High-Yield Take-Out

George Smith Partners placed the 80% loan-to-cost financing for a $2,400,000 quick-close cash-out refinance for two adjacent Newport Beach duplexes.  The sponsor approached GSP with an extremely tight closing time frame due to the need to redeploy refinance proceeds into a pending acquisition. GSP identified a non-bank lender who is familiar with the location and also has a long history of providing quick close bridge execution.  Fixed at 7.5% for 9 months, the loan offers two extension periods.

Transaction Description:
George Smith Partners successfully placed a $13,740,000 acquisition bridge loan to acquire two land parcels and refinance three adjacent land parcels for a large mixed use hotel and condo development site in the heart of the Koreatown district of Los Angeles. With the final components of the land assemblage completed, the $200,000,000 mixed used development project is scheduled to break ground in March of 2018. Our Sponsor’s initial business plan was to build the mixed use project on three parcels of land previously held in his portfolio. The opportunity to acquire two adjacent parcels will allow him to double the total buildable square footage of the project. Fixed for 12 months, the non-recourse loan does not carry any prepayment penalty and closed in 5 days.

Challenges:
It was crucial to identify a lender who could close quickly, provide leverage, and waive any prepayment penalty. Due to the upcoming March 2018 groundbreaking, existing tenants on the current 3 parcel assemblage were all on short term leases with discounted rents. As a result, in place cash flow had been compressed and limited the ability for institutional lenders to get comfortable with the property and provide meaningful proceeds. Additionally, a fast close was necessary to take advantage of a seller discount.

Solution:
GSP identified an unconventional lender who focused on the future value of the five parcel assemblage and shovel ready development site rather than the current value based on in-place NOI. This capital provider closed the loan in 5 days, allowing the Sponsor to achieve a significant discount on the purchase price. The capital provider also waived all prepayment penalties, assuring the Sponsor would preserve significant capital once the subsequent construction loan is placed within the next few months.

George Smith Partners arranged $3,500,000 in quick-close acquisition bridge financing for a waterfront Newport Beach multifamily property.  The sponsor approached GSP with an extremely tight closing time frame and a property with one down unit. The sponsor valued certainty of execution above all else, so he could close on the property in short order. GSP identified a non-bank lender with a long history of providing quick close bridge execution, familiar with the location and comfortable with the property’s weak in place cash flow.  Sized to 65% of purchase with no hold back requirement for interest reserve or capital expenditures, the loan carries a 9-month term, interest only payments at a 7.00% fixed rate and no prepayment penalty.  The loan also includes two 3 month extensions and a 1.5% lender fee.

Transaction Description
George Smith Partners secured a $3,000,000 non-recourse bridge loan to demolish and begin the redevelopment of a fire damaged retail building on a prime corner in Downtown Los Angeles. After the fire, the sponsor decided to demolish and rezone the property. The long term plan is to redevelop the property into a mixed use building with ground floor retail, office, and condos. GSP used its experience and relationships to identify a private money lender who could understand the greater value of the project and was able to demonstrate both the inherent value of the property due to its extraordinary location as well as the future value of the project as completed. The lender was able to close in 5 days. The interest only loan is priced at 7.99% and represents 55% of the property’s current value. The loan has a 1-year term with a 1-year extension option and no prepayment penalty.

Transaction Description
George Smith Partners arranged a quick close acquisition bridge loan for a 5-unit property in South Los Angeles. The sponsor approached GSP with an extremely tight closing time frame of 5 days and a property with weak cash flow due to two down units. The sponsor valued certainty of execution above all else, so he could close on the property in short order. GSP identified a non-bank private individual willing to make the loan with no origination free. Sized to 80% of purchase with no hold back requirement for interest reserve or capital expenditures, the loan carries a 12-month term, interest only payments at a 9.5% rate and a 3-month prepayment penalty.

Transaction Description:
George Smith Partners secured a $2,250,000 bridge loan for the 70% completed spec luxury waterfront single family residence in Naples, Florida. The sponsors self-funded the development and sought to use the proceeds to recapitalize for other projects.

Challenge:
The Sponsor requested maximum cash-out proceeds that dissuaded many capital providers from considering the request given the luxury home’s vulnerability in a market downturn and overall development risk. Most lenders were not comfortable going over 60% loan to cost.

Solution:
GSP identified a private capital source who was comfortable with the incomplete project and understood the upside potential at completion. Our Sponsor’s considerable development track record and financial strength further encouraged the capital provider not to shy away from the high dollars per square foot. Sized to 75% of total cost and 53% of as-complete value, the 12-month loan is interest only with no prepayment penalty or yield maintenance.