If you have been in business for any period of time, then you know about the need of finance for business expansion. This might be for a lease on a new premises, replacement or additional plant and machinery, or even buying a suppler or competitor. Whatever your need might be, then you are also aware of the challenges in getting commercial finance. Banks in particular are nervous about lending money so it is even more difficult for a business to get the funding they need. A better option than facing multiple rejections from the regular banks is to talk to a commercial finance broker.

Many people are not even aware of the existence of finance brokers and may wonder what they do and how they can help companies looking for finance.

In short, a commercial finance broker plays an important role in assisting business owners in acquire the finance that they require to expand their company. This broker’s job is to bring together commercial lenders and borrowers for all forms of borrowing whether it is short-term or long term finance, loans. Leases, mortgages and many other types of funding vehicle.. Similar to any other type of broker, a commercial finance broker gets paid a fee based on the size of the transaction. Sometimes there is a retainer paid by the borrower but usually it is a percentage of the total monies paid on completion of the project.

Since few people need to raise finance for a business on a regular basis, they are unlikely to personally know a broking firm so they will search online for finance brokers. You will quickly find a lot of potential business finance brokers so you need to select the one best suited to your requirements. But how do you know if a broker will be good for you? The following points will help when looking for commercial brokers:

Look for an experienced finance broker; you don’t want to be someone’s learning process. A consultant with at least three years of experience should be able to provide you with the service you need. Also look for someone who has experience in either your industry or in the type of finance you need. So if you want a lease rather than a mortgage, go to a commercial leasing specialist. Bigger finance brokers like Global Pacific Finance in Auckland, have experience across many different financing methods.
A broker is only as good as their network so look for one who has great connections with a range of lending institutions. Look especially for those that are actively working in the small business market and your type of industry. They will have better knowledge and experience to make your deal happen.
A good broker does more than connect lenders and borrowers. They will also be able to get a good understanding of your business too. They will study your financial reports to get a flavour of your financial situation which means they can refer you to the more appropriate lenders.
Finance brokers will help you to write a business plan and present it in a way that the will resonate with the target lender. Just like each borrower has different needs, each lender likes to work with different types of projects, or more importantly, does not like funding certain activities. Your broker will know this and will save you time by introducing you to those that are more likely to look favourably on your industry or finance project. They can also help in drafting the loan application.

A broker worth his salt will generate a credit report at the beginning of your hunt for finance. If there is a problem with your current credit then it will determine the next steps. Just because your credit score is not perfect that does not mean you cannot get funding. It simply means you will need to talk to different lenders. A really good broker might also be able to advise on how to make adjustments to your credit history before submitting the application.
A finance broker will work closely with you to bring about your deal. They will provide support, advice and help to negotiate the terms of the deal so that it meets your own requirements.
Their knowledge and experience will save you a lot of wasted time.
Finally, since this will be a transaction between people it pays to work with other people that you get along with. You will be giving confidential information to this person so you want to know you can trust them and that they will be working hard for you.

Another point to bear in mind is that finance brokers are paid a commission of the total deal. Sometimes there may be a fee to retain their services but on most cases, they are solely paid from the commission at the conclusion of the arrangement. A good business finance broker will not ask for any kind of upfront fees.

Summing up

Clearly, the choice of a commercial finance broker is an important one as the outcome can have a great effect in your business. Research deeply and widely before committing to any particular broker. This is a good place to start on this site.

April 26, 2014

Finding a Commercial Mortgage Broker

by kolr39j

Why You Need to Find a Commercial Mortgage Broker

If you are a commercial property investor or when a business wants to acquire, refinance or redevelop a property they’ll need to obtain a commercial mortgage. While this is something you can do on your own, you stand the best chance of getting a good rate and term when you use a commercial mortgage broker.

Commercial mortgages are mortgage loans that are secured by a piece of commercial property. This generally but not always will include the property being acquired by the loan. Commercial properties can include industrial or commercial warehouses, office buildings, shopping centres, apartment complexes and private medical facilities among many others.

Dollars for commercial mortgages

As with any type of loan, you want to get the best interest rate, terms and repayment options. Knowing how to compare the available commercial mortgage options takes time and experience. This is where a commercial mortgage broker can assist you.

The commercial mortgage lending process begins with your application. Your mortgage broker will obtain all of the information necessary to submit your application to several companies or even private individuals that are likely candidates. A mortgage broker is not a lender. They work with you to find potential lenders.

A commercial mortgage broker can advise you before you begin the application process of your chances of getting a loan. Generally the mortgage will be based on the debt service coverage ratio and the loan to value ratio of the property.

The debt service ratio required by most lenders is 1.1 to 1.4, this is the amount of income the property makes over the mortgage payment amount. For new properties or those under renovation the lender will look at the rents or costs per square metre. They will also consider the location, property use and the financial health of the commercial real estate market in the area.

The standard loan to value ratio for most commercial loans are 55 percent to 70 percent, which is much lower than residential properties. The loan to value ratio compares the amount of the mortgage to the total appraised value of the property.

Since many lenders may require a application fee, it’s best to first determine if you have a reasonable chance at successfully obtaining a loan. Generally these fees are used to cover the expenses associated with the loan process such as appraisals.

Your commercial mortgage broker can then assist in guiding you through the lender’s underwriting process. This process may include a review of your (or your businesses) finances, as well as, a financial review of the property. There will be various reports that need to be commissioned including appraisals, these can also be handled by your mortgage broker.

The due diligence a lender does on a commercial mortgage can include touring the site, environmental impact studies, engineering reports and background checks on the borrower. Many of these can be handled through commercial mortgage brokers.

The interest rates can be greatly affected by the information obtained during the underwriting process as well as the current market interest rates. These rates are usually much higher than residential mortgages and are available as a fixed rate or flexible rate. Your commercial mortgage broker can advice you on which type of loan would best suit your needs.

The terms for a commercial loan generally range between five and ten years for established commercial properties and one to three years for new properties or those under renovation. Multi-family properties may be eligible for government programs which can extend the term of their loans to thirty years. A knowledgeable commercial mortgage broker can assist you in determining which type of loan you are qualified for.

Your mortgage broker can assist you by ensuring you have options when it comes to your loan. They can obtain multiple quotes from qualified lenders, manage the application process and guide you to the mortgage is best for your business.

Commercial mortgage broker Auckland

There are not as many commercial brokers as there are residential ones. Further they do not advertise in the mass media so they are less well known by the public at large. Sometimes the main banks will lend on commercial property deals but they have strict lending guidelines. Sometimes these restrictions will not allow the deal to go ahead.

In this situation a private lender or dedicated commercial financing company may be able to help. One of the biggest private commercial mortgage companies is Global Pacific. You can see more about them here www.globalpacific.co.nz. They have successfully arranged funding in numerous industrial, retail and office lending situations. Click here to get the ball rolling for you.

March 22, 2014

Finding Commercial Finance For New Zealand Businesses

by kolr39j

Options To Consider For Finding Commercial Finance For New Zealand Businesses

When you are trying to obtain financing for traditional types of property including homes, cars, or simply a piece of undeveloped land, as long as you have the proper credit rating, and the finances to fund the loan through gainful employment, it’s easy to get a loan for the property or vehicle that you want to buy. However, when you are trying to purchase something less traditional such as a campground, assisted living facilities or even a funeral home, obtaining a commercial loan for these types of businesses can be slightly problematic. Here are some tips on finding commercial finance options that are not only available, but affordable as well.

What Is Commercial Financing?

Commercial loan broker NZ

Commercial financing is simply getting a commercial mortgage, or a mortgage loan that is actually secured by a commercial piece of property. This could be something such as an apartment complex, a light industrial warehouse, a retail outlet or even an office building. There are many reasons for obtaining these types of properties including planning to redevelop the property, refinance an existing commercial mortgage, or simply purchasing the building as an investment. There are other types of commercial financing too such as plant, machinery, leases, companies or franchises. In short, major purchases by a business are likely to need commercial financing of some type.

Important Aspects Of NZ Commercial Financing

Commercial financing involves understanding a couple terms that are indicative of this type of loan. Some of the terms are also used when getting traditional mortgages or refinancing, therefore they might be familiar. The loan amount is determined by the LTV, or the loan to value ratios. The loan structure must be agreed upon, sometimes using what is called mezzanine finance. There will be interest rates, fees, and terms in regard to prepayment penalties and the length of the loan itself. Finally, these loans are usually amortised, which means the borrower will pay on both the principal amount and the interest that is owed.

Another key aspect, especially for buying commercial property is that the down-payment is higher than for a residential mortgage. Currently in New Zealand for a residential mortgage the banks require 20 percent deposit to buy a house. For commercial mortgages the deposit is often 35% or even more.

Another key aspect is the forecast cash-flow from both the project itself and the business as it currently performs. The lender wants to know if the borrower can afford to make the repayments on the loan.

Finding Affordable Commercial Finance Lenders

If the loan is being used to acquire another company the loan will be dependent upon the financial performance of the target company. If the new business owner is unable to conduct the business in a profitable manner, they may default on the loan.

It’s difficult to arrange this type of financing with some finance companies for this reason, and the type of business can also play a role in how easy or difficult it is to obtain this type of financing. If the lender does not understand the complexity is involved with special-purpose properties, or they do not believe that you will be able to keep the business running profitably, getting this financing may fall through. This can make it very difficult to get loans for the specialty properties or businesses.

Get the commercial loan you need

Another option for commercial finance is member-based organisations. This one for example, can offer financing for a variety of business purposes including equipment and vehicle finance.

The easiest way to quickly find affordable commercial finance lenders is to search the web for commercial finance brokers who interact with lenders that specifically will lend money for commercial projects. Once you have found a broker that can connect you with commercial finance lenders, you should be able to get the money that you need to finance your project, or purchase the business that you want to acquire.

Finding commercial finance lenders is not that difficult, especially with the Internet. Your search should yield several brokers that will help you connect with lenders that are willing to help. Using these simple tips, you should be able to find commercial financing very quickly, and obtain the property or business that you want to buy for commercial purposes.

Why You Need A Commercial Finance Broker