Invest with Upright

High-Yield Borrower Dependent Notes (BDN)

Take control of your investing goals and diversify with short-term, high-yield individual BDNs and a minimum investment of $5,000.

  • Up to 13% returns
  • Choose how you diversify: Developers, regions, types of projects
  • 99.7% of principal repaid
  • Fixed interest and maturity dates
  • Loan diligence and origination by our analysts

What is a Borrower Dependent Note (BDN)?

On the Upright Loans side of the house, we underwrite and originate loans for residential real estate projects. Then, accredited investors purchase fractional shares of that debt as an investment to earn income. When you Invest with Upright or purchase a share in a real estate project, you’re investing in a Borrower Dependent Note (BDN).

We use the proceeds from the BDN to fund the mortgage note for the real estate project you invested in. The performance of the BDN is directly correlated with the performance of the underlying loan (e.g. on-time interest payments).

The BDN is a promissory note that entitles the investor to a fixed interest rate and principal repayment once the individual loan reaches maturity. BDNs may earn interest from the day funds clear escrow with earned income paid monthly. 
cute black and white bungalow style home with Upright sign in front yard

Investment Opportunities

Bridge Loan • New Construction
Miami, FL
This fix-and-flip project with 5 bedrooms in Miami, FL, was funded with a short-term residential rehab loan by private money lender Upright.
Offering
$624,000
APR
11.5%
ARV
64%
Term
12m
99% Funded
93% Completed
Repeat Borrower
Bridge Loan • New Construction
Columbus, OH
Single-family home with 4 bedrooms and 2 full baths in Columbus, OH. ARV per Upright internal valuation is $315,000. The developers have 700+ credit scores and a track record of fix and flips and residential renovations in this market.
Offering
$203,000
APR
11.5%
ARV
64.40%
Term
9m
99% Funded
93% Completed
Repeat Borrower
Bridge Loan • New Construction
Charlotte, NC
This fix-and-flip project with NIL bedrooms in Charlotte, NC, was funded with a short-term residential rehab loan by private money lender Upright.
Offering
$2,018,000
APR
11.5%
ARV
61%
Term
12m
99% Funded
93% Completed
Repeat Borrower
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Why Invest in Real Estate?

There are plenty of ways to earn passive income. And like any investment, real estate comes with risk, pros, and cons. But in the last two decades, only returns from investing in private real estate have performed better than equities on a risk-adjusted and absolute basis.

One of the key benefits of real estate investments is that even in an economic downturn, the asset is tangible and still holds value. Moreover, real estate prices/values have historically surpassed inflation rates.
Protection against inflation
Better historical performance than equities
Passive income opportunities
Diversification due to lower correlation to public markets

Why Invest with Upright?

Earn Up to 13% Returns
We’ve paid our investors millions in interest and repaid more than 99% of principal. Since 2014, investors have earned an average annualized return of more than 10.8% with principal repayment typically in less than 10 months.
Strict Underwriting Criteria
Only about 6%–8% of all projects submitted for funding meet our underwriting criteria. And unlike many other real estate investment platforms, we underwrite and originate all of the loans available to invest in.
Downside Protection
We pre-fund every deal on our platform with a first-position mortgage that’s secured by a real asset — the property. In the event the project doesn’t go as planned, your downside is cushioned by the value of the actual property as well as the borrower’s equity.
Transparency
We’re dedicated to industry-leading transparency in everything we do, from the information we share in our deal descriptions to updates on our book of business. Take a look here: Performance Reports, CEO Articles, Testimonials.
Our Team
We’ve been originating loans throughout the U.S. and helping investors earn passive income since 2014. We’re focused on forging long-term relationships with our customers to help them reach their investing goals and create long-lasting wealth. Accredited investors are supported by our Investor Relations team, and developers are supported by local Territory Managers and our team in Cleveland, OH.

Compare Our Investment Offerings

Borrower Dependent Note (BDN)

Total control over your portfolio — every region, project, and borrower.

$5,000 minimum investment

  • 3 – 24 month terms

  • $59M+ interest paid

  • 99%+ principal repaid

  • 10.8%+ average returns

Residential Bridge Note Fund (RBNF)

Minimal exposure, instant diversification. Fixed interest and repayment.

$1,000 minimum investment

  • 6, 9, or 12 month terms

  • 100% interest paid

  • 100% principal repaid

  • 10%+ average returns

Pre-Funding Note Fund(PFNF)

One investment, multiple projects.
Fixed interest and repayment.

$1,000 minimum investment

  • 3, 6, 9, or 12 months

  • 100% interest paid

  • 100% principal repaid

  • 10%+ average returns

Horizon Residential Income Fund (HRIF)

Short exposure. Instant and revolving diversification.

$15,000 minimum investment

  • Tax advantages

  • Quarterly distributions

  • Target offering: $30M

  • Target return: 10%–13%

Upright Investments
Frequently Asked Questions
How will I know the status of my investment?

We regularly update the individual deal descriptions as the project progresses. These updates are also emailed to you.

What am I investing in when I invest in a BDN?

When investors invest in notes issued by the Residential Bridge Note Fund, they’re also investing in a portfolio of whole mortgages and BDNs. Occasionally, RBNF may also extend a line of credit to FTF Lending, LLC to pre-fund mortgages. The mortgages and BDNs that RBNF holds are representative of the entire book of business. This allows investors to effectively invest in our entire book of business with one investment. Learn more here.

When do I get paid?

RBNF has a fixed interest rate and fixed maturity date, so you have greater certainty of repayment a loan maturity.

What fees will I pay with an RBNF?

None.

Is my investment secure?

There is risk inherent with any investment. Read more about our approach to underwriting, what happens in the case of our insolvency, and how we’re audited, here.

Can I sell my investment?

No. We currently do not offer a secondary market for selling purchased notes.

Can I rollover my principal balance?

Yes. When your RBNF is approaching its maturity date, you will receive emails giving you the notification to rollover your balance or have the money paid to your bank account. Rolling over your balance into a new RBNF, PFNF, or BDN allows you to instantly invest in another product without waiting for funds to settle.

What are the risks of investing with Upright?

Like any investment, there are risks involved with investing in real estate debt. There are also mitigating factors to help cushion those debts.

For example. the market value of the property could drop significantly, reducing opportunity for the developer to make a profit. However, the property is most likely located in a stable market and was purchased at a discount providing downside protection in a falling-price environment.

Or the developer may be unable to finish the property in the allotted term length. For this situation, Upright builds in an optional 3-month extension, approved only if the project is advancing at a satisfactory pace. The extension corresponds with an additional fee to be shared on a pro-rata basis with investors.

Prior to investing, you should fully diligence each deal,  as well as consult your investment, tax and legal advisors prior to investing. Additional risks for each deal will be outlined with the Offering Materials.

What is passive real estate investing?

Passive real estate investing is what our lenders do: They invest money into an asset with the expectation of generating income. It’s the traditional definition of an investment. The lender’s time is not required to manage or operate that real estate asset. The asset (like a distressed home) is backed by a note and a first-position lien.

On the flip side, active real estate investing, or what our borrowers do, means investing both equity and time into an asset to generate income, such as being a landlord or rehabbing a home. Active real estate investors are responsible for any of the following: Sourcing properties for acquisition, getting financing, overseeing construction and contractor teams, and/or managing tenants.

What is an accredited investor?

Accredited investors must meet this criteria:A net worth of at least $1 million, either alone or together with a spouse or spousal equivalent (excluding the value of the person's primary residence), orEarned an income that exceeded $200,000 (or $300,000 together with a spouse or spousal equivalent) in each of the prior two years, and reasonably expects the same for the current year, or A Series 7, 65, or 82 license in good standing.Read More Here.