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$11,845,000 Non-Recourse Acquisition and Reposition Financing up to 75% of Cost on a Non-Cash Flowing Retail Property in Los Angeles

Rate: 30-Day LIBOR + 6.00%
Term: Three years plus two 12-month extensions
Amortization: 24 months interest only; 25-year amortization thereafter
Max Loan to Cost: 75%
Prepayment: 15-month lockout; open thereafter subject to 1.00% exit fee
Guaranty: Non-recourse
Lender Fee: 1.00%

George Smith Partners arranged an $11,845,000 first mortgage on a value-add retail property with no cash flow located along the main retail corridor of one of the hippest neighborhoods in Los Angeles. The national balance sheet lender provided a non-recourse loan to up to 75% of total project cost including 100% of future capital expenditure funds to gut renovate the asset and convert the property to high-end retail plus an addition of four apartment units. Due to the lack of cash flow, the lender structured a 20-month interest and carry reserve to cover debt service during the reposition period. Over 50% to total loan proceeds are allocated for future funding. Interest is not charged on funds until drawn.

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    September 29, 2021

    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.

    Rate: L + 7.00% (0.25% LIBOR Floor)
    Term: 2 Years with Two 6-Month Extensions
    Loan-to-Cost: 68% LTC
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  • Retail Acquisition Financing with Less Than 100% Collection Rate; Los Angeles, CA

    June 23, 2021

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    George Smith Partners successfully arranged bridge acquisition financing for a 6-unit retail property in Los Angeles, California. The Subject Property took a major hit with rent collections during the Covid-19 pandemic and was operating below market conditions. GSP identified a capital provider who was able to offer an aggressive rate and terms, required no holdbacks of any sort, required no deposits to be held at their branch and provided an open prepayment penalty structure that allowed the Sponsor flexibility once the Subject Property is stabilized and seasoned.

    Rate: 3.75%
    Term: 7 years
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  • $8,700,000 Acquisition Bridge Loan for Renovation of Strip Retail Center and New Pad Construction

    December 5, 2018

    Transaction Description:
    George Smith Partners secured $8,700,000 of non-recourse, bridge acquisition financing for a 45,000 square foot retail center located in Richardson, TX. The Center, which was built in 1985, has a diverse mix of regional tenants and sits on the corner of two of the main thoroughfares in the area.

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    Rate: 1-Month LIBOR + 410
    Term: 36 Months + Two, 12-Month Extensions
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  • $2,795,000 Bridge Financing for a 48% Occupied, Un-Anchored, Strip-Retail Center in Norwalk, CA

    November 7, 2018

    Transaction Description:

    George Smith Partners arranged a $2,795,000 ($267/Building SF) bridge loan to finance the acquisition and re-positioning of a 48% occupied, 10,480 sf strip retail center in Norwalk, CA. The proceeds will be used to acquire the asset and to sub-divide and re-tenant a 6,500 sf, vacant, former automotive space.

    Challenges:

    The Existing Tenant is paying a rental rate that the capital markets perceived to be at market but below the sponsor’s pro-forma rental rates for the vacant spaces. Furthermore, the Appraiser also concluded a market rate at the lower end of the spectrum. This resulted in a lower appraised value and stabilized cash-flow. The Sponsor had a signed LOI at their pro-forma rental rate in hand, but would not be converted into a signed lease until near the escrow closing date.

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    George Smith Partners was able to identify operating expenses in the appraisal that could be adjusted down resulting in a higher net operating income and value. GSP was also able to convince the Lender to raise their LTC constraint given the Sponsorship’s track record of successful retail projects. The final result was a loan amount reflective of the Lender’s term sheet.

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  • $3,400,000 Acquisition Bridge Loan of Retail Property in Tertiary Colorado Market – 30 Day Close

    December 13, 2016

    Transaction Description
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