Self-storage operators or investors who are looking for financing this year will find more loan types available than in years past. Heres an overview of current financing options, plus the pros and cons of each lending type.

February 29, 2012

6 Min Read
Loan Types for Self-Storage Owners and Investors: Insight to Weigh Your Options in 2012

By Noel Cain

If one of your goals this year includes refinancing the debt on an existing self-storage property or using debt to purchase a new facility, its time to review the loan options available and how you might use these tools to make 2012 a successful year financially. The following overview will summarize the alternatives as well as their pros and cons.

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

Commercial mortgage-backed security (CMBS) lenders are back with revised loan programs that still feature long-term fixed rates up to 10 years. Loans are also non-recourse, with the exception of environmental hazards and fraud. Generally speaking, these loans are best suited for stabilized, class-B and better properties in major metropolitan areas.

Most lenders prefer loans greater than $3 million, which will limit eligible properties. There are few options for loans less than $3 million, with only one or two lenders offering programs. Borrowers need to have significant liquidity in the neighborhood of 10 percent of the loan amount, with net worth equal to the loan amount.

Pros

  • CMBS loans offer long-term fixed rates with terms from five to 10 years.

  • Higher-leverage loans are available with advance rates up to 75 percent loan-to-value (LTV).

  • Lenders are transactional in nature, with no further banking obligations.

  • Loans are non-recourse to the borrower.

Cons

  • Few options exist for transactions of less than $3 million, which make up the bulk of self-storage loans.

  • There are significant upfront good-faith deposits and high transaction costs.

  • After the closing, there's limited flexibility for expansion or significant changes to the property.

  • Includes high prepayment costs (defeasance or yield maintenance).

Insurance Companies

Insurance-company lenders are, in many ways, similar to CMBS lenders in that they specialize in long-term, fixed-rate loans to high-quality facilities in major metropolitan areas. Most insurance companies will not lend less than $5 million, with many having minimum loan sizes of $10 million, making it very difficult to qualify for all but a few self-storage properties.

Similar to CMBS loans, insurance-company loans are generally made on properties that are stabilized or near stabilization with strong cash flow. Borrowers need to have significant net worth and liquidity. Insurance companies often offer non-recourse and recourse loan options.

Pros

  • Insurance-company loan programs offer fixed-rate, long-term loans including fully amortizing loans up to 20 years.

  • Interest rates are generally the lowest available.

  • They have greater flexibility after closing for expansion or other significant changes.

  • Non-recourse options are available.

Cons

  • Borrowers need to have significant net worth and liquidity, similar to CMBS loan requirements.

  • Loan advance rates are generally limited to 65 percent LTV, with many insurance companies limiting advance rates to 50 percent or less.

  • Very few properties will qualify; most are on the West Coast and East Coast or in large metros.

  • There are high prepayment costs (typically yield maintenance).

Small Business Administration (SBA)

SBA loans can offer self-storage owners a wide array of options including short-term loans through the 7a program and long-term options through the 504a program. SBA lenders can also offer fixed and floating rates through both programs.

The SBA programs offer the highest advance rates available of the major loans programsin some cases, up to 90 percent. However, these loans are not meant for all owners. As the name would indicate, these loans are focused on active business owners and operators, not passive investors.

Pros

  • SBA loans offer short-term (7a) and long-term (504a) money with floating and fixed rates.

  • Higher leverage loans are achievable, up to 90 percent LTV, with realistic LTV at 80 percent.

  • Offers the ability to build in additional project costs into financing such as capital improvements and working capital.

  • They can be used for property expansion and new construction in some cases.

Cons

  • There are stringent document requirements.

  • These loans also have high transaction costs, typically between 3 percent and 4 percent of the loan amount.

  • Processing and closing times can be long, which poses problems for acquisitions.

  • Borrowers with significant net worth and liquidity will not qualify.

  • Third-party managed properties will have difficulty qualifying.

  • Prepayment restrictions are fixed but can be high.

Banks and Credit Unions

Bank and credit-union loans offer the widest variety of terms and rates. In fact, banks may have more than one of the above-mentioned loan programs in addition to their commercial real estate loan platform. Generally speaking, bank and credit loans are considered short- to medium-term loans from one to seven years that can have a fixed or floating rate or, in some cases, a combination.

Interest rates are typically some of the most competitive available. However, in exchange for access to this money, these institutions want a deeper relationship that may include deposits, lines of credit or additional lending opportunities.

Pros

  • Bank loans offer short- to medium-term loans from one to five years.

  • Generally, advance rates range from 70 percent to 75 percent LTV.

  • Fixed and floating rate options are available.

  • Banks may offer construction financing to clients with strong relationships.

  • Credit unions typically have no prepayment restrictions.

Cons

  • There are no long-term solutions for stabilized properties.

  • Banks are generally more relationship-focused and may require a broader depository relationship.

Private Lending

Finally, there are private lenders, which include hard money and bridge lenders. This type of lender offers the most flexibility, as they are willing to lend on non-cash-flowing properties, properties in leaseup, refinance of discounted payoffs, and mortgage-note purchases.

In exchange for this flexibility, interest rates are typically between 10 percent and 15 percent. Due to the high cost, these loans are typically measured in months rather than years. Loans are also typically full-recourse obligations and may require additional collateral to be posted.

Pros

  • Loans often close in a matter of days rather than weeks or months.

  • Deals can be underperforming/non-performing; however, there needs to be a clear road map to a permanent finance solution.

Cons

  • These loans are very short term in naturemonths rather than years.

  • Additional collateral is often required to be posted for the loan.

  • They have the highest costs in interest rate and transaction costs and upfront points.

How to Choose?

The current interest-rate environment makes this one of the most desirable times to be looking for a loan. While there are many options available, the difficulty arises in selecting the right type and then pushing through to receive the actual capital. Hiring a mortgage professional to help navigate these choices and determine the preferred solution can help ease the process. Whichever option you choose, this primer offers a starting point to successful banking in 2012.

Noel Cain is a vice president at Chicago-based The BSC Group, where he provides mortgage brokerage, financial consulting, and loan-workout solutions to self-storage real estate owners nationwide. To reach him, call 847.778.4661; e-mail [email protected] ; visit www.thebscgroup.com .

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