Steve Afra Expands Nvestor Funding and Launches Institutional-Grade Mentorship for Real Estate Investors

NASHVILLE, TN / ACCESS Newswire / February 25, 2026 /Steve Afra, a 35-year veteran of real estate finance and co-founder of PIMCO-backed Nvestor Funding, is expanding his impact beyond lending. After originating over $10 billion in loans and pioneering DSCR loan products years before they became mainstream, Afra is launching a high-level mentorship program designed for serious real estate investors navigating the next market cycle.

Building Nvestor Funding Into an Institutional Lending Powerhouse

Founded in 2019 with co-founder and CEO Ras Abdelrasul, Nvestor Funding has become a trusted capital partner to real estate investors across the country. The company specializes in Residential Transition Loans (RTL), short-term financing for investors purchasing and renovating 1-4 unit residential properties, and DSCR loans for stabilized rental portfolios and small balanced multi-family properties.

What sets Nvestor apart is its institutional backing. In 2024, PIMCO - the fourth-largest money manager globally - took a 10% equity stake in the company. Nvestor has also partnered with Blackstone, further cementing its position as a serious player in real estate finance.

"We 're not chasing trends, " says Afra. "We 're building infrastructure for investors who understand that access to capital isn 't just about rates. It 's about speed, reliability, and working with people who 've actually been in the trenches. "

Creating DSCR Loans Before They Were Popular

While most lenders were still requiring W-2s and tax returns, Afra launched DSCR loan products in 2015. At the time, the concept was radical: underwrite based on rental income, not personal income.

"People thought I was crazy, " Afra recalls. "But I 'd been an investor since I was 16. I understood the problem. If you own five rental properties producing strong cash flow, why should your W-2 limit your borrowing power? "

Fast forward to today, and DSCR loans are one of the most sought-after products in real estate investing. Afra didn 't follow the trend. He created it.

From 16-Year-Old Flipper to $10 Billion in Loans

Afra 's career started early. At 16, he was flipping houses with his father in the 1980s. By 17, he was selling real estate. By 26, he was managing lending platforms.

His formal education reflects this dual focus: a BA in Marketing and Finance from Hofstra University, and a Juris Doctor from Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center. This combination of legal and financial expertise is rare in the lending world, and it gives Afra an edge in structuring deals that others miss.

Before founding Nvestor, Afra served as Partner and Managing Director at LuxeBanc, one of the largest non-QM originators in the country. Over his 35-year career, he 's originated and traded over $10 billion in loans and navigated every major market cycle - including the 2008 crash, the COVID disruption, and the current rate environment.

"I 've survived every cycle, " he says. "That 's the advantage of experience. You stop reacting to noise and start recognizing patterns. "

Game of Loans: Unfiltered Conversations on Real Estate

Alongside his work at Nvestor, Afra co-hosts the Game of Loans Podcast with Ras Abdelrasul and investor Dustin Ring. The weekly show offers raw, unfiltered insights into real estate investing and has built a loyal following across Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.

The podcast reflects Afra 's no-nonsense approach. There are no get-rich-quick schemes, no viral hacks, just real conversations about what 's working in the market right now and what 's coming next.

Why Steve Afra Doesn 't Follow Instagram Trends

In an industry flooded with courses, masterminds, and viral gurus, Afra is taking a different approach with his upcoming mentorship program.

"By the time Instagram teaches something, it 's already saturated, " he says. "I don 't teach what 's hot today. I teach what 's coming next. I created DSCR loans in 2015, years before anyone was talking about them. My job is to help serious investors position themselves ahead of the curve, not chase what 's already dead. "

The mentorship isn 't for everyone. Afra is targeting experienced investors with significant capital who want institutional-grade strategy combined with hands-on execution. The program will focus on the BRRR method (Buy, Renovate, Rent, Refinance, Repeat) with multiple exit strategies including Section 8, halfway homes, executive leasing, and midterm rentals.

What makes it unique is Afra 's ability to control both ends of the transaction. Through Nvestor Funding, he can facilitate purchase financing and DSCR refinancing, creating a seamless pathway for investors. He 's also building a network of trusted builders in Nashville, Arizona, and Miami where select clients can get hands-on experience investing in actual deals.

"Most coaches sell information, " Afra explains. "I 'm offering access. Access to capital, access to builders, access to deals. That 's the difference between theory and execution. "

Redefining Authority in Real Estate Education

What separates Afra from the typical real estate educator is simple: institutional credibility.

PIMCO doesn 't invest in gurus. Blackstone doesn 't partner with course creators. Afra 's mentorship program is an extension of what he 's already built at Nvestor Funding - a reputation for substance over hype, execution over inspiration.

"I 'm not here to motivate you, " he says. "I 'm here to show you what I see coming and how to position for it. The investors who win are the ones who move early, not the ones who wait for confirmation. "

Looking ahead, Afra plans to continue scaling Nvestor Funding 's institutional partnerships while expanding the mentorship program to a select group of high-performing investors. His mission is clear: help serious capital navigate market cycles with the same discipline and foresight that 's defined his 35-year career.

About Steve Afra

Steve Afra is a 35-year veteran of real estate finance, co-founder and managing partner of Nvestor Funding, and co-host of the Game of Loans Podcast. He holds a BA in Marketing and Finance from Hofstra University and a Juris Doctor from Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center. Over his career, Afra has originated and traded over $10 billion in loans, created DSCR loan products in 2015, and built Nvestor Funding into a PIMCO-backed lending platform serving real estate investors nationwide. He is based in Nashville, Tennessee, with offices in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Miami, Florida.

Media Contact Name: Steve Afra
Email:steve@nvestorfunding.com
Website:https://ThesteveAfra.com
Instagram: @thesteveafra
Podcast: @gameofloanspodcast

SOURCE:The Steve Afra

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