Commercial Multifamily Financing

Commercial Multifamily Financing

Rental Property Investor · Bradenton, FL · Member since 2016 · 56 posts · 17 votes

Dear BP, 

I had a quick question on commercial financing for my first larger deal, so I am pre approved from Freddie / Fannie for a $1MM purchase, I have literally just enough capital right now to do that, but limited extra capital for rehab. But my goal is obviously to add value via reducing expenses/increasing income. After rehabbing a prior quadplex, I have a good feel for costs per unit, the properties I like need new kitchens, floors, bathrooms etc. This will probably run me around $75k-$100k for a 16 unit $1MM deal. However, I don't like the ideal of using cashflow to improve units for a couple reasons, I see it as a slower strategy, I have to wait for cash every month to improve items, and what if there's a large capX issue, now I'm potentially stalled mid rehab with a vacant unit. I would rather have capital at the start to begin rehab on any month to month units, exterior improvements and get it all turned around and to market rents within 12 months.

Am I on the right track with that thought process, and if so what is the best way to fund the rehab? Is it possible to use a bridge loan at the start to buy the property and rehab it, then refinance it into agency debt? 

Thanks so much!

Matt

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Rental Property Investor · Lake Forest Park, WA · Member since 2015 · 127 posts · 57 votes
8y
@Matthew Dunn “The best way” is subjective. My wife and I just finished a $280k rehab on a 12 plex and we had a standard commercial loan on the initial purchase, then used a combination of HELOCs, borrowed against a 401k, borrowed against my whole life policy, and used some private money.
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  • Michael DangPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Houston, TX · Member since 2015 · 454 posts · 273 votes
    8y

    Yes, your thought process is sound.  However, a conventional Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac agency loan will not do small loans, as in this case.  It should work with a Freddie Mac SBL loan, but your rehab\capex budget will not be allowed with this product.  A bridge loan could possibly work, but it maybe recourse and that's up to your comfort level.  I would check with your commercial mtg broker.

    Just some thoughts to help answer your question.

    Have you considered a local or regional bank for potential loan products that may fit your needs then refinance it into agency?

    How about considering capital partners or hard money lenders?  

    If you have some securities, maybe a securities-backed loan is an option.  Securities Backed Lending

  • Real Estate Broker · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2014 · 159 posts · 108 votes
    8y

    @Matthew Dunn Yes, you have the right idea.  Bridge-to-perm.  

    Get a 12 month interest-only bridge loan to cover acquisition and capex, then roll it into a long term loan after stabilization (90% occupied for 90 days is a good benchmark).

    You can do this with two separate lenders, or find one that will take on both loans.

    Agency SBL loans have $1M minimum, try and find a local/regional bank or a private money lender for the debt.

  • Hadar OrkibiPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · USA / NZ · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 812 votes
    8y

    @Matthew Dunn some local banks may offer you 75% of the loan amount and 75% of the rehab cost, you will need to show them the plan and scope of work. 

     Paying for renovations from cash flow is a No no, many investor learn the hard way...

    See if you can go back to the seller and increase the price so you can get a repair allowance at closing. im not sure if agency debt would allow that but talk to your broker.

  • Rental Property Investor · Lake Forest Park, WA · Member since 2015 · 127 posts · 57 votes
    8y
    @Matthew Dunn “The best way” is subjective. My wife and I just finished a $280k rehab on a 12 plex and we had a standard commercial loan on the initial purchase, then used a combination of HELOCs, borrowed against a 401k, borrowed against my whole life policy, and used some private money.
  • Rental Property Investor · Lake Forest Park, WA · Member since 2015 · 127 posts · 57 votes
    8y
    @Matthew Dunn ......We just refinanced and recaptured all of our invested capital.
  • Rental Property Investor · Bradenton, FL · Member since 2016 · 56 posts · 17 votes
    8y
    Originally posted by @Michael Dang:

    Yes, your thought process is sound.  However, a conventional Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac agency loan will not do small loans, as in this case.  It should work with a Freddie Mac SBL loan, but your rehab\capex budget will not be allowed with this product.  A bridge loan could possibly work, but it maybe recourse and that's up to your comfort level.  I would check with your commercial mtg broker.

    Just some thoughts to help answer your question.

    Have you considered a local or regional bank for potential loan products that may fit your needs then refinance it into agency?

    How about considering capital partners or hard money lenders?  

    If you have some securities, maybe a securities-backed loan is an option.  Securities Backed Lending

    Thank you, I'll approach my mortgage broker and I have a couple local banks in mind that do commercial for the initial purchase and rehab. 

  • Rental Property Investor · Bradenton, FL · Member since 2016 · 56 posts · 17 votes
    8y
    Originally posted by @Andrew Beauchemin:

    @Matthew Dunn Yes, you have the right idea.  Bridge-to-perm.  

    Get a 12 month interest-only bridge loan to cover acquisition and capex, then roll it into a long term loan after stabilization (90% occupied for 90 days is a good benchmark).

    You can do this with two separate lenders, or find one that will take on both loans.

    Agency SBL loans have $1M minimum, try and find a local/regional bank or a private money lender for the debt.

     Thank you, this helps!

  • Rental Property Investor · Bradenton, FL · Member since 2016 · 56 posts · 17 votes
    8y
    Originally posted by @Hadar Orkibi:

    @Matthew Dunn some local banks may offer you 75% of the loan amount and 75% of the rehab cost, you will need to show them the plan and scope of work. 

     Paying for renovations from cash flow is a No no, many investor learn the hard way...

    See if you can go back to the seller and increase the price so you can get a repair allowance at closing. im not sure if agency debt would allow that but talk to your broker.

    The broker I have approached so far, will do 70% of the loan and they typically want to see the rehab not more than 20% of the total loan request and that the loan as approved can be serviced with existing rental income (not dependent on higher rents post-renovation). I'll see if I can push for 75%.

  • Lender · Nat'l Commercial Mtg Lender - Round Rock, TX · Member since 2014 · 916 posts · 235 votes
    8y

    Hi, @Matthew Dunn.  Yes.  You can get a bridge loan that will take down the property and give you funds for the rehab.  Once the property is completed and stabilized (90% occupied for 90 days and able to debt service), you can refinance into agency debt.

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