Commercial Mortgages

So, you’re thinking about buying a commercial property — maybe it’s an apartment building, maybe it’s a warehouse, maybe it’s that strip plaza you’ve been driving past for years thinking, “One day.” Well, guess what? That “one day” could be closer than you think — if you know how to qualify for a commercial mortgage.

When it comes to commercial mortgages, one of the first questions clients ask me — after “What’s the rate?” — is “Should I go fixed or variable?” And honestly, it’s a great question. Because unlike with your typical home mortgage, this decision isn’t just about saving a few bucks on interest.

Postponement Agreement. If you’ve ever been involved in a commercial deal where there’s more than one lender, you’ve probably heard someone mention a postponement agreement. And while it sounds like a bureaucratic delay tactic, it’s actually one of the most important documents in multi-lender financing.

Standstill Agreement: In the world of commercial real estate lending, not every disagreement needs to turn into a showdown. Sometimes, the smartest move isn’t to fight for control—it’s to take a breath, stand still, and let cooler heads (and structured agreements) prevail.

That’s exactly what a standstill agreement is about. It’s not about giving up rights; it’s about protecting everyone’s position when the financial waters get choppy.

When it comes to applying for a commercial mortgage, there’s no shortage of ways to trip yourself up — and trust me, I’ve seen plenty of smart people do it. Unlike a residential mortgage, where the process is pretty straightforward and predictable, commercial lending is its own animal.

Mixed-use properties are everywhere — think of those buildings with retail on the ground floor and apartments up top. They’re smart investments because they give you multiple streams of income under one roof. But when it comes to financing these properties, things can get a little murky.

If you’re gearing up to apply for a commercial mortgage, here’s something you need to know right out of the gate: this is not your average, everyday residential mortgage application. Commercial lending is a different animal altogether.

… How Much Cash Do You Really Need to Play the Game? If you’ve been looking at commercial real estate and wondering how much you’ll need to bring to the table, you’re asking the right question. Unlike residential mortgages where you can sometimes squeak by with 5%...

If you’ve ever been involved in a commercial real estate deal—whether as a buyer, investor, realtor, or business owner—you’ve probably heard someone groan about how long the appraisal process takes or how expensive it is. And if you’ve only dealt with residential properties before, commercial appraisals can feel like stepping into a whole new world: more complex, more detailed, more paperwork… and yes, more money.

If you’ve spent any time poking around the world of commercial mortgages, you’ve probably heard lenders throw around this mysterious acronym: DSCR — Debt Service Coverage Ratio. It sounds like something a bank made up to make deals harder, but in reality, it’s one of the most important numbers in commercial underwriting.