Finance

Recent turmoil in the capital markets has caused many buyers to question the availability of financing for commercial real estate. The fact is, while lending standards are somewhat higher now, there is plenty of money available for the acquisition of well located commercial real estate, especially for owner occupied properties. Interest rates are at historic lows and asking prices are more realistic than they have been in years.

Choosing the right lender and the right mortgage product for your next acquisition or development project is almost as important as selecting the property itself. For a valuable intro to the basics of commercial real estate lending, click on Commercial Lending101. To learn how to avoid the most common errors when financing commercial real estate, go to Top 10 CommercialPropertyLoanMistakes. Are you a business owner, unsure whether to buy or lease your business premises? If so, click on To Lease or Buy?

To evaluate the income potential of any property, use our Property Investment Analyzer. Once you have identified a property to buy, determine automatically the maximum possible mortgage with our Commercial Real Estate Mortgage Qualifier. Compare up to three loans with our Loan Comparison Calculator. You can also calculate your net worth with our Net Worth Calculator.

Financing sources for commercial real estate include mortgage banking firms, savings and loan institutions, regional banks, insurance companies, and private investors. Commercial real estate financing can take on very different terms, and the way deals are structured is based on a number of factors, including:

• Anticipated returns from the property;
• Geography;
• Type of real estate;
• Size of real estate;
• Perceived risk to lender; and
• Market conditions.

Each of these areas must be examined by the investor or business owner prior to seeking commercial real estate financing. Business owners and investors then need to examine the type of loans offered by lenders in accordance with their specific needs and anticipated growth/required rate of return. Unlike obtaining financing for residential real estate, where the transaction is based on the value of the home at the time of the sale, commercial real estate financing will be based in part on the value of the business in the future.

While some lenders specialize in specific types of commercial ventures, such as warehouses, retail operations, or apartment complexes, others provide across-the-board financing to a wide variety of commercial ventures. The types of property that can be financed include:

• Apartment Complexes
• Construction Properties
• Corporate Facilities Environmentally challenged
•  properties (such as gas stations, car washes, auto repair shop, oil change stations, dry cleaners, etc.)
• Golf Courses
• Hotels
• Industrial & Factory Properties
• Marinas and Other Aquatic Properties
• Mixed-use Properties
• Mobile Home Parks
• Offices
• Restaurants and Casinos
• Retail Properties such as strip centers (anchored and unanchored)
• Warehouses

For the business owner and investor alike, the key to starting the process is to have the necessary paperwork in order. Despite the many types of financing and types of commercial real estate, lenders remain primarily concerned with the level of risk they'll be taking. Therefore, they must see the following documentation:

• Income and expense statement for the property demonstrating a solid income stream;
• Financial statements on all principals involved as owners of the property;
• Profiles of the management team;
• Property appraisal;
• Financial statements on the borrowing entity; and
• Plans, including construction blueprints (if available) for the use of the property.

Unlike most residential real estate transactions, the potential borrower is asked to pay one to two percent of the terms of the loan (referred to as "standby points") to show a commitment to the deal. This amount is refunded once the loan is closed. If the lender decides to offer a loan, a commitment letter is presented with their terms included. The loan agreement will usually include the length of the loan, interest rates (fixed or variable), and what the loan is for (new construction, the purchase of an existing property, refinancing, etc.). As the borrower, the business owner needs to see that the terms will allow the business to grow, and not derail such progress. Such a commitment letter or loan agreement will likely also include:

• Closing conditions;
• Owner occupancy requirements;
• Affirmative and negative covenants regarding what the borrower will and won't do; and
• Representation and warranties.

Once the lender and borrower have negotiated and come to mutually agreeable terms, the closing process follows, and it is usually more complex than that of a residential mortgage. Issues such as tenants, leases, environmental reports, and even zoning ordinances may all need to be factored into the closing process, which can take up to two or three months, in some cases.

The key to commercial real estate financing is to find a lender that truly understands your goals as an investor or business owner. Only then can he deliver the product best suited to help you achieve those goals.

To Lease or Buy?
Making the Best Choice for Your Business