$55,500,000 Debt and JV Equity Financing for a Ground-Up Single-Family Build-to-Rent Development; Tucson, AZ

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners is pleased to announce the arrangement of $23,750,000 of LP JV-Equity for the ground-up construction of a 155-unit build-for-rent community in Loudon County, Virginia. The Sponsor originally engaged GSP to capitalize the land from purchase to finalization of the site plan that would be sold to a homebuilder. As headwinds from rising interest rates started affecting homebuilders’ price indications, the Sponsor decided to pivot into developing all 155 units as rental units with a Limited Partner. Through GSP’s deep relationships and the Sponsor’s expertise in development, the transaction changed in scope and direction ending in a great partnership and transaction for the Sponsor.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners successfully arranged a total of $46,890,000 in non-recourse debt and joint venture equity financing for the ground-up development of a single-family build-to-rent community in Phoenix, AZ. The Project spans approximately 14 acres and will feature 185 units across 150 stand-alone residential buildings located just 15 minutes west of Downtown Phoenix. The financing capitalized the acquisition of the development and related construction costs.

The Sponsor, a top tier homebuilder based in the Southwest, identified the site as an ideal candidate for re-entitlement to residential, and worked alongside the City to fast-track the change of use. The development team recognized the top-tier investment potential of the site given that build-to-rent product has been the fastest growing asset class in the U.S. housing market. Demand has grown exponentially as new ground-up single-family rental communities in the Phoenix area are not only averaging high absorption rates, but they are also achieving 42% rent premiums over neighboring garden-style apartments. GSP was able to identify a non-recourse construction lender with strong local knowledge that understood the high value of the re-entitled land, the strong local need for rental housing, as well as the Sponsor and joint venture equity partner’s extensive background and expertise in the BTR space.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners successfully advised on $7,100,000 in joint venture equity financing for a 109-unit build-to-rent and Opportunity Zone transaction in Phoenix, AZ. This single family for rent community will offer one, two and three-bedroom detached homes with upscale furnishings and private yards for most units. This was the first transaction for our Sponsor who is optimistic about the popularity and emerging trend of the build-to-rent niche.