Bridge loans are a very special kind of loan that offers you short-term access to large amounts of money — enough to close a deal on a new commercial property, even when under tight time constraints.

In short, bridge loans are interim loans (that is, short-term loans, generally not more than 12 months long) that use commercial real estate as the collateral for the deal. They're not intended to be a substitute for any type of long-term financing, and while they're not needed for every commercial real estate deal, these loans have often made all the difference for those using them. 

The most common uses of bridge loans are:

• Circumventing liquidity restrictions for businesses whose cash flow isn't allowing them to close a deal when they want to, and/or
• Executing an interim task (working on a balloon payment, making renovations to the building, etc.) before permanent financing can be obtained through a traditional property loan.

However, there are a few more things that borrowers should be aware of:

• Bridge loans tend to have higher rates of interest. In the long-term, using them will probably cost more than going for permanent financing right from the start. Companies who can arrange for better financing from the start should do so.
• Unlike many other kinds of loans, some bridge loans can be extended. Expect to be charged an additional fee of up to 2% if you ask for an extension, but be sure to check for this option upfront, as it may be more difficult to acquire later.
• Owing to their short-term nature, bridge loans almost never have pre-payment penalties. Many companies choose to pay off the bridge loan through their permanent financing, since this tends to cost less in the long-term.
• Despite the speed at which they can be offered, bridge loans still undergo in-depth scrutiny. Having a clear business plan can help ensure that the loan is given, and may even result in a lower interest rate for the borrower.

Andy Jubelt has helped to arrange these types of loans in many different circumstances, including for companies who didn't realize that these options were available for meeting their needs.

How Does It Work In Practice?

Consider this scenario:

A 250-unit complex in a nice area hasn't been taken care of in the last few years. In fact, most people would call it outright shabby, which may have something to do with its 35% vacancy rate. The current contract for the building is $12 million, but after $2 million in renovations over the next six months, the building could be improved to a total worth of $20 million. At that point, the rents within the building could be raised, and the improvements would likely attract new tenants despite the higher prices.

A bridge loan would be used here to secure $14 million — the contract plus the cost of renovations. The property itself becomes the collateral for the deal, and once the renovations are finished, the bridge loan is replaced by permanent financing for the full value of the building.

Andrew Jubelt can help arrange for both the bridge loan and the permanent financing, helping to narrow down the real cost of this technique for each individual case.

For more information about obtaining a bridge loan — including an expert opinion on whether or not it's right for you — contact Andrew Jubelt at 212-231-9779 or send an email to ajubelt@avant-capital.com. As a principal with Avant Capital Partners, Andrew can help you get the connections and the financing you need for your next purchase of commercial real estate.

Anyone who deals professionally with commercial real estate understands the cyclical nature of the industry. In fact, it is the combination of years of experience and comprehensive knowledge that provides the right advisors with the right opportunities in both up and down markets.

The success of Avant Capital Partners is a prime example of such ongoing success. Principals such as Andrew Jubelt bring a combination of insights, experience, and market knowledge to each project evaluated. Andy Jubelt understands the essential elements of all successful real estate projects, including timing, financing, contracting and development.

Rather than theoretical knowledge, Andy is himself a successful owner and operator of multiple commercial and residential real estate transactions and projects. These include more than 10,000 senior housing and multifamily units throughout the market area.

As a principal at Avant Capital Partners, Andrew Jubelt brings his organization’s extensive financing expertise and capacity to projects throughout the nation. In addition to a broad understanding of all aspects of the commercial financing process, Avant and Jubelt specialize in creative financing approaches to unique market situations. From restructuring to improve current cash flow, to recapitalizing underwater and distressed properties, to new acquisitions, the Avant team is known for getting the job done for a wide range of clients.

Projects that require the innovative approaches dictated by New York’s one-of-a-kind market — or any need nationwide — are undertaken with relish by the professionals at Avant Capital Partners. Andy Jubelt likes to remind his clients that he never faces a problem where financing is concerned, but rather an opportunity to bring his expertise to the game, and to come up with attractive solutions in the process.

Knowledge Plus Experience Equals Profits

Many clients, both new to the market and those with many projects under the belt, learn quickly that the specialized knowledge of the Avant team brings a fresh perspective to every job. Additionally, the extensive proprietary accumulated knowledge of the New York market allows the company to prepare highly individualized reports and analysis for each of the market’s primary neighborhoods.

As a direct commercial lender, Avant Capital Partners facilitates long-term principals such as Andrew Jubelt to recommend, assemble and execute the right financing package for stabilized and transitional commercial real estate projects. This approach maximizes the probability of completing any transaction and achieving the desired financial results.

Flexible and Responsive Underwriting

Whether a project requires short-term bridge financing or long-term conventional funding, Andrew Jubelt can access the resources required with flexible underwriting options. Avant Capital Partners provides services as both a real estate investment bank and as a correspondent lender for several institutional investors. Additionally, the firm’s role as an advisor on many significant real estate ventures allows it to bring unique insights to each funding assignment.

The seasoned professionals at Avant provide a national network of experts that assist in deals that range in size from $500,000 to $30 million. The diversity of this team brings to bear expertise in all aspects of the real estate transaction, including brokerage, lending, banking, and real estate investing. These capabilities make the origination and underwriting process much smoother. It also puts a powerful ally in the corner of Avant's clients.

As a recognized underwriter, Avant Capital Partners is known for the professionalism of its principals, such as Andrew Jubelt. Whether a project requires a simple review of the numbers or a comprehensive evaluation of a detailed project proposal, lenders turn to Avant to arrive at a final loan approval.

Andrew’s capabilities often provide the important link between the needs of specific clients and the requirements of potential lenders. By developing innovative and flexible capital solutions, Andy seeks to provide the proverbial win-win solution to each project.

Contact Andrew Jubelt at ajubelt@avant-capital.com or at 212-231-9779 to discuss financing for land acquisition and development, as well as construction of residential housing and commercial properties.

As an experienced developer, no one is more acutely aware of the need for developers to secure bridge and permanent financing for multifamily and commercial properties, at competitive rates, than Mr. Andrew Julbelt. Mr. Jubelt is a principal at AVANT Capital Partners, bringing his years of broad based experience to the process of acquisition financing and recapitalization of under-water projects to this a real estate advisory firm and lender.

AVANT Capital Partners was recently featured in the New York Real Estate Journal in their role of facilitating permanent financing solutions for stabilized assets and bridge or interim loans for properties that are in transition. The New York Real Estate Journal provides the latest commercial real estate news for the state of New York, profiling the most influential companies and people in the real estate industry.

The article profiled the $1.4 million bridge loan secured by a condominium portfolio originated by AVANT Capital Partners. The 24-month loan carries an interest rate of 10.75 percent, facilitating a discounted construction loan payoff for the original developer of the project.

The 13-story building located in Brooklyn consists of a vacant ground floor retail condominium and 38 residential condominiums that were completed and brought to market in 2009. The property, a former piano factory, was originally built in 1903.

Please contact Andy Jubelt at (212) 231-9779 or email Avant Capital Partners at info@avcapital.net to learn more about permanent financing solutions for stabilized assets and bridge or interim loans for properties that are in transition.

Andrew Jubelt is a principal at AVANT Capital Partners, bringing his years of broad based experience to the process of acquisition financing and recapitalization of under-water projects to this a real estate advisory firm and lender.

Avant Capital Partners was recently featured in the November issue of the Scotsman Guide regarding the “Unsung Value of Energy Retrofits.” This article explores the single largest operating expense in commercial office buildings − energy.

Energy makes up about one-third of typical operating budgets, and accounts for almost 20 percent of national greenhouse gas emissions. By becoming more energy efficient, property owners and managers can reduce operating expenses, increase property asset value, and position themselves as environmentally friendly, which these days is a very prestigious distinction and important selling proposition.

Because the burden of high energy costs often falls on the tenants, buildings with lower utility costs can garner more demand and higher rents, which will increase the property’s net operating income (NOI). Energy Star calculates that a 10 percent decrease in energy use could lead to a 1.5 percent increase in NOI.

 

There are two key energy-cost considerations:

1. Lower energy costs can drive higher rents - Lower energy costs reduce overall tenant-occupancy costs. Lower over-all occupancy costs can alleviate the crowding out of higher rents by ever-escalating utility cost reimbursements. These higher rents increase property value.
2. Lower energy costs increases building value - Buildings more profitable in cases where the landlord pays for utilities.

The cost-effective investment strategy requires capital, and although a market for energy-efficient capital investment has not been developed fully yet, government authorities have started initiatives. For example, Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) is a program that allows local government entities to offer sustainable energy project loans to eligible property owners. Another example is the New York City Energy Efficiency Corp. (NYCEEC). It has been established to assist New York City implement its Greener, Greater Buildings Plan by helping private building owners get energy-efficient retrofit financing.

For more information about AVANT Capital Partners lending programs focused upon financing stabilized and transitional commercial real estate nationwide, contact Andrew Jubelt at ajubelt@avant-capital.com or at (212) 231-9779.

Andrew Jubelt is an experienced developer, owner and operator of commercial estate and is a Principal at AVANT Capital Partners. He brings his years of broad based experience to the process of acquisition financing and recapitalization of under-water projects to this real estate advisory firm and lender.

AVANT Capital prefers land entitled for residential-focused, mixed-use developments in gateway markets. Loans are $2M to $10M and 9% to 11% rates. Leverage is between 50% and 60%.

For example, this passed summer AVANT Capital Partners originated a $2.5 million bridge loan, secured by a development site, in Manhattan, New York. The site is approved for the development of a seven-story mixed-use condo building. The 18-month loan carries an interest rate of 10%. The site, located on the Lower East Side, lies on Grand Street, between Orchard and Ludlow Streets.

Construction is expected to commence at the site in the very near future, as approved architectural plans were already in place at the time of the procurement. When completed, the site will have two retail units and 20 residential condo units. The property sits on a 4,369 square foot lot and has rights to construct 18,693 buildable square foot.

Are you interested in securing financing for a stabilized or transitional commercial real estate nationwide? Contact Andy Jubelt at (212) 23109779 or email Avant Capital Partners at info@avcapital.net to learn more about refinancing your commercial real estate.