Financing
Need financing before making an offer on commercial real estate? Fill out the form on what you need and for what type of building:
HARD MONEY
A hard money loan is a specific type of asset-based loan financing through which a borrower receives funds secured by real property. Hard money loans are typically issued by private investors or companies. Interest rates are typically higher than conventional commercial or residential property loans, starting at 7.7%, because of the higher risk and shorter duration of the loan. Most hard money loans are used for projects lasting from a few months to a few years. Hard money is similar to a bridge loan, which usually has similar criteria for lending as well as cost to the borrowers. The primary difference is that a bridge loan often refers to a commercial property or investment property that may be in transition and does not yet qualify for traditional financing, whereas hard money often refers to not only an asset-based loan with a high interest rate, but possibly a distressed financial situation, such as arrears on the existing mortgage, or where bankruptcy and foreclosure proceedings are occurring.
The loan amount the hard money lender is able to lend is determined by the ratio of loan amount divided by the value of property. This is known as the loan to value (LTV). Many hard money lenders will lend up to 65 – 75% of the current value of the property.
Hard Money is a term that is used almost exclusively in the United States and Canada where these types of loans are most common. In commercial real estate, hard money developed as an alternative “last resort” for property owners seeking capital against the value of their holdings. The industry began in the late 1950s when the credit industry in the U.S. underwent drastic changes.
From inception, the hard money field has always been formally unregulated by state or federal laws, although some restrictions on interest rates (usury laws) by state governments restrict the rates of hard money such that operations in several states, including Tennessee and Arkansas are virtually untenable for lending firms.
The hard money loan mortgage market has greatly expanded since the 2009 mortgage crisis with the passing of the Dodd Frank Act. The reason for this expansion is primarily due to the strict regulation put on banks and lenders in the mortgage qualification process. The Dodd Frank and Truth in Lending Act set forth Federal guidelines requiring mortgage originators, lenders, and mortgage brokers to evaluate the borrower’s ability to repay the loan on primary residences or face huge fines for noncompliance. Therefore, hard money lenders only lend on business purpose or commercial loans in order to avoid the risk of the loan falling within Dodd Frank, TILA, and HOEPA guidelines.
Because the primary basis for making a hard money loan is the liquidation value of the collateral backing the note, hard money lenders will always want to determine the LTV (loan to value) prior to making any extension of financing. A hard money lender determines the value of the property through a BPO (broker price opinion) or a independent appraisal done by a licensed appraiser in the state in which the property is located.
A guide to commercial property finance
Commercial property finance has many variants, sometimes making it complex and difficult to understand. There are several platforms out there, each suiting different projects – and the usual problem is finding out which product best suits your business needs. Here’s our guide to the more common commercial property finance products available on the market.
Commercial mortgages
Commercial mortgages are available to a range of businesses, from sole traders to limited companies. Lenders will normally fund up to 75% of purchase costs with terms of up to 30 years. Typically they’ll secure the mortgage against a first charge and affordability is based on the profitability of your business, and its ability to make the monthly payments.
Property development finance
Property development finance is usually in the form of a short-term loan that’s used for the development of a new building project, or refurbishment of an existing property. Lenders will look to advance up to 70% of the gross development value, and terms can be up to 24 months.
Portfolio finance
A long-term business loan that’s offered to property investors who have a number of rental properties. The lender offers the ability to consolidate borrowing into one loan. Serviceability of this loan is based on rental income.
Bridging finance
A short-term finance solution often favoured by property developers and investors, which provides a quick way to finance the purchase of a property. The lender will take a first charge on your property, and will seek an exit once the loan has come to term.
Mezzanine finance
A little more complex, this is a hybrid type of finance that combines elements of debt financing and equity investment – and is secured against the property. Mezzanine finance often helps property developers reduce their cashflow requirement, enabling them to finance projects which would normally require a larger capital share.
