• Identify, evaluate, and structure complex commercial real estate loans, managing the entire loan cycle from sourcing to servicing.• Work closely with clients to understand their financial needs, develop tailored financing solutions, and manage the loan approval process from application to closing. • Overcame significant challenges in a highly competitive market by successfully identifying and understanding complex, non-cookie-cutter commercial real estate deals.• Developed and articulated comprehensive strategies to address clients' short-term monetary issues, ensuring feasible business plans and executable exit strategies within a tight timeframe.• Advocated for innovative underwriting practices, emphasizing the importance of individualized attention to each deal, which led to a deeper understanding of the hard money lending sector.• Built and maintained a large broker base, enhancing the capacity to originate new deals, despite a preference for broader operational roles.

• Expanded and enhanced the hard money commercial lending platform by implementing more efficient day-to-day operations based on extensive experience.• Identified and addressed significant gaps in the company’s hard money lending practices, leading to the successful closure of the first hard money deal at the firm.• Developed comprehensive marketing materials for new deal announcements.• Leveraged a network of over 6,000 broker contacts to generate high-quality deal leads, despite challenges in aligning these with the company’s focus on Fix & Flip investments.

• Managed the origination and closing of loans, ensuring alignment with company metrics and profitability targets for the branch.• Secured over $100 million in potential investment opportunities within the first month of employment at an alternative mortgage company.• Leveraged extensive experience with large, multi-billion dollar hedge funds to offer strategic insights and professional communication, despite internal resistance.• Provided critical feedback and strategic advice aimed at expanding the company's short-term bridge loan offerings, highlighting gaps in leadership's understanding of commercial investment lending.

• Originated commercial real estate transactions involving distressed assets from a network of seasoned real estate professionals built over two decades.• Generated a high volume of deal submissions, aiming to scale the business and increase deal flow.• Addressed and mitigated investor concerns by proposing alternative terms and conditions to make deals viable, demonstrating creative problem-solving.• Navigated and overcame conservative investment attitudes to persistently push for innovative deal structures.

• Co-founded and managed a full-service real estate lending mortgage company, leveraging partnerships with experienced industry professionals.• Negotiated complex commercial real estate transactions involving distressed assets, ensuring compliance with rigorous investor guidelines and underwriting standards.• Structured and assessed commercial lending opportunities for transitional real estate assets, prioritizing sound risk management practices.• Recruited and evaluated prospective borrowers, conducting thorough interviews and credit assessments to determine loan risk.• Coordinated all phases of due diligence and property inspections with third-party professionals, ensuring thorough evaluation prior to funding.• Managed the servicing of all in-house originated, closed, and funded investments, maintaining high standards of client and investor satisfaction.• Fostered and maintained investor relations, building confidence and nurturing long-term strategic partnerships.• Navigated challenges in transitioning from an employer-employee dynamic to a partnership, ultimately leading to a decision to part ways due to conflicting relationship dynamics.

• Created and managed a full-service real estate lending mortgage company, achieving annual revenues exceeding $1,000,000 by leveraging extensive industry knowledge gained during an apprenticeship.• Handled every aspect of the loan cycle, including sourcing investment opportunities, negotiating term sheets, and coordinating due diligence and property inspections with third-party professionals.• Ensured loan documents aligned with negotiated deals in collaboration with attorneys, servicing all loans in-house, and managing loan defaults as needed.• Established and maintained investor relations, building a network of investors and fostering long-term partnerships.• Provided clients with comprehensive consultations on commercial loan portfolios, including risk, financial, and market analysis, to recommend additional investment opportunities.• Successfully managed day-to-day office operations, ensuring smooth and efficient business functions.• Closed and funded thirteen hard money bridge loans totaling $36MM between 2004 and 2008, demonstrating strong performance in the real estate market.• Adapted to the financial crisis and real estate collapse of 2008, showcasing resilience and strategic thinking in a challenging economic environment.

Hartsein joined Hudson (formerly SWH Funding Corp.) in its inception in 2003. In addition to working closely with a staff of underwriters and third party service providers, Hartstein also worked with colleagues in the structuring, funding, and closing of numerous debt oriented transactions. In addition, he was also involved in equity transactions, which included the investment in acquisitions, the purchase of performing and non-performing notes, and land development during his time at Hudson.

At SWH Funding Hartstein supervised a staff of underwriters and third party service providers. Hartstein also oversaw the structuring, funding, and closing for all SWH loans (including working closely with the attorneys, brokers, and borrowers on the closing process). Additionally, he coordinated strategic marketing efforts and served as the firm’s property manager for all real estate owned. He was also involved with equity transactions which included the investment in acquisitions, the purchase of performing and non-performing notes, and land development in excess of $100 million during his tenure at both SWH and Hudson Realty Capital LLC (SWH's sucessor).