The Deal Underwriting Challenge
Think you can spot a good deal and a bad loan? Analyze our case-study deal, show your math, and compete for cash prizes, a featured profile and bragging rights. Judged on skill, not luck.
Season 1 prize pool (target)
- Grand prize$500
- Best flip analysis$250
- Best BRRRR plan$250
- Best lender memo$250
- Honorable mentionsFeatured profile
Funded by sponsors and supporters. The confirmed pool is published to registrants before entries open. Sponsor a prize →
Deal brief: 3-bed ranch, Midwest suburb
| Asking price | $185,000 |
| Contractor rehab bid | $48,000 (kitchen, baths, roof, HVAC) |
| Comps for renovated homes | $285,000 – $310,000 |
| Market rent after rehab | $2,150 / month |
| Taxes / insurance | $3,900 / $1,400 per year |
| Lender A (hard money) | 90% purchase, 100% rehab, ≤75% ARV, 10.75%, 2 pts, 12 mo |
| Lender B (private individual) | 80% purchase, no rehab, 12%, 1 pt, 12 mo |
Pick one, or enter all three
🔨 Best flip analysis
Offer price, lender choice, full cost stack, profit, ROI and your risk plan.
🔁 Best BRRRR plan
Refinance strategy, cash left in the deal, DSCR and 12-month cash flow.
🏦 Best lender memo
You're the lender: would you fund it? Terms, conditions, red flags and your downside case.
Tip: our calculators make this fast, but judges reward reasoning, not just numbers.
Timeline
Dates may change; registrants will be notified by email.
Judging criteria
Judged by the Private.Money editorial team and sponsor-appointed judges with real estate finance experience.
Register or submit your entry
Official rules (summary)
- No purchase or payment necessary to enter or win. A purchase or donation does not improve your chances.
- Skill contest. Winners are chosen by judges using the published criteria. No element of chance.
- Eligibility: individuals 18+ (or the age of majority) where such contests are legal. Void where prohibited. Employees of Private.Money and sponsors, and their immediate families, are not eligible.
- Entries: one entry per person per category. Entries must be your original work and must not infringe anyone's rights or include confidential third-party information.
- License: you keep ownership of your entry and grant Private.Money a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to publish it, with credit, for editorial and promotional purposes.
- Prizes: as announced to registrants before entries open. Paid in USD by bank transfer or PayPal within 30 days of verification. Winners are responsible for taxes and may need to provide tax forms. No substitutions except at our discretion, of equal or greater value.
- Notification: winners are notified by email and must respond within 14 days, or an alternate may be selected.
- Educational purpose: the case study is hypothetical. Entries are not financial advice, and nothing in this contest is an offer to lend or invest.
- Organizer: Private.Money. We may modify, suspend or cancel the contest if it can't run as planned, with notice to registrants. Judges' decisions are final.
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