At MAREI, we meet a lot of investors who say they’re “waiting until they have the capital” before they start buying property. Sometimes that means saving cash, but often, what they really mean is credit — and the truth is, your credit can be one of the most powerful forms of capital you ever build.
That’s exactly what Robert Mohon, our guest speaker for the October 14th MAREI Meeting, has mastered. Known online as the Professional Borrower, Robert has built a portfolio of cash-flowing rentals using only traditional bank loans — no partners, no private money, no hard money.
We’ve been following his Facebook page for a while now, where he drops quick, practical lessons on building credit, managing debt wisely, and positioning yourself to make banks compete for your business. Here’s a preview of what he’ll be expanding on at our October meeting.
Credit Rules Everything Around You
According to Robert, your credit score determines more than just whether a bank will lend you money — it affects the cost of that money, your insurance rates, and sometimes even your credibility as a business owner.
“Credit is a reflection of how you handle responsibility,” Robert says. “Banks see that. Insurers see that. Everyone sees that.”
Here’s a quick refresher on what makes up your credit score:
35% payment history: pay on time, every time.
30% utilization: keep balances under 10% of your total limit — 3% is even better.
15% length of credit history: don’t close old accounts.
10% types of credit: a mix of revolving (cards) and installment (loans) helps.
10% new credit: don’t apply for too much too fast.
Good credit doesn’t just get you loans — it saves you thousands over time.
Credit Cards: Power Tools for Building Capital
Robert is quick to say that credit cards, when used wisely, are power tools for building wealth — but mishandled, they can wreck your financial foundation.
He recommends holding 3 to 5 major credit cards — Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover — and steering clear of store cards, which do little to build meaningful credit.
Then, use them strategically:
Pay weekly, not monthly. Robert pays his cards every Friday, a habit he calls Financial Freedom Friday. This keeps utilization low and payments always on time.
Don’t pay to zero. Leave a small balance — even a dollar or two — so the account reports as active each cycle.
Ask for limit increases every 181 days. A higher limit lowers your utilization and improves your score.
💡 Robert will be sharing his favorite credit cards and how he uses them to build better relationships with banks at the October 14th meeting.
Protect What You Build
Good credit isn’t something you just create — it’s something you protect.
Robert strongly recommends credit freezes on all three major bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion). It’s free to do and prevents anyone from opening fraudulent accounts in your name. Just unfreeze temporarily when you apply for credit, then refreeze right after.
He also suggests using annualcreditreport.com to monitor your credit for free. “Never pay someone else to check it,” he warns. “When you do, they often sell your data.”
Money Management = Bank Readiness
Having strong credit is only half the battle. To make banks want to lend to you, Robert emphasizes showing that you manage your money well.
That starts with separating personal and business finances. Keep your books current, file your taxes on time (even if you don’t have to), and work closely with a CPA who understands real estate. And when you need funding for your deal, know how to put together a complete package to take to the bank.
“When your numbers are organized, you look like someone worth lending to,” Robert says.
Robert will be talking about that funding package and what you should do when you walk into the bank. What you should wear and how you should speak with them.
The End Game: Become Bank-Ready
All of this — credit cards, credit freezes, smart management — leads to one goal: being bank-ready.
When banks trust you, they lend faster, at better rates, and with fewer hoops to jump through. And when you use that trust wisely, you unlock lines of credit, long-term loans, and a level of financial freedom that few investors ever achieve.
Robert Mohon has done it — and he’s ready to show you how.
📅 Tuesday, October 14th, 2025
📍 DoubleTree Hotel in Overland Park
🕕 Networking at 6:00 PM | Presentation at 7:30 PM
✅ Free for MAREI Members & First-Time Guests
👉 Register at MAREI.org/Calendar
Robert Mohon
Professional Borrower
