Know Before You Owe:

The Jim Black Story
 

From closing his first loan in 2002 to becoming a top 1% mortgage broker, fintech investor, and industry thought leader - Jim Black has spent 23+ years transforming how families approach homeownership and how the industry operates.

Meet Jim

The Journey
 
Jim Black didn't set out to revolutionize mortgage lending. He started like many do - helping families navigate one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives. But over 23 years and 9,100+ transactions, something became clear: the traditional mortgage model wasn't serving families well enough. Too many surprises. Too much pressure. Too little transparency.
 
That realization led to the creation of Revest Homes, a vertically integrated platform combining mortgage lending, real estate brokerage, and strategic technology partnerships. More importantly, it led to Jim's signature philosophy: "Know Before You Owe."
The Philosophy

Whatever position you hold in this industry - whether you're a loan officer, broker, investor, or entrepreneur - you have an impact on people's lives. For Jim, that impact comes from ensuring clients and industry peers fully understand their options before making any decision. No surprises. No pressure. No jargon. Just honest guidance that serves long-term success.

This belief extends beyond individual transactions. It's why Jim invests in fintech companies solving real problems. It's why he speaks at 2-3 conferences monthly sharing what works (and what doesn't). It's why he hosts the "Know Before You Owe" podcast giving voice to innovators. And it's why he continues to push for better systems, better technology, and better outcomes for everyone in this industry.

The Track Record

We are here 24/7 to assist you with your home buying and selling needs from start to finish.

The Innovation - Bridge Loans

Pioneering Buy-Before-you-Sell Strategies

While most brokers focus on conventional products, Jim saw a different opportunity: solving the buy-before-you-sell challenge plaguing families in competitive markets.

 

Jim didn't invent bridge loans, but he pioneered making them accessible to everyday families by building institutional partnerships and streamlined processes.

 

The result? Families win competitive offers, move once instead of twice, and often see total ROI that exceeds the bridge loan cost.

 

This innovation became Jim's signature - helping thousands of families across California and beyond.

BEYOND LENDING:

FINTECH INVESTOR

Investing in the Future of Proptech

Jim's expertise extends beyond originating loans. As an active investor and strategic advisor in the fintech and proptech space, he's helping shape the next generation of real estate and mortgage technology.
What Jim Invests In:

Mortgage Technology & Automation AI-driven underwriting, automated workflows, and tools that make lending faster and more accessible.
Consumer Lending Platforms Alternative financing models that serve underserved markets and create new pathways to homeownership.
Proptech Solutions Technology solving real friction in the transaction process - from search to close.
Real Estate Data & Analytics Platforms providing better insights for buyers, sellers, agents, and lenders.
How Jim Adds Value:

Beyond capital, Jim brings 23+ years of operational experience, deep industry relationships, and a track record of building scalable lending operations.
 
He advises portfolio companies on:
 
Go-to-market strategy for mortgage products
Building institutional partnerships
Regulatory navigation and compliance
Consumer experience optimization
Scaling operations profitably
jim Tristan

Sharing Knowledge,

Building Community

Jim speaks an average of 2-3 times per month at real estate and fintech conferences across the country. His sessions aren't sales pitches - they're deep dives into what's working (and what's not) in mortgage innovation, market strategy, and building sustainable operations.

 

 

Speaking Topics Include:


The Future of Bridge Lending
Fintech Meets Mortgage: What's Next
Building Vertically Integrated Real Estate Platforms
Market Cycles: Lessons from 23 Years
Creating Competitive Advantages in Commoditized Markets

 

Audiences describe Jim's presentations as:

"Practical, not theoretical" | "Packed with real examples" | "Honest about failures and successes"

Know Before You Owe Podcast

Every week, Jim sits down with mortgage leaders, fintech founders, real estate visionaries, and industry innovators for in-depth conversations about their journeys, strategies, and insights.

 

The podcast isn't about surface-level tips - it's about understanding how successful people think, how they navigate challenges, and what they're building for the future.

Jim Black

Jim Black

Chief Lending Officer : Founder | NMLS # NMLS # 633511 DRE # 02089890

+1(925) 285-4898

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Jim Black

Jim Black

Chief Lending Officer : Founder | NMLS # NMLS # 633511 DRE # 02089890

+1(925) 285-4898

Full Name
Phone*

By checking this box, I agree by electronic signature to the Electronic Disclosure Consent Agreement; to receive recurring marketing communication from or on behalf of Jim Black, including auto-dialed calls, texts, and artificial/prerecorded voice messages (message frequency varies; data rates may apply; reply "STOP" to opt-out of texts or "HELP" for assistance); and to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy of this website. Consent not required to make a purchase. I understand that I can call to obtain direct assistance.