Tag Archives: hospitality loan

The Government Shutdown and Your Loans

The government is currently “shutdown”. How does this affect your current and future loans?

Current loans and the government shutdown:

  • If you have current loans with government agencies like the Small Business Administration, the SBA is still servicing these loans.
  • You can continue to make payments and can even make some changes (like in ownership). But you cannot modify any loan amounts at this time.
  • Please be sure that you continue to keep your EIDL loan current, even during the shutdown, as this affects your ability to seek future financing. You can use this link to confirm your EIDL status: Check here

Trying to Get a New Loan during the Government Shutdown?

  • If you are in the middle of an SBA loan application and your lender pulled the PLP number, your loan should not be delayed. The PLP number is an SBA-specific loan number and provides pre-approval status.
  • If you don’t yet have this pre-approval, your loan will be paused.
  • However, your lender will continue to underwrite your loan. You should continue to submit all requested documents so you are making progress.
  • But the SBA will not underwrite or approve new loans during the government shutdown.
  • If you are seeking financing because of a maturing note, we urge you to contact your current lender. Explain that you may need an extension because of the shutdown, which is beyond your control.
  • If you do obtain an extension, be realistic and patient. Even when the government shutdown ends, approvals will not begin immediately. There will be a backlog of work. Allow for a longer approval process.

GRP President Rick Patel and Managing Director Krishan Patel both have worked through government shutdowns before. They know that they can be frustrating, but with patience and planning, loans cans still close, even if slightly delayed. GRP Capital can help you as you negotiate with current lenders, satisfy sellers and guide you through the process.

Whether you’re purchasing, refinancing, or building from the ground up, our extensive network of lenders ensures you’ll find funding that aligns with your goals and cash flow needs.

Here’s what sets us apart:

  • We save you time by researching and identifying the best funding options for your project.
  • Our expertise spans various loan products—including non-recourse loans, SBA loans, bridge loans, and conventional financing—so you can navigate even the most complex transactions confidently.
  • Beyond lending, we provide strategic guidance on operational decisions that drive long-term business success.
City business district

Explaining the SBA 504 Debenture Process

What Does it Mean and How does it Work?

A debenture is really a fancy word for a special kind of bond. It is an “instrument” created by a lender to raise capital. Lenders create a debenture and are in first position to be repaid. This debenture is bought and sold on financial markets.

Debentures are an integral part of the Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loan program.

Here’s how the SBA 504 program with Debenture works:

  • There are three entities that fund the loan: a senior lender, a Certified Development Company (CDC) and the borrowers themselves.
  • The Senior lender provides typically 50% of the funding through the first mortgage. Their loan is in the form of a bridge loan, because it bridges the gap while the full funding is underway.
  • The CDC provides a second mortgage loan for a large chunk of the loan (around 40%). This portion of the loan is guaranteed by the SBA.
  • CDC’s are not traditional lenders. They do not have depositors or customers in the same way. So, they raise funds through creating the debenture and selling it to investors. This debenture is 100% guaranteed by the SBA, and is considered a very safe investment.
  • The borrower provides a modest equity contribution (typically 10-20% of the loan)

Advantages of an SBA 504 program with a Debenture Component

  • Lower down payment/equity injection
  • Competitive fixed-rate financing for the life of the loan
  • Long repayment periods (up to 25 years)
  • Affordable payments as a result of the loan repayment periods, which impacts cash flow immediately

Timeline of an SBA 504 loan from start to Finish:

  • First, you have to select both a senior lender and a CDC. This is where GRP Capital’s expertise is the most critical. We have the experience and the vast lender network to help find both a lender who is willing to be in the senior position as well as an appropriate CDC.
  • The senior lender and CDC coordinate so they agree on the loan structure and details.
  • Once the senior lender and the CDC indicate their willingness to find your project, then dual underwriting commences. Borrowers work closely with our processing team to provide information and documents to both the lender and the CDC simultaneously.
  • Both the senior lender and CDC officially approve the loan through their loan committee sturctures.
  • The senior lender sets a closing date! The senior lender takes lead in creating documents, and agrees to a a place and time for closing. A title company, escrow and attorneys are also working on your behalf.
  • The first loan closes: borrowers take possession of their new property, and funding for other costs begins (like construction and renovation).
  • The borrowers begin making payments on the first loan.
  • Now the creation of the debenture occurs. The debenture sale occurs around 30-60 days after the first closing. That’s why a bridge loan is necessary.
  • After the CDC receives their funds from the sale of the debenture, they pay off the bridge loan in full. They then create their own closing documents and a second closing takes place.
  • The permanent 504 loan is fully financed.
  • The borrowers now make payments on the final permanent loan.

Why Should I Consider an SBA 504 loan?

  • Your project is more attractive with an SBA guarantee, especially for senior lenders.
  • The long terms and low rates are important to your business plans and projections.
  • You are purchasing a building or a business OR
  • You are refinancing and/or consolidating qualified debt OR
  • You are renovating or involved in construction OR
  • You are purchasing long-term machinery and equipment with a useful remaining life of a minimum of 10 years.
  • You do not need financing for working capital, as that is not an eligible 504 component.

Whether you’re purchasing, refinancing, or building from the ground up, our extensive network of lenders ensures you’ll find funding that aligns with your goals and cash flow needs.

Here’s what sets GRP Capital apart:

  • We save you time by researching and identifying the best funding options for your project.
  • Our expertise spans various loan products—including non-recourse loans, SBA loans, bridge loans, and conventional financing—so you can navigate even the most complex transactions confidently.
  • Beyond lending, we provide strategic guidance on operational decisions that drive long-term business success.
Loan calculation

Check Your EIDL Status: Your Future Loans May Depend on It!

What is your EIDL Status?

During the onset of the COVID pandemic, many business owners took advantage of low cost loans offered by the Small Business Administration (SBA), called Economic Injury Disaster Loans or EIDL. These were long term loans at a very low interest rate, intended to keep businesses operating.

If you have an EIDL on the books, it is critical that you are making the regular monthly payments. Even more critical is that every person who is even a partial owner in a business with an EIDL must confirm that their loan is current. You can use this link to confirm your EIDL status: Check here

GRP President Rick Patel and Managing Director Krishan Patel both have worked closely with clients whose EIDL status was not current.

Rick mentions, “There is almost nothing that is more detrimental to future loan eligibility than having an EIDL that is not current.”

Krishan states that responsible business people “must be proactive and check on any EIDL that has their name attached” before seeking out future financing.

What to Know and Do about your EIDL Status

  • Make sure you keep a current list of every business that you own (fully or partially) in which you received an EIDL.
  • The SBA portal can be utilized to check on the status of each EIDL loan. However, if there have been multiple partners or owners of a business that sought out a loan, you need to determine who set up the portal and the login information (user ID and password).
  • Within the SBA portal, you can see if the loan is current or not.
  • If your EIDL status is not current and shows either a default or even worse a charged off status, you must address this right away.
  • You cannot obtain future SBA loans (including 7(a) and 504) if your EIDL status is anything but current.
  • Please allow sufficient time to repair your EIDL status. First, find out the amount needed to get your loan current. Then continually communicate with the SBA to ensure that the portal status changes.
  • The SBA portal allows you to download EIDL documents, which might be requested by lenders, particularly the loan agreement.

Best business practice tip: Maintain Business Debt Schedules

  • Maintain a business debt schedule for every business you own (even if you are even a partial owner).
  • Each business debt schedule should list every loan for this business, the monthly payment, the date of the loan and when it will mature, the interest rate, the original loan amount and the current balance.
  • For real estate mortgages, also include the original cost to purchase the property and the current market value (your best estimate).

Whether you’re purchasing, refinancing, or building from the ground up, our extensive network of lenders ensures you’ll find funding that aligns with your goals and cash flow needs.

Here’s what sets us apart:

  • We save you time by researching and identifying the best funding options for your project.
  • Our expertise spans various loan products—including non-recourse loans, SBA loans, bridge loans, and conventional financing—so you can navigate even the most complex transactions confidently.
  • Beyond lending, we provide strategic guidance on operational decisions that drive long-term business success.
college football stadium

Fast Closing for North Florida Hotel

Our clients wanted to purchase a Florida hotel, but only with a fast closing. The hotel was in a college town and they wanted to capitalize on as much of the football season as they could. Adding to the challenge was a looming government shutdown, which would affect the approval of any government-guaranteed loans.

Krishan Patel, GRP Capital Managing Director, worked closely with the clients and the GRP Capital team to find an appropriate lender and loan product. Krishan noted that “Like many of our clients, this group of partners wanted a fast closing. However, what really helped was the preparedness of the clients and the hard work of our GRP Capital staff. In addition, the borrowers had engaged a strong team of professionals to help with legal work, including negotiations with franchise. All of these elements were critical to actually achieving a fast closing.”

Must Haves for a Fast Closing:

  • The right type of project. Construction loans can take longer to underwrite, as can complicated businesses. This loan was for the purchase of an existing hotel with clear, reliable statistics about previous performance. Thus, a fast closing was a doable proposition.
  • Type of loan matters, too. A fast closing can be possible for a bridge loan. However, SBA loans can sometimes take longer to underwrite. Understand that lenders and agencies’ timelines may lead the process.
  • Responsiveness to lender’s requests. Lenders typically ask for personal financial statements and often proof of global cash flow for guarantors. Be prepared to provide those documents. It is also reasonable for lenders to request tax transcripts, which confirm the accuracy of submitted tax returns. Submitting these documents quickly and cheerfully is the best way to demonstrate good will and trustworthiness.
  • Financials and other documents to show previous income and expenses. These can include detailed financial statements (Profit & Loss statements as well as balance sheets), sales tax bills, STR reports (for hotels), as well as any in-house statistics. If you are refinancing a loan, then you should accumulate these documents, with the help of a trusted accountant, if necessary. If you are purchasing a business, the seller or the broker should be able to provide these documents.
  • Accurate and thoughtful business plans and projections. Spend some time at the beginning of the loan process creating a strong business plan. This should include not only your projections for future income and expenses. It should also include your ideas for operating and managing the business, including marketing, personnel, financial management and maintenance.
  • Engage competent professionals right away. Engage an attorney, even before signing a purchase-sale agreement. Tell your accountant of your loan process, and that you may need more recent financials. If you have had a good experience with a title company in the past, make plans to use them again. If you need a survey, get right on that, as these can take some time.

Need more information on creating a strong business plan?

Why Choose GRP Capital?

Our GRP Capital team specializes in crafting financing solutions tailored to each client’s unique goals.

Whether you’re purchasing, refinancing, renovating or building from the ground up, our extensive network of lenders ensures you’ll find funding that aligns with your goals and cash flow needs.

Here’s what sets us apart:

  • We save you time by researching and identifying the best funding options for your project.
  • Our expertise spans various loan products—including non-recourse loans, SBA loans, bridge loans, and conventional financing—so you can navigate even the most complex transactions confidently.
  • Beyond lending, we provide strategic guidance on operational decisions that drive long-term business success.

Orlando skyline

Bridge Financing for Orlando Hotel

An Orlando client faced a serious loan concern and needed immediate bridge financing. His loan was facing a maturity and the current lender was not interested in refinancing.

Rick Patel, GRP Capital President noted, “Several of our recent hospitality clients are experiencing similar circumstances. The hospitality lending scene is changing and constricting actually. Lenders’ appetite for hospitality is shifting. Certain lenders’ “hospitality buckets” are filling quickly while other lenders are showing greater interest in hospitality. What we provide for our clients, including this one, is industry knowledge. That means we know which lenders to turn to for financing, including bridge financing.”

The bridge financing paid off the previous loan and also provided some needed working capital.

Bridge Financing Basics

  • A bridge loan creates a bridge between a project that requires funds and the necessary financing.
  • Bridge financing is temporary.
  • Obtaining a bridge loan allows the loan to close quickly; therefore you can create the time you need to secure permanent financing solutions.
  • These interim loans often have short term higher interest rates. The borrower understands this is the cost of interim funding.

Reasons for Bridge Financing:

  • Need for immediate closing due to seller demands.
  • Lender Dropout! The lender stops the process during underwriting, putting the entire loan in jeopardy.
  • Quick closing requirements, as buyer wants to use 1031 funds.
  • Buyer demand: The buyer has to have this property and it has to close now! Sometimes our clients will see an underperforming property that has just come on the market. Or they have had their eye on a competing business and knew they wanted to purchase it if it were for sale. These buyers are seriously motivated!
  • Competitive bidding: sellers will often entertain multiple bids from multiple buyers. Being able to close quickly may seal the deal.
  • Our clients may want to use SBA (Small Business Association) guaranteed loans or HUD (Housing and Urban Development) loans or Department of Agriculture loans (for rural properties). These government backed loans take a little longer to close. Clients who use bridge lending can close quickly and then refinance the loan through these agencies.
  • Businesses that need to stabilize. We have many clients who are very talented owners and managers. But new businesses can be risky and lenders can be risk-averse. If borrowers take possession of a business, turn it around and stabilize it, their business can be more attractive to lenders in the near future.

Why Choose GRP Capital?

Our GRP Capital team specializes in crafting financing solutions tailored to each client’s unique goals.

Whether you’re purchasing, refinancing, renovating or building from the ground up, our extensive network of lenders ensures you’ll find funding that aligns with your goals and cash flow needs.

Here’s what sets us apart:

  • We save you time by researching and identifying the best funding options for your project.
  • Our expertise spans various loan products—including non-recourse loans, SBA loans, bridge loans, and conventional financing—so you can navigate even the most complex transactions confidently.
  • Beyond lending, we provide strategic guidance on operational decisions that drive long-term business success.

New Mexico Native American art

New Mexico Hotel Refi Offers Low Rates

GRP Capital New Mexico hotel owners secured financing that offered market-best low rates.

Ryan Dumas and the GRP Capital team worked very diligently with this client group. The partners really had one overarching goal: securing lower rates. Their current note had a high interest rate. Therefore, their new loan needed to show significant savings. An SBA 504 loan was the best choice for them. It offered stable, low rates. More importantly, the SBA guarantee made the loan more attractive to lenders.

Senior Associate Ryan Dumas reflected on the path to get the loan closed. “Our clients are experienced in this marketplace. However, New Mexico is a smaller market. We needed the SBA to help support this loan in order to entice a lender. I was thrilled that this new loan is a full 3 points lower than the clients’ previous mortgage. They will be saving serious money, which they can use personally or professionally. They will continue to be a significant employer and business in their small town.”

Using an SBA 504 to Access Low Rates

  • GRP Capital has connections with multiple CDC’s across the nation and the lenders who are interested in 504 loans.
  • The 504 program requires utilizing a Certified Development Company (CDC). The CDC is SBA’s community-based nonprofit partners who promote economic development within their communities. CDCs are certified and regulated by SBA.
  • The SBA 504 structure guarantees loans, so that lenders face lower risks.
  • We are very careful to ensure sufficient SBA eligibility prior to choosing a loan vehicle. If you have any questions about what this means, please contact us.
  • In many marketplaces, the SBA guaranteed loans are competitive with conventional loans.
  • SBA loans may often be the best bet for achieving lower interest rates.

Contact Ryan if you are considering SBA funding, 504 Loans, Green Loans or any other loan products.

Our GRP Capital team specializes in finding the right lender for each project. We save our clients time and money, as we research the best choices for their funding sources. Our experience allows our clients to find funding that is project-appropriate and will allow for sufficient cash flow. Whether you are looking to refinance, purchase or engage in construction, we would love to discuss your business plans with you. If you are considering becoming a first-time (or second or third time!) buyer, we can assist you.

Third Beach Hotel Buy

Ryan Dumas and the GRP Capital team are very happy to have closed another Carolina beach hotel loan. Our clients decided to embark on an SBA 504 loan, utilizing the Green program. They will be adding solar panels to their hotel, reducing electric consumption and bills.

Senior Associate Ryan Dumas and our entire team collaborated with our very motivated clients to get this somewhat complex loan closed.

Ryan, who has now closed three loans with this client, stated:

I really value this client group and was so happy that they came to me for a third time to find financing. The lead borrower has a lot of knowledge about this resort community. Of course, he is an excellent hotelier. It was critical to place this loan with the SBA 504 Green Program. When you use the Green program, it preserves eligibility. Since the partners have other SBA loans, they didn’t max out with this loan. And now they are installing solar panels, which are ideal for sunny climates. Even more importantly, this kept the loan affordable, as the partners have other future business deals in mind.

Advantages of the Green Program for a Beach Hotel

  • There are certain limits to an SBA 504 loan. However, utilizing a Green Loan does not “count against” your eligibility.
  • Green Loans can be used to reduce energy costs and to utilize renewable energy. A sunny and/or windy location near a beach is perfectly situated.
  • We are very careful to ensure sufficient SBA eligibility prior to choosing a loan vehicle. If you have any questions about what this means, please contact us.
  • The 504 program requires utilizing a Certified Development Company (CDC). The CDC is SBA’s community-based nonprofit partners who promote economic development within their communities. CDCs are certified and regulated by SBA.
  • GRP Capital has connections with multiple CDC’s across the nation and the lenders who are interested in 504 loans.

Contact our team if you are considering SBA funding, 504 Loans, Green Loans or any other loan products. We can help you determine the right mix of loan types for all of your business financing needs.

Our GRP Capital team specializes in finding the right lender for each project. We save our clients time and money, as we research the best choices for their funding sources. Our experience allows our clients to find funding that is project-appropriate and will allow for sufficient cash flow. Whether you are looking to refinance, purchase or engage in construction, we would love to discuss your business plans with you. If you are considering becoming a first-time (or second or third time!) buyer, we can assist you.

Partner Group Buys New York Hotel

The New York hotel marketplace can be complex. Real estate taxes and procedures can be complicated with commercial real estate deals. But our clients were ready to purchase a New York hotel. They perceived that the state has largely bounced back from COVID, especially upstate.

Working closely with our entire team, they purchased the hotel and are ready to take advantage of summer high season. Our clients selected SBA financing for their loan. As a result, our team needed to be nimble, especially with changes in the SBA administration. Everybody was particularly mindful of the rules for SBA eligibility.

Senior Associate Ryan Dumas was excited to close this loan. He remarked:

My clients were ready to purchase this upstate New York hotel and have a good handle on this specific market. An SBA loan was the best loan vehicle for them. However, we were all aware of changes in the SBA. We had to make changes to the loan details a couple of times, but I was thrilled to get this across the finish line. I know my clients will own and manage this property in ways that maximize revenue, while keeping an eye on expenses.

Is an SBA Loan in Your Future?

  • The Small Business Association (SBA) has multiple loan programs and guarantees. They each have their own eligibility standards.
  • SBA loans may be the best choice for certain markets and for certain types of hospitality properties, especially hotels with external corridors.
  • Because of changes to SBA staffing and increased scrutiny of non citizen partners, borrowers should be aware that the SBA approval can take three to four weeks, in addition to lender underwriting and approval. (These can happen simultaneously.)
  • SBA also limits the amount of SBA debt each guarantor can have. This debt load does not include prior EIDL’s (Economic Injury Disaster Loans).

Contact our team if you are considering SBA funding or any other loan products. We can help you determine the right mix of loan types for all of your business financing needs.

Our GRP Capital team specializes in finding the right lender for each project. We save our clients time and money, as we research the best choices for their funding sources. Our experience allows our clients to find funding that is project-appropriate and will allow for sufficient cash flow. Whether you are looking to refinance, purchase or engage in construction, we would love to discuss your business plans with you. If you are considering becoming a first-time (or second or third time!) buyer, we can assist you.

Georgia hotel courtyard in Marietta

Georgia Hotel Owners Secure Triple Success!

Our clients, Georgia hotel owners of three independent properties, achieved an impressive trifecta by closing three loans all within 36 days of each other. Working closely with our entire team, they refinanced two loans and closed a new one, freeing up SBA eligibility, and unlocking new opportunities.

The outcome was impressive: two refinanced conventional loans and the successful purchase of a new Georgia hotel. Additionally, they were able to restructure their ownership simultaneously.

Senior Associate Ryan Dumas expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating:

My clients possess a deep knowledge of the Georgia hotel market. I’m thrilled that we matched them with a lender who shares their vision for independent hotels. The lender’s flexibility in incorporating all three properties into the deal was key. Because of this, the clients’ loans have extremely favorable rates and the most stable financing available.

What is SBA Eligibility and How Did it Affect These Georgia Hotels?

  • The Small Business Association (SBA) has multiple loan programs and guarantees. They each have their own eligibility standards.
  • This Georgia hotel took advantage of the SBA 7(a) program. There are also 504 loans and subsets of those which include Green loans.
  • SBA 7(a) loans have an upper limit, typically $5,000,000.
  • SBA also limits the amount of SBA debt each guarantor can have. In this instance, moving other loans out of the SBA program freed up eligibility. This debt load does not include prior EIDL’s (Economic Injury Disaster Loans).

Is your project a good fit for an SBA loan or combining an SBA loan with other loan types?

  • What is the size of the loan or loans you are needing?
  • Who will be guaranteeing your loans?
  • Do the guarantors have other SBA debt? If so, how much?
  • What interest rates and terms do you have on loans you are wanting to finance?
  • What interest rates and terms match your budgeting needs and your business plans?

Contact our team if you are considering SBA funding or questioning your eligibility. We can help you figure out the right mix of loan types for all of your business financing needs.

Our GRP Capital team specializes in finding the right lender for each project. We save our clients time and money, as we research the best choices for their funding sources. Our experience allows our clients to find funding that is project-appropriate and will allow for sufficient cash flow. Whether you are looking to refinance, purchase or engage in construction, we would love to discuss your business plans with you. If you are considering becoming a first-time (or second or third time!) buyer, we can assist you.

Dallas skyline for Texas Hotel

Texas Hotel Owner Buys in Dallas Suburbs

Our client is a new owner of a Texas hotel, situated in a prosperous Dallas suburb.

Senior Associate Ryan Dumas and the rest of the GRP Capital Team helped get this loan over the finish line. Our Texas hotel owner was using 1033 exchange funds. As a result, there was a strict timeline. Ryan noted, “Hospitality acquisitions aren’t always easy these days. There are some specific components of hospitality loans that can slow things down. We worked hard to make sure nothing pushed us past the deadline. We were very aware of the tax savings for our client. We were particularly pleased that our lender was prepared to close in 32 days.”

Nearly every borrower wants their loan to close right away, and we try to accommodate. But exchanges like a 1031 or 1033 are special circumstances.

What Can You do to Close Your Loan More Quickly?

  • Start working on your insurance immediately. The economics of the insurance business are very tenuous right now. Particularly in flood and wind-prone areas (including a Texas hotel), nailing down insurance is critical. As soon as you are in the market for a loan, contact your trusted insurance agent. Obtain quotes.
  • Finalize your insurance decision. We understand wanting to save money. But getting your insurance finalized takes more than a day. When you have quotes, make a decision! Bind the insurance! Your loan papers cannot be signed without existing, bound coverage.
  • Communicate with your franchise if applicable. Find out when your agreement will be executed and released. Lenders require executed documents in escrow or on hand to close.
  • Survey? If the survey looks like it was handwritten by somebody in the 1970’s, the lender or title may likely require a new one. We have a network of third party vendors and can suggest a good surveying company to update or create a survey.
  • Hire an attorney. Commercial loans are a big undertaking. Attorneys can save you time and money.
  • Make sure your personal and business files are in good order and ready to submit. File your taxes, obtain updated financials, be able to produce business statistics.

Previous closing using 1031/1033 exchanges

Our GRP Capital team specializes in finding the right lender for each project. We save our clients time and money, as we research the best choices for their funding sources. Our experience allows our clients to find funding that is project-appropriate and will allow for sufficient cash flow. Whether you are looking to refinance, purchase or engage in construction, we would love to discuss your business plans with you. If you are considering becoming a first-time (or second or third time!) buyer, we can assist you.