All Terms Confidential

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners arranged $20,675,000 in post-closing financing collateralized by an 185K square foot infill flex/R&D industrial asset located in Los Angeles, CA. The recapitalization repatriated equity and provided future funding for the renovation of the Property.

The asset provides optionality for multiple upside scenarios such as sound stage and creative office use. The business plan is to renovate the Property and cater to growing demand from the many media, entertainment and technology tenants in the Los Angeles market.

Amidst a time of market volatility and economic uncertainty, George Smith Partners was able to identify a capital source that understood both the value of the asset and the ability of the Sponsor to execute on the intended business plan.

Rate: 3.15%
Term: 30 years term, fixed for first 5 years, resets every 5 years after for the term.
LTV: 70%
DCR: 1.20

Transaction Description:
George Smith Partners was retained to refinance a 2-Property multifamily portfolio. Sensing buying opportunities in the multifamily market, the Sponsor wanted to pull cash out of their existing multifamily portfolio to use as equity to purchase new properties. GSP obtained a fixed rate of 3.15% for the first 5 years of the 30-year term.

Challenge:
With the global pandemic and uncertainty in the market, it was critical to select a capital provider who could successfully close and provide the cash out for the additional purchases. Any delays would have been very costly because of penalties in the purchase contract. In addition, most lenders were overwhelmed with year-end financing requests as several other lenders pulled out of the market and forbearance requests from their current borrowers. There were complex issues around appraisals and inspections that required GSP’s daily oversight.

Solution:
Because of GSP’s strong relationship with this capital provider, we were confident that the loan officer would stay focused, close on time and keep the agreed rate and proceeds. GSP is in the debt market every day which gave us the ability to ensure that the selected Capital Provider was closing deals and meeting deadlines. GSP’s experience working with appraisers, inspectors and title/escrow during the COVID period was critical to getting this transaction completed in a timely manner. The loan closed on time and the Sponsor was able to utilize the cash-out to purchase another project. As is common during the COVID crisis, the Capital Provider wanted a 12-month payment reserve. GSP was able to convince the Capital Provider to only require 6-months and allow the reserve to be applied to the first 6-months of payments.

Rate: 5.00%
Term: 18-Months; Two 6-Month Extensions
Amortization: Interest Only
Max LTC: 79%
Max “As-Complete” LTV: 60%
Min Stabilized DSCR: 1.15x
Loan Fee: 0.75%; 0.25% per each extension
Guaranty: Recourse

Transaction Description:

George Smith Partners secured senior construction financing for a new multifamily development in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, CA. The $10.5M loan will be utilized to complete the 81-unit project. The loan represents approximately 79% of the project cost and was structured with an 18-Month initial term and interest only payments for the duration. The Project will be comprised entirely of studio units configured at 540 square feet; each unit will include one bathroom, a full kitchen, modern appliances, and a washer and dryer. Amenities for the project include a roof top deck, barbeque area, gym & recreational room, bicycle storage, secured parking, and access to a swimming pool.

GSP secured a Lender that understood the future path of development and was comfortable with the emerging market; the current neighborhood is primarily industrial with limited residential product in proximity. The Lender accepted the Sponsor’s imputed equity from entitling the site; this increased leverage to 79% of cost while keeping pricing at a level accretive to the overall yield. The loan was structured with a shorter initial term to minimize upfront points and interest reserves. GSP worked with the Lender to resolve several budget issues that arose during diligence due to the rising price of lumber and concrete; proceeds were successfully increased by $250,000 to ensure the Project would be fully capitalized without additional equity.

Advisors

Matthew Kirisits Director