Apartment building loans are often offered on two different levels. The first usually requires a minimum loan of $500,000, is a smaller unit, but comprised of no less than five units. The second is for loans over $3,000,000, and is designed for financing much larger units such as large apartment complexes, student housing, or senior or assisted living facilities.

Most lenders will provide financing for units in good condition, and have little deferred maintenance. If the building is in poor condition, you may not qualify for a loan, or have to pay a much higher down payment.

Apartment building loan sources are numerous to say the very least. Before speaking with anyone it's helpful to have a list of question you may want to ask. For example:

· Is the property fully leased (about 95%)?

· Do you want to borrow more than 80% of today's value?

· Are you willing to re-finance the property or are you planning on selling in the next 3 years or so?

· Will you accept a loan with a large prepayment penalty?

· Do you expect leasing activity in the building over the next 3 years (either from existing or new tenants) to increase the property value greater than 25%?

· If the property value is increasing more than 25% over the next 3 years, will the loan request today be 75% or less of the increased value?

· Will 50% of the building leases expire in any one of the next 3 years?

· Are you installing land infrastructure, gutting the building or converting the use?

· Is the property value greater than $10 million?

Apartment building financing, or multifamily property financing, is in a constant state of change. As a result, multifamily finance providers must have thorough knowledge and awareness of available debt programs and be prepared to quickly analyze financing options.