Bridge Loans and Financing

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners arranged $9,000,000 in bridge financing to refinance a single-tenant office property in the Inland Empire. The Property has been nearly 100% leased to a county entity for 20 years, with lease renewals every 5-7 years. The Sponsor is leaving the unused space vacant in order to attract a single-tenant government lease buyer. GSP had arranged CMBS financing on the property in 2012 that came due in late 2022. Due to the timing in getting a new lease executed, the Sponsor asked for and received a short extension from the lender/servicer. GSP sourced a bridge lender that was poised to fund upon execution of the lease and estoppel. The loan paid off the existing loan and provided funds for tenant improvements mandated in the lease extension. It also gives the Sponsor maximum flexibility to sell or refinance over the next 2 years.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners successfully advised on the placement of a $1,850,000 cash-out refinance of a 72,471 SF commercial condominium comprising 4-levels of public parking and storage facility located within a 38-story residential high-rise in downtown Los Angeles. Although the property is stabilized, lenders expressed concerns over the condominium collateral, special-purpose, and negative cash flow history during COVID.

GSP was able to get a Lender comfortable with the sustainability of the net operating income vis-a-vie the Borrower’s ownership and near-stabilization of its 3-levels of commercial, retail, and office space located within the same project. The Sponsor’s primary objective was to refinance and lower their cost of capital which was previously at 9%. GSP was able to successfully replace the loan with a non-recourse bank loan at 5.14% fixed in addition to providing $350,000 in cash-out proceeds. The rate was locked at the beginning stages of the upward trend in interest rates and GSP was able to get the bank to accommodate an additional rate lock extension.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners successfully arranged $102,000,000 (approx. $2.75M/unit) in non-recourse, bridge financing for a 37-unit, ultra-luxury apartment building located in the heart of West Hollywood. The fully condo-mapped project features hotel-level service and amenities including daily breakfast, airport drop-off, wellness classes, cooking classes, wine tastings, entertainment lounge, private dining room & kitchen, screening room, fitness center, yoga studio and a leather-paneled bowling alley. The asset boasts some of the highest rental rates on the West Coast.

Located in one of Los Angeles’ most coveted retail and residential neighborhoods, this trophy asset caters to wealthy residents seeking an amenity-rich community with minimal maintenance and maximal convenience. The best-in-class Sponsor recognized the investment potential of an ultra-luxury product in a prized location—the revered “pumpkin patch” site in West Hollywood. In working with potential lenders for this financing, GSP was able to identify a capital provider who not only understood the as-is value and in-place cash flow of the operating multifamily asset, but also the potential future value as 37 individual high-end condos. The loan closed in 50 days from application.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners successfully arranged $53,710,000 in bridge financing for a six-property portfolio comprising three conventional multifamily properties and three co-living properties totaling 113 units (278 beds) in Los Angeles. All six of the properties are in various stages of lease-up. The non-recourse bridge financing refinanced existing construction debt from four unrelated lenders, provided a significant cash out to the Sponsor and allows more time for continued rent recovery in Los Angeles, in anticipation of permanent long-term financing.
The Properties are in highly dense submarkets with significant levels of rentership, with vacancies approaching 3%. The housing crisis in Los Angeles has yielded significant pent-up demand for attainable housing options. The best-in-class Sponsor recognized the substantial value of the high quality multifamily and co-living properties in strong growth submarkets where demand has consistently outweighed supply, especially for new product. GSP was able to identify a lender who was able to get comfortable with the business plan due the Sponsors familiarity with the markets and demonstrated success with both conventional and co-living properties.

Transaction Description:
George Smith Partners secured $47,000,000 for an acquisition bridge loan for a two multifamily property portfolio in Houston, Texas. To meet the sellers 30-day closing requirement, GSP used its experience and relationships to quickly identify and close this 80% interest- only financing within the required timeline. GSP was able to execute the Sponsors business plan and secure a high leveraged bridge loan at L+ 3.95 (4.05% coupon). The loan was cross collateralized with both properties, which totaled 624 Units. The Properties were operating at a going-in 5% debt yield when we closed. This interest-only loan included 100% of the capital needed for rehab.

Challenge:
There were multiple challenges regarding timing, leverage, sponsorship experience and property specific issues. Some lenders were not able to quote the transaction in the short timeframe we had to market, identify, and close this transaction. GSP aided a local family office, an international fund and a strong local operating partner who teamed up to purchase this asset in their first effort together. In addition, several lenders were over allocated in the Houston market and could not handle the size of this portfolio.

Solution:
GSP focused on the top three best lenders for this asset type. Due to our great relationships, we were able to quickly pick the best lender and expedite the application process. GSP assisted the Sponsorship team in developing a strong business plan. This included proving the benefits of the multiple sponsorship structure, as well as getting the Lender comfortable with the local partners to operate the properties. GSP understood the dynamics of each sponsorship team and helped the Lender upstand the strategy of operating the Properties as one asset. GSP knew by bundling the two properties together and creating a larger transaction that it would be more appealing to lenders. This would enable lenders to increase proceeds and decrease pricing as compared to financing two separate smaller transactions. GSP ultimately utilized one of our relationship lenders who was willing to invest the upfront time and place aggressive bridge financing, with appealing leverage, proceeds, and terms of 3 years interest-only.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners successfully brokered both the sale and acquisition financing for an extended stay hotel conversion located in the Mountain States region. The Seller, initially intending to undertake the Project, engaged GSP to source bridge financing for the 126-apartment conversion. Most of the conversion will be cosmetic changing the feel from hotel to residential. The hotel had been closed due to COVID, but the Sponsor needed to cancel the Management Agreement with the Operator and vacate the hotel. Because the hotel was in foreclosure, the Seller put the asset in bankruptcy before the trustee sale. This complicated the transaction and resulted in closing the deal two weeks from court approval.

GSP found a buyer with experience in hotel conversions who understood the Property’s value proposition and the bankruptcy process. With limited time, GSP represented the Sponsor in sourcing $10,000,000 of 3-month Gap financing for the purchase while concurrently working on inexpensive bridge financing. No appraisal was required for the Gap loan. This was an extremely complicated financing with exceptionally short time constraints. GSP was able to serve the needs of both Buyer and Seller and successfully secure financing.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners secured $11,300,000 in proceeds for the acquisition of a 76-unit multifamily property in a tertiary market outside of Salt Lake City, UT. The bridge loan is structured as $10,795,000 at close and $505,000 in future funding. The fully funded proceeds represent 70% LTC. The loan floats at a rate of LIBOR + 3.15% with a 0.10% floor on LIBOR.

GSP encountered several challenges when discussing the deal with capital providers. Some lenders quoted a spread as high as 3.65% over LIBOR. Other lenders quoted proceeds less than $10,000,000 because they require a 7.5% exit debt yield. Some lenders considered the market to be too small.

GSP was able to source a lender that provided very competitive pricing, an exit debt yield of only 6.50%, and an easy close process. The loan closed in about 60 days without any changes to the signed term sheet.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners secured $21,700,000 of bridge financing for the acquisition of a 136-unit multifamily complex in Phoenix, AZ. The Sponsor plans to increase the value of the asset with exterior improvements and interior upgrades as units turn organically. The Property is in the Uptown submarket of Phoenix, which is an up-and-coming area in the Valley that has seen tremendous rent growth in the last few years. Uniquely, there is a disproportionate amount of three-bedroom units compared to one- and two-bedroom units. There is a lack of three-bedroom inventory in the market that the Sponsor believes will help to increase demand at the Property. The non-recourse financing is priced at LIBOR+3.20% and is sized to 70% of total project cost. It carries a three-year initial term and has a yield maintenance period of 15 months.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners successfully placed $22,070,000 in bridge financing for a vacant, 34,000 SF office building in West Los Angeles. Considering the negative effects of COVID on the office leasing market, capital providers were hesitant in financing a vacant building. The Sponsor envisioned two potential business plans: leasing the building to a single user or a mixed-use scenario where the ground floor would be converted to restaurant/retail. Supported by a strong Sponsor and backed by collateral with a high parking ratio centrally located in Los Angeles’s premier office market, GSP found a lender willing to finance both scenarios. The loan held back funds for tenant improvements, leasing commissions and capital expenditures. This provided flexibility to cope with the uncertainties of the COVID-era office leasing market. With optionality and competitive pricing, GSP negotiated a flexible loan agreement at the desired level of proceeds. Although COVID has turned office into a difficult asset class to finance, GSP guided the deal to a successful closing.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners successfully arranged a $35,200,000 construction financing for the first phase of a hotel-to-multifamily repositioning and transformation in downtown Salt Lake City’s trendy Granary District. The financing capitalized renovation costs related to the adaptive reuse of the iconic property’s south tower with plans to transform it into a 184-micro unit multifamily asset with boutique-quality amenities. The Project’s north tower is planned to be renovated as part of a future phase.

Located on a coveted 5-acre site, the Project offers approximately 2.7 acres of excess development land, allowing for the future mixed-use infill opportunities onsite.

The Sponsorship team acquired the former hotel with visions of redevelopment in December 2019, creating a unique opportunity for a transformative mixed-use asset in Salt Lake City’s employment and social epicenter. GSP was able to identify a top-tier lender who not only understood the current demand for multifamily housing in Salt Lake City’s urban core, but also understood the significant value and future opportunity afforded by the excess developable land.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners secured $4,030,000 of bridge financing for the acquisition of retail shop space in Tempe, AZ. The collateral encompassed approximately 30,000 sf of in-line retail space and an outparcel pad within a larger anchored retail center. At purchase, the collateral was only 44% occupied. The Sponsors believe that a new leasing strategy will be able to drive tenants to the Center. The Property is located on one of the corners of a major intersection that sees over 65,000 cars per day and is less than two miles from Arizona State University, one of the largest universities in the country. The capital provider structured the financing to have a holdback for future property improvements, leasing costs, and interest payments. Priced at 30-Day LIBOR + 7.00%, the non-recourse loan was sized to 68% of total cost and carries a two-year term with extensions. The Lender was also able to include partial releases if only a portion of the collateral is sold.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners secured $25,818,000 in proceeds for the cash-neutral bridge loan refinance of a 51-unit multifamily property in Los Angeles. The Lender provided proceeds of 85% of appraised value and underwrote to a 5.2% stabilized debt yield. The new loan refinances both the construction loan and the preferred equity that were part of the original financing. The loan is floating at LIBOR + 6.00% with a 6.65% floor.

At the time of financing the Property was 95% complete but still short of a temporary certificate of occupancy. In addition, the leverage on the loan precluded several lending sources from achieving the necessary proceeds. The Sponsor desired to completely pay off the original construction financing, which was originated at 85% loan to cost. Only a few lenders could get the requested leverage and the market quoted pricing in the high single digits. Lastly, Koreatown experienced Covid related collection issues which affected the rental underwriting. GSP provided rental and sales comps that proved out the strength of the market. As a result, the selected Lender became comfortable with the location and the Sponsor’s ability to lease up the new Property.