We’re proud to support borrowers who take on the challenge of revitalizing neighborhoods

In our series, “Developing Stories,” read about these borrowers and their experiences.

Edouard’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. In 2017, he arrived in the U.S. from the Democratic Republic of Congo alongside his wife—stepping into a new life without knowing a word of English. But he saw opportunity in America and seized it!

In a way, the opportunity he ultimately found—a career in real estate—chose Edouard as much as he chose it. A few years after graduating Cincinnati State with an electrical engineering degree, Edouard was “gifted” (and, dear reader, being a real estate professional yourself, you’ll know why we included those quotation marks!) a terribly dilapidated four-unit building. With trademark grit, he rehabbed the property where he and his family still live in one unit while renting the other three—earning his general contractor license in the process.

By 2025, Edouard had parlayed the lessons from that property into a growing portfolio with half a dozen properties. But he had limited experience utilizing outside financing and didn’t have a go-to lender. So a well-connected friend introduced him to Omar ElhagMusa, Spring Garden Lending’s SVP and Ohio Market Leader. Edouard recalls, “We were in a position where we wanted to really develop a primary lending relationship, so I thought I would try out Spring Garden Lending. Early on it became apparent that these are the people I am going to collaborate with moving forward.”

And indeed, he is already teeing up his next several projects with Spring Garden.

The good vibes are mutual. Says Omar, “Edouard has been a joy to work with. His whole team is hardworking and invested in his mission to create and manage quality housing in the Cincinnati Metropolitan Area. Edouard is a high achiever, and it’s been a pleasure to partner and collaborate with him on his real estate journey.”