Commercial Real Estate Loan Rates 2020
| Loan Type | Average Rates | Terms |
| SBA 504 | 4.38-4.49% | Avg $1 million, up to 25 years |
| SBA 7(a) | 5.25%–9.25% | Avg $350,000 up to 25 years |
| Traditional Bank Loans | From 5.00% | Starting at $25,000 |
The decision to purchase a commercial real estate property, as opposed to leasing one, can come with numerous advantages. The right investment can be particularly financially beneficial, especially since buying property typically allows you to build equity and take advantage of additional tax benefits.
And, since some commercial real estate loan rates are as low as 3.9%, purchasing property can lead to long-term savings.
Choosing the right commercial real estate loan
If you’re thinking about purchasing or renovating an income-earning property, one of the first steps you’ll need to take is to determine which lending option is best suited for your needs.
For many, this decision comes down to traditional small business loans from financial institutions such as a bank or credit union (a.k.a. commercial mortgages) vs SBA specific loans. There are, however, other commercial real estate loan options that you may want to consider, including bridge loans, hard money loans, and construction loans.
Today, we’ll take a quick look at some of the most popular commercial lending options, starting with one of the most popular and often most affordable commercial real estate loans – the SBA 504 loan.
SBA 504 loans
SBA 504 loans are potentially the most sought after commercial real estate loans, though they are also considered the most difficult to obtain.
Designed to spur economic development, SBA 504 loans are long-term financing options (10- or 20- year) for fixed assets that can be used to acquire, modernize, or expand a business, including to refinance costs associated with such expansion. These loans are also frequently referred to as CDC loans, a nod to the Certified Development Companies (CDCs) that make them available.
SBA 504 loans can fund project costs from $5 to $5.5 million and can cover up to 90% of the total costs. Unlike traditional loans, which are backed solely by the lender, 504 loans are back by both SBA (40%) and the participating lender (50%). The borrower must cover the remaining 10%.
The 504 commercial real estate loan rates are based off the 5- and 10-year Treasury rates, plus fees, and typically carry the lowest interest rates among real estate lending options. For instance, at the time of posting 504 loan rates were as low as 3.91%.
In addition, down payments are also lower, as borrowers are required to put up only 10% of the loan total as opposed to 25% – 30% often required of other loans.
Despite obvious benefits, 504 loans do come with a few cons. For instance, 504 loan funds are limited in use and therefore not ideal for those seeking flexible funding. If you’re considering this loan, keep in mind that funds must only be used for the following approved project costs:
- Purchase existing commercial real estate such as office buildings
- Purchase or improve land
- Construct a new commercial property
- Renovate, convert, or modernize existing property
- Purchase long-term machinery or equipment.
- Refinance debt associated with growth and development as it related to the previous list items.
SBA 7(a)
SBA 7(a) loans are another popular lending option for small business owners who want to finance construction, renovations, modernizations, or long-term equipment purchases.
SBA 7(a) funds, however, can also be used to manage costs associated with the purchase of equipment, inventory, and fixtures, as well as for working capital needs, debt refinancing, and start-up costs. As such, this loan is considered more flexible than the SBA 504 loan.
Rates are typically lower than those associated with traditional bank loans but slightly higher than those as they relate to 504 loans. However, the SBA places limits on interest rates based on the loan size and chosen term. For instance, as of June 15, 2019, SBA 7(a) rates cannot exceed 7.75% – 10.25%.
SBA loan terms can range from 5 to 10 years, though term loans used for the purchase of real estate can carry terms of 25 years. In addition, unlike SBA 504 loans, SBA 7(a) loans are only guaranteed up to 85% of the loan value, though loans above $150,000 will be limited to a 75% guarantee.
SBA 7(a) loans, though still driven by strict requirements, are often more accessible to small business owners, particularly for those with strong credit.
Conventional Bank Loan
The SBA is not the only organization that backs or provides commercial real estate loans. Instead, many commercial lenders, including JP Chase and Bank of America, offer commercial loans to qualified borrowers.
Loan requirements, restrictions, and commercial real estate loan rates often vary based on the lender, and therefore it’s best to refer directly to a prospective lender for loan specifics.
Typically, borrowers can expect loan rates similar to those of an SBA 7(a) loan, with variable rates typically falling between 5% and 7% at the time of publication. However, it should be noted that average or below average credit can increase commercial loan interest rates, and conventional bank loans are not held to the same limits set by the SBA.
Average Commercial Loan Rates
Commercial real estate loan rates are complex and depend on numerous factors. Average commercial loan rates, therefore, can fluctuate. That said, SBA borrowers can generally expect rates between 3.91% and 4.25% for 504 loans and 7.75% to 10.25% for 7(a) loans.
And, as mentioned above, conventional bank loans typically carry rates between 5% and 7%, though these rates are not capped and therefore some borrowers will receive commercial real estate loan rates that exceed 7%.
How are commercial real estate loans determined?
To understand rate variations, it’s important to understand what factors go into loan decisions. Though each lender is different, the following typically play a role in the loan rate you’ll receive:
- Loan type: As indicated above, each loan type comes with a different “average commercial loan rate.” Some, like SBA 7(a) loans, have limits, while others do not.
- Borrower’s credit history: Most lenders rely heavily on the borrower’s credit profile as well as the credit score of the business.
- Loan size and term: Generally speaking, the longer you take out a loan, the higher the interest rate will be. Similarly, many lenders, including the SBA, also base rates on the loan size.
In addition to those factors, commercial real estate lenders also rely heavily on two important metrics: the loan-to-value ratio and the debt-service coverage ratio.
Loan-to-value ratio
In addition to those factors, many lenders also rely heavily on the loan-to-value ratio(LTV). LTV is used to determine risk and ultimately whether or not a loan will be approved. The lower the LTV, the lower the risk. Therefore, lower LTVs typically lead to lower interest rates.
To determine the LTV, lenders divide the requested loan amount by either the property’s purchase price or the appraised value, whichever is lower.
For instance, if you requested a loan for $350,000 for a $500,000 property, the LTV would be 70%.
Lenders use LTVs when underwriting both residential and commercial mortgages, but there is a notable difference. Residential mortgages can be approved with up to 100% LTV. Commercial loans, on the other hand, are lower, with the National Realtors Association reporting commercial
LTVs hovering between 75% to 80% in 2020, particularly for industrial properties, multi-family properties, and suburban offices.
Debt-service coverage ratio
The debt-service coverage ratio (DSCR) is designed to help lenders determine risk, particularly whether or not the borrower can successfully make monthly payments.
To determine this ratio, the lender will look at the borrowers annual net operating income (NOI) to the annual loan payment, including interest and principal, also referred to as the mortgage debt service.
To determine your NOI, you can subtract the annual operating expenses from the business’s annual revenue. To calculate the DSCR the lender will divide the NOI by the annual debt service. For instance, if your NOI is $210,000 and your annual loan payments are $130,000, you would have a 1.6 DSCR.
In general, your DSCR should not dip below 1, as this indicates negative cash flow and therefore an inability to repay the debt.
Fees and Other Costs
While interest rates often play a primary factor in determining the affordability of any loan product, fees and additional costs can also have a significant impact on your total costs.
Before taking out a commercial real estate loan, be sure to take note of additional fees, with the following being the most common:
- Appraisal fees
- Origination fees
- Survey fees
- Legal fees
- Loan application fee
It’s also important to determine if there is a prepayment penalty, the likes of which will limit your ability to pay your loan off ahead of time. If your loan does carry a prepayment penalty, understanding what type and duration can help you make educated decisions about your repayment efforts.
SBA 504 loans have a penalty that will decrease incrementally over time, while other loans may carry a single prepayment penalty that limits your ability to pay off the loan within a set amount of years.
Determining Affordability – Using a Commercial Mortgage Rates Calculator
Before you commit to a loan, it’s helpful to look at a variety of scenarios based on loan amounts, repayment terms, interest rates, and fees as they relate to each potential lending product.
By doing so, you can compare all lending options to determine which is most affordable on a monthly basis as well as over the life of the loan.
To help business owners make the best decision, many lenders and online resources have designed commercial mortgage rate calculators. To use these calculators, you’ll typically need to know the approximate loan amount, interest rate, and repayment terms.
However, some calculators also will allow you to add other factors, like balloon payments. we suggest checking out this commercial loan calculator or, if you’re considering investment property, this Financial Mentor calculator.
What is the current interest rate for commercial mortgages?
Commercial mortgage rates vary based on a variety of factors, including those listed above; however, borrowers can typically expect mortgage rates between 5% and 7%, though they can certainly exceed.
This is particularly true for borrowers who choose alternative lending options, like hard money loans, which can reach or exceed 18%.
How do you qualify for commercial real estate loan?
Much like any other type of lending product, commercial real estate loans are only made available to borrowers who meet lender qualifications.
Much like rates, terms, and fees, these can vary from lender to lender; however, if you’re considering a commercial real estate loan, the lender will likely base their decision on the following:
- Business finances – as indicated by the DSCR, your ability to repay debt is a primary factor when determining loan eligibility. Therefore, a lender will likely look at your revenue, outstanding debt, and business credit score before they make a decision. To determine the financial health of your business, the lender may ask for up to five years of tax records, access to your financial documents, a business plan, proof of business structure (e.g., LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp), and projected cash flow.
- Personal finances – Even though you’re taking out a loan explicitly designed to further establish or grow your business, your personal credit score will likely come into play. A high credit score, or a credit profile that is free of bankruptcies, liens, etc. will be favorable. If you have a low personal credit score, then you may want to take the necessary steps to improve it before applying for a commercial real estate loan. Doing so can help you improve the odds of approval and secure lower rates.
- Property value – Since you’ll be using the property as collateral, the lender will also evaluate it to determine eligibility and rates. One way they do this is by looking at the LTV, which will help them determine how your requested loan amount relates to the perceived value of the property.
Though these factors are typically reviewed, it’s important to work directly with your potential lender to determine what, if any, additional qualifications you may need to meet. This is particularly true for SBA loans, as many of them require applicants meet a strict set of qualifications, including years in business, company size, and annual revenue.
It can be a hard pill to swallow, but with less-than-stellar information, you may be cornered into a higher rate than you want. There’s always a possibility to refinance in the future, but keep an eye on your credit information to put yourself in the best spot.
FAQ
What is the average down payment on commercial property?
The majority of commercial property loans will require a down payment, but how much that down payment amounts to will vary. Generally, conventional commercial loans and SBA 7(a) loans will require borrowers to make a down payment for 15% to 25%. In this case, a $200,000 commercial real estate loan will require a down payment between $30,000 and $50,000.
However, some lending options, specifically SBA 504 loans, borrowers can take advantage of a 10% down payment requirement. In this case, that same $200,000 loan would only require a down payment of $20,000.
How long can you finance commercial real estate?
The amount of time you have to finance a commercial real estate purchase depends on the loan you choose. However, many of the most popular commercial real estate loans allow for 10 to 20 years of financing, with some even extending terms as long as 25 years.
In other cases, particularly when it comes to bridging loans or hard money loans, financing terms or the amortization period may be limited to a few months or 3 to 5 years.
How do you finance a commercial real estate purchase?
There are many ways to finance a commercial real estate purchase, and the best one for your business depends on everything from your business finances and creditworthiness, type of property, available funds for a deposit, and how the loan will be used.
What are the commercial real estate loan rates 2020?
The commercial real estate loan rates for 2020 depend on the type of loan for which you plan to apply. If you’re applying for an SBA 504 your rates will typically fall between 3.91% to 4.25%. If you’re applying for an SBA 7(a) loan, you can typically expect rates between 7.75% and 10.25%. Conventional loans will typically run between 5% and 7%.
Keep in mind that loan rates are based on market rates, and therefore they can change frequently, though commercial real estates typically don’t fluctuate dramatically. In addition, the loan rate you receive will also depend on your business finances, personal creditworthiness, and the property for which they will be used.
This article was originally written on June 19, 2019 and updated on December 26, 2019.
This is very interesting. How can I get a loan of $300,000. To start a business. Type of business land transportation.