Bridge lenders for Multi-Family, what are my best options?

Bridge lenders for Multi-Family, what are my best options?

Investor · Cleveland · Member since 2022 · 58 posts · 41 votes

Hi,

I'm with a small group of investors that currently own 23 doors spread across 10 Multi-family units. We have been expanding in the areas around Cleveland in the last year and we have observed goo return on our stabilized inventory, so we are looking to keep expanding.

Our biggest pain point to keep scaling has been financing; we have deploy a variety of financing options (personal mortgage, commercial finance, cash and refinance, etc.) but the process has been generally slow. We have particularly struggled to find bridge lenders and commercial lenders for multifamily.

I thought it might be a good idea to bring this up to the forum to see if any of y'all lovely people might have an idea/network that could help.


Thanks in advance :)

1Reply
42 views

Most Popular Reply

Investor · Jacksonville, FL · Member since 2019 · 97 posts · 50 votes
4y

Hi @Adriaan Sierra,

Congrats on the 23 units. That's a significant achievement.

I would recommend you to listen to a series of 4 episodes of the BP podcast dedicated to how to raise private money (episodes 636, 637, 654, and 655). You will learn how to raise money step by step including templates and scripts.

Private money is much cheaper and more straightforward and creates long-term relationships.

Good luck!

See this reply in the discussion

14 Replies

Jump to latestLatest
  • Marty JohnstonPro Member
    Lender · Wauwatosa, WI · Member since 2016 · 570 posts · 203 votes
    4y

    Hey Adriaan!

    First of all, congrats on your 23-doors! Woot! There are a lot of different strategies out there to move quick, depending on your goals and appetite. There are bridge lenders out there who can close in 2 weeks on small-balance MF like what you might be seeing there in Cleveland, ranging up to 80% LTV. But when you say bridge, and you also referring to Bridge+Rehab then BRRRRing out your forced appreciation? The refinances as your pointed out, can in fact be the slow point, but 21-28 days is very feasible with the right lending partners. What might you consider "slow" for your process?

    Thanks!

  • Erik EstradaBusiness Member
    Lender · Member since 2022 · 6k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    4y
    Quote from @Adriaan Sierra:

    Hi,

    I'm with a small group of investors that currently own 23 doors spread across 10 Multi-family units. We have been expanding in the areas around Cleveland in the last year and we have observed goo return on our stabilized inventory, so we are looking to keep expanding.

    Our biggest pain point to keep scaling has been financing; we have deploy a variety of financing options (personal mortgage, commercial finance, cash and refinance, etc.) but the process has been generally slow. We have particularly struggled to find bridge lenders and commercial lenders for multifamily.

    I thought it might be a good idea to bring this up to the forum to see if any of y'all lovely people might have an idea/network that could help.


    Thanks in advance :)


     Hey Adriaan, 

    When you applied for any of your previous Commercial, Bridge, and Residential loans, did you apply under an entity? 

    LuxePrivate Investments LLC 572 Reviews
  • Property Manager · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2022 · 80 posts · 48 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Adriaan Sierra:

    Hi,

    I'm with a small group of investors that currently own 23 doors spread across 10 Multi-family units. We have been expanding in the areas around Cleveland in the last year and we have observed goo return on our stabilized inventory, so we are looking to keep expanding.

    Our biggest pain point to keep scaling has been financing; we have deploy a variety of financing options (personal mortgage, commercial finance, cash and refinance, etc.) but the process has been generally slow. We have particularly struggled to find bridge lenders and commercial lenders for multifamily.

    I thought it might be a good idea to bring this up to the forum to see if any of y'all lovely people might have an idea/network that could help.


    Thanks in advance :)

    Congrats! My friend @Muhammad Amawi will be happy to help you

    All the best,

  • Investor · Cleveland · Member since 2022 · 58 posts · 41 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Marty Johnston:

    Hey Adriaan!

    First of all, congrats on your 23-doors! Woot! There are a lot of different strategies out there to move quick, depending on your goals and appetite. There are bridge lenders out there who can close in 2 weeks on small-balance MF like what you might be seeing there in Cleveland, ranging up to 80% LTV. But when you say bridge, and you also referring to Bridge+Rehab then BRRRRing out your forced appreciation? The refinances as your pointed out, can in fact be the slow point, but 21-28 days is very feasible with the right lending partners. What might you consider "slow" for your process?

    Thanks!


     We would be interested in Bridge Rehab with the intention to hold.
    I have a working relationship with FFL so we can close fairly quickly on refi - mortgages, my biggest pain point at the moment has been commercial lending.

  • Investor · Cleveland · Member since 2022 · 58 posts · 41 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Erik Estrada:
    Quote from @Adriaan Sierra:

    Hi,

    I'm with a small group of investors that currently own 23 doors spread across 10 Multi-family units. We have been expanding in the areas around Cleveland in the last year and we have observed goo return on our stabilized inventory, so we are looking to keep expanding.

    Our biggest pain point to keep scaling has been financing; we have deploy a variety of financing options (personal mortgage, commercial finance, cash and refinance, etc.) but the process has been generally slow. We have particularly struggled to find bridge lenders and commercial lenders for multifamily.

    I thought it might be a good idea to bring this up to the forum to see if any of y'all lovely people might have an idea/network that could help.


    Thanks in advance :)


     Hey Adriaan, 

    When you applied for any of your previous Commercial, Bridge, and Residential loans, did you apply under an entity? 


     I have applied as both an entity and a person. I've had much more success with the latter.

  • Investor · Cleveland · Member since 2022 · 58 posts · 41 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Carla Kordab:
    Quote from @Adriaan Sierra:

    Hi,

    I'm with a small group of investors that currently own 23 doors spread across 10 Multi-family units. We have been expanding in the areas around Cleveland in the last year and we have observed goo return on our stabilized inventory, so we are looking to keep expanding.

    Our biggest pain point to keep scaling has been financing; we have deploy a variety of financing options (personal mortgage, commercial finance, cash and refinance, etc.) but the process has been generally slow. We have particularly struggled to find bridge lenders and commercial lenders for multifamily.

    I thought it might be a good idea to bring this up to the forum to see if any of y'all lovely people might have an idea/network that could help.


    Thanks in advance :)

    Congrats! My friend @Muhammad Amawi will be happy to help you

    All the best,


     I'll reach out. Thanks a lot 

  • Marty JohnstonPro Member
    Lender · Wauwatosa, WI · Member since 2016 · 570 posts · 203 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Adriaan Sierra:
    Quote from @Marty Johnston:

    Hey Adriaan!

    First of all, congrats on your 23-doors! Woot! There are a lot of different strategies out there to move quick, depending on your goals and appetite. There are bridge lenders out there who can close in 2 weeks on small-balance MF like what you might be seeing there in Cleveland, ranging up to 80% LTV. But when you say bridge, and you also referring to Bridge+Rehab then BRRRRing out your forced appreciation? The refinances as your pointed out, can in fact be the slow point, but 21-28 days is very feasible with the right lending partners. What might you consider "slow" for your process?

    Thanks!


     We would be interested in Bridge Rehab with the intention to hold.
    I have a working relationship with FFL so we can close fairly quickly on refi - mortgages, my biggest pain point at the moment has been commercial lending.


     There are options! Sending you a DM

  • Investor · Jacksonville, FL · Member since 2019 · 97 posts · 50 votes
    4y

    Hi @Adriaan Sierra,

    Congrats on the 23 units. That's a significant achievement.

    I would recommend you to listen to a series of 4 episodes of the BP podcast dedicated to how to raise private money (episodes 636, 637, 654, and 655). You will learn how to raise money step by step including templates and scripts.

    Private money is much cheaper and more straightforward and creates long-term relationships.

    Good luck!

  • Developer · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 904 votes
    4y

    @Adriaan Sierra what is the size and term of each loan you seek?

    Bridge lenders will typically want to do $5mm+ (preferably 10+mm) for 2-3 yrs and these days provide 55 - 65% LTV.

    There may be some lenders that do Bridge to Perm debt.

    Bridge lenders typically take 60 days to close a first-time loan.

    Have you asked the previous lenders why they did not approve you?

    Another option is to speak with local credit unions or lenders who may be able to do a balance sheet loan.

    If the loan in between $1mm to $5mm look into a Small Balance Loan.

  • Rental Property Investor · San Diego, CA · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    4y

    I use Brian Bruening at Bellweather out there.  I have done my last 3 Freddie Small Balance Loans with him on a 20 unit, and another loan on a 24 unit and another loan on a 21 unit in the last 18 months.  These Freddie loans have been amazing for us.  First 2 or 3 yrs interest only, 30 yr Amortization fixed rate, currently at about 5.5-5.6% fixed for anywhere from 7 to 10 years term.

    He also does bridge loans too.  That is a different product altogether though.  The Freddie Small Balance Loan is the best loan out there.  Although you need a $1,000,000 loan balance or more.  

    I would reach out to Brian ASAP!!. All of my 9 apartment complexes are out there in the Cleveland area in suburbs called Painesville and Mentor, Ohio.  I also have a 24 unit in Akron.  

    Feel free to reach out to me too!! I love talking shop!!

    Swanny (guest BP podcast 238). 


  • Investor · Cleveland · Member since 2022 · 58 posts · 41 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Gerardo Waisbaum:

    Hi @Adriaan Sierra,

    Congrats on the 23 units. That's a significant achievement.

    I would recommend you to listen to a series of 4 episodes of the BP podcast dedicated to how to raise private money (episodes 636, 637, 654, and 655). You will learn how to raise money step by step including templates and scripts.

    Private money is much cheaper and more straightforward and creates long-term relationships.

    Good luck!


     Thanks, this is something that we will consider in the future, but not quite ready for. Definitely worth the thought

  • Investor · Cleveland · Member since 2022 · 58 posts · 41 votes
    4y
    Quote from @Percy N.:

    @Adriaan Sierra what is the size and term of each loan you seek?

    Bridge lenders will typically want to do $5mm+ (preferably 10+mm) for 2-3 yrs and these days provide 55 - 65% LTV.

    There may be some lenders that do Bridge to Perm debt.

    Bridge lenders typically take 60 days to close a first-time loan.

    Have you asked the previous lenders why they did not approve you?

    Another option is to speak with local credit unions or lenders who may be able to do a balance sheet loan.

    If the loan in between $1mm to $5mm look into a Small Balance Loan.


     The last bridge lender we have talked was for a 20 unit MF opportunity. They had concerns as we have no previous experience in this space , which is a fair concern. They were generally helpful and provided some good feedback as to missing pieces for us to work in the future.


    When we went commercial lending for refi of (~1.5mm) our closing took 90 days, which caused a couple of rate hikes. We went for the cheapest rate that we could find, which might have been a mistake, given how many hiccups we encountered. 

    I think part of the problem is that we are not at the size that you are describing. Our typical deals are on the [200k -1.5 mm] range.

    I do believe this might be a cold start problem. With the right tools we would be able to scale better...

  • Rental Property Investor · San Diego, CA · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    4y

    Oh!! I forgot to say, these Freddie Loans are non-recourse.  That is another HUGE benefit as you get these Small Balance Freddie Loans!!! As you get larger, the risk is less!!  

    Any one out here, don’t be afraid to reach out to me.  I love talking shop!!

    If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change right before your very eyes!! It did for me.  It can do the same for you!!!

    If I can do it, anyone can.  Change your paradigm, change your life.  I have been retired from my teaching job now going on my second school year.  Just focused on managing my 9 apartment complexes, refinancing a few, selling a few and acquiring a few.  

    We are only limited by the self imposed limitations.  Reality is an illusion, albeit a constant one, it is in our face at every turn.  

    Make your own reality!!!!

    Swanny Podcast Guest 238

Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.