You are a builder or a developer who has a builder on your team. You call up a bank or commercial mortgage broker. You are concerned about exorbitant fees. You've heard that business owners are being asked to pay fees and then wind up with nothing. What's more is the money in escrow you've handed over for the purchase of the land that you want to build homes on is at stake.
One thing is certain. Builders can protect themselves by getting the terms and fees in writing. Furthermore, if the bank or broker can not get anything in writing or you are dealing with only one lender then it may be time to deal with a commercial mortgage broker who works with more than one lender...but more specifically works with more than one commercial construction lender.
That being said, why do some banks charge $25,000 "application" fees? Cost of Money. Most builders and borrowers in general are concerned about rate and terms. That makes sense because that is part of the cost of their construction project.
An experienced builder understands that the bank has cost as well. IF the bank is using their own money then its opportunity cost..and if its borrowed money (ie from investors, secondary market) then its a ticking deadline for the bank to produce a profit for the investor. The borrower who thinks that the banks are rolling in the money and don't have to charge what they charge will in some way, usually not directly, allow this "you bankers are taking me for a ride" mindset to be exhibited to the broker or the bank loan officer. An experienced builder/borrower knows that everything you say to the bank can determine your loan outcome. As the process moves on the Bank will determine if you are a cooperative borrower or a combative borrower. Bank representatives will conclude if the borrower/builder is trying to dictate the terms without regard to the cost of money and the bank's obligations to their investors.
Investors are number crunchers. So lets give a simple breakdown. Recently American Cash Solutions Inc obtained an $11.5 million dollar Letter of Interest for a Builder who will construct over 100 singe family residences and over 10 commercial buildings over a two year period or less. From the time a letter of interest is issued to the time an appraisal is done can exceed 30 days(experienced builders know not all $11 million dollar loans will close in two weeks). If a commercial construction lender is going to take on a high risk project then the rate will be over 10%. 10% of $11.5 million is for one year $150,000 which breaks down to about $12,500 a month. so let's say the appraisal comes back with different numbers..maybe the builder padded construction cost...maybe the builder lied about the value of the project...maybe the seller mislead the buyer. A real estate agent once made a very smart comment..you must first sell the price of the property to the buyer and then you must sell it to the lender through and appraisal. Well now loan to cost and ltv are changed by the appraisal's outcome. Both the lender and the Builder must go back to the drawing board. This may take more time. Maybe title issues come up. Then the real nightmare begins. The builder makes a bold and reckless misrepresentation to the broker or bank that the land was not farm land and the lender specifically said they will not touch(bank slang for lend on) farm land. Well know the bank has wasted two months with no loan. Remember that cost of money to the bank? Well $12,500X2 months equals $25,000.00
The bank declines the loan and now must rely on its own loan officers or broker connections to get another loan. So if the next loan application is declined due to other reasons then the opportunity cost factor becomes more significant. Imagine if a bank has $200 million of investors' money and has signed legal contracts that obligate the bank to pay a profit to the investors either on a quarterly, semi annual or annual basis. Each day, each month cost the bank money. Obviously if this bank fail to write any loans they would lose investor confidence and if the investors pull out the bank is doomed!
Another factor that borrowers/builders don't think about are the loans that were actually made but become nonperforming...the builder fails to pay or produce construction results. Now the bank is stuck with a construction project that they don't want to complete. The bank will be stuck with the cost of selling the property, covering its obligations to its investors and if the property fails to cover the loan amount then the bank has to still pay back its investors or if its their own money then the bank lost out on an opportunity to lend the money to a builder that would have met its obligations under the terms of the loan.
American Cash Solutions Inc encourages builders and landholders who need to finish their subdivisions. to contact the owner Charles G Hennebeul directly at 631-368-2219. Minimum loan amount is $2 million dollars. Must be upfront about networth,cash on hand and potential partners/investors which ensures better placement with appropriate lender relative to your particular loan scenario.
Charles G Hennebeul
Owner
American Cash Solutions Inc
http://www.mybuildingfunds.com
631-368-2219
amcashinc@aol.com
This blog was reposted by American cash Solutions Inc from its corporate wesbite www.mybuildingfunds.com