Kennedy Funding Closes $2.5 Million Land Loan in St. Thomas, Nevis

Direct private lender provides cash-out refinancing on 63 acres on Jessups Estate

ENGLEWOOD, N.J., Jan. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A luxury Caribbean estate with over 60 acres of prime land in Nevis has become the latest addition to Kennedy Funding's growing list of international loan closings. The Englewood, New Jersey-based direct private lender announced that it has closed a $2.5 million cash-out refinancing loan for Bush Lender LLC, secured by a multi-property portfolio on the island of Nevis, part of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

The loan is backed by a mix of developed and raw land assets, including a custom-designed, modern 8,000-square-foot concrete villa located in Jessups Estate, a sought-after residential area in the Parish of St. Thomas. The villa includes a three-car garage, theater, fitness room, and private pool, and sits on more than two acres just minutes from Charlestown, the capital of Nevis. Additional collateral includes more than 60 acres across Farms Estate and Bush Hill, two additional locations on the island offering expansive development potential.

"This is exactly the kind of complex international loan that Kennedy Funding was built to close," said Mark Falzone, Executive Loan Officer at Kennedy Funding. "When traditional lenders back away from land loans or land deals in foreign jurisdictions, we see opportunity. We know how to work through the legal systems, title issues, and valuation challenges that come with international real estate."

Nevis, known for its pristine beaches, mountainous interior, and luxury tourism appeal, is a popular destination for global investors and second-home buyers. But while the real estate market has grown, access to U.S.-based capital remains limited—particularly when it comes to unlocking equity from land or estate holdings.

"Lenders simply don't want to deal with land, let alone land outside the United States," Falzone added. "But at Kennedy Funding, we've closed deals across Central and South America, throughout the Caribbean, and in dozens of markets where others say no. This Nevis transaction is just the latest example of that track record."

Kennedy Funding has built a reputation as one of the few U.S.-based private lenders with the ability—and willingness—to close land loans abroad. According to Kevin Wolfer, CEO and President of Kennedy Funding, the firm's success lies in its ability to combine speed and flexibility with deep experience navigating international lending.

"Closing loans in foreign countries requires more than capital—it takes a real understanding of local laws, real estate customs, and how to build the right team on the ground," said Wolfer. "We have the network and the experience to make that happen—and that's why Kennedy Funding continues to be the go-to lender for international real estate financing."

The villa in Jessups Estate offers both exclusivity and convenience, located just 3.4 miles—or a 10-minute drive—from the island's center of commerce and government. The additional acreage in Farms Estate and Bush Hill represents both long-term investment potential and the kind of diversified collateral base Kennedy Funding regularly evaluates for its borrowers.

"This wasn't just one property—it was multiple parcels, spanning different uses and parishes," added Falzone. "We evaluated the entire portfolio, conducted the necessary diligence on the ground, and moved forward with confidence. That's what sets Kennedy Funding apart."

With this closing, Kennedy Funding adds Nevis to its growing list of international markets, which already includes St. Barts, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Colombia, Belize, Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador. The firm has closed more than $4 billion in loans worldwide, and continues to lead the market in high-leverage funding for land and commercial real estate.

"We're proud to deliver this kind of outcome for borrowers who've been told 'no' too many times," added Wolfer. "If you own valuable land, a luxury home, or development-ready real estate—even if it's located outside the U.S.—we can help you turn it into capital."

About Kennedy Funding

Kennedy Funding is a global direct private lender specializing in bridge loans for commercial property and land acquisition, development, workouts, bankruptcies, and foreclosures. Kennedy Funding has closed more than $4 billion in loans to date. Their creative financing expertise provides funding up to 75% loan-to-value, from $1 million ($3 million international) to more than $50 million in as little as five days. The company has closed loans throughout the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, Canada, and Central and South America.

Visit www.kennedyfunding.com.

SOURCE Kennedy Funding