From Zero to Millions: Jay Conner’s Real Estate Private Money Formula Unveiled

***Guest Appearance

Credits to:

https://www.youtube.com/@yourAREATV-FongChua                      

“JAY CONNER - The Private Money Authority w/ Fong - PPSS#191 - YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4GxheJdrgI 

Stepping into the world of real estate investing can seem daunting, but learning from industry leaders like Jay Conner makes the path clearer and more approachable. On a recent episode of the Raising Private Money Podcast, Jay Conner, together with Fong Chua, shared his wealth of experience, offering actionable insights for both new and seasoned investors. The conversation was packed with wisdom on sourcing deals, leveraging private money, building strong relationships, and scaling a real estate business through automation.

A Humble Beginning and an Unlikely Pivot

Jay Conner’s route into real estate wasn’t exactly pre-planned. He was raised in a family business focused on affordable housing through the mobile and manufactured homes industry. When the financing landscape for manufactured homes changed in 2003, Jay saw an opportunity to transition into single-family homes and house flipping, inspired by a friend’s profitable venture in that space. With over 500 flips since then, Jay’s early lesson was simple: leverage your background, be open to change, and let necessity guide innovation.

The Power of Private Money

A major turning point in Jay’s business arrived in 2009. After years of relying on the local banks for funding, his line of credit was abruptly closed during the global financial crisis. Rather than seeing the loss as a roadblock, Jay viewed it as a challenge to overcome. Within two weeks, he had learned about private money and began to educate those in his network on the advantages of lending privately—including higher returns, security, and passive income.

Instead of pitching investment opportunities directly or asking for money, Jay took the role of an educator. He created a private lending program, taught people what private money was, and explained how they could safely and securely earn high returns. Those interested would stay on his radar until a relevant deal arose, at which point Jay would make a “good news phone call” to let them know their money could be put to work. This approach, based on teaching rather than pitching, helped Jay build a list of 47 private lenders and raise over $2 million in funding in less than three months, ensuring he never missed a deal due to a lack of capital.

Building Relationships and Keeping Lenders Engaged

A key theme throughout Jay’s approach is relationship-building. He never tries to persuade or pressure people, instead focusing on transparency, education, and letting potential lenders make the decision themselves. The structure of his lending program minimizes risk and maximizes value for everyone involved, with all funds secured by real estate, and private lenders receiving a solid return on their investments—rates which have remained consistent and attractive even during fluctuating markets.

To keep things running smoothly, Jay meticulously tracks available lender capital, prioritizing new and smaller investors, and ensuring everyone stays engaged and satisfied.

Consistently Sourcing Deals in a Small Market

Remarkably, Jay operates in a target market of just 40,000 people, doing two to three deals a month with average profits of $78,000 per property. His lead-generation strategy is multifaceted. He leverages a meticulous foreclosure tracking system, sending direct mail to those in distress and genuinely seeking to help homeowners overcome hardship—even if it means no financial