Commercial Loans for Rental Properties Made Simple

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Commercial loans for rental properties can be a game-changer for investors. They provide the necessary funds to purchase or refinance a property, allowing you to generate passive income through rental income.

With a commercial loan, you can borrow up to 80% of the property's value, freeing up your own capital for other investments. This can be a huge advantage for investors who want to maximize their returns.

Commercial loans for rental properties typically have a higher interest rate than residential loans, but they often offer longer loan terms, which can help keep your monthly payments manageable.

Types of Loans

Commercial loans for rental properties offer flexibility and options for investors. There are various types of loans available, each with its unique requirements.

Conventional Loans are the most flexible option, offering no special requirements and tend to be easier to qualify for. They are not backed by the federal government, unlike FHA loans, VA loans, or USDA loans.

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To hold multiple investment properties, forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) can be a good idea. This allows you to own more than ten single-family residence homes in your personal name.

Commercial loan terms, interest rates, and amounts vary depending on the lender. It's essential to contact a commercial lender early in the process for a consultation.

Here are some loan programs available for investment properties:

  • Conventional Loans
  • Commercial Investment Property Loans (for LLCs)

Loan Requirements

Commercial loans for rental properties often come with specific requirements, and it's essential to understand what lenders are looking for. Not all commercial loans require collateral, but the terms of the loan and the borrower's credit profile can determine this.

Lenders check credit history, which includes business and personal accounts, as well as payment history on other loans. A personal guarantee is often required, involving a personal credit check. Typically, a minimum credit score of 660-680 is required for conventional loans.

To qualify for a commercial loan, you'll need to meet certain financial requirements, including a minimum Debt-Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) of 1.25. You'll also need to provide tax returns for at least two years, as well as documentation such as an operating agreement, financial reports, and bank statements.

Here are the key loan requirements for commercial loans:

Credit Score Requirements

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A credit score of 620 or higher is generally recommended for a commercial real estate loan.

Commercial lenders typically require a minimum credit score of 660-680 for conventional loans.

If your credit score is lower than 620, you may not be approved for a commercial real estate loan, or the interest rate on your loan will be higher than average.

Lenders check business and personal credit history, including payment history on other loans, as part of the application process.

A personal guarantee is often required, involving a personal credit check.

Here's a summary of the credit score requirements:

Keep in mind that these are general guidelines, and individual lenders may have different requirements.

Down Payment Amount

The down payment amount can vary depending on your lender's requirements and the cost of the property you're investing in. It's not a fixed amount, so you'll need to work with your lender to determine what's required.

A larger down payment can save you money in the long run by reducing the amount of interest you'll pay on your loan. Putting down more upfront means you'll have less to pay off over time.

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Commercial loans generally require a larger down payment than residential loans, with loan-to-value ratios typically ranging from 65% to 80%. This means you'll need to put down a significant amount of money upfront to secure a commercial loan.

Here are some general loan-to-value ratios to keep in mind:

The more you put down, the less you'll have to pay in interest over the life of the loan. So, it's worth exploring options for a larger down payment to save money in the long run.

Prepayment

Prepayment can be a complex aspect of commercial real estate loans. You'll need to understand the prepayment terms to avoid any penalties or fees.

The loan documents will outline the prepayment terms, which can be negotiated along with other loan terms. This is an important consideration when securing a commercial real estate loan.

There are four primary types of prepayment penalties to be aware of: Prepayment Penalty, Interest Guarantee, Lockout, and Defeasance. Each type has its own implications for the borrower.

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A Prepayment Penalty is the most basic type, calculated by multiplying the current outstanding balance by a specified penalty rate. This can result in a significant fee, so it's essential to review the loan documents carefully.

Interest Guarantee ensures the lender receives a specified amount of interest, even if the loan is paid off early. This can be beneficial for the lender, but may be costly for the borrower.

A Lockout provision prohibits the borrower from paying off the loan before a specified period, such as a five-year lockout. This can be a significant restriction for the borrower.

Defeasance, on the other hand, involves substituting new collateral for the original loan collateral. This can reduce fees, but high penalties can be attached to this method of paying off a loan.

Here are the four primary types of prepayment penalties in a concise table:

Security

Security is a top priority for lenders when it comes to commercial loans. You'll need to have a solid foundation in place to secure the loan.

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To meet the security requirements, you'll typically need to have 25-30% equity in the property. This is a crucial factor in securing a loan. A minimum of 25% down payment is also required.

You'll also need to have adequate commercial property insurance. This will protect the lender's investment in the property. The lender will verify that no outstanding liens or claims exist on the property through title and deed checks.

Here are the key security requirements:

  • Equity Requirement: 25-30% equity in the property
  • Down Payment: A minimum of 25% down payment
  • Property Insurance: Must have adequate commercial property insurance
  • Title and Deed Checks: Lender verifies no outstanding liens or claims

Interest and Fees

Interest and fees on commercial loans for rental properties can be complex and costly. Interest rates on commercial loans are generally higher than on residential loans.

Commercial real estate loans often involve upfront fees, such as a one-time loan origination fee of 1%, due at the time of closing. For example, a $1 million loan might require a 1% loan origination fee equal to $10,000.

Annual fees can also apply, adding to the overall cost of the loan. A $1 million loan with a 0.25% annual fee would incur a fee of $2,500 each year.

It's essential to calculate the annual percentage rate (APR) for the loan to understand the total cost of borrowing. The APR takes into account both the interest rate and the fees associated with the loan.

Loan Options and Financing

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You can secure commercial loans for rental properties through various financing options, including permanent financing, which remains in place for an extended period of time.

Types of permanent financing include bank loans, government-sponsored entity loans, and commercial mortgage backed securities (CMBS) loans. These loans can be used to finance the acquisition of commercial properties or to refinance existing debt.

Griffin Funding offers commercial loans on 1-10 unit investment properties for business purposes, including commercial DSCR loans and small balance multifamily DSCR loans.

Here are some key characteristics of commercial real estate loans:

  • No personal income requirement (in most cases)
  • No debt requirements (in most cases)
  • No tax returns required (in most cases)
  • Variable and fixed rates available
  • Single Family, 2-4 Units, Multi-Family 5-10 Units
  • No cap to the number of properties or loan amount in the portfolio

Commercial real estate loans can have flexible repayment terms, including 25-year amortization and fixed interest rates, and can be issued by banks, commercial lenders, and private investors.

Permanent

Permanent loans are a type of financing that remains in place for an extended period of time, often used to finance commercial properties or refinance existing debt. This type of loan is commonly used for commercial properties, such as office buildings, warehouses, and apartments.

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Permanent loans can be obtained from various sources, including banks, credit unions, life insurance companies, and government-sponsored entities like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. These loans typically have fixed interest rates and flexible repayment terms, allowing for predictable payments over the entire loan term.

Some key features of permanent loans include:

  • 25-Year Amortization: Spreads the loan into fixed payments after an interest-only period for construction loans.
  • Flexible Repayment Terms: Provide options for monthly, annual, and small lump-sum payments.
  • Fixed Interest Rates: For predictable payments over the entire loan term, ranging between 5 to 30 years.

Permanent loans are often used for constructing or renovating commercial real estate properties. A bank, credit union, or life insurance company will start permanent financing as a commercial construction loan, which is then converted to a permanent loan with longer terms and fixed rates once a project is complete.

Blanket

Blanket loans allow commercial investors to consolidate multiple mortgages or purchase several properties at once. This type of financing is often used for buying land for individual lots and house flipping.

A single loan application is used, with one monthly payment and interest rate applying to multiple properties. The loan terms can be 2 to 30 years. A release clause is also included, allowing you to sell or refinance one property while keeping the others under the same loan.

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Having a blanket mortgage can increase your cash on-hand since you're paying one set of origination fees and closing costs rather than separate fees for each property.

Here are some benefits of using a blanket loan:

  • Single Loan Application: Applies one monthly payment and interest rate using the same loan terms (2 to 30 years) for multiple properties.
  • Release Clause: Allows you to sell or refinance one property while keeping the others under the same loan.
  • Cash On-Hand: Increases since you’re paying one set of origination fees and closing costs rather than separate fees for each property.

Rental Financing Options

Rental financing options can be a bit overwhelming, but don't worry, I've got you covered. You can consider permanent financing, which is a type of loan that remains in place for an extended period of time, often used to finance commercial properties or refinance existing debt. Some types of permanent financing include bank loans, government-sponsored entity loans, and credit union loans.

Griffin Funding offers commercial loans on 1-10 unit investment properties for business purposes, specifically DSCR commercial business purpose loans, which are best used for purchasing cash-flow producing investment properties or doing a cashout refinance on existing investment properties. These loans cannot be used for primary residences or second homes.

Beyond traditional lenders, you can also consider private companies or individuals for commercial loans. This can be especially advantageous for those interested in rental property financing, where property value, rather than credit rating, can be the basis for loan approval.

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Commercial real estate loans can be acquired from banks, independent lenders, and private investors, and are typically used to purchase, construct, rehabilitate, or refinance commercial properties. Qualification focuses on debt service coverage ratio, credit history, financial reports, and property appraisal.

Here are some common types of commercial property loans:

  • SBA loans
  • Permanent loans
  • Blanket loans

These loans often require larger down payments and have shorter repayment periods, typically ranging from 5 to 20 years.

Key Differences

Commercial real estate loans have stricter eligibility criteria compared to residential mortgages. They often require a stronger credit history and a higher net worth.

Commercial loans typically have longer loan terms, often up to 20 years, while residential mortgages usually have terms of 15 to 30 years.

Commercial real estate loans are riskier for lenders, so they often come with higher interest rates and fees. This is because commercial properties can be more volatile and harder to repossess.

Investing and Financing

You can get a loan to invest in real estate, but you'll need to meet certain lender requirements, which can be more strict for commercial real estate loans. Each lender sets their own requirements, so it's essential to shop around.

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Griffin Funding, for example, offers a streamlined lending process that makes loan approval efficient and stress-free. Their knowledgeable lending specialists are available to guide you through the process.

There are various types of investment property loans available, including conventional loans, which offer flexibility and tend to be easier to qualify for. You can also consider commercial loans, which can be used to purchase a wide range of investment properties, from raw land to industrial warehouses.

Some options for financing your commercial loan include private companies or individuals, which can be beneficial if you're interested in a rental property where property value is the basis for loan approval.

Getting Started with Investing

To get started with investing in real estate, you'll need to meet the lender requirements, which can be more strict for commercial properties.

Commercial real estate loan requirements can be more stringent due to the higher stakes involved.

Griffin Funding streamlines their lending process to make loan approval efficient and stress-free for their borrowers.

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You'll have access to knowledgeable lending specialists throughout the process to help you proceed with confidence.

Griffin Funding offers a variety of investment property loans, including VA loans, jumbo loans, non-QM loans, and more.

Beyond traditional lenders, you can also consider private companies or individuals for commercial loans.

Private companies or individuals may offer loan approval based on property value rather than credit rating.

If you plan to hold your investment property in a Limited Liability Company (LLC), you can consider a commercial loan for a property such as raw land, medical office space, or industrial warehouses.

A commercial investment property loan can be a good option for borrowers who plan to have a portfolio of investment properties.

There are no limits on the number of properties or loan amounts you can have in your portfolio, making it easy to expand your portfolio with multiple properties at once.

Here are some common types of properties that commercial real estate investment loans are used for:

  • Single Family Residences
  • 2-4 Unit Properties
  • Condos
  • Townhomes
  • Multi Use
  • Student Housing
  • Multi Use
  • Multifamily (5+ Units)
  • Apartments
  • Office Buildings
  • Retail Malls
  • Shopping Centers
  • Warehouses
  • Other large-scale properties

Mortgage-Backed Securities

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Mortgage-Backed Securities are a type of investment that can provide a steady income stream.

They are typically backed by a pool of mortgages, such as CMBS loans, which are secured by commercial real estate properties with strong cash flow.

These loans are often focused on the property's value rather than the borrower's credit history, making them a good option for properties with stable income.

CMBS loans are particularly popular among investors due to their relatively low risk and potential for steady returns.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best loan for commercial property?

For commercial property loans, consider the SBA 7(a) loan for flexible financing options or the SBA 504 loan for low interest rates, depending on your business needs.

Do commercial loans require 20% down?

While 20% down is a common requirement for commercial loans, the actual minimum down payment can vary between 20-25% or even differ depending on the program or type of loan.

Sean Dooley

Lead Writer

Sean Dooley is a seasoned writer with a passion for crafting engaging content. With a strong background in research and analysis, Sean has developed a keen eye for detail and a talent for distilling complex information into clear, concise language. Sean's portfolio includes a wide range of articles on topics such as accounting services, where he has demonstrated a deep understanding of financial concepts and a ability to communicate them effectively to diverse audiences.

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