What Are The Different Types of Commercial Construction Loans?

Real estate developers, investors, or builders who buy land or value-add properties need different types of commercial construction loans to make the site and any structures on it profitable.

Construction loans can be risky because these development projects can cost anywhere from a few hundred thousand dollars to hundreds of millions of dollars, and include entitlement and construction risks and uncertainties. The sort of financing required by a real estate development company is determined by the type of construction project, the extent to which the property has already been developed, and whether the loan is temporary or long-term.

If you’ve got a real estate development or construction project underway – whether it’s acquisition, development, soft costs, or vertical construction of townhomes, apartments, multi-family, mixed use, retail, office, self-storage, industrial, or single family subdivision, there are things to consider when taking out a construction or development loan.

What Is A Commercial Construction Loan?

A commercial construction loan is a form of loan that is used to pay for the expenditures of building or renovating real estate property. A construction loan can be used to pay for labor and materials for a new property, the purchase and development of land for a new commercial property, or renovations of existing facilities.

Why Take Out A Commercial Construction Loan?

A commercial mortgage can be obtained by business owners who wish to purchase existing commercial buildings, or develop new properties. You’ll need to apply for a commercial construction loan if you want to renovate your current space or create a new facility or investment development from the ground up.

Renovations and new construction can be costly, costing hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. Because most developing firms do not have this kind of capital on hand, they must rely on a commercial construction loan. Lenders provide funding throughout the construction process to pay for labor, supplies, and site development so you don’t have to cover the costs yourself using commercial construction loans.

How to Get a Commercial Construction Loan?

Commercial development has a significant level of risk, and obtaining money can be difficult if the developer and those engaged do not have a solid track record.

A developer may have or be able to find the funds to purchase the land or properties outright, which they can then use as full or partial collateral for construction financing. Developers can also utilize other properties as collateral if they have enough equity in them.

Most speculative real estate development and construction projects are funded by private lenders who specialize in this niche of financing, and offer non-recourse or limited-recourse loans, using the asset as the collateral, and are willing to lend against future hypothetical values in the form of a construction or development holdback.

Different Types of Commercial Construction Loans

1. Land Development Loan

When you have raw or undeveloped land that has to be developed, you can get a land development loan. After the raw land has been developed, it can be subdivided and sold as individual lots for commercial or residential purposes. Sewer, water, and power lines can all be installed with the help of a land development loan.

2. Interim or Bridge Construction Loan

A short-term commercial construction loan is known as an interim or bridge construction loan. It’s utilized to cover the costs of labor and supplies for a commercial construction project. The term of an interim or bridge construction loan is usually 18 to 36 months. It is settled once a long-term mortgage is in place or the property is sold because it is short-term funding.

3. Mini Perm Loan

A mini-perm loan, like a bridge loan, is a sort of short-term commercial financing. This is a short-term loan that is often utilized to pay off an outstanding construction or commercial property loan on a project that will generate revenue once completed.

A bridge loan is a short-term loan that is used to fund a specific demand or to “bridge” a cash-flow gap. The mini-perm loan is replaced by long-term financing after cash flow, stabilization, or operational income is established.

4. A&D Loan

For raw land that is ready to be developed, you’ll need an acquisition and development loan, or A&D loan. These loans can also be used to rehabilitate infrastructure or existing structures on the raw, underutilized, or run-down property that has previously been developed.

An A&D loan normally covers part of the cost of both the land and any improvements that are required before the development can be finished.

5. Takeout Loan

A takeout loan can provide long-term funding for real estate development or construction projects that currently have a temporary loan, such as a short-term construction or bridge loans. Lenders may ask their developers to obtain a takeout loan before approving a short-term loan, particularly for developments that the lender considers especially risky.

6. Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is a new method of commercial project financing that brings together a large number of small investors to pool funds for specific projects. 7 Rather than asking traditional banks for financing, developers can use a crowdsourcing site to raise the necessary capital.

Many small investors who want to get engaged still face obstacles. Many crowdfunding investment possibilities are only available to “Accredited Investors” with a net worth of $1 million or more.

Smaller or less experienced investors, on the other hand, maybe able to participate depending on the project and the crowdfunding site.

As crowdfunding becomes more popular, more avenues will open up for smaller investors with low net worth to participate, and more commercial real estate projects will be able to secure funding.

7. Bank Loans

Another alternative for business owners is to take a typical commercial construction loan from a bank. Rates, payback lengths, and the amount of money required for a down payment all differ. In most cases, a significant down payment is required, with maximum repayment lengths of 25 years standard. Fixed and variable rates are offered. You might begin your lender search by discussing your financing requirements with your present banking institution. These are typically lower leverage loans, with more cash required from the borrower.

Final Thoughts

The life of a real estate developer or builder is a thrilling one, but acquiring the funding you need can be difficult. Obtaining different types of commercial construction loans does not have to be difficult if your future plans include the acquisition, development, or construction of real estate investment projects.

You’ll be able to approach your lender with confidence and breeze through the financing procedure if you understand the different sorts of loans and requirements and do some preparation work ahead of time.