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$2,180,000 Spec Single Family Residence Construction Loan to 75% of Cost; Los Angeles, CA

Rate: Prime + 0.75%
Term: 18 Months with one 6 month extension Lender Fees: 0.75%
Amortization: Interest Only
LTC: 75%
Guaranty: Recourse
Prepayment Penalty: None

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners placed $2,180,000 in construction financing for a spec single family property in the upscale Cheviot Hills submarket of Los Angeles. The Sponsor’s business plan was to expand and redevelop the existing property into a 5,900 square foot spec luxury single family property. The challenges on this transaction included the need for maximum proceeds (75% loan to cost) and a sponsor embarking on its first ground up development project. Most lenders struggled given these challenges. However, after an extensive marketing effort, George Smith Partners sourced a lender that was comfortable with the leverage request. Given the Sponsor’s limited track record, a completion guarantee from the Sponsor’s general contractor was required, which GSP successfully negotiated. Sized to an aggressive 75% of total cost, the interest only loan is freely prepayable and will float at 0.75% over the WSJ Prime for 18 months.

Related Financings

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    February 1, 2024

    Transaction Details: 

    George Smith Partners has successfully arranged a non-recourse stretch senior construction loan of $42,120,000 for the ground-up construction of a 188-unit build-for-rent community in Raleigh/Durham, NC. George Smith Partners, through their expertise in build-for-rent communities and strong relationships with a multitude of lenders was able to negotiate favorable terms for the sponsor including a sizable land lift.  The sponsor self-performed most of the site improvements and partnered with a home builder to erect the townhomes on the finished lots in tranches of 15-20 per month. The loan was priced at a floating rate of SOFR plus 475bps with one 6-month extension option. When built, the project will provide the future occupants from the rapidly growing market of Durham a mix of three and four-bedroom townhomes with two-car garages, an amenity center, access to top school districts, and proximity to high income tech jobs. 

    Loan Amount: $42,120,000 

    Loan-to-Cost: 75% LTC 

    Spread: 4.75% 

    Index: 1-Month SOFR 

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  • $67,000,000 Construction Financing for the Development of a Mixed-Use Project; Garden City, ID

    April 20, 2022

    Transaction Description:

    George Smith Partners successfully arranged $67,000,000 ($286,324/unit) in non-recourse, construction financing for a 234-unit, mixed-use development in Garden City, ID. This mixed-use development will sit on the edge of the Boise River Greenbelt with stunning views overlooking the water, Boise city and the surrounding mountains. The Project will feature eight retail establishments including a public pub and over 16,000 square feet of open public plaza gathering space. The Project will provide much needed housing to the supply constrained Boise MSA that has seen double digit rent growth in the last few years.

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    Rate: Libor + 700 bps
    Term: 30 months
    LTC: 85%
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  • $47,000,000 Senior Construction Loan for a Mixed-Use Development; Azusa, CA

    April 11, 2022

    Transaction Description:

    George Smith Partners placed a $47,000,000 senior construction loan for the ground-up development of a mixed-use project in Azusa, CA. When complete, the 5-story project will consist of 127 apartment units and approximately 10,000 SF of 1st-floor commercial/retail/restaurant space. The Project is an integral component in the ongoing expansion of the City of Azusa’s Downtown district and is immediately adjacent to the Gold Line Station, which runs from Azusa Pacific University & Citrus College west to Downtown Los Angeles. This is the Sponsor’s second project in Azusa.

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  • $32,000,000 Construction Loan and $9,000,000 LP Equity for the Development of a For-Sale Residential Project; Hayward, CA

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    Transaction Description:

    George Smith Partners placed a $32,000,000 construction loan and $9,000,000 of LP Equity for a for-sale residential project in Hayward, California with a repeat sponsor. This Project will have 55 townhomes providing much needed workforce housing to the area. The Project will also have some affordable units for sale.

    GSP was able to combine efforts and execute an effective and in-depth marketing campaign to help the capital markets understand the opportunity appropriately while finding solutions to various challenges that arose during the entire process. GSP marketed and highlighted the Project’s strength, the phasing nature of the build schedule, the projected sales prices and the forecasted upward trajectory in both sales price growth and sales pace growth. GSP was able to source capital providers on the Project that were comfortable with both the depth and experience of the Sponsor as well as believe in the continued growth of the Bay Area.

    Ultimately, the professionalism and expertise of GSP on coupled with the proficiency and extensive experience of the sponsor allowed for a successful close.

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  • $13,300,000 (total proceeds) Revolver Loan Placement for the Construction of a Pre-Sold 66-Unit Single Family Community for Rent; Montgomery, Texas

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    Transaction Description

    George Smith Partners successfully placed a revolving loan with a maximum line of credit of $6,900,000 (80% LTC) and total projected debt proceeds of $13,300,000 for the construction of 66 single family homes for rent in Montgomery, Texas. The loan is a floating rate of LIBOR plus 800 bps with a floor of 25bps and has an 18-month term with two, 3-month extension options. The Sponsors found a partner to acquire the homes at Certificate of Occupancy with a portion of the deposit on the sale to be released to the Sponsors as additional equity to help acquire the land. GSP leveraged its extensive expertise in the single-family rental sector to source revolving debt options that minimized the equity upfront and allowed the Sponsors to take down the entire Project without the need for an equity investor. This is one of the first of many built-for-rent transactions for the local Houston sponsors who have a strong track record in homebuilding.

    Rate: 8.00% Over Libor
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    March 1, 2022

    Transaction Description:

    George Smith Partners placed a $45,000,000 construction loan and advised on $10,200,000 of LP equity for the first phase of a for-sale residential project in Silicon Valley, California with a repeat sponsor. The Project will be built in two phases. This first phase will have 50 townhomes providing much needed workforce housing to the area. The Project will also have some affordable units for sale.

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