Post-pandemic, Texas commercial real estate is on the rebound. Texas is number one for population growth in the U.S., growing over 16% between the 2010 and 2020 census. With that growth comes the need for apartment complexes, offices and retail storefronts. The opportunities are there. And so is the financing, thanks to bridge loans in Texas.
A commercial bridge loan is short-term financing that helps a commercial property owner bridge the gap between the purchase and the monetization of the asset. It’s essentially a hard money loan; the cash you need to convert your commercial real estate property into a cash flow machine while arranging more permanent lender financing.
A bridge loan is based on the future view of the asset you’re buying, not it’s cash flow. It’s also different than a mezzanine loan where you would give up a portion of your company in the form of equity rather than using the building as collateral. If you’re considering a bridge loan vs. a mezzanine loan, the bridge loan has a lot of positives.
Before taking out a bridge loan for your commercial property in Texas, you need to weigh the pros and cons.
On the positive side, commercial bridge loans:
However, commercial bridge loans are not without their drawbacks. On the negative side, bridge loans have:
In most states, bridge loans for commercial real estate work similar to bridge loans for homeowners. Homeowners can use the equity in their existing home as a source of funding to obtain a mortgage and buy a new home. This collateral allows them to move forward before their current home sells. However, section 50 of the Texas constitution makes it difficult for homeowners to do this. Texas regulations won’t allow the borrower to list the primary home for sale until the home equity line of credit, also known as a HELOC or home equity loan, is closed.
There are no such restrictions on commercial bridge loans in Texas. Learn the difference between a bridge loan vs HELOC.
In fact, bridge loans in Texas work the same as everywhere else in the country. And they work quite well. According to Rob Beardsley, head of acquisitions and capital markets for Lone Star Capital, bridge loans have been instrumental in building their asset base in Texas. “Loan Star Capital focuses on deals that don’t qualify for any other kind of financing (other than bridge loans),” Beardsley said. “We invest in properties that need substantial repositioning and renovation. The lender becomes more of a partner in the deal, and buys into your vision to convert the property.” Micha Van Marke, principal of Edge Capital Markets in Houston, agreed. “Bridge loans are a common source of financing for turnaround projects and distressed assets in Texas,” Van Marcke said. “When you have a tight window to close and need financing fast to make a purchase, bridge loans fill the gap.”
There are multiple ways to use a commercial bridge loan in Texas. These are just some of the ways you can leverage this financing tool to grow your commercial book.
You can use a bridge loan to pay off an existing mortgage that’s coming due, if the markets do not support your ability to get traditional financing. For example, retail developments in Texas are not currently popular with traditional banks, due to COVID-19 slowdowns. A developer can get a short-term bridge loan to pay off debts. Then, when market conditions turn more favorable, that borrower can pursue traditional financing.
Distressed properties that are not producing income can be tough to finance with a traditional loan. However, a bridge loan can be secured rapidly.
This is one of the most common uses of a bridge loan in Texas. For example, Lone Star Capital has employed bridge loans to purchase low-occupancy apartment complexes in desirable neighborhoods. The apartments are then renovated and marketed to build occupancy. Additionally, you’re only paying interest on the funded portion of the cash that’s coming out for the renovations.
Commercial financing for a fix and flip can be hard to find. Bridge loans provide the short-term financing to buy a property in value-add condition with the intent of making improvements and flipping the property.
Commercial bridge loan lenders in Texas are plentiful, according to both Van Marcke, with Edge Capital, and Beardsley, with Lone Star Capital. Check out this list of commercial bridge loan lenders in Texas for more options. Van Marcke recommended that buyers shop around, compare lenders and read the fine print on financing fees. “There are hundreds of bridge lenders. Pick the right one for your deal. What’s their track record? What are they like to work with? That can make the difference in your deal going smoothly.” Bridge lenders in Texas are still careful about the quality of the environment they’re investing in.
“Underwriting standards remain high,” Beardsley said. A qualified brokerage, such as Lone Star, Edge Capital or Lev, can connect you with the right lender and ensure you receive a fair deal.
To secure a bridge loan for your commercial deal in Texas, you’ll need your potential lender to buy into your business plan. That’s because bridge loans are less about the current value of the investment property and more about future performance and growth opportunity. So in addition to facts and numbers, you’ll need to explain your vision for the project.
Your business plan should include:
After reviewing your application, the lender should know why this project makes sense, in this location, at this time. Answering those questions is key to securing your financing.
Texas’ growth and positive business environment make commercial investment there appealing. Commercial bridge loans bridge the gap in financing and give you flexible options for your project.
