation, handling cases across federal, state, and bankruptcy courts, as well as administrative tribunals.

If you would like to join the podcast email requests to pr@jacobspc.com