Tag Archives: financing
Commercial Construction Loan Financing Tips
Many brokers will encounter clients who require construction loan financing, some more than others. Commercial construction loan financing is usually required by developers and investors who purchase land that they would like to develop or are purchasing fully developed land in the form of a single or several ready to build lots. Land with an existing home or structure on it is most often referred to as “infill construction”. In the event that a builder is simply improving an existing structure including for example a top up (second storey) or remodelling, we refer to this type of construction as a renovation. All of these examples most often require construction funding and apply to either residential or commercial real estate.
There are several different types of construction loans. When a builder or developer acquires land for development they will seek out a land loan often combined with a facility for land development. The land loan serves to close the land purchase while the development loan serves to fund the planning and development of the land so as to improve it for greater use such as residential or commercial zoning from agricultural for example. Following the acquisition and initial development a developer or builder will require financing to service the land which includes the installation of sewer, water and hydro and will require a land servicing loan. The next round of financing is usually to a builder unless the builder and the developer are one and the same. The builder will require a construction loan to build either a residential or commercial building.
Here are some quick tips you may want to keep in mind if you are representing a client who requires development or construction loan financing.
Lenders who offer construction loan financing will always hold back 10% from every advance in accordance with the Construction Liens Act save and except an advance on land. Borrowers need to be made aware of this for budgeting purposes at the outset to ensure that there is no confusion in the future.
It is important that your client has a good budget that includes a detailed breakdown of hard and soft costs and includes the interest reserve in the soft costs.
Be prepared to use a quantity surveyor whose job will be to approve the budget on behalf of the lenders and provide reports on progress of construction to the lender that certifies every advance in accordance with the budget. For smaller residential construction loans some lenders will use an appraiser to report on progress.
In almost all cases, lenders will lend construction loans on a “cost to complete” basis. This means that the funding program will be advanced in progress draws and will also be subject to 10% holdbacks in accordance with the Construction Liens Act as previously mentioned. This ensures that there is always enough money in the remaining budget to complete the project.
The presence of a first mortgage that was obtained for construction purposes can create a challenge if your client plans to obtain second mortgage financing as the second mortgage lender would be required to postpone every advance under the first mortgage or construction loan that has priority on title.
Offering commercial construction loans can be very lucrative for a mortgage broker or agent. An opportunity to arrange this financing is an excellent opportunity to learn about how you can diversify the range of products you are able to offer to your clients. Either co-brokering the deal through an experienced broker who specializes in construction financing or working with a construction loan financing lender who is willing to educate you and walk you through a project is a great way to gain experience and to be able to offer this type of financing to your clients.
Facts About the Benefits of SBA 504 Loans for American Small Businesses
The National Association of Development Companies (NADCO) is the trade association for the nation’s 270 Certified Development Companies (CDCs). CDCs are certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide financing to small businesses through what is called the SBA 504 loan program. Members are non-profit organizations that serve every state, as well as Puerto Rico and U. S. territories in the South Pacific.
Chris Crawford is the president of NADCO. The organization is based in McLean, Virginia.
NADCO is actively supporting the SBA 504 refinance program, a time-limited opportunity that is due to expire 9/27/12. This powerful program offers businesses the opportunity to refinance their small business loans and withdraw equity for working capital. The program offers lenders the opportunity to bring owner-occupied commercial real-estate portfolio back into regulatory compliance and reduce overall CRE portfolio concentrations.
FINANCING
The 504 industry is responsible for financing more than $45 billion to about 130,000 of America’s small businesses over the past 25 years. The total project amount funded has been over $112 billion in small business financing projects. With NADCO’s support, the 504 program’s loan authority is up from $400 million in 1991 to $7.5 billion in FY 2011.
REFINANCING
Many small business owners are not aware that if they have a commercial business loan (non-SBA loan) they can refinance that loan at very low rates using the 504. For many small businesses, this has meant the difference between success and failure. However, this program is scheduled to end on September 27, 2012.
Small businesses can SAVE money and time using the 504 refinance program. The 504 Refinance program allows small businesses to use excess equity to obtain working capital for eligible business expenses.
The 504 refinance loan program is designed for small businesses that have outstanding commercial real estate and/or commercial real estate loans. Businesses can refinance up to 90% of the appraised value of available collateral.
SBA estimates that as many as 8,000 businesses may participate in this 504 refinancing program during the current fiscal year, which will provide up to $7.5 billion in SBA-guaranteed financing leading to total project financing of almost $17 billion.
The 504 refinance loan program enables small businesses to:
Use excess equity to obtain working capital for eligible business expenses
Lock in long-term, fixed-rate, low-interest commercial financing
Help expand those businesses, create jobs and benefit consumers too
Consolidate existing debt
Finance eligible business expenses, saving working capital
Other benefits include:
consolidate existing debt (balloon and/or high interest rate loans)
lock in long-term, stable financing, reduce fluctuating expenses
finance eligible business expenses, save needed cash-flow
protect jobs and hire additional staff, supporting the local community
include closing costs in the transaction, eliminating cash-flow drain