Los Angeles Construction Loans: Highly Leveraged $12,770,000 Ground Up Koreatown Condo Construction Financing

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners secured $25,590,000 of stretch senior financing for the construction for a community of 90 modular homes for rent in Asheville, NC. GSP quickly identified a debt fund that suited the client’s needs by arranging an in-person meeting to discuss the project. The Lender recognized the strength of the Asheville market.

The modular homes will be constructed off-site and set onto finished lots over 36 months. The community features spacious floor plans and a common area for future residents. This is the first build-to-rent community for the client and we expect there to be many more.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners secured a $5,100,000 land loan entitled for a 69-unit multifamily building slated to begin ground-up construction in late 2024. The borrower purchased the original parcel 17 years prior as a fully occupied 32-unit property; since then, the building has been vacated and demolished. To achieve full-term proceeds, the appraisal needed a land value above the original PSA, including the previous building collateral. GSP utilized a broad comp set of per-acre comps, leaning on footprint analysis instead of per-unit. Additionally, the lender’s due diligence concluded there was value creation through both the fully approved entitlements and the fact the Sponsor was able to achieve a condo tract map, giving them optionality for apartments or for-sale units.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners arranged permanent financing for the refinance of a stabilized 12-unit multifamily property in Los Angeles, California. The Sponsor finished construction on the Property in the middle of the current rate hike cycle. GSP identified a Capital Provider who allowed an early rate lock before Certificate of Occupancy was issued. The Lender allowed the borrower to go into application with very little lease up, but with the understanding that the property would be stabilized by closing. Although the closing took slightly longer than the 60 day term of the rate lock, the Lender held the rate for no additional charge. The bank did not require deposits to be held at their branch except for the subject property’s operating account.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners successfully placed $27,020,000 (83.5% LTC) of construction financing for the development of a 95%-preleased, grocery-anchored retail center in the Inland Empire. Pre-leased with credit tenants like Sprouts, Burlington, and Five Below, the remaining tenant mix included a diverse assortment of community-oriented tenants with strong overall synergy. With loan proceeds funding the acquisition of the 15-acre site, the Sponsor planned to develop ¾ of the site as the aforementioned retail development, holding on to 4-acres as a second phase. Furthermore, the Sponsor planned to sell a pad site to a future tenant at close of the land.

Although capital providers continued to be hesitant in financing retail construction, GSP was able to source competitive financing through the development’s strong sponsorship and significant preleasing. Most importantly, GSP found a lender comfortable with the sponsor’s proposed equity structure, which involved a minimal initial cash contribution followed by additional equity contributions from pad and land sales.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners is pleased to announce the successful arrangement of a $46,800,000 construction loan for the development of a 247-unit build-to-rent community in Foley, Alabama. Through GSP’s strong relationship with the bank, GSP was able to successfully negotiate a 65% LTC, Non-recourse loan to fund parri-passu with the JV’s equity at WSJ Prime + 1.25% through construction. Pricing reduces and leverage increases to 70% LTC upon preset leasing hurdles.

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners successfully arranged $13,990,000 in acquisition and construction revolver financing for a 23-lot, for-sale, detached single-family residential community in Prescott, AZ. The Project is located in a gated community within the 1,100-acre Prescott Lakes master-planned community. The City of Prescott, known for its seasonal climate, quality of life, and low property taxes has experienced tremendous population growth. The Sponsor, a repeat client, recognized the opportunity to develop much-needed housing for the area. Despite the increasingly challenging market, GSP leveraged its expertise and relationships to identify a construction lender that had a deep understanding of the submarket, understood the projected sales prices (appraisal requirement waived), and recognized the Sponsor’s ability to execute on their plan. GSP was able to negotiate a high-leverage, fixed-rate loan and worked efficiently with the Lender throughout the one-month closing process.