Posts Tagged ‘Real Estate Loans’
Construction Financing and Commercial Loans
Stephen Bush asked:
Commercial construction financing and commercial real estate loans are presenting a number of new challenges for commercial borrowers. As a result, small business owners should anticipate that they are likely to encounter some new but generally avoidable problems when they are seeking working capital funding and commercial mortgages.
There have always been complex problems for business owners to avoid when seeking commercial loans. By most accounts, these difficulties are now expected to multiply because we appear to be entering a period which will be characterized by even more uncertainties in the economy. Prior standards for commercial mortgages are likely to change suddenly and with little advance notice by lenders if the current financial turmoil continues.
This article will evaluate why commercial construction loans have become harder to obtain and will discuss possible commercial finance funding solutions. It is much more likely that borrowers will need to look beyond their local area for business financing help because of current economic uncertainties in combination with less capital available for commercial mortgages in general and construction financing in particular. In many areas of the United States, virtually all business construction funding sources are effectively inactive at this time in addressing new loan requests.
Construction loans were generally considered to be riskier than other commercial financing by most lenders even before business finance funding options became more limited recently. For a commercial lender, the most significant risk factors for commercial construction financing usually include the following: (1) a commercial property cannot produce revenues which will be used to repay a loan until the property is completed and occupied; (2) a substantial risk factor is the possibility for contractor liens; and (3) many commercial construction projects take more time to complete than originally projected and/or exceed initial cost estimates. Due to widespread business losses in the construction industry, the risk of contractor liens is a major concern for commercial lenders. In any event, current delinquencies in loan payments for commercial construction financing are running well above normal.
Construction financing for homebuilders has always been viewed separately by lenders because the eventual owners of single-family homes are individuals rather than businesses. From a commercial lending perspective, it is likely that the current difficulties seen in residential construction are indirectly impacting the availability of construction funding for commercial properties because the potential for contractor liens incurred during residential projects can quickly reduce the financial stability of contractors involved in both residential and commercial construction projects. This is a further reason why lenders are increasingly focusing on the risk of contractor liens as a rationale for providing less construction financing.
The feasibility of real estate investments has traditionally included an enduring theme of “location, location and location” which reflects the importance of a specific locale for investing. This is still an important factor when lenders evaluate the prospects for commercial real estate loans involving both existing commercial properties and new construction. A lender is likely to be most comfortable with a stable to growing revenue stream for a business which will in turn result in a stable to growing property valuation, thus preserving collateral for the commercial mortgage loan.
Although there are significant regional variations, we are witnessing decreases in both commercial and residential property values throughout the United States for the first time in several years. A severe recession will result in decreasing income for many businesses over an extended period of time, and it is very difficult for either lenders or borrowers to project when this downward trend will reverse.
Given the difficulty of arranging financing based on location, using non-local lenders can be a practical solution for commercial financing involving both existing commercial properties and new construction. Small business owners should seek straightforward advice from a commercial loans expert who can provide effective strategies for changing and difficult business finance funding situations, especially in light of the challenging commercial borrowing climate prevailing currently.
Commercial construction financing and commercial real estate loans are presenting a number of new challenges for commercial borrowers. As a result, small business owners should anticipate that they are likely to encounter some new but generally avoidable problems when they are seeking working capital funding and commercial mortgages.
There have always been complex problems for business owners to avoid when seeking commercial loans. By most accounts, these difficulties are now expected to multiply because we appear to be entering a period which will be characterized by even more uncertainties in the economy. Prior standards for commercial mortgages are likely to change suddenly and with little advance notice by lenders if the current financial turmoil continues.
This article will evaluate why commercial construction loans have become harder to obtain and will discuss possible commercial finance funding solutions. It is much more likely that borrowers will need to look beyond their local area for business financing help because of current economic uncertainties in combination with less capital available for commercial mortgages in general and construction financing in particular. In many areas of the United States, virtually all business construction funding sources are effectively inactive at this time in addressing new loan requests.
Construction loans were generally considered to be riskier than other commercial financing by most lenders even before business finance funding options became more limited recently. For a commercial lender, the most significant risk factors for commercial construction financing usually include the following: (1) a commercial property cannot produce revenues which will be used to repay a loan until the property is completed and occupied; (2) a substantial risk factor is the possibility for contractor liens; and (3) many commercial construction projects take more time to complete than originally projected and/or exceed initial cost estimates. Due to widespread business losses in the construction industry, the risk of contractor liens is a major concern for commercial lenders. In any event, current delinquencies in loan payments for commercial construction financing are running well above normal.
Construction financing for homebuilders has always been viewed separately by lenders because the eventual owners of single-family homes are individuals rather than businesses. From a commercial lending perspective, it is likely that the current difficulties seen in residential construction are indirectly impacting the availability of construction funding for commercial properties because the potential for contractor liens incurred during residential projects can quickly reduce the financial stability of contractors involved in both residential and commercial construction projects. This is a further reason why lenders are increasingly focusing on the risk of contractor liens as a rationale for providing less construction financing.
The feasibility of real estate investments has traditionally included an enduring theme of “location, location and location” which reflects the importance of a specific locale for investing. This is still an important factor when lenders evaluate the prospects for commercial real estate loans involving both existing commercial properties and new construction. A lender is likely to be most comfortable with a stable to growing revenue stream for a business which will in turn result in a stable to growing property valuation, thus preserving collateral for the commercial mortgage loan.
Although there are significant regional variations, we are witnessing decreases in both commercial and residential property values throughout the United States for the first time in several years. A severe recession will result in decreasing income for many businesses over an extended period of time, and it is very difficult for either lenders or borrowers to project when this downward trend will reverse.
Given the difficulty of arranging financing based on location, using non-local lenders can be a practical solution for commercial financing involving both existing commercial properties and new construction. Small business owners should seek straightforward advice from a commercial loans expert who can provide effective strategies for changing and difficult business finance funding situations, especially in light of the challenging commercial borrowing climate prevailing currently.
Commercial Loans and Working Capital Financing Special Reports
Steve Bush asked:
A prudent approach to working capital management is becoming more difficult for most commercial borrowers. Commercial loans have always been more complicated than realized by most business owners. Recent financing difficulties involving commercial mortgages, SBA loans and business cash advances have added significantly to the complexity of the entire commercial lending process.
This article will provide a brief overview describing some of the business financing resources which should be thoroughly evaluated by commercial borrowers as part of their prudent approach to successful working capital funding. All of the recommended sources are free and available online. Business owners should contact the author directly or use one of the leading internet search engines to locate the most appropriate sites.
The first resource can be located by searching online for “working capital financing special reports” or “commercial loans special reports”. This will provide links to a wide variety of recent articles addressing relevant issues such as difficulties which are likely in refinancing SBA loans. Commercial borrowers should especially benefit from reading about recent adverse developments involving business cash advances and small business mortgages.
A second resource will be discovered by looking for “commercial mortgages and commercial loans guide”. This site includes candid advice about avoiding problems with commercial real estate loans and business opportunity financing. Also included at the website are some especially relevant articles. A prime example is a special report describing what a commercial borrower can do if a bank declines their commercial real estate financing application.
A third key commercial funding resource can be reached by searching for “business cash advance and working capital guide”. As you might expect, this particular site primarily addresses issues related to working capital strategies. Of special note at this site is an executive summary about small business cash management. This summary report includes a list of ten problems to avoid with credit card receivables financing.
A fourth resource which should be helpful to anyone that currently owns or is about to buy commercial property can be found by looking for “real estate investment property loan and business finance guide”. This site will provide a useful perspective about some critical problems to avoid with commercial mortgages and SBA loans. For example, a report at the site discusses how to avoid malpractice with commercial loans.
For additional insights about business loan reports available through internet sources, we recommend including terms like “avoiding problems” together with other descriptions such as “working capital” and “commercial mortgage loans”. For example, by searching for “avoiding problems with working capital loans”, commercial borrowers should obtain useful insights about difficulties to be avoided in their own business financing efforts.
There are also some suggested precautions to observe in this approach to researching commercial loans. Two of the most important issues are highlighted below.
First, most small business mortgages and working capital funding strategies are highly likely to be more complex than expected by commercial borrowers. Although written sources can identify general problems for business owners to anticipate, there will usually be specific complexities that require more detail than can be provided in a generic article.
Second, because of the complicated nature of commercial loan underwriting, there is really no substitute for individualized discussions between a commercial borrower and a knowledgeable business financing advisor. Prudent business owners should insist on detailed and personalized interactions with a working capital management expert before finalizing their funding decisions.
A prudent approach to working capital management is becoming more difficult for most commercial borrowers. Commercial loans have always been more complicated than realized by most business owners. Recent financing difficulties involving commercial mortgages, SBA loans and business cash advances have added significantly to the complexity of the entire commercial lending process.
This article will provide a brief overview describing some of the business financing resources which should be thoroughly evaluated by commercial borrowers as part of their prudent approach to successful working capital funding. All of the recommended sources are free and available online. Business owners should contact the author directly or use one of the leading internet search engines to locate the most appropriate sites.
The first resource can be located by searching online for “working capital financing special reports” or “commercial loans special reports”. This will provide links to a wide variety of recent articles addressing relevant issues such as difficulties which are likely in refinancing SBA loans. Commercial borrowers should especially benefit from reading about recent adverse developments involving business cash advances and small business mortgages.
A second resource will be discovered by looking for “commercial mortgages and commercial loans guide”. This site includes candid advice about avoiding problems with commercial real estate loans and business opportunity financing. Also included at the website are some especially relevant articles. A prime example is a special report describing what a commercial borrower can do if a bank declines their commercial real estate financing application.
A third key commercial funding resource can be reached by searching for “business cash advance and working capital guide”. As you might expect, this particular site primarily addresses issues related to working capital strategies. Of special note at this site is an executive summary about small business cash management. This summary report includes a list of ten problems to avoid with credit card receivables financing.
A fourth resource which should be helpful to anyone that currently owns or is about to buy commercial property can be found by looking for “real estate investment property loan and business finance guide”. This site will provide a useful perspective about some critical problems to avoid with commercial mortgages and SBA loans. For example, a report at the site discusses how to avoid malpractice with commercial loans.
For additional insights about business loan reports available through internet sources, we recommend including terms like “avoiding problems” together with other descriptions such as “working capital” and “commercial mortgage loans”. For example, by searching for “avoiding problems with working capital loans”, commercial borrowers should obtain useful insights about difficulties to be avoided in their own business financing efforts.
There are also some suggested precautions to observe in this approach to researching commercial loans. Two of the most important issues are highlighted below.
First, most small business mortgages and working capital funding strategies are highly likely to be more complex than expected by commercial borrowers. Although written sources can identify general problems for business owners to anticipate, there will usually be specific complexities that require more detail than can be provided in a generic article.
Second, because of the complicated nature of commercial loan underwriting, there is really no substitute for individualized discussions between a commercial borrower and a knowledgeable business financing advisor. Prudent business owners should insist on detailed and personalized interactions with a working capital management expert before finalizing their funding decisions.
Commercial Real Estate Loans and the Challenge Lenders Face
Aidan Kellsey asked:
Banks took a blow with the recent sub-prime home loan fiasco. The money financed for commercial lenders are what they are focusing on now. Experts have said that in the wake of the fiasco that len to the mortgage defaults that resulted in foreclosures to homeowners and sent banks affected, commercial lending is relatively safe at this juncture.
It seems like the market is at a downward spiral with real estate properties dipping. This is the perfect time for commercial lenders, though, as optimistic lenders provide fresh capital to fund commercial lending.
Whether you need capital to renovate, consolidate debt, or buy supplies, your needs will be fulfilled by the companies feeling bullish about the market. The National Commercial Funding, or NCF, is one such company.
Commercial Loans and Its Numerous Kinds
Commercial loans immediately provide investors with the needed capital, regardless if they are making more room for expansion or starting a business. Various lenders have different solutions to fit any investor’s needs.
Investors looking to expand can gain from commercial real estate loans that are designed to provide for the different requirements of business investments, no matter what scale. Various loans suit various businesses, and investors will be matched with the best ones.
For investors seeking possible expansion areas, the convenience of having everything to check out in one company is an added benefit. Lenders like NCF are prepared to walk you through the process, providing you the guidance you need. These are the different commercial real estate loans available all over the country:
* Hotel Loans
* Motel Loans
* Mobile Home Park Loans
* Multi-Family Apartment Loans
* Restaurant Loans
* Office Building Loans
* Self-storage Loans
* Industrial Loans
* Warehouse Loans
* Small Business Administration Loans
* Mezzanine Financing
* Other Commercial Loans
Contributing to the economy and assisting you in making your business develop are the intentions of non-traditional lenders. That’s why they require less paperwork and less processing time when refinancing your commercial real estate property.
Direct Lenders
There are lenders, both big and small, who can loan millions of dollars in capital direct from their own funds. They’re known as direct lenders. You should prefer direct lenders who can fund your investment, so picking the right commercial financing company is essential.
Offering considerably reasonable rates and open to negotiate terms are direct commercial lenders. Loan processing is always quick and simple with the help of NCF commercial loan professionals who will walk you through the process. Indeed, commercial real estate loans are still up to the challenge.
Banks took a blow with the recent sub-prime home loan fiasco. The money financed for commercial lenders are what they are focusing on now. Experts have said that in the wake of the fiasco that len to the mortgage defaults that resulted in foreclosures to homeowners and sent banks affected, commercial lending is relatively safe at this juncture.
It seems like the market is at a downward spiral with real estate properties dipping. This is the perfect time for commercial lenders, though, as optimistic lenders provide fresh capital to fund commercial lending.
Whether you need capital to renovate, consolidate debt, or buy supplies, your needs will be fulfilled by the companies feeling bullish about the market. The National Commercial Funding, or NCF, is one such company.
Commercial Loans and Its Numerous Kinds
Commercial loans immediately provide investors with the needed capital, regardless if they are making more room for expansion or starting a business. Various lenders have different solutions to fit any investor’s needs.
Investors looking to expand can gain from commercial real estate loans that are designed to provide for the different requirements of business investments, no matter what scale. Various loans suit various businesses, and investors will be matched with the best ones.
For investors seeking possible expansion areas, the convenience of having everything to check out in one company is an added benefit. Lenders like NCF are prepared to walk you through the process, providing you the guidance you need. These are the different commercial real estate loans available all over the country:
* Hotel Loans
* Motel Loans
* Mobile Home Park Loans
* Multi-Family Apartment Loans
* Restaurant Loans
* Office Building Loans
* Self-storage Loans
* Industrial Loans
* Warehouse Loans
* Small Business Administration Loans
* Mezzanine Financing
* Other Commercial Loans
Contributing to the economy and assisting you in making your business develop are the intentions of non-traditional lenders. That’s why they require less paperwork and less processing time when refinancing your commercial real estate property.
Direct Lenders
There are lenders, both big and small, who can loan millions of dollars in capital direct from their own funds. They’re known as direct lenders. You should prefer direct lenders who can fund your investment, so picking the right commercial financing company is essential.
Offering considerably reasonable rates and open to negotiate terms are direct commercial lenders. Loan processing is always quick and simple with the help of NCF commercial loan professionals who will walk you through the process. Indeed, commercial real estate loans are still up to the challenge.
The Potential for Malpractice With Commercial Loans
Stephen Bush asked:
Malpractice in any activity typically occurs when there is a serious failure of professional duty. With borrowers seeking small business loans and commercial real estate financing, malpractice can occur with both commercial lenders and brokers for commercial loans.
During the opening segment of the television series Hill Street Blues, Sergeant Phil Esterhaus usually ended with a suggestion (let’s be careful out there) that will also be helpful in avoiding malpractice situations involving working capital financing. Although that is a worthy goal, the actual practice of avoiding problems with business loans is somewhat difficult and complex. One of our most effective solutions for this dilemma has been to openly acknowledge that such difficulties exist and simultaneously provide detailed advice and strategies.
We have published a special report addressing one of the biggest recent causes of malpractice involving business financing and commercial real estate loans. Most commercial borrowers are probably aware that chaotic conditions started impacting residential real estate beginning about 12 months ago. Because their accustomed level of residential financing activities have all but disappeared, former residential brokers and lenders are in many cases now executing business loans. As you might imagine, this can result in problems for commercial borrowers.
Inexperience involving commercial loans is never a good thing when you are describing a commercial lender or broker. In almost all cases the complexity of business loans combined with inexperience by their financing advisors can result in a formula for malpractice.
Even though a broker or lender was superb at executing residential mortgage financing, please do not assume that they will also be good (or even marginally capable) when it comes to commercial mortgages, working capital financing or small business loans. We have prepared a series of reports which focus on over twenty critical differences between residential financing and business financing. It really does take several years to be effective in finalizing commercial loans.
Another common source of malpractice with working capital financing is currently seen with many agents for business cash advance programs. The typical agent acts as a representative of a credit card receivables financing provider and does not comprehend the complexities of business loans. They are focused on only the narrow but important service that they provide and are not capable of assisting with other forms of business financing.
Although it might not be obvious to most business owners, the malpractice potential with business cash advances is also directly related to the first example described above involving inexperienced brokers and lenders. Throughout the U.S. we have seen call centers switching from a focus on residential financing to merchant cash advances. Once again inexperience is never a good thing when complicated working capital management services are involved.
Specialized commercial real estate loans and SBA loans represent the final example of malpractice potential. Although many commercial lenders seem to suggest that they can do SBA financing, in reality very few do what they claim. One major business financing lender ceased most business operations during the past year because of apparently fraudulent SBA loan activities.
Specialized commercial property such as funeral homes, gas stations, bowling alleys and golf courses have always been recognized as problematic for commercial loans. As a relevant example, a national lender for funeral home loans is now the target of litigation due to commercial funding activities that almost anyone would view as irresponsible.
Commercial borrowers should rightfully conclude that an important step in avoiding potential malpractice circumstances might simply be to avoid certain lenders and brokers. We would agree wholeheartedly, and in fact published a special report some time ago dealing with the need to avoid problem brokers and commercial lenders.
No matter how serious the three malpractice examples might be, they should be considered as the tip of the iceberg when looking at the overall obstacles for working capital loans and business loans. Our advice is meant to reinforce the importance and value of being prudent in pursuing commercial loans.
Malpractice in any activity typically occurs when there is a serious failure of professional duty. With borrowers seeking small business loans and commercial real estate financing, malpractice can occur with both commercial lenders and brokers for commercial loans.
During the opening segment of the television series Hill Street Blues, Sergeant Phil Esterhaus usually ended with a suggestion (let’s be careful out there) that will also be helpful in avoiding malpractice situations involving working capital financing. Although that is a worthy goal, the actual practice of avoiding problems with business loans is somewhat difficult and complex. One of our most effective solutions for this dilemma has been to openly acknowledge that such difficulties exist and simultaneously provide detailed advice and strategies.
We have published a special report addressing one of the biggest recent causes of malpractice involving business financing and commercial real estate loans. Most commercial borrowers are probably aware that chaotic conditions started impacting residential real estate beginning about 12 months ago. Because their accustomed level of residential financing activities have all but disappeared, former residential brokers and lenders are in many cases now executing business loans. As you might imagine, this can result in problems for commercial borrowers.
Inexperience involving commercial loans is never a good thing when you are describing a commercial lender or broker. In almost all cases the complexity of business loans combined with inexperience by their financing advisors can result in a formula for malpractice.
Even though a broker or lender was superb at executing residential mortgage financing, please do not assume that they will also be good (or even marginally capable) when it comes to commercial mortgages, working capital financing or small business loans. We have prepared a series of reports which focus on over twenty critical differences between residential financing and business financing. It really does take several years to be effective in finalizing commercial loans.
Another common source of malpractice with working capital financing is currently seen with many agents for business cash advance programs. The typical agent acts as a representative of a credit card receivables financing provider and does not comprehend the complexities of business loans. They are focused on only the narrow but important service that they provide and are not capable of assisting with other forms of business financing.
Although it might not be obvious to most business owners, the malpractice potential with business cash advances is also directly related to the first example described above involving inexperienced brokers and lenders. Throughout the U.S. we have seen call centers switching from a focus on residential financing to merchant cash advances. Once again inexperience is never a good thing when complicated working capital management services are involved.
Specialized commercial real estate loans and SBA loans represent the final example of malpractice potential. Although many commercial lenders seem to suggest that they can do SBA financing, in reality very few do what they claim. One major business financing lender ceased most business operations during the past year because of apparently fraudulent SBA loan activities.
Specialized commercial property such as funeral homes, gas stations, bowling alleys and golf courses have always been recognized as problematic for commercial loans. As a relevant example, a national lender for funeral home loans is now the target of litigation due to commercial funding activities that almost anyone would view as irresponsible.
Commercial borrowers should rightfully conclude that an important step in avoiding potential malpractice circumstances might simply be to avoid certain lenders and brokers. We would agree wholeheartedly, and in fact published a special report some time ago dealing with the need to avoid problem brokers and commercial lenders.
No matter how serious the three malpractice examples might be, they should be considered as the tip of the iceberg when looking at the overall obstacles for working capital loans and business loans. Our advice is meant to reinforce the importance and value of being prudent in pursuing commercial loans.
Commercial Mortgage and Small Business Loan Resources
Stephen Bush asked:
actical overview in this article will describe some useful small business loan resources which should be evaluated by business owners as part of a systematic process for obtaining working capital financing and commercial loans. To locate any site referred to in this article, commercial borrowers should either contact the author directly or use a leading internet search engine. All of the suggested business finance resources are free and available online.
actical overview in this article will describe some useful small business loan resources which should be evaluated by business owners as part of a systematic process for obtaining working capital financing and commercial loans. To locate any site referred to in this article, commercial borrowers should either contact the author directly or use a leading internet search engine. All of the suggested business finance resources are free and available online.
Small business loans have always been more complicated than realized by most business owners. A prudent approach to working capital financing and commercial loans is becoming more difficult for most commercial borrowers. Recent commercial financing uncertainties involving commercial mortgages and SBA loans have added significantly to the complexity of the entire commercial lending process.
By searching for “commercial mortgages and commercial loans guide”, the first suggested resource will be identified. This site includes candid advice about avoiding problems with commercial real estate loans and small business loans. Also included are some especially relevant articles. A special report describing what a business borrower can do when a bank refuses commercial mortgage requests is one prime example.
A second resource can be located by searching online for “working capital financing special reports” or “commercial loans special reports”. This will provide links to a wide variety of recent articles addressing relevant issues such as difficulties which are likely in refinancing SBA loans. Commercial borrowers should especially benefit from reading about recent adverse developments involving business cash advances and business finance programs.
A third key commercial funding resource can be reached by searching for “business cash advance and working capital guide”. As you might expect, this particular site primarily addresses issues related to working capital strategies. Of special note at this site is a small business cash management executive summary. This summary report includes a list of ten problems to avoid with credit card factoring.
A fourth resource of general interest to small business owners will be found by searching for “working capital help” or “working capital journal”. This includes a discussion of predatory lenders which should be avoided. Also provided is a comprehensive update about the many evolving changes for business finance programs.
A fifth resource which should be helpful to anyone that currently owns or is about to buy commercial property can be found by looking for “real estate investment property loan and business finance guide”. This site will provide a useful perspective about some critical problems to avoid with SBA loans and conventional commercial mortgages. For example, a report at the site discusses how to avoid malpractice with commercial loans.
We recommend inclusion of terms such as “avoiding problems” along with other descriptions like “working capital” and “commercial mortgage loans” to obtain more helpful comments about small business loan reports available through internet sources. For example, by searching for “avoiding problems with working capital loans”, commercial borrowers should obtain useful insights about difficulties to be avoided in their own business financing efforts.
There are also some suggested precautions to observe in this approach to researching business finance issues. Highlighted below are two of the more important aspects.
First, because of the complicated nature of small business loan underwriting, there is really no substitute for individualized discussions between a commercial borrower and a knowledgeable business finance advisor. Prudent business owners should insist on detailed and personalized interactions with a working capital funding expert before finalizing their commercial loan decisions.
Second, most business finance strategies are highly likely to be more complex than expected by commercial borrowers. There will normally be specific issues requiring more detail than can be found in a generic article, even though written sources can identify important commercial loan difficulties for business owners to anticipate.
It is likely that business owners will gain helpful insights about the changes currently featured in the business finance news by devoting some time to reviewing sites through the search phrases noted above. Although it is true that there are new and substantial small business loan problems to be confronted by commercial borrowers, in most cases these will be difficulties that can be successfully overcome with prudent advance preparation.
Commercial Loans: How Mezzanine Debt Closes the Deal
Craig Higdon asked:
This is the “answer” to a question I received this past week concerning a class of commercial real estate loans called “mezzanine” debt. If you’ve never heard of it, don’t worry. It’s usually used by fairly substantial commercial real estate developers and investors in situations where the existing debt doesn’t go far enough to get the property financed. Mezzanine debt is the modern-day equivalent of second trust deeds.
First, you need to understand that “modern” commercial lenders are a jealous lot: Most of them, whether bank, CMBS* mortgage bank, and sometimes life insurance companies won’t allow a junior lien to be recorded against a property where they have a first trust deed. There are several reasons for this, but the bottom line is that real estate investors would have needed a great deal of cash to get larger transactions done until the mezzanine lenders showed up. Here’s an example:
A real estate investor has owned a large shopping center for 5 years and wants to sell it. When he bought it, he got a 75% LTV loan of $6 Million on his $8 Million purchase price using a Conduit* loan from a mortgage bank. Rates went down from the time he bought it, and it has appreciated to $16 Million in the same time, and his commercial loan balance is now $5.5 Million. Because this is a Conduit loan, our seller would face a prepayment penalty in the range of $600,000 to $1 Million! And since they don’t allow second trust deed on the property, the Buyer would have to come up with over $10.5 Million to buy it! Not.
Mezzanine mortgage lenders get around this problem by lending on collateral other than the property. Commercial loan Conduits require borrowers to create a special entity, usually a LLC, to own the property to protect them in the event the borrower files for bankruptcy. The Mezzanine mortgage lender uses the membership interests of the LLC as collateral for their loan instead of the property. So in our example, the Mezzanine lender steps up with a loan as large as $7.3 Million (this would bring the combined loans to 80% of the purchase price), depending upon the lender’s debt service requirements. Voila! Purchase accomplished!
Mezzanine lenders also play an important role in large construction loans, too. Unfortunately, these types of commercial loans aren’t available to regular mortals. The smallest Mezzanine loans tend to be in the $2 Million the $3 Million range. But it’s good to know they’re there when you do need one!
*CMBS: Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities, usually arranged by major Wall Street investment banks who are referred to as “conduits.”
Commercial Loans to 65% of Value
This is the “answer” to a question I received this past week concerning a class of commercial real estate loans called “mezzanine” debt. If you’ve never heard of it, don’t worry. It’s usually used by fairly substantial commercial real estate developers and investors in situations where the existing debt doesn’t go far enough to get the property financed. Mezzanine debt is the modern-day equivalent of second trust deeds.
First, you need to understand that “modern” commercial lenders are a jealous lot: Most of them, whether bank, CMBS* mortgage bank, and sometimes life insurance companies won’t allow a junior lien to be recorded against a property where they have a first trust deed. There are several reasons for this, but the bottom line is that real estate investors would have needed a great deal of cash to get larger transactions done until the mezzanine lenders showed up. Here’s an example:
A real estate investor has owned a large shopping center for 5 years and wants to sell it. When he bought it, he got a 75% LTV loan of $6 Million on his $8 Million purchase price using a Conduit* loan from a mortgage bank. Rates went down from the time he bought it, and it has appreciated to $16 Million in the same time, and his commercial loan balance is now $5.5 Million. Because this is a Conduit loan, our seller would face a prepayment penalty in the range of $600,000 to $1 Million! And since they don’t allow second trust deed on the property, the Buyer would have to come up with over $10.5 Million to buy it! Not.
Mezzanine mortgage lenders get around this problem by lending on collateral other than the property. Commercial loan Conduits require borrowers to create a special entity, usually a LLC, to own the property to protect them in the event the borrower files for bankruptcy. The Mezzanine mortgage lender uses the membership interests of the LLC as collateral for their loan instead of the property. So in our example, the Mezzanine lender steps up with a loan as large as $7.3 Million (this would bring the combined loans to 80% of the purchase price), depending upon the lender’s debt service requirements. Voila! Purchase accomplished!
Mezzanine lenders also play an important role in large construction loans, too. Unfortunately, these types of commercial loans aren’t available to regular mortals. The smallest Mezzanine loans tend to be in the $2 Million the $3 Million range. But it’s good to know they’re there when you do need one!
*CMBS: Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities, usually arranged by major Wall Street investment banks who are referred to as “conduits.”
Commercial Loans to 65% of Value