Rate & Terms: Confidential

Transaction Description:
George Smith Partners secured a $42,600,000 non-recourse senior construction loan along with $11,300,000 preferred equity placement to develop a 228-unit Class A multifamily property in Orange County, CA.

Challenges:
The sponsorship required a non-recourse solution at an appropriate leverage to achieve the entire project’s capitalization during a time when many lenders were pulling back on construction financing in general and reducing leverage if able to lend at all.

Solution:
GSP utilized its significant experience and deep relationships with active capital providers to secure the non-recourse construction financing. GSP was also able to secure preferred equity in lieu of sponsorship bringing in additional equity which allowed the transaction to be appropriately capitalized for the developer to hit their pro forma return on equity.

Term: 3 years
Rate: Prime + 0.5%
Amortization: 18 months IO; 25 years thereafter
Prepayment Penalty: None
LTC: 65% maximum
Origination Fees: 0.5%
Recourse

Transaction Description:
George Smith Partners arranged $5,500,000 in acquisition proceeds on a 15,122 square foot Los Angeles office building. Floating at Prime + 0.5%, the 3 year loan is interest only for 18 months before amortizing over 25 years for the balance of the term. Sized to 65% of the purchase price, there is no prepayment penalty for this loan.

Challenges:
Despite the prime location, the subject had somewhat aged interiors and exteriors and was just 70% occupied when our Sponsor executed the purchase contract.  The income was below break-even debt coverage on the proposed loan. Most of the in-place tenants were paying well below market rent. One tenant was under a month to month lease and several others were facing lease roll in the next six months. On-site property management was charging an above market rate. Actual historical cash flow was well below potential.

Solution:
GSP researched comparable rent and competitive operating data that proved out our Sponsor’s pro forma rents and business plan. Our Sponsor’s considerable success adding value to similar office properties over the past several years supported the business plan for the loan request. An aggressive lease campaign was initiated during due diligence, securing letters of intent from multiple tenants that would bring occupancy to 95%. A small debt service reserve was structured until the tenants took occupancy to cover all operating loss and mortgage expenses in the short interim.

Advisors

Matthew Kirisits Director