Partners in our Commercial/Project Finance and Real Estate group have a broad range of relevant substantive experience in handling transactions such as:

• Purchases and sales of commercial real estate and complex joint ventures
• Complex real estate joint ventures
• Commercial leasing, including retail, office, and warehouse projects
• Structuring and documenting secured and unsecured conventional loan and asset-based credit facilities
• Specialized intellectual property financing transactions
• Workouts and restructuring of commercial credit facilities
• Representation of lenders and other creditors in bankruptcy and insolvency proceeding

Clients and Industries

We represent the full range of parties involved in commercial finance and real estate transactions, including:

• Owners
• Developers
• Borrowers
• Lenders
• Property and asset managers in connection with the acquisition, sale, development, leasing, and financing of companies and large-scale projects, including:
  • Shopping centers
  • Hotels
  • Assisted living and retirement facilities
  • Hospitals
  • Technology facilities
  • Mixed-use projects
  • Build and renovate-to-suit office buildings
  • Industrial parks
  • Residential complexes
  • Casinos and related entertainment facilities
  • Condominiums

Types of Commercial Real Estate Loans

Not all commercial loans used for real estate are created equal. Here are some of the most popular types.

1. SBA Loans

The United States Small Business Administration (SBA) offers two loan programs for commercial real estate financing. Similar to how the Federal Housing Administration guarantees FHA loans, the SBA provides guarantees for commercial loan programs. This means that you’ll still apply and go through an approval process with a commercial lender to get all or most of your funds; the SBA will back what they lend you.

SBA 7 (a) Loans

The 7 (a) loan is the SBA’s most common loan program. This loan is great for real estate purchases, though there is flexibility in how you can use the funds. In order to be eligible for this loan, your business must meet certain criteria, which can be found on the SBA website. Approval factors include your business income, your credit history, and where you operate.

SBA 504 Loans

504 loans offer fixed-rate financing for major fixed assets including existing buildings or land. Similar to the 7(a) loan, the SBA has a set of guidelines for the 504-loan program eligibility. Some of these requirements include qualifying as a small business, having management experience, and a feasible business plan.

However, unlike an SBA 7(a) loan, the 504 loans are not funded entirely through a private lender. These loans are made available through Certified Development Companies (CDCs), which are nonprofit corporations that promote economic development within their communities. Typically, a private lender will fund 50% of the project and a CDC will finance up to 40%. The CDC will coordinate and structure the exact financing plan.

2. Permanent Loans

No, a permanent loan doesn’t mean you’ll be paying it back forever! It’s simply a term that describes the first mortgage on a piece of commercial property.

These are your basic, fixed rate, or variable rate loans offered by most commercial lenders that most closely resemble a consumer mortgage. They typically have a longer amortization schedule than other business loans and can be crafted to fit your unique needs.

3. Hard Money Loans

Hard money loans bypass the traditional lender route. They are issued by private companies or individuals and typically don’t require much proof that you can repay the loan. Instead, they are much more concerned with the value of the property. If you default on your loan, they’ll make their money back by taking and selling it.

This makes the approval process easy, but the interest rate is typically much higher than that of a permanent loan. On top of that, you’ll have to repay the money in a short amount of time, usually between one to five years.

4. Bridge Loans

Bridge loans are offered by financial institutions but have some similarities to hard money loans. It’s a short-term option (usually one year or less) that also has a high-interest rate. The goal of a bridge loan is to provide funds and sustain cash flow while you are improving, refinancing, or leasing up a commercial property. It can also be used while you are waiting to secure long-term financing.

5. Blanket Loan

If you plan to buy several properties, a blanket loan can help make the process a little more manageable. With this type of financing, you can have one lender, one payment, and one set of loan terms for multiple properties.

While this seems like a dream, there are several downsides. For one, it can be hard to sell off individual properties since they are all tied together. Secondly, since all the properties are collateral for the others, if one fails to bring in the money that one expects, all your investments could be in jeopardy.

Finding the Right Commercial Property Loan for You

Understanding the difference between the types of loans is important for getting the financing you need for your business. If you’re unsure which commercial real estate loan is right for you and your situation, Bayrock Services Ltd will be able to help you weigh your options and point you in the right direction.