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30-year Commercial Money? Yes!

W. Karl Baker, CPA When discussing commercial financing needs with prospective clients, one of the first things we get asked all the time is “What’s the rate?”  That depends on a lot of factors, such as property address, the borrower’s credit score, net cash flows from the lease agreement, leverage and a few other factors.   We also remind clients that “rate” is important but is not always the most important factor if cash flow is the goal. It’s certainly not the only factor to evaluate.   We also are asked, “What’s the term of your notes?”  Many people are surprised that it is possible to obtain 30-year commercial money, especially if their only experience is what banks offer.  So there’s usually a follow-up question when we tell them about our 30-year fixed rate commercial mortgages:  “Is it really FIXED for 30 years, and it’s a commercial note?”, said with some astonishment!  Our response is “YES!  You really can get a 30-year fixed-r...

Market Update - Interesting News on 80% LTV

By W. Karl Baker, CPA Industry commercial lending underwriting criteria contain some “norms” that are universally agreed upon but applied differently from lender to lender.  One of those “norms” is the rule of thumb that lenders will loan at 80% of the value of the subject property in a purchase transaction with long-term financing, and then this metric is often scaled back to 75% for a cash-out refinancing, to hedge valuation risk.   Lenders do not set these norms in a vacuum.  Private lenders sell the majority of their long-term loans and some of their bridge loans to the capital markets. These institutional buyers pool loans into packages and convert them to bond funds, called mortgage-backed securities.  Investors buy these funds with the expectation that they will obtain a return on investment commensurate with the risk.  This is a macro-economic way to put capital into the market, allowing property buyers and investors to finance their purchases with low-cost loan terms. Therefor...

'Tis the Season

By W. Karl Baker, CPA There’s lots of news out there saying “now’s not the time.” “The economy is slowing down.” “We’re headed towards a recession.” “The cost of borrowing is going up.” This is a good one: “Rates will go down eventually and that will be the time.” I heard a podcast recently that gave the quote from a celebrity author, “Don’t wait to buy real estate.  Buy real estate and wait.” That really resonated with me, so I looked it up. The best I can tell it was mis-attributed and is actually a  Will Rogers quote.   As I’m writing this I’ve been thinking about another phrase “‘tis the season”. It’s the Christmas holiday season. It’s a time when people are reflective. It’s a time for love, and there are many other important things to celebrate at Christmas, such as the birth of a savior. However, I’ve also been struck with that phrase as a mantra for rea...

How To Use Equipment Financing To Stimulate Your Cash Flow

There are going to come times when your business experiences a disruption with its cash flow. When this happens, it can prevent you from taking care of crucial expenses related to keeping your company operational. To avoid a catastrophe, you need to learn what alternative financing solutions are available to your business. A service like equipment financing, for example, can be beneficial to explore when you need to maintain better control over your budget. Look over these details to discover how you can use this form of financing to your advantage. What Is Equipment Financing? Financing your equipment is a straightforward and practical decision to explore. For one, almost all businesses rely on some form of machinery or tech in order to operate. Additionally, this machinery can usually be expensive and it is not always possible for a business owner to pay out of pocket for vital equipment. With this alternative financing option, you can spread payments for equipment out over a period ...

Starting a New Business

Many people are looking to make and start something that has never been done before. Small businesses are starting to pop everywhere as people realize it’s something almost anyone can start. If you are looking to open one, there are some things you need to take into account. Employees It will take employees to help you run your business. Your business size will help determine how many you need. The larger your company gets, the more help you will most likely need. Pay If your company has competitive pay, it will be a highly sought-after job. Employees who feel they get paid their value, are more likely to work harder for you. If your business is very successful, offering raises and bonuses will also help boost the morale of the employees. Struggles Starting a new business opens the door to a lot of struggles and problems. Throughout these times though, you will need to keep the course. If you have a plan, work through it no matter the ups and downs you face. Expenses No matter the busi...

How Understanding Lines of Credit Can Help Your Business

Starting a small business can be an exciting process, however, it may not always feel easy. This can be especially true when it comes to figuring out how to finance it properly. That doesn’t mean, though, that there’s nothing you can do to make the situation a little more clear for yourself. By doing some research, and understanding your options, it can be simple to make the right choice for you and your company. What Is a Line of Credit? Lines of credit are a kind of loan that are also a form of revolving credit, as well. With this kind of loan, you are given a credit line, up to a specified limit. You can spend as much or as little as you need to at any given time, up to that limit. You will then be expected to pay the money you have spent back, with some interest. When it comes to credit lines, there are two main types that are offered, a secured line, and an unsecured line. A secured line of credit typically involves some form of collateral, like business equipment for e...

5 Symptoms of No Work-Life Balance

While a strong work ethic is an admirable attribute, if unmanaged, it can get out of control and harm other areas of your life. Finding a healthy work-life balance may not be something you have prioritized, but without it, you can find yourself burnt out with damaged relationships and lacking fulfillment in your life. If you suspect that you may be a workaholic, here are a few symptoms to watch out for. 1.     Your Work Schedule One key indicator is the amount of time that you spend working. If you are typically the first in at the office and the last to leave, you may be unhealthily prioritizing work. For those who may not see the potential problem, overexertion can negatively impact your productivity and creativity. 2.     Unplugging From Work A common symptom of workaholics is the inability to disconnect from work. This has become increasingly hard when many employees are working from home and their offices are steps away from the other aspects...