Meet The Team
Zach Smith
Principal & COO
Zach is an experienced private lender committed to helping real estate investors succeed. Before joining Cetan Funds, he built and operated several small businesses in Eugene and Springfield, gaining hands-on insight into every facet of launching, scaling, and managing a business. These experiences shaped his belief in the importance of integrity, loyalty, and exceptional service.
An active real estate investor himself, Zach is passionate about helping Oregon developers, builders, and small businesses achieve strong returns while contributing to the region’s growth. He serves as Principal and COO of Cetan Funds, where he oversees daily operations, business development, loan origination and underwriting, portfolio management, investor relations, and fund operations.
Zach is a licensed mortgage loan originator in Oregon (NMLS #1748167). He earned his B.A. from the University of Oregon, graduating from the Robert D. Clark Honors College with a major in Psychology and minors in Business Administration and Spanish.
Cetan Funds Articles by Zach Smith
Cetan Funds 2025 Project Awards: Six Standout Private Loan Projects from the Year
2025 was not an easy year for real estate investors in Oregon and Southwest Washington. Higher rates, tighter bank credit, softer buyer demand, and rising construction costs forced investors to be more disciplined and creative than they had been in years. At Cetan...
A Complete Guide to Fix and Flip Financing
Smart investors know that profitable flips come down to a few timeless principles. Here are a few pearls of wisdom seasoned investors live by when it comes to successful fix and flip projects. Fix and flip projects have long captured the spotlight through endless TV...
10 Common Mistakes in Real Estate Investing & How to Avoid Them
We all make mistakes; it's part of life and business. But when it comes to real estate investing, whether you're taking on a new construction build or a fix-and-flip rehab project, too many missteps will cost you big time. One of the benefits of working with a private...
5 Construction Trends Oregon Builders & Investors Are Focusing On Right Now
Oregon’s housing shortage is fueling one of the busiest construction cycles in decades. With a growing population, changing laws, and shifting demographics, the state is seeing a wave of projects aimed at affordability, density, and smarter land use. At Cetan Funds,...
7 Keys to Fast Private Financing for Real Estate Investors
If you’re investing in real estate, whether flipping a distressed property, developing land, or building new construction, you already know time is money. In fast-moving markets like Oregon and Southwest Washington, speed matters. The faster you secure financing, the...
Understanding the Construction Draw Process: A Guide to Smarter Funding with Cetan Funds
If you're a real estate investor or builder looking to finance a project from the ground up, a hard money construction loan can be a smart move. These private loans offer fast, flexible terms, giving you the capital to acquire, build, or renovate without the delays...
Hard Money Lending Tools Every Oregon Real Estate Investor Should Know
At Cetan Funds, we're more than just a lender. We're a partner in your success, offering tools and knowledge that help you move faster, work smarter, and close with certainty. Our experienced team understands how important speed, clarity, and dependable financing are...
14 Lending Terms Every Real Estate Investor Should Know
Real estate investing, whether you’re flipping houses or building a fourplex, means learning a new financial language. Private loans can be powerful tools, but acronyms like LTV or ARV often sound like alphabet soup to newcomers. This guide breaks down key terms in...
Understanding Hard Money Rehab and Construction Loans: Accelerate Growth and Maximize Returns in Real Estate
Why Hard Money Loans?Real estate investing is one of the most effective ways to build wealth, but securing the right financing can be a challenge. Traditional bank loans often come with long approval times, rigid requirements, and limited flexibility—none of which are...
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