With rapidly deteriorating financing for residential investment property, overcoming business loan and commercial mortgage problems is even more important. This summary provides an introduction to four critical commercial loan factors and should assist commercial borrowers to better anticipate key business financing difficulties.
It is not unusual to find that business investment lenders and business loan brokers are not as forward-looking about business financing and investing difficulties as most borrowers would expect, and I have published another article about commercial lenders to avoid. The focus here is on four typical commercial mortgage loan and SBA business loan difficulties often overlooked by commercial lenders and borrowers.
Commercial borrowers should be prepared for commercial loan scenarios that involve unexpected business financing problems. With business financing there are several key commercial mortgage problems which should be avoided. Business loan problems are more serious and prevalent than many borrowers would imagine.
Some of these commercial mortgage business loan difficulties might be unavoidable, but in most cases these business financing and SBA loan challenges can be successfully overcome. Commercial borrowers will be poised to take proper corrective action if they are aware of common commercial loan difficulties.
Avoidable Commercial Real Estate Investment Property Financing Scenario Number One: Use of secondary business financing -
Many commercial borrowers want the flexibility to use subordinated debt (a seller second or other secondary financing) in order to acquire a commercial property or business opportunity investment with a smaller down payment. Many forms of business investing will not permit a seller second or other forms of subordinated debt. With a commercial loan via non-traditional business lenders, a commercial borrower can use subordinate business financing (including seller seconds) to reduce the amount of their down payment.
Commercial Mortgage Example Number Two: Sourcing-seasoning assets and seasoning of ownership -
Some commercial lenders will require borrowers to document the source of the down payment for a purchase (sourcing). Many business lenders require borrowers to document where down payment money is coming from, often for up to 12 months in order to provide seasoning confirmation. Ownership seasoning is determined by establishing a minimum period for ownership prior to being eligible for refinancing.
Such a problem will probably not deter all borrowers. When it does apply, business borrowers should insist on a lender without seasoning and sourcing requirements.
Business Financing Example Number Three: Commercial mortgage recall terms -
Business loan recall conditions will often allow the commercial lender to force the borrower to repay their loan before the normal loan expiration. This possibility is not relevant to business borrowers if their commercial loan does not contain such recall terms.
Business lenders regularly include recall clauses in their business loan agreements. The provisions which will prompt a recall will vary and typically include annual business lender monitoring of financial statements, tax returns and credit history. Without agreed income, tax returns and credit standards, the lender can choose to require the borrower to pay off the commercial loan within a very short period of time.
Contingency Plans for Business Finance Recalls: What to do about a commercial loan recall -
To avoid an unanticipated recall scenario, commercial borrowers would be wise to consider only commercial loans which do not have recall terms. For commercial borrowers who have recall provisions in their business financing agreement, it will be equally wise to consider refinancing their business loan or commercial mortgage before a recall occurs so that refinancing is accomplished when it is most appropriate for the borrower.
When borrowers receive a business financing recall, they must quickly obtain refinancing assistance. When reviewing commercial loan choices for refinancing, borrowers should attempt to exclude potential lenders that require recall terms.
Business Loan Example Number Four: Business financing that needs a long-term commercial loan -
Is long-term investing and financing really possible for a business loan? Some business investment lenders will only offer 5 years (or less) before commercial real estate financing will expire with a balloon payment due.
There are commercial mortgage programs which can provide long-term financing, even though many lenders will only offer shorter-term options for investment business financing. Longer-term commercial real estate financing will often be the critical difference that facilitates a successful business investment because a new business loan will not be required for many years and commercial loan payments will also be reduced.
Additional Commercial Loan Problems and Solutions -
Unfortunately commercial borrowers will frequently encounter commercial mortgage business loan problems similar to those described here. To better prepare for this, an advisable approach is to explore business financing resources that will facilitate a better understanding of complex commercial loan issues. The Commercial Real Estate Loan Guide and The Working Capital Management Guide are two examples of business finance resources that will provide possible solutions for many difficult commercial financing situations.
A recent sampling of investment advice suggests substantial rationale to evaluate business opportunity and commercial real estate investing. An important financial attraction is the ability to exclude commercial property from the commercial loan process. Another key incentive to explore business financing options is the ability to finance a commercial mortgage or business loan with income produced by the commercial property or business.
The recent negative investment climate for residential real estate investment property has provided investors with new reasons to explore investing in business opportunity and business finance options. We will offer some candid advice about commercial mortgage and business financing as well as an overview about the importance of evaluating business and commercial investment property purchase possibilities.
Business Finance - Investing in Unique Businesses and Special Purpose Properties
Commercial real estate and business opportunity choices include special purpose situations such as funeral homes and golf courses. The unique characteristics of such business investment options translate to enhanced possibilities to differentiate a commercial business and provide added value.
Of course specialized business real estate investing does require special purpose business finance solutions such as golf course financing and funeral home financing. The ability to arrange a business loan or business opportunity financing that is appropriate for both the business owner and the business itself will be a critical ingredient in business investment success.
Buy a Business with an SBA Loan for a Commercial Mortgage and Business Opportunity Finance
The option to use SBA financing (Small Business Administration loan) provides a business loan choice not available for residential real estate investing. This form of business financing is available to new business owners and can prove to be instrumental in purchasing a business opportunity or commercial real estate investment.
Business Opportunity Financing Without Real Estate Investment Property
Purchasing a business opportunity does not involve commercial real estate. This means that business finance value will be driven by the business rather than real estate, and the absence of a commercial mortgage can prove to be a significant advantage in a declining real estate market.
Business Loan - Commercial Investment Value Driven Primarily by Income
In comparison to residential real estate investment property value depending primarily on location, commercial real estate and business value is primarily determined by business income. This results in less sensitivity to local real estate property value trends. A business opportunity loan and commercial real estate loan will depend upon a business appraisal that will evaluate the recent business income levels.
Commercial Loan Precautions - Business Financing Problems to Avoid
Just as there are unique and substantial positive benefits associated with buying a business or commercial real estate investment property, there are also a number of special business loan and commercial mortgage problems to avoid when arranging business financing. It is especially relevant for residential real estate investors to realize that there are more than 20 key differences between residential and commercial investment finance options. There is a critical commercial loan difficulty to anticipate with each difference.