“I already started demo… and I don’t even own it yet.”
That’s the kind of chaos Robert Harden found himself navigating in one of his recent deals—one that included a $110,000 surprise lien, a loan mod that was never recorded, and a buyer who had already started tearing the house apart.
Welcome to the real world of creative finance. And Robert Harden? He’s not just surviving it—he’s thriving.
The Journey from Construction to Creative Real Estate
Robert got his start the way many investors do: as a homeowner with the idea of renting out his first place. But it wasn’t until 2018 that he got serious. He dove deep into podcasts, starting with BiggerPockets and eventually landing on Wholesaling Inc.—where he spent $20K on postcards and didn’t land a single deal.
“Back then, I didn’t know how to talk to sellers,” Robert told me. “I had all these leads but no idea how to move the conversation forward.”
That changed when he discovered creative finance and joined Subto in 2022. From there, everything accelerated.
Building a System that Works
Like many of us in the Pacific Northwest, Robert had to learn how to navigate a challenging landlord/tenant landscape. His solution?
“Everything comes down to property management,” he said. “A good PM will make or break your experience.”
He now has reliable teams in Portland, Salem, and Vancouver—and even feels comfortable holding properties out of state, like one in Louisiana.
The Power of Lease Options
One standout strategy Robert uses today is lease options—a tool that helps him avoid property management headaches while helping tenant-buyers move toward homeownership.
“They’re paying above-market rent, yes—but it’s fixed for three years,” he said. “They build credit during that time, and at the end of the term, I either sell them the property or seller-finance it.”
He also explained why lease options can be safer than seller finance:
- If the buyer defaults, it’s a simple eviction (not a foreclosure).
- He maintains ownership and control until the tenant proves themselves.
- It attracts buyers with credit challenges or limited down payments.
Lessons from a Deal That Almost Imploded
One of Robert’s most intense stories involved a deal in Salem:
- The seller had multiple unrecorded loan modifications.
- Title missed an ancient $54K lien from Arch Mortgage—now ballooned to $110K.
- The buyer had already deposited funds and started construction—before closing.
Thanks to quick thinking and great vendor relationships, they were able to unwind the deal before disaster hit.
The key takeaway?
“Make sure you’re working with a title company that knows creative finance. And always verify reconveyances, especially on old liens or loan mods.”
Advice for New Investors
If you’re new to creative finance, Robert’s advice is simple:
- Start attending local meetups – Learn what strategies people are actually using.
- Get on someone’s team – Whether bird dogging, underwriting, or shadowing a flipper, start adding value.
- Be honest about your experience – Transparency builds trust faster than pretending you know it all.
He recommends Portland’s REI groups, Chris Murr’s events, the Salem Real Estate Group, and of course—the monthly Subto Meetup he co-hosts.
Closing Thoughts
Robert Harden is proof that your background doesn’t limit you—your willingness to adapt, learn, and take action is what drives success.
He’s gone from doing drywall to doing deals, from stressing over postcard campaigns to helping others structure their first lease-option contracts.
And as for the next chapter?
“I’ve got more deals coming up. If both go through, I’ll be looking for private money for the first time,” Robert said. “So yeah—might be time to partner up.”
📲 Follow Robert: @therobharden on Instagram
📍 Want to connect in person? Catch Robert at the next Portland-area Subto Meetup or shoot him a DM to talk real estate or construction tips.