Guardian Residential Closes Fund with Model Home Portfolio Buy

The Denver-based company reports that on Oct. 1 it closed a sale-leaseback transaction with Dream Finders Homes on 23 homes across seven states.

Four of the properties acquired by Guardian Residential from Dream Finders Homes.

DENVER—Guardian Residential reports it has closed its inaugural fund tied to the acquisition of $11.5 million in assets from Dream Finders Homes of Jacksonville, FL.

Guardian was formed by real estate industry veteran Dennis Cisterna earlier this summer to focus on residential investment opportunities with a goal of deploying $250 million in the next 18 months.

The Denver-based company reports that on Oct. 1 it closed a sale-leaseback transaction with Dream Finders Homes on 23 homes across seven states. In the transaction, Guardian purchased model homes from Dream Finders, and simultaneously entered into lease agreements allowing the builder to utilize the homes as sales offices for up to three years.

“I couldn’t think of a better partner to close our first deal,” said Cisterna, CEO of Guardian. He later said that Guardian was able to obtain “a portfolio of high-quality homes in strong markets with guaranteed revenue that will provide a strong return for our investors. Between our sale-leaseback and SFR build-to-rent platforms, we offer a unique opportunity to homebuilders and investors as we continue to expand our portfolio of residential real estate assets.”

Patrick Zalupski, CEO of Dream Finders Homes, says, “The portfolio includes some of our best constructed and well-designed homes across our national footprint. The transaction allows us to re-deploy our capital into new communities and continue our growth trajectory.”

Since its launch, Guardian has secured equity commitments from several notable firms in the single-family residential sector, including the founders of Dominion Group, LandCap Partners, Pintar Investments, and Kinloch Partners.