Best of Brooklyn

Aurum and Sharpe was founded in 2017 by me, Bryan Hanley, and one of my best friends, Rudy Renelique. After many years working at big banks like Chase, and Wells Fargo, we decided we could bring value to a mortgage market that was starving for independent thinkers. So we started Aurum and Sharpe over a phone call about financing a multi-family deal in Brooklyn. Since starting this business we’ve been on many adventures from financing a $20 million portfolio of single families, to meeting the President of Rwanda and Finance Minister of Namibia.

Rudy has gone on to start his own firm, Overture Capital, while I’ve stayed on to grow Aurum and Sharpe. Aurum is the original Latin word for gold (that’s why the periodic table has it listed at Au). We chose it because we think of our word as “as good as Gold.” And in that vein, we want to add value to every customer we come in contact with. Our promise is that by working with us, you will increase your Freedom, Purpose, and Fulfillment.

Our process includes learning your overall objectives and where you want to go in your life so that we make sure your financing enhances your life and gets you to your destination much faster. What that means though, is that we are not like every other broker on the street that will only do a surface level amount of learning about you, your life, and your motivations. For us, that is Gold. We want to learn how we can tailor your financing so that you thrive in your life! So before we talk about rates, terms, or anything else, we are going to try and figure out how to add value through financing.

We know this approach isn’t for everyone. But if this resonates with you, lets talk: 917 475 6207

September 14, 2022

Who are the Best Non-QM Lenders?

Many mortgages went into default more than ten years ago due to the borrowers’ inability to continue making mortgage payments. The spike in defaults was mostly caused by a large number of mortgages that, while they initially helped borrowers buy homes, ultimately put those homeowners in a difficult financial situation. Non-QM lenders now offer safe alternative financing solutions by modifying their services. The Qualified Mortgage Rule was developed in 2014 by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). This rule established requirements for lenders, including the need for them to confirm the borrower’s ability to pay back the mortgage and the need for them to offer mortgage options that minimize risk for both the borrower and the lender. While some borrowers may not meet the requirements or are not eligible for a qualified mortgage rule, non-QM might be preferable. However, this […]
September 14, 2022

Is it harder to get a Mortgage for an Investment Property?

Real estate investment is one of the most profitable investments you can make if you know your onions. More than 10% of the wealthiest people in the world post real estate as their source of income, and this sector has become one of the most lucrative over the years, generating three times more revenue than every other income source over the last year. If you’re a small-time investor, the easiest way to make money off real estate is by renting out a property or flipping a property for profit. However, the personal capital to invest in property is often unavailable, making investment property loans worthwhile. Investment property loans allow you to increase your profit by using the loan to build or rehabilitate a property where there is a need while leveraging the terms of the loan. However, banks and lending […]
September 14, 2022

Can you use a Commercial Loan to buy a house?

Virtually everyone dreams of owning a home. Besides the pride and satisfaction in knowing that you never again have to worry about a place to lay your head, there is the obvious fact that buying a home is a valuable investment. Investing in a house is an excellent way to diversify your portfolio. You can use your house as leverage to buy other properties or as collateral to get loans for other investments. When it comes to buying a house, the first question on everyone’s lips is, “where do I get the money from?” Unlike stocks or cryptocurrencies, you can’t invest in property with “little change.” You need massive capital, which you often don’t have lying around idly. This is where loans and mortgages come in. You can collect loans from banks, insurance companies, credit unions, and other financial institutions […]
September 14, 2022

How Does Real Estate Investment Compare to Investing in Stocks or Crypto

A great approach to increasing wealth and preparing for retirement is through investment. Investors can diversify their wealth and reduce risk by taking advantage of various profitable investment opportunities. The world is full of investment opportunities. Choosing the right ones for you can be difficult. The benefits and drawbacks of every investment are unique. Maybe your financial adviser tells you to invest in stocks, your best friend tells you to invest in stocks, and every social media post wants you to invest in cryptocurrency. You may be confused about the right investment because they all look like the right one with future potential. Not to worry, this article will guide you on real estate, stocks, and cryptocurrency investment and how to choose the right one that specifically suits your circumstance. What is Cryptocurrency? Cryptocurrency is a digital currency that doesn’t […]
February 10, 2022
How to Accumulate a Property

How to Accumulate Property Fast?

In this article, we’ll discuss how to accumulate real estate fast. Investing in real estate and earning financial freedom is an important topic for many. In fact, the wealthiest people in the world attribute significant portions of their net worth to real estate. While at first glance it may seem difficult and slow to build your wealth in real estate, that is not necessarily the case. There are actually many different ways to accumulate quickly and effectively, which is why in this article we will explore some of the most efficient methods. We will also discuss best practices on acquiring a lot of real estate so that you, as the real estate investor, can protect yourself legally and financially. #1 – Buy a Real Estate Portfolio For those looking to grow rapidly in real estate investing, buying a portfolio of […]
February 9, 2022
Property Portfolio

How to buy a Property Portfolio?

Investing in real estate is a lucrative business opportunity for many. The most beautiful part of it is there are many different niches to choose from when just getting started. An investor can decide to focus on single family rentals, or commercial spaces, or even self-storage. Often they decide to grow a portfolio of properties over time, by buying properties individually. However, the aggressive real estate investor whose looking to scale quickly can opt to instead purchase a property portfolio. While buying a portfolio of real estate works very similar to buying any other property, there are certain nuances that even the savviest investor needs to look out for. In this article, we will walk you through the process of buying a property portfolio, from start to finish. We’ll further outline the benefits as well as key items you’ll need […]
February 8, 2022
Real Estate Loans

What is a Real Estate Portfolio Loan?

If you’re a first-time real estate investor with no credit and cash, or a small business owner looking to refinance all your rental properties into one loan, chances are you’ll have a hard time finding a lender. Real estate mortgages are among the most highly regulated industries, imposing some of the most stringent requirements on borrowers in order to ensure another Great Recession does not occur. As such, real estate investors looking for more flexible and creative financing often have to look outside the box at alternatives. As a group, the alternative loan programs available out there are largely considered portfolio loans, and in this article, we’ll discuss what they are, the different types available for real estate investors, and the benefits and downsides to them. The definition of a Portfolio Loan A portfolio loan is any real estate mortgage […]
February 7, 2022
Refinance your mortgage

How to Refinance my Portfolio of Single-family Homes?

Rather than buying apartment buildings, many real estate investors are focusing on acquiring multiple single-family homes and creating a portfolio. With the rising cost of single-family homes, the decrease in overall home inventory, and the increased requirements to qualify for a first-time homebuyer loan program homeownership has dropped, and more people are renting. Specifically, they’re opting to stay long-term in single-family homes in a semblance of achieving the American dream. However, as a real estate investor with a portfolio of single-family homes, you may be wondering how to refinance them. This can be a difficult process, but rest assured it is not impossible. In this article, we’ll outline the steps you need to take in order to refinance a portfolio of homes, as well as the benefits and potential risks. What is a Single-family Home Portfolio? Before jumping into how […]
January 31, 2022
Real Estate Investors

Who Are the Richest Real Estate Investors?

Most major business publications will agree that real estate makes up more than two-thirds of the net worth around the world. Real estate is a lucrative investment opportunity that has created hundreds of millionaires and billionaires. As a budding real estate investor, especially one just getting started, there is much you can learn from those who have already walked in your shoes. This is why in this article we share with you who are the top 10 the richest real estate investors in the world, and what they did to get there. 10. Sam Zell Net Worth: $4.8 billion Investments: Multifamily, Office, Manufactured Housing, REITs In our list, Sam Zell starts as number 10 of the world’s richest real estate investor. Often regarded as a leader within the industry, Sam Zell’s start in real estate began young. Sam was born […]
October 31, 2019

We’ve been nominated as The Best Mortgage Company in Brooklyn…Again!

We’ve been nominated as The Best Mortgage Company in Brooklyn once again! We have been nominated for 2020, and 2021 We are very grateful to have great clients and great colleagues! Thank you again Best of Brooklyn! Mortgage Rates Calculate Your Monthly Payment