Investors interested in real estate, particularly apartment or multifamily properties, will need to obtain a loan at some point. Before accepting an offer, it is essential to understand how commercial multifamily loans work. This will make the loan application and process a lot smoother. Learn about multifamily finance, including how it works, the many financing choices available, and the loan procedure.
What is a commercial multifamily loan?
Buying a multifamily property can be a great way to generate monthly passive income, diversify your investment portfolio, and develop equity in a particular asset. Short-term and long-term commercial multifamily home loans are available for multifamily real estate with five or more units. Loans usually start at roughly $500,000 and go up to tens of millions of dollars. Interest rates, term rates, loan limitations, and down payment requirements will all differ depending on the financing scheme.
What are the requirements for a multifamily mortgage loan?
The financing process for a multifamily property with up to four residential units is similar to a single-family home. However, if the property has more than five units, you must apply for a commercial real estate loan. The financing criteria may also differ depending on whether you buy a home for personal or investment purposes. Lenders usually want to see that the borrower meets some of the following criteria:
- A better credit rating
The lender should have a higher credit score and a review of your credit history to assess your ability to handle further debt in the future.
- Increased Down Payment
As an additional risk is connected with multifamily financing, the lender may want a more significant down payment. To learn more about our multifamily financing products and loan criteria, contact us to speak with one of our mortgage consultants.
Different types of multifamily commercial loan programs
There are various types of multifamily mortgage loan programs available to multifamily investors; however, they are usually divided into three categories.
- Government-backed loans
The most significant advantage of government-backed loans over other multifamily lending programs is that they are non-recourse, which means that the lender cannot personally claim recourse on the borrower’s assets other than the collateralized property in the case of default. They also provide attractive long-term rates, which can be fixed or variable
2. Private loan
Private loans are loans made in the private sector, such as those made by a family member, a friend, or a well-established private lending firm. Private lenders often provide short-term loans. Such as a hard money loan, with high-interest rates that can run anywhere from a year to many years. Personal loans are ideal for properties that do not qualify for traditional financing or government loan programs because they allow the investor to renovate the property, build a rental history, and then seek permanent funding once the property has been upgraded.
3. Conventional loan
A conventional mortgage is a loan offered by traditional lending organizations like banks, credit unions, and non-bank lenders. Conventional loans, which start at $500,000, are ideal for investors looking to buy a lower-valued property. The term length will vary according to the lender and traditional program, and maybe as short as 5 to 10 years or as long as 30 years.
Final thoughts:
As several programs are accessible to borrowers, multifamily loans are one of the most straightforward commercial loans to obtain. Specific projects, such as affordable housing, may be eligible for more advantageous terms or programs; however, funding approval ultimately depends on the project and investor. Before enrolling, it is good to research around and figure out which program will best suit your investing needs.
