Commercial Real Estate Loan Sizing

A focal point of the CRE finance underwriting process is loan sizing. Loan sizing consists of a commercial lender evaluating the cash flow of the subject property to determine the maximum loan amount (“ceiling”) to consider in a particular financing transaction.

What is Loan Sizing?

Loan Sizing consists of a commercial lender evaluating the cash flow of the subject property to determine the maximum loan amount (“ceiling”) to consider in a particular financing transaction.

Understanding Loan Sizing in Commercial Real Estate

In commercial real estate (CRE), debt financing plays a crucial role in investor strategies to achieve desired returns. Easy access to affordable loans in the credit market fuels higher transaction volume due to increased buyer purchasing power. The loan’s interest rate directly impacts market demand and property valuations.

Maximizing Return on Equity (ROE) with Leverage

Simply put, using more debt (leverage) to finance a property purchase can potentially lead to higher returns on equity (ROE) for investors, assuming all other factors remain constant. This is because a lower equity contribution is required, boosting potential ROE gains upon selling the property.

  • Positive Leverage: When project return exceeds the cost of debt, ROE increases.

  • Negative Leverage: When project return falls below the cost of debt, ROE decreases.

Therefore, real estate investors are incentivized to minimize their initial equity contribution.

The Lender’s Perspective: Prioritizing Capital Preservation

Unlike equity investors seeking high returns, senior debt lenders prioritize capital preservation and mitigating risk to avoid losses. So, they focus on meticulous loan sizing during the underwriting process.

“Right-Sizing” a Commercial Loan

The underwriting process considers various factors, including property type, borrower experience, and market conditions. Loan sizing is a key element, where lenders analyze the property’s cash flow (net operating income or NOI) to determine the maximum loan amount they’re willing to offer.

Focus on Historical and Downside Cash Flow

Unlike investors who might focus on future projections, lenders prioritize the property’s historical cash flow performance and potential downside scenarios when evaluating loan sizing. A conservative approach is preferred to minimize default risk.

Property Quality as the Cornerstone

The quality of the real estate asset, like an office building, is a primary factor influencing loan size. Since commercial lenders are typically conservative, they require the borrower to pledge the property as collateral (lien) for the loan. If the borrower defaults, the lender has the right to claim the property.

Loan Sizing Metrics: The Big Three

Several credit metrics assess the risk associated with a loan proposal. However, three main metrics form the foundation of loan sizing in CRE:

  1. Loan-to-Value Ratio (LTV): This compares the loan amount to the property’s market value. A lower LTV ratio (meaning a higher down payment from the borrower) is preferred by lenders as it reduces their risk.

  2. Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR): This measures a property’s cash flow sufficiency to cover debt obligations (interest and principal). Lenders set minimum DSCR requirements to ensure adequate coverage.

  3. Debt Yield (DY): This indicates the loan’s riskiness by showing the lender’s return on investment if they seize the property in case of default. Higher debt yield suggests lower risk for the lender.

Calculating Loan Sizing Metrics

We’ll delve into how to calculate these key metrics:

  1. Loan-to-Value Ratio (LTV): LTV = Loan Amount / Property Value (usually multiplied by 100 for a percentage).

  2. Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR): DSCR = Net Operating Income (NOI) / Annual Debt Service (Interest + Principal Amortization).

  3. Debt Yield (DY): Debt Yield = Net Operating Income (NOI) / Total Loan Size (expressed as a percentage).

Using Metrics to Determine Maximum Loan Amount

Based on each metric, lenders can estimate a maximum loan amount they’re willing to offer:

  1. LTV Ratio: Maximum Loan Amount = Maximum LTV x Property Value.

  2. DSCR Ratio: Maximum Loan Amount = Property Value / Minimum DSCR.

  3. Debt Yield: Maximum Loan Amount = Net Operating Income (NOI) / Minimum Debt Yield.

The lender typically chooses the lowest value from these calculations as the upper limit for the loan amount. Additionally, lenders may adjust the NOI figure downward to be more conservative in their assessment.

By understanding these concepts, you’ll gain valuable insight into how commercial real estate loan sizing works and the factors lenders consider when determining the maximum loan amount for a property.

 
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