About First Equity Funding

A 360-Degree View of the Real Estate Investment Industry

Lending

Construction

Investing

Our Mission

What Makes Us Different

To provide Best In Class service in an efficient, timely, and professional manner with a highly motivated, experienced team in an employee-friendly environment. Driven to be recognized as a leader in our industry and respected by our clients, business partners, and competition.

– Mark Presto

Our History

The First Equity “brand” began in 2004 with the creation of First Equity Mortgage. Its purpose was to provide borrowers with conventional loans for owner-occupied properties.

In 2008, Christian Pepe, Owner/Manager of First Equity Mortgage partnered with, financial executive, John Child to create First Equity Capital, LLC. First Equity Capital was established to invest in non-performing residential whole loans (NPLs) during the subprime mortgage crisis. To date, John and Christian have completed over 50 real estate investment projects through First Equity Capital and various other entities. These projects have scopes of work ranging from light rehab to ground-up construction.

After operating in the real estate and finance industries for over 10 years as lenders and investors, John and Christian identified an opportunity to enter the construction space. In 2015, they created First Equity Homes, LLC. First Equity Homes is a fully insured, licensed, and registered general contractor and new home builder.

In 2016 First Equity Funding, LP was established to provide private money loans for non-owner-occupied investment properties. First Equity Funding specializes in lending to residential real estate investors that are either buying to fix and sell or buying to hold and rent. The principal’s extensive experience in lending, loan workouts, real estate investing, and residential home construction gives them a 360-degree view of the real estate investment industry and allows them to deliver top-tier service to their borrowers.

Leadership

Get To Know Us

Christian Pepe | First Equity Funding | Managing Partner

Christian Pepe

Managing Partner

Christian Pepe began what would eventually become First Equity Funding in 2004 with his conventional lending company, First Equity Mortgage. Christian has an extensive background in all aspects of residential and commercial mortgage lending and has a comprehensive understanding of underwriting guidelines including FHA, VA, and Fannie Mae with a specialized focus in renovation and construction lending.

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John Child | First Equity Funding | Managing Partner

John Child

Managing Partner
John Child has served as Managing Partner for First Equity Group and its subsidiary companies since 2008. He is an experienced financial executive with over 25 years in investment banking and real estate finance. Prior to joining First Equity, John was an Executive Director in equity derivative sales at Morgan Stanley. John has experience in sales trading equity, credit default swaps, equity options, and corporate debt. He is a licensed real estate salesperson and title insurance producer.
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Get To Know Us

We're Just as Excited to meet You

First Equity Funding is a privately funded, asset-based real estate investment lender offering Fix and Flip, Rental (DSCR), and New Construction loan programs in over 40 states throughout the US.