Englewood’s Kennedy Funding closes $2.5M Caribbean land loan

Kennedy Funding, the Englewood-based direct private lender, on Tuesday announced the closing of a $2.5 million cash-out refinancing loan in Nevis.

The deal, secured by a sprawling 63-acre multi-property portfolio, highlights a growing trend of New Jersey-based capital flowing into high-end international markets where traditional banks often fear to tread. The loan provides critical liquidity for Bush Lender LLC, backed by a diverse mix of developed luxury residential assets and raw land with significant development potential.

The centerpiece of the collateral is a modern, custom-designed 8,000-square-foot concrete villa located in the prestigious Jessups Estate within the Parish of St. Thomas.

Property Highlights:

• Exclusivity: A private theater, fitness room, and swimming pool.
• Proximity: Located just 10 minutes from Charlestown, the capital of Nevis.
• Expansion: Includes over 60 additional acres across Farms Estate and Bush Hill, areas ripe for future luxury residential or tourism-focused development.

For many U.S. banks, lending on raw land is considered high-risk; doing so in a foreign jurisdiction is often a non-starter. Navigating international legal systems, title insurance complexities, and local valuation standards creates a barrier that most institutions are unwilling to cross.

“Lenders simply don’t want to deal with land, let alone land outside the United States,” Mark Falzone, executive loan officer at Kennedy Funding said. “But at Kennedy Funding, we see opportunity where others see obstacles. We know how to work through the legal systems and title issues that come with international real estate.”

Kennedy Funding has carved out a niche as one of the few U.S. lenders capable of closing complex international land loans. With over $4 billion in closed loans worldwide, the firm’s “Passport Portfolio” now spans the Caribbean, Central and South America, and Europe.

“Closing loans in foreign countries requires more than capital—it takes a real understanding of local laws and real estate customs,” Kevin Wolfer, CEO and president of Kennedy Funding said. “We have the network and the experience to make that happen.”