Financing Structure for LoHi Mixed-Use Property (C-MX-3 Zoning)

Financing Structure for LoHi Mixed-Use Property (C-MX-3 Zoning)

Member since 2025 · 3 posts · 5 votes

I’m evaluating a mixed-use property in LoHi (Denver) with C-MX-3 zoning, residential + commercial potential, and a detached garage space that can support a small retail/vending operation. The property spans two streets and has dual addresses for the house and garage.

I’m exploring the best way to structure financing for this type of asset. The garage portion has its own electrical service and could generate separate income through vending, office use, or micro-retail, while the main residence can be rented long term.

I’m trying to get clarity on:

• How lenders typically underwrite mixed-use assets like this

• Whether garage-based commercial income can be counted toward DSCR

• How private lenders usually structure mixed-use loans (LTV, rate, term)

• Whether bridge financing makes sense for this type of purchase

• Any common pitfalls when financing C-MX-3 urban infill properties

• If anyone has experience combining residential rent + small commercial income for underwriting

I’m not looking to advertise or raise capital here just want to make sure I’m structuring this the right way before moving forward. Would appreciate insights from lenders and operators who’ve financed similar properties in Denver or other infill urban markets.

Thanks in advance.

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  • Erik EstradaBusiness Member
    Lender · Member since 2022 · 6k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9mo
    Quote from @Nicholas Goodwin:

    I’m evaluating a mixed-use property in LoHi (Denver) with C-MX-3 zoning, residential + commercial potential, and a detached garage space that can support a small retail/vending operation. The property spans two streets and has dual addresses for the house and garage.

    I’m exploring the best way to structure financing for this type of asset. The garage portion has its own electrical service and could generate separate income through vending, office use, or micro-retail, while the main residence can be rented long term.

    I’m trying to get clarity on:

    • How lenders typically underwrite mixed-use assets like this

    • Whether garage-based commercial income can be counted toward DSCR

    • How private lenders usually structure mixed-use loans (LTV, rate, term)

    • Whether bridge financing makes sense for this type of purchase

    • Any common pitfalls when financing C-MX-3 urban infill properties

    • If anyone has experience combining residential rent + small commercial income for underwriting

    I’m not looking to advertise or raise capital here just want to make sure I’m structuring this the right way before moving forward. Would appreciate insights from lenders and operators who’ve financed similar properties in Denver or other infill urban markets.

    Thanks in advance.


     Hey Nicholas! 

    A few questions here: 

    1. Is this your first commercial purchase? Do you have any real estate investing experience? (Flipping, BRRRR, GC, etc..)

    2. Is there any rehab work needed? 

    3. Are all units fully occupied?

    Depending on these answers, you can either go with a bridge or long term financing. There is no cut/dry answer universal with all CRE lenders. Each lender has their own guidelines. But generally, experience, credit, and asset profitability are weighed heavily to underwrite

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    • Member since 2025 · 3 posts · 5 votes
      9mo

      @Erik Estrada 

      Thanks for jumping in  here are the details:

      1. This wouldn’t be my first investment purchase. I’ve been operating out of Denver for a while and run a holding company with a licensed manufacturing facility, so I’m familiar with value-add, renovations, and working through inspections and compliance.
      2. The property doesn’t appear to need any major rehab. It was fully renovated in 2007 and maintained since, so any work on my end would be optional upgrades.
      3. It’s currently tenant-occupied on a month-to-month basis, and the detached garage has its own address and electrical service, which creates a separate commercial income opportunity.

      Because it’s C-MX-3 mixed use with both residential rent and potential commercial income from the garage, I’m trying to understand which route lenders typically prefer bridge first then DSCR, or going straight into long-term financing.

      Appreciate any insight on how lenders usually approach mixed-use like this.

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