For EB-5 investors, one of the most important decisions is selecting a trustworthy project developer. The right developer makes all the difference—both for your Green Card and for the return of your investment capital. While offering documents and economic reports matter, the developer’s ability to complete a project is what ultimately determines your financial and immigration outcomes.
If the developer can complete the project and generate enough qualifying jobs through construction spending, your I-526E and I-829 petitions can be approved promptly. And if the project is financially successful—properly capitalized, well-managed, and aligned with market demand—your investment capital can be returned at the end of the investment period as planned.
But if the developer falls short—if construction stalls, budgets are missed, or job creation numbers don’t materialize—investors risk losing not only their immigration outcome, but also every dollar they invested. In the worst cases, failures on both fronts can derail long-term family plans that depend on a successful EB-5 project.
That is why the identity, experience, and track record of the developer behind an EB-5 project can make or break your investment.
For new EB-5 applicants, there is enormous practical value in hearing directly from past investors who have already evaluated projects, weighed risks, and committed real capital. These investors bring practical advice that cannot be found in marketing materials alone.
Learning from successful EB-5 investors helps new applicants form a clearer strategy and focus on the issues that truly matter.
That is why EB5AN has built one of the most comprehensive EB-5 testimonial libraries in the industry, with more than 20 full-length interviews featuring real investors discussing their own decision-making process.
This post is the third installment in our new blog series revisiting some of the most compelling insights from these interviews, with each article focused on a critical aspect of the EB-5 investment process.
In this installment, the focus is on why several EB5AN investors chose to invest in EB-5 projects developed by the Kolter Group, and how they evaluated Kolter as a project developer.
We are proud of our long-term association with Kolter, with multiple successful EB-5 projects where several investors already hold their Green Cards and have been repaid.
Across these interviews, you’ll notice that investors were looking for a developer with a long-standing track record and demonstrated success in asset classes such as single-family and active adult communities. In their own words, they describe why Kolter’s experience and execution record gave them confidence that the projects would be completed, jobs would be created, and capital would ultimately be repaid.
We also invite you to watch these highlights in the following compilation video featuring our investors’ key responses.
Watch All EB-5 Investor Testimonials
Kolter’s Perfect Track Record of Project Completion and Repayment
A Stable, Well-Capitalized Builder With Consistent Success
Demonstrated Execution: Building and Selling at Scale
Credibility Through Transparency, Market Strategy, and On-the-Ground Visits
Learn More About EB5AN-Kolter EB-5 Projects
Kolter’s Perfect Track Record of Project Completion and Repayment
“We started reading up on Kolter once we were assessing two or three EB5AN projects.”
“That gave us a lot of confidence just in the terms of scale and also the terms of volume that they have delivered over the last I think three decades or something. So there’s a lot of background over there that we typically ignored when we were starting off this research. Most of the developers that the other RCs are working with sometimes turned out to be very small, or a brand-new developer is just working on this one project. So compared to that, Kolter seemed to be a lot more familiar and larger name in general. They had a lot of successful projects, as the volume of houses that they have delivered over the last 20, 30 years has been massive. So all of that gave us confidence about Kolter’s ability to float.”
— Niharika and Ishaan, investors in the Rocky River Rural EB-5 Project
Niharika and Ishaan described an early contrast they noticed once they began comparing developers across multiple EB-5 offerings. Many of the developers behind other regional center projects were either very small or working on a single project without any meaningful track record. When they shifted their focus to Kolter, the difference in scale and longevity was clear. Kolter had delivered communities at a level that most developers in the EB-5 space simply had not approached, and the investors saw this as a direct indicator of the company’s ability to execute.
This is really a key point in any real estate deal, EB-5 or otherwise: a builder that has repeatedly delivered large volumes of homes across decades has already solved the operational challenges that can derail newer or smaller firms.
“Another thing to consider was there have been two financial … I would say market anomaly events. One was the 2008 financial crisis and then COVID. Kolter seemed to get through both of them. So that was another thing that we just considered, because COVID led to some sort of a strain on the overall construction business, and Kolter seemed to just come out of that. So that again gave us some more confidence on the developer as a brand and as a company.”
— Niharika and Ishaan, investors in the Rocky River Rural EB-5 Project
For them, it mattered not only that Kolter had a long history, but also that the company had endured two major market downturns that reshaped the real estate industry. Surviving the 2008 financial crisis and navigating the disruptions of COVID reinforced the perception that Kolter was prepared for unexpected shocks. Many developers expanded quickly during stable periods but struggled when conditions changed. Kolter’s ability to maintain operations through both events showed they had a capable management team and strong capitalization.
“In terms of real estate, where experience and expertise and having a good track record are absolutely critical. We really liked the Kolter development company, Kolter Homes; they’ve been in business for over 25 years. I believe they’ve developed over 20,000 homes over that time. They have seen economic cycles before, they’ve been through recessions before. They have always remained solvent, repaid any capital, any loans. They have the experience to weather economic storms. They have the experience of having developed partnerships with contractors.”
— James, investor in the Twin Lakes Rural EB-5 Project
James emphasized similar points but added detail on the depth of Kolter’s production history. His understanding of their development record—tens of thousands of completed homes over more than 25 years—gave him confidence that Kolter was not learning on the job. They had built entire communities, refined their approach to active adult developments, and formed long-term relationships with contractors and trade partners. These observations highlight a key advantage of established developers: consistent success leads to predictable outcomes. Kolter’s specialization in 55+ communities, in particular, made the choice easy for James. The investors sensed that the company’s operational maturity reduced execution risk at every stage.
A Stable, Well-Capitalized Builder With Consistent Success
“I think the combination of EB5AN and Kolter was very attractive to me because of the impeccable track record and the longstanding relationship you have with Kolter. So I was definitely interested in investing in one of your Kolter projects.”
“They’ve been in the business for over 25 years. I knew that and they’ve never actually failed to repay any of their loans and I thought it was very impressive. And what really appealed to me was this loan repayment guarantee. Obviously there still has to be some risk involved in investing in an EB-5 investment, but I think this repayment guarantee really mitigates or minimizes the risk as much as that is at all possible. So that was definitely a huge factor for me as well.”
— Daria, investor in the Twin Lakes Rural EB-5 Project
Daria focused on another green flag: repayment performance. She pointed to Kolter’s history of repaying loans without default, viewing this as a signal of operational discipline and prudent financial management. The availability of repayment protections in certain EB5AN–Kolter structures further strengthened her confidence. She understood that risk could never be eliminated entirely, but she recognized that a developer capable of completing projects consistently—and repaying all obligations—decreases the practical risk to investors. She connected the repayment support to a broader pattern: a developer that performs reliably over decades is far more likely to close out a project on schedule and return capital at the end of the EB-5 loan term.
“I was drawn to the builder, Kolter. I choose to invest in the project by Kolter builder for several reasons. Just researching on them, they gave me confidence in the safety and potential of my investment. First and foremost, Kolter’s impressive track record in real estate industry played a very pivotal role in my decision. They have extensive experience as well as a proven history of successfully completing their projects, and that was highlighted as well on their website that they have a proven track record of completing every single project 100%.”
“They’re also financially stable, and that’s another key factor. They’re in a good position financially, that reassured me that they could effectively manage and complete the project without unexpected delays or issues.”
— Hardik, investor in the Twin Lakes Rural EB-5 Project
Hardik also viewed Kolter’s financial strength as a defining reason to invest. He recognized that even strong builders can face pressure during construction, particularly on projects with significant sequencing and long development cycles. What mattered to him was Kolter’s ability to continue operations without delays that could affect job creation or repayment timing. His research convinced him that Kolter had the resources to manage cost pressures.
Demonstrated Execution: Building and Selling at Scale
“This is not their first rodeo. They are experts. They currently have, I believe, approximately thirteen or fifteen 55+ [age-restricted] active adult communities under development. They have another one that’s (I don’t know if it’s finished yet or it’s close to being completed) in the Atlanta area right now. So, they have a formula that has worked over a number of years for literally thousands of homes. They have many of these types of project in active 55+ communities under development right now. So, you’re dealing with a firm that has experience, has the marketing know-how, and are well capitalized. They’ve been through tough economic times before. They know how to respond. They’re experts.”
— James, investor in the Twin Lakes Rural EB-5 Project
James’s evaluation of Kolter centered on demonstrated execution—specifically, the ability not only to build but also to sell entire communities. He underscored that Kolter’s success did not come from one or two projects but from a long series of active adult developments completed across multiple states. He saw the repetition of this model as critical. A developer with a refined, proven formula for building and selling thousands of homes is far more likely to deliver on time than a firm attempting its first large-scale project.
“I went with Saltaire and Kolter’s project because of their success story, because I see that there was another condominium complex which was already built successfully around five plots away from the St. Petersburg project. So I thought it would be the best investment because they already have succeeded in multiple EB-5 projects,”
— Ravi, investor in the Saltaire St. Petersburg Urban EB-5 Project
Ravi brought a different angle—geographic proof. For him, the determining factor was Kolter’s previous success just a few blocks from the Saltaire development. He saw tangible evidence: a completed condominium project that had already sold units effectively and delivered returns. This proximity mattered. It demonstrated that Kolter understood the St. Petersburg market, could deliver a similar product type at scale, and had already validated demand.
“I was pretty sure that, based on their success stories—Kolter—I was pretty sure that they will be finishing off this project within the provided time. And they did finish the project”
“Even though Covid and everything affected, the project did not stop, and all the houses, all the flats were sold in time, and I got my 6% investment, the—what do we call—the interest that I have to receive, that I have received within the time as promised.”
“Exactly at the end of the three years, the project was successfully almost completed, and all the flats were sold—completely sold—and I was provided with the investment return of $95,000. When I invested, getting a $95,000 within a span of three years of the project start is a very good investment I would feel.”
— Ravi, investor in the Saltaire St. Petersburg Urban EB-5 Project
What strengthened Ravi’s conviction was how the Saltaire project itself progressed. Even during COVID disruptions, construction continued, units sold as expected, and repayment occurred on schedule. The consistency with which Kolter delivered and exited the project supported his belief that the firm operated with a level of competence and discipline that protected EB-5 investors. For him, Kolter proved that even under strained conditions, execution did not slip. The project reached completion, sales velocity remained strong, and repayment was made in full, confirming that the developer could meet both operational and financial obligations.
Ravi even gained high returns—and all on schedule.
“The question again comes down to the point like, “Hey, in order to get your money back, will they be able to sell the projects?” So given Kolter’s track record, I was like, “Okay, they can build it. Can they sell it?” So we have seen that with Twin Lakes and every other property that they are able to sell it.”
— Tarun, investor in the Rocky River Rural EB-5 Project
Tarun framed developer evaluation around a single question: if the developer can build it, can they sell it? He understood that EB-5 outcomes rely on both sides of that equation. Kolter’s record showed they could. He had reviewed multiple Kolter communities, including Twin Lakes, and saw consistent evidence of strong demand and effective sales operations. It demonstrated that Kolter operated in segments where buyers existed, where product design aligned with demand, and where communities could reach full sell-out reliably. His reasoning mirrors how institutional lenders evaluate developers: past sales success signals future repayment stability.
Credibility Through Transparency, Market Strategy, and On-the-Ground Visits
“Okay, if I pick Kolter as a developer, what is their track record? What’s the history? How have they been successful? What has been their strategy to get it to sales? And how do they pick the markets? What is the segment that they operate in?”
“The first reason is definitely Kolter, seeing the history of what they target and they’ve already been successful.”
“Hey, why would I pick Rocky River over any other kind of rural project. It’s primarily comes down to, hey, they’ve done this project in the past, they know what they’re doing, and they know that’s going to … It’s like probability of success. I know that the probability of success is much more higher”
“Goes back to the past performance and the way they’ve handled projects in the past. I think Twin Lakes was also built by them. Like we say in the stock market, past performance does not determine future performance. But in this case, you’re just trying to reduce your probability of failure. So I have all the information that Kolter has done. I have seen the projects that they’ve built in the past, and I know that they are being successful. So it just becomes kind of … I wouldn’t say an easy, but a straightforward kind of decision where it’s, hey, you know this developer, you know the track record, the history, and the way they build the projects, and the way they sell it is going to be fine. That’s just based on the past record”
— Tarun, investor in the Rocky River Rural EB-5 Project
Tarun examined how Kolter selected markets: what segments they served, what product types they built, and how they positioned their communities. His analysis led him to conclude that Kolter’s approach—particularly its focus on single-family and active adult communities in growing population corridors—was grounded in demographic realities. He saw the firm’s long-standing performance in these segments as evidence that the strategy worked. This strategic consistency reassured him that Kolter’s future projects would follow the same principles.
“Additionally, Kolter’s commitment to quality of construction was evident. Before investing in this project, I had gone to the site and I visited the site project. And I’ve gone through pretty much every single model home they had out there to offer for this community. And I was surprised and blown away by the quality of work that was provided in all of those model homes. And like I said, I’ve invested in real estate before, so I can hand in hand compare exactly what a good quality versus an okay or average quality of work from a new builder looks like, because I’ve gone through those troubles, and I can see that work. So, definitely Kolter was one of the reasons.”
— Hardik, investor in the Twin Lakes Rural EB-5 Project
Hardik took a more hands-on approach. Before committing to the investment, he visited the Twin Lakes development and toured the model homes. He compared Kolter’s construction quality with other builders he had worked with previously and saw a clear difference. The in-person assessment validated what he had researched. For EB-5 investors, who often cannot see projects before investing, this kind of direct verification carries weight; it confirms that the developer’s reputation aligns with the physical product. Hardik concluded that Kolter’s workmanship reflected a company accustomed to delivering at a high standard.
“They received my I-526E application the 1st of August and I received the approval on April 2nd. So it was exactly eight months and a day. That was even much quicker than I would’ve hoped for. It was very quick and I’m super pleased with the outcome.”
— Daria, investor in the Twin Lakes Rural EB-5 Project
Daria connected her rapid I-526E approval to the strength of the underlying project. She understood that strong developers produce clear, well-documented projects that allow USCIS adjudicators to confirm compliance more efficiently. Her eight-month approval reinforced her belief that the Kolter–EB5AN combination produced well-prepared filings with clean job creation models and credible project timelines. Fast adjudications are not random; they reflect projects that meet USCIS requirements fully. For her, the approval was another data point confirming that she had selected a trustworthy developer.
Learn More About EB5AN-Kolter EB-5 Projects
“On-time repayment, fast I-526E and Green Card approvals, peace of mind… Investors in our Kolter-developed EB-5 projects consistently succeed both financially and in their immigration goals,” observes Sam Silverman, managing partner of EB5AN.
“And we want to continue this trend by offering institutional-quality EB-5 projects developed by Kolter, one of the very few developers active today with a flawless track record and a consistent string of successes in the EB-5 space.”
We invite you to learn more about EB-5 and Kolter by scheduling a free consultation today.
