Aloft Capital is pleased to announce the closing of two SBA 7(a) loans used in the acquisition of an independent restaurant and adjacent wine bar.
New closing - Aloft Capital helps USA Dream Stone acquire new location
Aloft Capital helped USA Dream Stone acquire a new commercial property to relocate their granite fabrication and production business. They faced obstacles working with traditional banks and were referred to Aloft Capital to help find them a suitable lender.
Watch below as they discuss the process of working with Aloft Capital.
Unveiling the Benefits of Engaging a Commercial Lending Advisor
Securing the right financing for your business can be a complex and daunting task, especially in today's dynamic economic landscape. Commercial lending options are diverse, ranging from traditional banks to online platforms, and finding the perfect fit requires not only a deep understanding of your business needs but also the intricacies of the lending market. This is where the role of a commercial lending broker and advisor shines. In this article, we will explore the invaluable benefits that these professionals bring to the table.
1. Expertise and Market Insight: Commercial lending brokers and advisors are industry experts who possess an in-depth understanding of the lending market. They are well-versed in the nuances of various financing options, interest rates, terms, and eligibility criteria. Their insights empower you to make informed decisions tailored to your business's unique financial needs and goals.
2. Access to a Network of Lenders: One of the primary advantages of working with a broker and advisor is their extensive network of lenders. These professionals have established relationships with banks, financial institutions, and alternative lenders. This network gives you access to a wider range of financing options that you might not have been aware of otherwise, increasing your chances of finding the most suitable loan for your business.
3. Time and Resource Efficiency: Navigating the commercial lending landscape can be time-consuming, involving researching lenders, comparing terms, and negotiating deals. Commercial lending brokers streamline this process by doing the legwork for you. They assess your needs, present you with tailored options, and handle negotiations on your behalf, saving you valuable time and resources.
4. Customized Solutions: No two businesses are exactly alike, and your financing needs are likely to be unique. A skilled broker and advisor will take the time to understand your business's financial goals, growth plans, and risk tolerance. With this knowledge, they can craft customized financing solutions that align with your objectives, ensuring a better fit for your specific situation.
5. Expert Negotiation: Negotiating loan terms, interest rates, and repayment schedules can be challenging, especially if you are not well-versed in financial jargon. Brokers and advisors have honed their negotiation skills through years of experience, allowing them to secure more favorable terms on your behalf. This expertise can potentially save your business substantial amounts of money over the life of the loan.
6. Mitigation of Risks: Commercial lending brokers and advisors are equipped to identify potential risks associated with various financing options. Their experience helps them spot hidden fees, unfavorable clauses, or risky terms that might not be apparent to a business owner. By helping you navigate these potential pitfalls, they ensure that you make informed decisions that are in the best interest of your business.
In the intricate world of commercial lending, having a trusted broker and advisor by your side can make all the difference. From their market insights and access to a wide network of lenders to their ability to tailor solutions and skillfully negotiate terms, these professionals are invaluable partners in your business's financial journey. By harnessing their expertise, you can confidently secure the financing you need to fuel your business's growth and success.
Closing announcement - Quick closing on SBA 7(a) loan!
Aloft Capital Advisors is pleased to announce this latest closed transaction. We recently closed a loan for a company in the Raleigh, NC area to move their operation to a larger facility. The new facility was a perfect size, location, and fit for this granite countertop fabrication and installation business. The company’s owners had been looking for a suitable location to buy for over 2 years, when they found this property right around the corner from their current operation. However, when they approached a couple of local banks they were denied the loan, mostly due to a couple of blemishes on the principal’s credit report.
The buyer’s commercial real estate broker is also a great friend to Aloft and contacted us to see if we could help. The realtor knows of our ability to find alternative financing sources when the borrower is having trouble finding that loan themselves. We set up a quick conference call for the next day and we were off and running to help these great clients fulfill this dream purchase.
As you can imagine, there were several lenders who were concerned by the credit score, but these clients were so great to work with and we were eager to help them find the proper financing. The lender did a masterful job of sizing up the deal quickly and communicating their terms and expectations efficiently.
While we all know that interest rates are currently higher than anyone would like, this borrower understands the potential to refinance this loan down the road, but after 2 years of searching did not want to miss this purchase opportunity. Ultimately, the closing was smooth, and we have another satisfied client!
Thanks to a very responsive partnership between borrower, lender, realtor, attorney, processor, closer and consultants, this loan closed just 49 days after the initial introduction! That is an unheard-of turnaround time for an SBA 7(a) real estate loan. Thank you to our tremendous partners for making this transaction a reality!
Convenience Store Refinance
We are pleased to announce the recent closing of a loan used to refinance a convenience store property. Loan proceeds are being used to make improvements to this property and another C-store currently owned by the borrower. Borrower was very pleased with the loan terms and is actively looking for his next commercial real estate investment.
Music Studio Purchase
Aloft Capital is pleased to announce the recent closing of a commercial real estate loan used to purchase a music studio in Nashville, TN. The borrower is a music industry veteran that was searching for their first commercial real estate purchase in Nashville. With the help of a fantastic entertainment industry lender, our client got an awesome deal and a great new home in the Music City! We are sure they will be happy in this location for many years to come.
Closing announcement - Accounts Receivable financing
Recently, we were referred to a prospective client who was requesting a line of credit from a bank that just couldn’t help them. The borrower is a consulting firm that helps IT companies by providing many cloud computing and development solutions. The borrower needed cash flow help to cover the cash collection cycle that is so common in firms like this. They were referred to Aloft by one of our great SBA partners, who recognized they could easily qualify for an SBA term loan, but this would be a misfit for this situation.
The solution of an Accounts Receivable line of credit will allow them to speed up cash flow and grow the firm with significant hiring in 2023. This firm was very similar to another client we helped in 2022 and we worked with an excellent financing partner to get this done.
If you or someone you know if is in a similar situation, reach out to us. We have the expertise and relationships to connect borrowers with all types of commercial financing solutions.
Recent Closed Transaction
We recently closed a construction loan on a residential property that the builder will use to finish as a spec house. While this is not our typical product type, we took this project on because it was helping a repeat client and it presented a challenging scenario that would cause most lenders to struggle.
The builder was in the middle of a construction project when, tragically, one of the owners died unexpectedly. Immediately, the surviving spouse wanted to sell the property prior to finishing construction. That is a very difficult scenario to finance because most lenders do not want to jump into the middle of a construction project. Unknown issues such as mechanic’s liens and other potential title issues, make lenders wary of entering into these situations. The builder, our client, agreed to buy the property from the owner, finish construction, and sell as a spec house. We are very pleased to have worked with a great construction lender who understood the difficulties, assessed the risks, and chose to get this deal done. This allowed the seller the peace of moving on and the builder the ability to salvage the deal. Even with some last-minute hiccups with the title documents, thanks to a great partnership of borrower/lender/attorney/advisor we were able to close this one!
Closing announcement - Veterinary Practice Refinance
Recently we closed two loans for a veterinary practice that was trying to pay off an old real estate/business loan. The original loan was not really structured correctly and the relationship with the lender had really soured over the years. The original construction went well over budget, (for numerous reasons) and the borrower had really gotten off on a bad foot with the lender due to the multiple cost overruns on the original plan. Even though the COVID-19 pandemic made things very difficult in 2020 and 2021, the borrower had survived (and thrived!) having some of their best years ever. Although it took some creativity from a great lender to put together a strategy that made sense for all, this client has an excellent financing structure now and is ready to expand and execute on its business plan. Without the refinance of this debt, this client would not be able to expand their services and hire new employees. With this new structure, they are positioned well to grow tremendously over the next several years.
Closing announcement - Law Firm
Now that the new year is behind us, we need to catch up on some closing announcements that happened near the end of the 2022.
First up is a line of credit that we closed for a local Law Firm. This firm was having trouble getting the amount of credit they were looking for from their current bank. They were referred to Aloft Capital by their CPA and we were able to place them with a local community bank that increased their line of credit and gave them better terms. A win-win for all parties involved!
Closing Announcement - new construction of an independent daycare facility
Aloft Capital is pleased to announce a recent closing on a commercial real estate loan. We recently helped this client secure financing for a construction loan on a new daycare facility to be located in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina. The borrower is a very experienced independent daycare operator who had been interested in building in this location for quite a while. He had been seeking financing on his own, but had not been able to secure the combination of terms that fit his needs. Aloft Capital was able to source the ideal loan for this borrower, covering 100% of the construction costs, while also recouping some of the soft costs that had already been invested. Congratulations to our client and we look forward to watching the success of this facility!
Recent Transaction
Aloft Capital is pleased to announce a recent closing on a commercial real estate loan. We recently helped this client secure financing for an industrial property to be used as a rental investment. The property was located in a small town in North Carolina, but with excellent proximity to a busy Interstate Highway. This was very important for this buyer and the tenant, who had just signed a long-term lease. It was an ideal investment for the buyer to add to his growing portfolio. Congratulations to our client and now we look for the next approved loan!
Closing Announcement
Aloft Capital is pleased to announce its latest transaction closing. We recently helped a client source and close a cash-out refinance loan for a Charter School property they owned in the Charlotte, NC area. The loan structure provided a 25 year amortization, with a 5 year fixed rate. Funds received from this transaction are being used to purchase additional commercial real estate in order to diversify the investors real estate portfolio. Client is actively pursuing a number of options for this purchase and this transaction will also be financed by an Aloft Capital lender.
This loan presented a number of challenges that are difficult for traditional lenders to finance. Many lenders are not actively lending to schools, as they are concerned the collateral could be seen as a special-use property. Secondly, lenders are very conservative when considering a cash-out refinance scenario. To accomplish both in this transaction took a lender that was willing to look at the bigger picture and gained an excellent new client in the process.
Closing announcement
Aloft Capital is pleased to announce the closing of an Asset-based line of credit that will provide cash flow assistance to an IT Consulting Firm located in Philadelphia, PA. The line amount will start at $2,500,000 but has the ability to increase up to $7,000,000 as the receivable base grows. The company will use these funds to support the tremendous growth they are experiencing, both in client work and staff size.
We are excited to watch the great things this firm will accomplish and look forward to tracking their success. Congratulations!
PPP Loans Affect Business Acquisitions.
By now, every small business owner is familiar with the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) that was created by the CARES Act in March 2020. Of course, you also realize that the CARES Act was a congressional action intended to help small businesses weather the economic impact of COVID-19 shutdowns around the country. What you may not have thought about is how does a PPP loan impact the ability to buy or sell a business?
Read morePPP update - May 12, 2020
Watch Jeff Williams discuss the current environment for Commercial Lending in today’s world of shutdowns and PPP loans.
“5 C’s of Credit” didn’t apply to PPP loans – Part 2
In our last post, we discussed the “5 C’s of Credit” and how they were NOT used in the PPP program. To review that post, check it out here. We ended that discussion with the question….why do the 5 C’s matter to the borrower?
My short answer is this: The borrower should understand how the bank is going to evaluate your business and your loan request.
Read more“5 C’s of Credit” didn’t apply to PPP loans
If you are a small business owner, sole proprietor, 1099 Contractor, or even an employee of a small business, then the PPP loan program has been on your mind lately. To remind you, the Paycheck Protection Program was the $349 BILLION (then later another $310 BILLION) small business loan program funded by the CARES Act that allowed for small businesses to “borrow” up to 2 ½ months of their average payroll expenses. I emphasize “borrow” because the attractiveness of this program was not just easy availability of credit, but the opportunity to have most (if not all) of the loan forgiven.
Read moreWhat can you learn from Shark Tank?
Unless you live under a rock, you know the Shark Tank. The wildly popular television show started airing on ABC in 2009 and has millions of fans. I love watching to see what crazy ideas people will pitch, then trying to guess if a shark will invest and which one.
I also find myself guessing what questions the sharks will ask.
Read more