Case Study

Case Study: When Leadership Is the Real Exception

January 9, 2026 This case study features a high-value Purchase Fix & Flip transaction in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where timing constraints and appraisal access issues threatened the borrower’s ability to close on schedule. Led by George Naveda, Senior Sales Manager at Lima One Capital, the deal required coordination across underwriting and valuations to structure a creative exception that preserved leverage while keeping the closing date intact. Real Stories. Real Challenges. Real Solutions. Every loan has a story behind the numbers. In this section, The Elite Officer highlights real-world cases where Loan Officers turned complex challenges into successful closings. Each case shows how persistence, creativity, and financial strategy can make the difference between a stalled deal and a successful closing. The Deal at a Glance Property Type: Single-Family Residence (Fix & Flip) Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida Loan Purpose: Purchase Purchase Price: $1,685,000 Rehab Budget: $200,000 After Repair Value (ARV): $2,500,000 Leverage at Close: 85% LTV Post-Close Leverage: Additional 5% (90% LTC total) Target Closing Date: November 15, 2025 Loan Amount: $1,716,500 Rate: 8.4% The Challenge The borrower was under a tight contractual closing deadline, but the appraiser was unable to access the property prior to closing. This created a risk of delay or reduced leverage, both of which could have jeopardized the transaction. Key challenges included: Inability to complete a full interior appraisal before closing Borrower expectation for high leverage on a luxury fix & flip Need to satisfy risk requirements without pushing the closing date Coordinating exception approval across internal teams Without an alternative structure, the borrower faced either a delayed closing or less favorable terms. The Solution George proactively escalated the issue and worked directly with underwriting and valuations leadership to align on a practical exception. The agreed solution included: Approving a drive-by appraisalto support closing Structuring the loan at 85% LTV at purchase Allowing an additional 5% post-close advanceonce acceptable interior photos were provided Clearly documenting ownership of the exception to avoid operational delays By securing internal alignment and confirming that the buyer-provided interior photos met requirements, George was able to structure the file confidently and move it into operations without sacrificing leverage or timing. The Outcome The loan moved forward as structured, preserving the borrower’s leverage while keeping the November 15 closing date intact. The exception-based solution allowed the deal to proceed smoothly despite appraisal constraints, reinforcing borrower confidence and execution certainty. Takeaway for Loan Officers Early escalation prevents last-minute closing disruptions Appraisal challenges can be solved with the right internal alignment Clear ownership of exceptions is critical for execution Creative structuring protects both leverage and timelines George Naveda Senior Sales Manager at Lima One Capital Click to contactGeorge Naveda is a sales leader focused on building high-performing teams of relationship-driven professionals who are passionate about their work and motivated to grow in a rapidly expanding real estate lending industry. He believes the industry is rich with opportunity for talent that leads with trust, discipline, and long-term thinking. At Lima One Capital, George brings over 26 years of sales and finance experience, specializing in structuring high-leverage solutions for complex Fix & Flip, Purchase, Bridge, and Ground-Up Construction loans. He treats clients as partners—leveraging his experience as both a lender and an investor to deliver capital solutions that help investors scale, execute with certainty, and win. Bilingual in English and Spanish, George is known for solving deals where timing, leverage, or structure are at risk—because great lending is measured by closings, not quotes.