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Common Document Types in Commercial Lending
"Commercial vs. Investment property" An investment
property is still under residential lending guidelines for up to
four residential units (a 4-plex). A multi-family unit building with
five or more units is considered a commercial loan and falls under
commercial lending guidelines. With one exception the State of New
Jersey considers up to six units a residential loan. We offer
assistance with BOTH types of loans! Of course retail, office,
warehouse, industrial types of properties are clearly commercial.
"Commercial Property Loans vs. Small Business Loans" We offer
financing for commercial property and NOT small business loans. We
offer mortgages based upon the value of the property and NOT based
upon the value of a business. All commercial property loans will
value the property LESS the value of "F,F & E's" (furniture,
fixtures & equipment). While you may obtain financing for the
building with a commercial loan, financing of the business itself
will require a different type of loan. However, owner occupied
properties can use the cash flow of a business to qualify for
certain loan programs.
"Hard Money Loans" A hard money loan is a loan made based
SOLELY on the value of a property. Credit scores and income will not
be the deciding factors as these types of loans are an equity-based
decision. In fact, you can obtain a Hard Money Loan even if you are
in a "notice of default" on a property and your credit scores are
below 500. Hard Money loans are faster than other loan types and are
typically used for short term financing, as the interest rates are
considerably higher than conventional loan programs. Hard Money
loans can be made on residential, commercial and even land.
Sometimes Hard Money Loans are used when a property needs to be
secured very quickly, with conventional funding to follow. Sometimes
a business needs a short-term loan and is willing to pay a higher
interest rate to access fast cash flow, based upon the equity of a
property. Another common term for a Hard Money Loan is a "Bridge
Loan".
We offer lending assistance in ALL STATES.
"Bridge Loans" A bridge loan on commercial property is a short term loan, typically for 1-3 years and then comes due or "ballooons". Commercial property bridge loan rates are typically 7-8% interest only and HAVE NO PREPAYMENT PENALTY, you will however be required to pay points upon the closing of the loan. The amount of points due varies based upon the size of the loan, project type and are determined on an individual case basis.. To qualify for a bridge loan the project must have a clear "exit strategy". This type of loan is typically used for "flipping" a property, condo-conversions, rehabilitation or other need to "bridge" the gap to permanent loans or sale of the property. Bridge loans are available to 35 million, nationwide.
Common Document Types in Small Commercial Lending
"True No Doc", the lender is looking primarily at the financials of the property itself for loan approval. The borrowers FICO (credit score) will be considered. Typically a minimum middle FICO must be at least 620 to qualify. The lender will NOT request proof of income or assets, nor will they request that the borrower "state" income or assets. The lender will rely primarily on the financial strength of the property. This loan type is typically for up to 75% loan to value and allows the seller or other party to "carry back" an additional 5% in the form of a second mortgage. CLTV (combined loan to value) of 80% is typically the maximum for this type of loan. Interest rates are very aggressive and are almost always "at or near" full doc pricing.
"Stated Income / Stated asset", again the lender is looking
primarily at the financials of the property itself for loan
approval. The borrowers FICO (credit score) will be considered.
Typically a minimum middle FICO must be at least 580 to qualify. The
lender will NOT request proof of income or assets, HOWEVER they will
require that the borrower "state" income or assets. The lender will
rely primarily on the financial strength of the property. This loan
type is typically for up to 80% loan to value and allows the seller
or other party to "carry back" an additional 10% in the form of a
second mortgage. CLTV (combined loan to value) of 90% is typically
the maximum for this type of loan.
"Full Doc A-Paper", the lender is looking primarily at the
financials of the property itself for loan approval, however the
borrowers personal income and assets are also considered. The
borrowers FICO (credit score) will be considered. Typically a
minimum middle FICO must be at least 620 to qualify. The lender will
require proof of income and assets. The lender will rely on the
financial strength of the property AND the borrower. This loan
type is typically for up to 80% loan to value. CLTV (combined
loan to value) of 90% is typically the maximum for this type of
loan, however rates are considerably higher to get 90% loan to
value. In addition, 90% loan to value loans are for a maximum of
$1,000,000 loan amount. (THIS LOAN TYPE OFFERS THE ABSOLUTE LOWEST
RATES & BEST TERMS AS IT HAS THE LOWEST LENDER RISK)
"Full Doc ALT-A-Paper", The same as "Full-Doc A-Paper" however a
lower minimum middle FICO must be at least 580 to qualify. The
lender will require proof of income and assets. The lender will rely
on the financial strength of the property AND the borrower. This
loan type is typically for up to 80% loan to value and allows the
seller or other party to "carry back" an additional 10% in the form
of a second mortgage. CLTV (combined loan to value) of 90% is
typically the maximum for this type of loan.
Direct Capitalization Rate (DCR or CAP)
What is a CAP Rate?
Direct Capitalization (CAP) is a method used to covert a property's
annual income, into an estimate of the property's value.
Direct Capitalization Rate Calculation
The Direct Capitalization Rate (CAP Rate) is defined as follows:
Value = Net Operating Income__
Overall Capitalization Rate
For Example:
V = $3,913,043
NOI = 450,000
CAP Rate = .115
$3,913,043 = $450,000
.115
The CAP Rate in the above example is 11.5% (.115 X 100 = 11.5)
Other derivatives of the formula are as follows:
Net Operating Income = Overall Capitalization Rate X Value
Overall Capitalization Rate = Net Operating Income
Value
The formula for calculating Net Operating Income is as follows:
Potential gross income (all figures are on a annual basis)
Scheduled rent $xxxx
Other income $xxxx
Total potential gross income $xxxx
Vacancy and collection loss -xxx
Effective gross income $xxxx
Operating expenses
Fixed $xx
Variable $xx
Replacement allowance $xx
Total operating expenses -$xxxx
NET OPERATING INCOME $XXXX
Commercial Underwriting Basics
Commercial loans are generally underwritten on a case-by-case basis.
Each loan application is unique and evaluated on its own merits, but
there are a few common criteria lenders look for in commercial loan
packages.
Financial Analysis
A key component in making an underwriting evaluation is the debt
coverage ratio (DCR). The DCR is defined as the monthly debt
compared to the net monthly income of the investment property in
question. Using a DCR of 1:1.10 a lender is saying that they are
looking for a $1.10 in net income for each $1.00 mortgage payment.
Typically they will determine the DCR ratio based on monthly
figures, the monthly mortgage payment compared to the monthly net
income. The higher the DCR ratio is the more conservative the
lender. Most lenders will never go below a 1:1 ratio (a dollar of
debt payment per dollar of income generated). Anything less then a
1:1 ratio will result in a negative cash flow situation raising the
risk of the loan for the lender. DCR's are set by property type and
what a lender perceives the risk to be. Today, apartment properties
are considered to be the least risky category of investment lending.
As such, lenders are more inclined to use smaller DCR's when
evaluating a loan request. Make sure that you are familiar with a
lender's DCR policy prior to spending money on an application. Ask
them to give you a preliminary review of the investment property
that you want to purchase. Information is free, mistakes are not.
Loan to Value (LTV)
Unlike residential lending, commercial investment properties are
viewed more conservatively. Most lenders will require a minimum of
20% of the purchase price to be paid by the buyer (we do have 10%
down programs however). The remaining 80% can be in the form of a
mortgage provided by either a bank or mortgage company. Some
commercial mortgage lenders will require more than 20% contribution
towards the purchase from the buyer. What a bank/lender will do is
subject to their appetite and the quality of the buyer and the
property. Loan to value is the percentage calculation of the loan
amount divided by purchase price. If you know what a lender's LTV
requirements are, you can also calculate the loan amount by
multiplying the purchase price by the LTV percentage. Keep in mind
that the purchase price must also be supported by an appraisal. In
the event that the appraisal shows a value less then the purchase
price, the lender will use the lower of the two numbers to determine
the loan that will be made.
Credit Worthiness
For businesses less than three years old, personal credit of
principals will typically be evaluated. This may hold true for
longer periods of time for tightly held companies. For corporations,
business performance and credit ratings will be evaluated with a
proven track record. Individuals often qualify based solely upon
their FICO / Credit Scores.
Property Analysis
Fair Market Value and Fair Market Rent will be analyzed. Special use
property may require additional underwriting. Age, appearance, local
market, location, and accessibility are some other factors
considered. Different property types are treated differently when it
comes to allowable Loan-to-Value ratios.
Commercial Lending Ratios
Most of real estate lending can be boiled down to the results of
three ratios:
· Loan-To-Value Ratio
· Debt Ratio
· Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR)
The bulk of the energy spent "processing" a loan is merely an
attempt to verify the numbers that go into the numerator and
denominator of the above 3 ratios.
The Loan-To-Value Ratio (LTVR) equals the total loan balances (1st
mtg+2nd mtg+3rd mtg) divided up the fair market value (as determined
by appraisal). Loan-To-Value Ratios seldom exceed 80% because the
lender will always want some extra protection against default.
The second ratio that lenders use when underwriting a loan is the
Debt Ratio. The Debt Ratio compares the amount of bills that the
borrower must pay each month to the amount of monthly income he or
she earns. More precisely, the Debt Ratio equals the monthly debt
obligations divided up the monthly income. Obviously someone who's
Debt Ratio is 150% is in trouble. A Debt Ratio of 150% would mean
that a borrower's obligations are one and a half times his income.
Debt Ratios seldom are allowed to exceed 40% in practice for a "full
doc" Loan. No Doc & Stated / Stated doc types do not verify this
ratio.
The final ratio used in lending is the Debt Service Coverage Ratio
(DSCR). The Debt Service Coverage Ratio is a sophisticated ratio
commonly used for large loans on income producing properties. Debt
Service Coverage Ratio equals net operating income divided by debt
service. Net operating income is the income from a rental property
after deducting for real estate taxes, fire insurance, repairs and
all other operating expenses; and Debt Service is the mortgage
payment on the property. Most lenders insist that this ratio exceed
1.0. A debt service coverage ratio of less than 1.0 would mean that
the property did not produce enough net rental income for the owner
to make the mortgage payments without supplementing the property
from his personal budget. However, loan programs DO EXIST that allow
the borrower to supplement the debt service of a property with
personal income.
Commercial Loan To Value Ratios
The loan-to-value (LTV) ratio is probably the most important of
the 3 underwriting ratios. The loan-to-value ratio is defined as:
LTV Ratio = Total Loan Balances (1st mtg+2nd mtg +3rd mtg) / Fair
Market Value of the Property
First let's look at the numerator. If the borrower is only applying
for a first mortgage and there will be no other loans on the
property, then the beginning balance of the new loan requested
should be inserted in the numerator.
However, if the borrower is applying for a second mortgage, then the
"underwriter" (the person who determines whether or not the loan
qualifies) should insert the sum of the first and second mortgages
in the numerator. Similarly, if the borrower is applying for a third
mortgage, then the underwriter should insert the sum of the first,
second and third mortgages into the numerator.
When the borrower is applying for a second or third mortgage, the
loan-to-value ratio is often known as the combined loan-to-value
ratio (CLTV ratio).
Now let's look at the denominator. Generally the fair market value
of a property is determined by an appraisal. There is one important
exception, however. When the proceeds of a mortgage loan are used to
buy the same property that is securing the loan, then that mortgage
is known as a "purchase money loan." If the appraisal comes in lower
than the purchase price in a "purchase money" transaction, then the
lender will use the LOWER of the purchase price or appraisal.
Mortgage brokers are often asked by real estate agents and buyers to
base their loan on the appraised value rather than the purchase
price. Their claim is that they have negotiated a super deal and
that the property is worth much more than what they are paying for
it. This may be so (although generally untrue), but lenders always
base their maximum loan on the lower of purchase price or appraisal.
The lender's argument is that an appraisal is really no more than an
estimate of fair market value, no matter how competent or
conscientious the appraiser may be. The only true indicator of value
is the marketplace in which "a willing buyer and a willing seller,
each in full knowledge of the salient facts, and neither under undue
pressure, agree upon terms." If the property sells for "X," then it
is probably only worth "X".
Debt Service Coverage ratio (DSCR)
The most important ratio to understand when making income property
loans is the debt service coverage ratio. It equals Net Operating
Income (NOI) divided by Total Debt Service. To understand the ratio
it is first necessary to understand the numerator and the
denominator. Let's take a look at net operating income (NOI) first.
Net operating income is the income from a rental property left over
after paying all of the operating expenses:
Gross Scheduled Rent $100,000
Less 5% Vacancy & Collection Loss $5,000
________
Effective Gross Income: $95,000
Less Operating Expenses
Real Estate Taxes
Insurance
Repairs & Maintenance
Utilities
Management
Reserves for Replacement
Total Operating Expenses: $30,000
Net Operating Income (NOI) $65,000
Please note that lenders always insist on some sort of vacancy
factor regardless of the actual vacancy rate in an area to cover
collection loss. In addition lenders always insist on using a
management factor of 3-6% of effective gross income, even if the
property is owner-managed. Their logic is that they would have to
pay for management if they took back the property. Finally, NOTE
THAT WE HAVE NOT INCLUDED LOAN PAYMENTS AS AN OPERATING EXPENSE.
Next let's look at the denominator, Total Debt Service. This
includes the principal and interest payments of all loans on the
property, not just the first mortgage. NOTE THAT WE HAVE NOT
INCLUDED TAXES AND INSURANCE. They were already accounted for above
when we arrived at net operating income (NOI).
To calculate the debt service coverage ratio, simply divide the net
operating income (NOI) by the mortgage payment(s). For the sake of
simplicity, let us assume that there is only one mortgage on the
property:
$500,000 First Mortgage
11% Interest, 30 years amortized
Annual Payment (Debt Service) = $57,139
Then:
DSCR = Net Operating Income (NOI) = $65,000
Total Debt Service $57,139
DSCR = 1.14
Obviously the higher the DSCR, the more net operating income is
available to service the debt. From a lender's viewpoint it should
be clear that they want as high a DSCR as possible.
The borrower, on the other hand, wants as large a loan as possible.
The larger the loan, the higher the debt service (mortgage
payments). If the net operating income stays the same, and the loan
size and therefore the debt service increases, then the lower the
DSCR will be.
Life insurance companies are very conservative and generally require
a 1.25 or 1.35 DSCR. This means that their loan-to-value ratios are
low. Savings and loans (S&L's) generally only require a 1.20 DSCR,
and sometimes will accept a DSCR as low as 1.10.
A DSCR of 1.0 is called a break-even cash flow. That is because the
net operating income (NOI) is just enough to cover the mortgage
payments (debt service).
A DSCR of less than 1.0 would be a situation where there would
actually be a negative cash flow. A DSCR of say .95 would mean that
there is only enough net operating income (NOI) to cover 95% of the
mortgage payment. This would mean that the borrower would have to
come up with cash out of his personal budget every month to keep the
project afloat.
Generally lenders frown on a negative cash flow. Some lenders will
allow a negative cash flow if the loan-to-value ratio is less than
around 65%, the borrower has strong outside income such as an
electronic engineer, and the size of the negative is small. Lenders
rarely allow negative cash flows on loans over $200,000.
What is a Gross Rent Multiplier ?
A Gross Rent Multiplier (GRM) is a capitalization method for
calculating the rough value of a property based on an income
approach method.
The Gross Rent Multiplier (GRM) formula for value is as follows:
Value = Annual Gross Income (Rents) (AGI) X Gross Rent Multiplier
(GRM)
For Example:
AGR = $500,000
GRM = 8
Potential Property Value = AGI X GRM = $400,000
Obviously, the value of a property is a direct correlation to the
GRM. Therefore, using an accurate value for the GRM is critical for
determining an accurate property value. The GRM variable can be
found from a local appraiser who will calculate GRM's from
comparable closed sales in the immediate area and then average them
to one number. They take the recent sales prices of the comparable
properties in the area and divide them by the respective Gross
Incomes. The immediate area used for comparables surrounding most
subject properties will fall into a narrow GRM gap. However, GRM's
can vary considerably depending on the location. For an example; San
Francisco, New York, and Miami will have a much higher GRM than a
small town in the Midwest.
Commercial Lease Types
Gross Lease: A lease where the Landlord pays all of the
operating expenses of the building (property taxes, insurance,
common area maintenance, janitorial, etc.) for the duration of the
term. In the Southern California market, this is the most popular
type of lease for Class A office buildings.
Modified Gross Lease: Also referred to as an Industrial Gross
Lease, the Modified Gross Lease requires that the Landlord pay for
one or more of the operating expenses.
Example: Commercial Agent Dan markets his client's 1,500 square foot
light manufacturing space at $0.75 per square foot modified gross
where the tenant pays for his/her own trash services and
electricity. The landlord will pay for all property taxes,
insurance, common area maintenance and municipal water.
There is no standard for which expenses are the Landlord's
responsibility. Landlord and Tenant can agree as to who pays for
what.
Net Lease: In addition to rent, the Tenant pays for their pro
rata share of operating expenses including property taxes, insurance
and common area maintenance. In most cases, the Landlord is
responsible for the roof, parking lot and possibly the foundation.
Triple Net Lease: Also known as a "NNN Absolute" lease, the Tenant
is not only responsible for the operating expenses as in a Net
Lease, he or she is obligated to pay for all repairs to the
property. The Landlord simply collects rent which, unlike a Gross
Lease, represents the Landlord's net operating income. Net leases
are very popular with single tenant retail and industrial users.
Percentage Lease: Also known as an "Overage Lease", the Percentage Lease is additional rent due to the Landlord beyond just the base rent. The extra rent is based on sales over a specified amount, called the breakpoint. This type of lease used almost exclusively in a retail setting of large shopping centers and malls. It is beneficial to both Tenant and Landlord because the Landlord has a financial stake in the success of his or her tenants which encourages owners to maintain the property and wisely choose a complementary mix of tenants.
Indexed Lease: This lease ties the payments to a specified
financial index such as the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Step Lease: The Step Lease may increase the rent due by a preset
amount or on a percentage basis. It may also address operating
expenses such increases in operations, utilities and taxes.
Sublease: Subletting occurs when the Tenant transfers all of
his or her right in the property to someone else. The original
Tenant retains a financial obligation to pay the rent but becomes a
Sub-Landlord to the Subtenant.
Example: Craig, a doctor in XYZ LLC's professional office building
is leasing 5,000 square feet. After three years into a five year
lease, Craig decides to downsize his practice to prepare for
retirement. He really only needs 2,000 square feet. Craig is
referred to a younger doctor by the name of Minh. Minh's practice
has been growing by leaps and bounds and is ready to move to a
better location. Craig's excess 3,000 is perfect. Craig hires
Commercial Agent Dave to facilitate the agreement. A sublease
agreement is written for a term not exceeding Craig's original term.
In then end, XYZ LLC collects rent from Craig for 5,000 square feet.
In turn, Craig collects rent from Minh for 3,000 square feet.
Investors Loans
Owner occupied properties - second homes
Owner occupied
65% LTV - 5 pts - 15 % interest rate
Referrals - add fee to 5 - 8 pts broker fee
Commercial Loans
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