Types of Commercial Real Estate Loans in 2023

There are several types of commercial real estate loans in 2023 that you can use to expand your business, or use to obtain much-needed capital. Commercial real estate loans are financial solutions designed to assist businesses and investors in purchasing or refinancing commercial properties. Traditional commercial mortgages, SBA7(a) loans, bridge loans, construction loans, and mezzanine loans are among the most popular commercial real estate financing in 2023.

Every loan type has different characteristics, requirements, and interest rates, so it’s crucial for borrowers to thoroughly weigh their alternatives and select the loan that best suits their needs. In this article, you’ll learn the types of commercial real estate loans which will help you make sound investment decisions.

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What Is a Commercial Real Estate Loan?

A commercial real estate loan is a type of funding used to purchase property for commercial purposes. Business owners can obtain financing for purchasing or rehabilitating commercial real estates, such as Office buildings, Retail or shopping centers, Apartment buildings, Hotels, Restaurants, and Industrial buildings.

An investor can choose from several commercial real estate financing options to purchase such a property, but they must be ready to put up collateral to back the mortgage. Most commercial real estate loans need owner occupancy, meaning the business must physically occupy at least 51% of the property.

How Do Commercial Property Mortgages Work?

Commercial real estate loans operate differently from residential loans since they are only used to finance buildings that generate money and are used to run businesses. Individual borrowers may apply for conventional residential loans. Still, investors typically need to set up a corporate structure, such as an LLC, to be eligible for a commercial real estate loan.

Lenders will also demand that borrowers for commercial property commit the asset as a lien or collateral to secure the loan request. The lender could take the commercial property if the borrower stopped making mortgage payments. A common characteristic of residential and commercial real estate loans is creditworthiness.

Lenders are driven by the possibility of profiting from commercial properties even though commercial real estate loans may carry a larger risk than residential mortgages. For instance, properties that can accommodate numerous enterprises, host events, or operate as hotels will likely draw affluent tenants. Lenders can anticipate receiving a share of the money that commercial property tenants make in return.

What Is the Difference Between a Commercial Real Estate Loan and a Residential Loan?

Commercial real estate loans are often given to businesses, while residential loans usually are given to individual borrowers. Commercial loan-to-value ratios fall between 65% and 80%, whereas residential loans call for high loan-to-value ratios of up to 100%. A 30-year fixed mortgage is the most common residential loan, whereas commercial real estate loans have 5 to 20 years terms.

What Is the Meaning of Loan-To-Value Ratio (LTV)?

The loan-to-value (LTV) ratio is a risk evaluation used by financial institutions and other lenders before authorizing a mortgage. High LTV loan evaluations are usually thought of as higher-risk loans. Thus, the loan has a higher interest rate if the mortgage is granted.

To reduce the risk to the lender, a loan with a high LTV ratio could also require the borrower to buy mortgage insurance. Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is the name of this sort of insurance.

What Is the Difference Between a Commercial Real Estate Loan for Individuals vs. Entities?

The manner the loan is structured and underwritten distinguishes a commercial real estate loan for individuals from one for entities. When a person applies for a commercial real estate loan, the lender often assesses the borrower’s ability to repay the loan based on various variables, including personal credit history, income, assets, and liabilities.

When an entity applies for a commercial real estate loan, the lender considers the business entity’s creditworthiness rather than the individual’s. To assess the likelihood of payback, the lender may consider elements including the entity’s financial statements, credit history, business plan, and overall profitability.

The business entity is subsequently given a loan, often secured by the commercial property being bought or refinanced, as well as the entity’s assets or the personal guarantees of the business owners. In addition, because they are often larger and may entail more complicated transactions, commercial real estate loans made to entities may have different terms and interest rates than loans made to individuals.

What Is the Typical Interest Rate for Commercial Real Estate Loans?

Several variables, including the borrower’s creditworthiness, the kind of property, the loan amount, the loan term, and the lender’s underwriting requirements, can affect the usual interest rate for commercial real estate loans. Depending on the abovementioned variables, the interest rate for commercial real estate loans as of March 2023 ranges from 2.5% to 7%. Again, keep in mind that rates change daily, so the types of commercial real estate loans available in 2023 might be different than the types of commercial real estate loans available in 2022. 

It is crucial to remember that interest rates can alter depending on several economic variables, including inflation rates, the monetary policy of the Federal Reserve, and the state of the overall economy.

For a more detailed look at commercial real estate loan interest rate options, check out this guide to commercial real estate mortgage rates.

Do Commercial Real Estate Loans Have Repayment Fees?

Commercial real estate loans could include repayment fees depending on the loan agreement’s terms. Repayment penalties, commonly called prepayment fees, are costs that a borrower may have to pay if they repay the entire loan amount before the loan’s maturity date.

Lenders may impose prepayment penalties to compensate for the interest they would have lost if the loan had remained unpaid. Depending on the loan’s terms, the prepayment penalty’s size can change, but it usually consists of a percentage of the outstanding debt or a set number of interest-only installments.

Prepayment penalties may not apply to all commercial real estate loans or may be waived in certain situations, such as when the borrower refinances the loan with the same lender. 

What Are the Main Types of Commercial Real Estate Loans in 2023?

Term Loans

A term loan gives borrowers money upfront in return for specific borrowing terms. Term loans are often intended for well-established small businesses with stable financial accounts. The borrower consents to a specific repayment schedule with a fixed or adjustable interest rate in return for a predetermined sum of money.

Term loans are frequently offered to small businesses needing funds to purchase equipment, a new facility for their manufacturing processes, or any other fixed assets to keep their operations running. Business owners apply for term loans like any other credit facility by contacting their lenders. To lower the risk of default or missed payments, the loan requires collateral and goes through a thorough approval process.

A Business Line of Credit

A business line of credit gives you access to a set amount of money you can borrow from as needed. You can access a rolling line of credit rather than an upfront lump cash. A business line of credit is akin to a credit card but typically has substantially greater credit limits. You can withdraw cash or transfer money to your business checking account like a credit card.

Payroll or inventory are short-term operating expenses well suited for a business line of credit. You may borrow as much as you require if the amount is within your credit limit. Afterward, you can make minimum monthly payments or settle the outstanding sum.

Bridge Loans

Bridge loans provide rapid funding to “bridge the gap” until the commercial property can obtain long-term financing. For instance, a business owner would use one to bid against all-cash bidders on a property, then refinance to a long-term loan once the property is acquired.

Typically, bridge loans have very short periods, six months to three years, and require full repayment when they mature. Typical interest rates for bridge loans are a few percentage points higher than the going rate in the market. Unlike banks and credit unions, alternative lenders are more accessible for commercial bridge loans. 

Getting a bridge loan can be difficult because shorter durations raise the lender’s risk. To get approved, business owners need good credit and a low debt-to-income ratio. The typical range for down payments is between 10% and 20%, and they frequently close more quickly than conventional real estate loans.

For more information on Bridge Loans, check out this page: What is a commercial real estate bridge loan?

How Do You Qualify for a Commercial Real Estate Loan?

You normally need a decent credit score, a strong financial history, proof of your ability to repay the loan, a down payment, and a working business plan if the property is for commercial use to qualify for a commercial real estate loan. To determine the worth and risk of the property, the lender will also consider its type, location, and condition.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that lenders have varied eligibility requirements. Therefore, it’s advised to compare offers.

How to Get a Commercial Real Estate Loan?

Lenders typically demand that the property be owner-occupied, which means that your company must occupy at least 51% of the property. Before applying for any types of commercial real estate loans, you must determine the kind of commercial loan you require based on the property and business to narrow down your lender options. 

Conclusion

There are several types of commercial real estate loans in 2023 than are available for borrowers, investors, and CRE brokers. Each loan kind has particular characteristics, advantages, and qualifying standards. Borrowers should carefully weigh their alternatives to select the loan that best fits their requirements and financial circumstances. They can successfully finance their commercial real estate projects and meet their financial objectives with the right loan and a sound business plan- those are the fundamentals of business- and the fundamentals of the commercial real estate loan sector.

March 20, 2023