Here’s How to Get Assignment Fees Financed (Even When Lenders Push Back)

How Creative Deal Structuring Can Save Your Next Investment Deal

Let’s talk about something that happens all the time in the real estate world—especially in off-market deals. You’ve found a solid property. The numbers work. The buyer’s lined up, ready to go. Everyone’s excited. And then it happens.

Boom.

The lender says:

“We’re only funding a portion of the assignment fee.”

Welcome to what many call the wall. It’s where deals that were sailing smoothly suddenly hit a funding roadblock—and for something as simple (and fixable) as deal structure.

If you’re an investor working with agents—or an agent working with investors—this is your moment to shine. It’s one of those critical points in a transaction where creativity, experience, and knowledge can literally save a deal from dying at the finish line.

A Real-World Scenario: The Assignment Fee Wall

We recently had a real example of this challenge. The purchase price of the property was $149,900. A $20,000 assignment fee was built into that amount. On paper, everything looked great.

But when the deal reached underwriting, the lender returned with a limit:

Only 10% of the purchase price could be allocated to the assignment fee.

Let’s break that down. Ten percent of $149,900 equals $12,990. That meant the lender would only fund that portion of the $20,000 fee. The remaining $6,110? That would have to come out of the buyer’s pocket—in cash.

And just like that, a good deal was suddenly in danger. The buyer didn’t have that extra capital, and we were at risk of losing everything. But instead of backing out or eating the cost, the agent on this deal stepped up—not by pulling out a checkbook, but by restructuring the deal.

The Solution: Smart Fee Structuring

Here’s what we did—and what we’ve done many times before:

We moved a portion of the assignment fee into the real estate commission.

Instead of the entire $20,000 showing up as an assignment, we restructured $7,000 of it as a buyer’s agent commission. Why? Because lenders don’t bat an eye at 6%–7% commissions. It’s standard. It’s expected. It’s documented on the HUD and baked into the paperwork they’re trained to process.

Assignment fees? That’s another story. Lenders—especially traditional ones—get nervous. They don’t always understand how assignments work, and it often feels “outside the box” for them. That’s when underwriters start asking questions, which can lead to delays—or outright denials.

The good news is, if you know what you’re doing and you’ve got the right team around you, you can sidestep this entirely. We’ve saved deals like this over and over again, just by using creative, compliant structuring.

Why This Works—and When to Use It

Let’s be clear: this isn’t about trying to “hide” anything. It’s about presenting the same value in a format that lenders recognize. Everything is fully disclosed, clean, and legal. And this approach only works when the agent is licensed and experienced in both retail and investor-style transactions.

In some cases, we’ve closed deals where 15% to 20% of the fee was presented as a real estate commission or even as a construction coordination bonus. These creative but transparent categories pass through underwriting far more smoothly—especially with Florida lenders who are often skeptical about large assignment spreads.

It’s not a trick—it’s a solution.

And it’s why investors working with smart agents tend to win more often. The ability to navigate these moments is the difference between closing a deal and watching it collapse.

The Role of Agents in Creative Closings

Let’s address the elephant in the room.

There’s a stereotype that agents and wholesalers don’t mix. Some believe that once you get your license, you’re no longer allowed to wholesale. Others assume agents will slow deals down or insist on doing things “by the book” to the point of losing flexibility.

But here’s the truth:

Agents who understand wholesaling aren’t ruining deals—they’re rescuing them.

They’re keeping transactions legal. They’re navigating tricky lender requirements. They’re bridging the gap between out-of-state buyers and local norms. They’re protecting clients from violations that could cost them deals—or worse, lawsuits.

And they’re helping new investors—first-timers who may not realize that some lenders won’t fund full assignments, or that certain structures could create red flags. These agents aren’t just writing contracts—they’re guiding strategies.

The Licensing Advantage

If you’re an agent reading this, here’s the good news:

You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. You already have most of the tools you need. You just need support and training in creative deal structuring.

At Graystone Investment Group, we do this every single day. We train licensed agents on how to legally structure assignment deals, work with a national buyer pool, and build real wealth alongside their investor clients.

Some agents come to us thinking they have to give up their license to work with wholesalers or investor buyers. That couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, your license is one of your greatest assets.

Think about what it gives you:

• Access to the MLS

• The ability to collect both commissions and assignment fees (legally)

• More trust and credibility with serious buyers

• A competitive edge in structuring and closing deals

• Flexibility when lenders throw curveballs

Licensed agents who understand the assignment game are some of the most powerful players in the investment space.

“Licensing Adds Liability”—Or Does It?

There’s a common fear in the wholesaling world:

“I don’t want to get licensed because it adds liability.”

That’s like saying you don’t want to wear a seatbelt because it restricts your movement. In reality, your license protects you—if you use it correctly.

When you’re licensed, you’re trained to disclose, to document, and to operate with integrity. Those aren’t risks—they’re safeguards. And when a lender or buyer sees that you’re licensed, it brings an extra level of trust to the table.

You don’t have to rely on off-market tactics that skirt legality. You can do the same deals—only smarter, faster, and more compliantly.

Investors Trust Licensed Professionals

This can’t be overstated. The serious investors—the ones buying multiple properties per year, who live out of state or even internationally—they prefer to work with licensed agents.

They’re not just looking for deals; they’re looking for reliability. They want to work with someone who:

• Understands how to structure the purchase

• Can provide comps and insights using MLS data

• Speaks the same language as their lenders

• Can close fast and cleanly

• Operates in a legally compliant way

If you’re a licensed agent who learns the investor game, you instantly set yourself apart in a crowded marketplace.

The Graystone Model: Real Training, Real Deals

At Graystone Investment Group, we don’t just teach theory—we close actual deals. Whether it’s wholesaling, assignments, double closes, creative financing, or joint ventures, we show our agents how to structure and fund them legally and effectively.

That’s why we created GraystoneIG.com/broker—a place for licensed agents and aspiring investor agents to learn how to thrive in this hybrid space.

We’ve helped agents:

• Increase their earnings by adding assignment income

• Close more deals with creative financing tools

• Serve out-of-state and international buyers

• Build passive income streams alongside their investor clients

We’re not just helping agents get checks—we’re helping them build careers and portfolios.

A Message to Agents and Wholesalers Alike

If you’re an agent who’s tired of barely scraping by on commissions…

If you’ve ever lost a deal because of lender restrictions…

If you’re curious how investors scale their portfolios so fast…

Then this is your invitation to take the next step.

You can continue doing traditional real estate, sure—but why stop there? You can double your income, expand your skills, and help more people by learning how to structure creative investment deals. And yes, you can do it legally, safely, and smartly.

And if you’re a wholesaler? Partner with licensed agents who understand this game. The right partnership can save you thousands of dollars—and months of frustration.

Final Thoughts: The Game Is Changing—Are You?

The real estate market isn’t getting easier. Lenders are tightening their guidelines. Buyers are getting more cautious. Compliance requirements are growing. If you’re doing deals the way you were five years ago, you’re probably leaving money on the table—or putting deals at risk.

But there’s a better way.

Whether you’re an agent or an investor, now’s the time to learn how to structure deals the right way. When others are stuck or panicking, you’ll be closing.

Because deals don’t die when lenders say “no”—they die when no one knows how to pivot.

This is Jorge Vazquez, CEO of Graystone Investment Group and Coach at Property Profit Academy.

I’ve helped thousands of agents and investors do exactly what we’ve talked about today—turn dead deals into closed ones. And I want to help you do the same.

So if you’re ready to stop watching deals fall apart and start building a sustainable, powerful real estate business, head over to:

👉 GraystoneIG.com/broker

We’ll show you how to structure deals, speak lender language, and get paid—legally, smartly, and consistently.

Thanks for reading. Until next time, keep learning, keep closing, and keep building wealth the right way.