How Veterans Can Build Real Estate Wealth | We Lend
How Veterans Can Build Real Estate Wealth, According to the Founder of We Lend
Today we are joined by Ruben Izgelov, Founder and Managing Partner of We Lend, a New York and New Jersey-based direct private lender with over $700 million funded, 1,400+ closed deals, and zero principal loss. Ruben breaks down what it actually takes for veterans to build wealth through real estate, and why the window is far from closed, no matter where you are starting from.
Veteran Debt Assistant: For veterans who are working through debt and wondering if real estate is even a realistic option for them, where does that conversation start?
Ruben Izgelov: Real estate has been one of the most reliable wealth-building tools in this country for generations, and veterans are genuinely well-positioned to take advantage of it. The discipline, the mindset, the ability to think long-term: those qualities are part of what it takes to be a strong real estate investor. The problem is that no one makes that connection. That is the gap we need to close.
Veteran Debt Assistant: A lot of the veterans we work with at Veteran Debt Assistant are carrying real debt, credit cards, personal loans, sometimes lingering medical bills from their service years. There is this assumption that you have to be completely debt-free before real estate is even on the table. Is that true?
Ruben Izgelov: That assumption stops a lot of people who should not be stopped. Wealth-building and debt management are not mutually exclusive. What matters is the type of debt you are carrying and whether the asset you are acquiring generates a strong enough return to justify the move. We work with borrowers all the time who are in the middle of paying down debt and still qualify because the deal itself is solid. A good lender helps you run that analysis.
Veteran Debt Assistant: When a veteran comes to you wanting to get into real estate for the first time, what do you actually look at?
Ruben Izgelov: I look at the story first. The numbers matter, but they do not tell you everything. I want to understand the goal and whether the deal fits where that person actually stands financially. As a private lender, We Lend does not originate veteran products, but for a veteran borrower we would consider one as a take out option on our loan.
Veteran Debt Assistant: What are the biggest mistakes you see veterans make when they are first breaking into real estate investing?
Ruben Izgelov: Three things come up consistently: moving too fast without proper due diligence on the property or the market, underestimating carrying costs after closing, and working with the wrong people. There are lenders and brokers out there who specifically target veterans because they see trust and sometimes financial vulnerability as an opportunity. If someone is rushing you, that is a red flag. If the terms feel intentionally confusing, that is a red flag. Work with people who take the time to explain everything clearly and whose interests are aligned with yours.
Veteran Debt Assistant: For the veteran at home right now who feels like the financial window has already closed for them, what do you want them to hear?
Ruben Izgelov: That it has not. Real estate is not just for people who already have money. It is one of the ways people build money. The resources are available at We Lend and right here at Veteran Debt Assistant. What you need is the right team and the willingness to take that first step.
Ruben Izgelov is the Founder and Managing Partner of We Lend, a direct private lender specializing in fix and flip, bridge, and rental financing across New York and New Jersey.
