Offices in Texas are Going Green and Texas Commercial Loans are Available for These Projects

More offices in Texas are going green than ever before, in part due to the Millennial generation. Because of their popularity, a variety of Texas commercial loans are available for these types of projects.

In 2018, San Antonio will be home to the Cavender Office Project, a 140,000 sq. ft. office development that is calling itself a sustainable and walkable urban project. It will include 125,000 sq. ft. of office space and 15,000 sq. ft. of retail space and is considered, in some ways, the first of its kind in Texas. Instead of using traditional steel and concrete material, they will be using timber to construct much of the building and create a walkable area between old and new buildings.

Creating sustainable office space has been on the rise. Much of this is due to the Millennials—the generation that is roughly defined as those that were born between 1977 and 1995—who have surpassed the baby boomers to become the largest population in the U.S. workforce. This generation typically looks for businesses that give back to their community and have a social conscious. They consider a balanced life first and foremost and appreciate companies that place health and fitness as an integral part of their employee’s amenities, including a healthy workplace. They are, ever so gently, changing the face of America’s office and corporate structure.

You could say that the “green scene” is taking over Texas as well, at least parts of Texas. St. Edward’s University in Austin is committed to maintaining a sustainable campus and to this end was built with eco-friendly construction material. Watters Creek, a mixed-use development in Allen, Texas incorporated a large creek-side village green and is LEED certified which means that is has incorporated sustainable practices in the building of the development including the use of eco-friendly construction materials and maintaining a good indoor-air quality through ventilation and use of low VOC materials.

When Swinerton Builders, a company in Austin, Texas, decided to relocate, it opted to create an office environment with the goal of achieving LEED Gold certification. In order to accomplish this, it was built with reclaimed oak, hemlock and pine and contains furniture with recycled content. All lighting is LED and all finish materials are low VOC. The large windows allow natural light to diffuse through them and the open space aesthetics provides the kind of work environment that promotes interaction. Because of their popularity, there are several possibilities when obtaining Texas commercial loans for these types of projects.

Obtaining LEED Certification

If you’re considering getting into the lucrative real estate development known as sustainable office buildings, getting your buildings LEED certified is a step in the right direction. There are five areas to consider when obtaining this certification: the use of sustainable, eco-friendly materials for construction, the use of energy efficient lighting and HVAC systems, indoor air quality and use of windows for diffuse lighting as well as water conservation mechanisms.

Financial benefits include tax incentives, availability of Texas commercial loans, and tenants that will pay extra for a “green” building.

If you’re looking for funding for your next sustainable project, consider Level 4 Funding. We are private investors that provide hard money asset-based loans to developers, businesses, contractors and home owners. Contact us for a no-obligation quote. We may just be the key to the Texas commercial loan that you require for your next office building. Many find that when banks have said “No” we are able to say “Yes.”

Dennis Dahlberg
Broker/RI/CEO/MLO
Level 4 Funding LLC  Private Hard Money Lender
Arizona Tel:  (623) 582-4444
Texas Tel:      (512) 516-1177
Dennis@level4funding.com NMLS 1057378 | AZMB 0923961 | MLO 1057378
22601 N 19th Ave Suite 112 | Phoenix | AZ | 85027
111 Congress Ave |Austin | Texas | 78701

About the Author:  Dennis has been working in the real estate industry in some capacity for the last 40 years. He purchased his first property when he was just 18 years old. He quickly learned about the amazing investment opportunities provided by trust deed investing and hard money loans. His desire to help others make money in real estate investing led him to specialize in alternative funding for real estate investors who may have trouble getting a traditional bank loan. Dennis is passionate about alternative funding sources and sharing his knowledge with others to help make their dreams come true. Dennis has been married to his wonderful wife for 42 years. They have 2 beautiful daughters 5 amazing grandchildren. Dennis has been an Arizona resident for the past 40 years.

Technorati Tags: commercial loans,commercial lending,commercial mortgage

Markets that are Ripe for Real Estate Investments and Texas Commercial Mortgages

Several markets have not completely recovered following the subprime mortgage crisis, many of which are ripe for commercial investment opportunities. Know what to look for and how to find the right market for your next real estate investment and how to obtain a Texas commercial mortgage.

As a real estate investor, finding markets with potential and knowing what markets are ripe for growth are a few of the main strategies when creating a growing and valuable portfolio. While values have continued to rise following the subprime mortgage crisis, some markets are slower in coming around than others. The question real estate investors then ask themselves: Are these markets going to return to their former glory and is it time to invest in these undervalued markets? In light of the fact that many markets have surpassed their previous values, chances are good. According to Real Capital Analytics, major metro areas have seen the greatest increase and are over 50 percent higher than they were just 10 years ago.

The areas that are slow in making a comeback include Las Vegas, Sarasota, Sacramento and Orlando. These areas offer favorable pricing and possible greater returns on investments, but at some risk. Investors look at the various areas in the following categories in order to determine the risk versus reward: job and population growth, surrounding communities, demand versus supply and demographics. Buying at the right time is a critical part of success as a real estate investor. In order to maximize your ROI in these types of markets consider looking for the following types of properties: bank-foreclosed and absentee-owners that may consider selling once approached.

While due diligence is required, when a property hits the market that’s priced right and is in an up-and-coming neighborhood, multiple investors will most likely have their eye on it. Quick action in these cases and having a readily available Texas commercial mortgage often determines who the lucky investor is as many people will take the first offer especially if they know there is a time constraint to the acceptance or rejection. On the other hand, owners who have properties that have been on the market for some time are often willing to accept a discounted offer just to get out from under the property and real estate taxes.

Cash Flow

Know your market including typical rents and whether they will cover your mortgage and expenses. To find positive cash flow you need to find affordable multiunit properties, motivated sellers that are willing to accept a reduced offer, and affordable areas in terms of pricing and median household incomes. In addition, look for communities that do not rely on just one industry for economic growth. An example of this is the rise and fall of Detroit due to the automobile industry or one of the many towns in Texas that counted on the oil and gas industry before the fall of prices.

At Level 4 Funding we work with many investors helping them find the Texas commercial mortgages they need as they build their portfolio.

We provide investment, fix & flip, bridge, commercial, business, construction and cash-out private hard money loans. Loans are preapproved in as little as 24 hours in amounts from $50,000 to $50,000,000. Call us today for a no-obligation quote on your next Texas commercial mortgage.

Dennis Dahlberg
Broker/RI/CEO/MLO
Level 4 Funding LLC  Private Hard Money Lender
Arizona Tel:  (623) 582-4444
Texas Tel:      (512) 516-1177
Dennis@level4funding.com NMLS 1057378 | AZMB 0923961 | MLO 1057378
22601 N 19th Ave Suite 112 | Phoenix | AZ | 85027
111 Congress Ave |Austin | Texas | 78701

About the Author:  Dennis has been working in the real estate industry in some capacity for the last 40 years. He purchased his first property when he was just 18 years old. He quickly learned about the amazing investment opportunities provided by trust deed investing and hard money loans. His desire to help others make money in real estate investing led him to specialize in alternative funding for real estate investors who may have trouble getting a traditional bank loan. Dennis is passionate about alternative funding sources and sharing his knowledge with others to help make their dreams come true. Dennis has been married to his wonderful wife for 42 years. They have 2 beautiful daughters 5 amazing grandchildren. Dennis has been an Arizona resident for the past 40 years.

Technorati Tags: commercial loans,commercial lending,commercial mortgage

Texas Commercial Mortgages Promote Going Green as a Real Estate Investment Model

As tenants become aware of the effects of the materials used in building on their health and well-being, many are turning to “green buildings” in order to minimize the impact. Multifamily units, single-family homes and office and retail developments are answering the need by becoming certified in WELL and LEED, and Texas commercial mortgages are becoming available for these types of properties.

The International WELL Building Institute has created an alignment with WELL and LEED in order to offer dual certification to those interested in building green projects. This streamlined approach has led to reduced documentation as well as less time and cost when obtaining certification. WELL focuses on creating healthy indoor spaces. There are seven areas that are incompassed and these include: light, air, water, fitness, nourishment, comfort and mind. LEED focuses on not only homes and buildings but communities as well with construction and operation that leads to a healthy environment.

According to EPA, indoor pollutants are two to five times higher than outside levels. This increased level of toxicity can lead to an increase in respiratory disease as well as autoimmune responses. In order to minimize these potential physical challenges, developers and investors are creating buildings and renovating existing sites that are built with green products and materials that are low emitters of indoor air contaminants such as volatile organic compounds. Materials are given time to “outgas” before tenants take residence. HVAC systems are in place that bring the outdoor air in and a ventilation system is created in order to keep moisture to a minimum. Natural lighting is considered when designing windows allowing for uniform daylight throughout rooms.

Developers are finding that these types of construction create a positive financial impact not only by increased demand but also by increasing tenant health. In Brooklyn, Blue Sea Development’s first LEED Platinum building—The Eltona in South Bronx—provides eco-friendly and affordable housing. One interesting side effect was that this building experienced a lower rent delinquency due to medical reasons than their other buildings. According to an article in Apartmentality, “Blue Sea hopes its latest project, Ocean Hill-Brownsville’s Prospect Plaza will provide a model for affordable housing, showing that healthier buildings lead to healthier residents and better financial outcomes for developers.” Lenders are taking notice, making Texas commercial mortgages for these types of properties available.

Green Building Incentives

In order to encourage green building, various incentives such as grants and tax incentives have been created on the regional and national level. Benefits also include programs that offer reduced Texas commercial mortgage rates for environmental purchases and gap financing.

At Level 4 Funding, we work with hundreds of private investors, many of whom are interested in green building projects for both residences and office buildings.

Level 4 Funding offers residential hard money rates from 7.99 percent. We also offer construction loans as well as Texas commercial mortgages, residential, office, multifamily, warehouse, storage complex, student housing and raw land loans. Our bridge loans offer short-term capital that provides a “bridge” for individuals and companies from one asset to the next. Because our loans are asset-based and do not rely on credit scores or credit worthiness to the same degree that traditional lenders are bound by, we can often provide funding in less than a week.

Dennis Dahlberg
Broker/RI/CEO/MLO
Level 4 Funding LLC  Private Hard Money Lender
Arizona Tel:  (623) 582-4444
Texas Tel:      (512) 516-1177
Dennis@level4funding.com NMLS 1057378 | AZMB 0923961 | MLO 1057378
22601 N 19th Ave Suite 112 | Phoenix | AZ | 85027
111 Congress Ave |Austin | Texas | 78701

About the Author:  Dennis has been working in the real estate industry in some capacity for the last 40 years. He purchased his first property when he was just 18 years old. He quickly learned about the amazing investment opportunities provided by trust deed investing and hard money loans. His desire to help others make money in real estate investing led him to specialize in alternative funding for real estate investors who may have trouble getting a traditional bank loan. Dennis is passionate about alternative funding sources and sharing his knowledge with others to help make their dreams come true. Dennis has been married to his wonderful wife for 42 years. They have 2 beautiful daughters 5 amazing grandchildren. Dennis has been an Arizona resident for the past 40 years.

Technorati Tags: commercial loans,commercial lending,commercial mortgage

Risky Business: How To Minimize Risk With Your Commercial Real Estate Loan In Texas

The benefits of a successful real estate investment are many and varied. However, when you venture into property management with a commercial real estate loan, you are invariably taking on a great deal of risk as well. Managing the risks involved, especially in volatile markets like Texas, can greatly enhance your chances for success.

Commercial real estate and the investment in a commercial real estate loan can be very lucrative and rewarding experiences. However, there is a certain level of risk that an investor While commercial property investing can be risky in ways that are unforeseen to the first-time investor, there are ways to minimize the risk. But be warned. There is ALWAYS risk and you should be very wary of anyone who tries to tell you otherwise.

One of the biggest risks to commercial real estate loans and commercial property is the market as a whole. There are so many factors that play in to the success of a real estate market that it is virtually impossible to predict them all, however, a smart investor is going to stay up to speed on a variety of things that will indicate local economic strength. The strength of local businesses and multi-family housing units are a very good indicator of local economic strength and can give excellent insight into the demographic movements of specific areas. This is especially true when it comes to professionals in the leading industries of the region. In Texas specifically, the market can easily be judged based on the movement of professionals hired to work in the energy sector. As that industry goes, so does the majority of the market.

Another massive risk of a commercial property are structural improvements and construction. This might not seem like a risk at first, as many properties require improvements and renovations before they are able to be viable income generating properties, as well as ongoing improvements. Where this becomes a risk, however, is when costs and time are underestimated. This is a very common occurrence and is not something that many investors are equipped to deal with, especially when involving a commercial real estate loan that requires payment. It is safe to assume, with commercial construction, that very little will go according to the proposed timeline and you will have to adjust both your end date and your expectations.

Knowing these risks to my commercial property and commercial real estate loan, what is the best way to prepare myself?

Many of the risks of commercial investments can only be minimized by being properly prepared and well educated about the flows of the market. Those risks that are the largest are completely outside of the control of the investor. While this might be daunting and stressful, it is also incredibly rewarding, as such risks have a tendency to turn away those who are faint of heart. This leaves plenty of opportunities for those who are willing to take on some risk (calculated risk) for plenty of reward. When it comes to commercial real estate loans, nothing is a sure thing, but by educating yourself and protecting your property, you can minimize the lasting impact of an economic downturn.

Dennis Dahlberg
Broker/RI/CEO/MLO
Level 4 Funding LLC  Private Hard Money Lender
Arizona Tel:  (623) 582-4444
Texas Tel:      (512) 516-1177
Dennis@level4funding.com NMLS 1057378 | AZMB 0923961 | MLO 1057378
22601 N 19th Ave Suite 112 | Phoenix | AZ | 85027
111 Congress Ave |Austin | Texas | 78701

About the Author:  Dennis has been working in the real estate industry in some capacity for the last 40 years. He purchased his first property when he was just 18 years old. He quickly learned about the amazing investment opportunities provided by trust deed investing and hard money loans. His desire to help others make money in real estate investing led him to specialize in alternative funding for real estate investors who may have trouble getting a traditional bank loan. Dennis is passionate about alternative funding sources and sharing his knowledge with others to help make their dreams come true. Dennis has been married to his wonderful wife for 42 years. They have 2 beautiful daughters 5 amazing grandchildren. Dennis has been an Arizona resident for the past 40 years.

Technorati Tags: commercial loans,commercial lending,commercial mortgage

What Should I Look For In A Commercial Broker To Help With My Commercial Mortgage In Texas?

You don’t have the time or energy to pursue a commercial mortgage on your own. You know that you need the expertise and assistance of a professional commercial broker, but you don’t know where to start. Here is what you should be looking for in a professional broker.

Finding a commercial broker is easy. Finding a commercial broker that will be a good fit for you is not nearly as easy. In Texas, there are many firms and independent brokers that would happily take your contract and not do nearly as much work as you would like them to do finding an excellent commercial mortgage.

Many mortgage brokers are a part of larger firms. This not only allows them to reach more lenders, but also to give them access to greater resources. Finding the right firm and the right broker within that firm can feel daunting, however, you can make this process easier if you follow some simple steps to ensure that you find the right broker.

First is to examine the qualifications of the broker. This might seem like a no brainer, but many brokers have qualifications in areas that are not in the specific area that you might need. If you need a commercial mortgage for a multifamily housing unit, it really doesn’t matter if a broker is highly qualified in retail space. That is not what you need. So, do not be impressed by a list of qualifications, but instead be selective about a broker who has qualifications that will fit your specific needs.

In addition to qualifications, a broker’s area of expertise is important. This does not mean that a broker who has no specialization will not work for you. But it is important to know what type of deals a broker does the most of. This will give you a good indication of where they are the most successful. If you can find a broker that has both qualifications and the experience of success with a commercial mortgage in your real estate emphasis, that is an excellent start.

You will also want to make sure that your broker stays on top of the ever-changing financial world of mortgages and real estate development. A quick way to assess this is to ask what they do themselves, or what their firm provides, for continuing education. A broker that does not continually improve is a broker that is falling behind on current trends in the market.

What is the best way to find a qualified, hardworking commercial mortgage broker in Texas?

Even if you make sure that you are careful in looking for a broker, take your time and ask lots of questions, there is no guarantee. The best way to find a high-quality mortgage broker is through a referral from a friend or business associate who has worked with one before. In fact, this is the way that most decent mortgage brokers grow their business: through referrals. They know that if they work hard, meet the needs of their clients and are able to put together a list of satisfactory commercial mortgage options that they will receive excellent word of mouth. If you encounter a mortgage broker that does not worry about what his clients say, this is most likely a person that you are not going to want to deal with.

Dennis Dahlberg
Broker/RI/CEO/MLO
Level 4 Funding LLC  Private Hard Money Lender
Arizona Tel:  (623) 582-4444
Texas Tel:      (512) 516-1177
Dennis@level4funding.com NMLS 1057378 | AZMB 0923961 | MLO 1057378
22601 N 19th Ave Suite 112 | Phoenix | AZ | 85027
111 Congress Ave |Austin | Texas | 78701

About the Author:  Dennis has been working in the real estate industry in some capacity for the last 40 years. He purchased his first property when he was just 18 years old. He quickly learned about the amazing investment opportunities provided by trust deed investing and hard money loans. His desire to help others make money in real estate investing led him to specialize in alternative funding for real estate investors who may have trouble getting a traditional bank loan. Dennis is passionate about alternative funding sources and sharing his knowledge with others to help make their dreams come true. Dennis has been married to his wonderful wife for 42 years. They have 2 beautiful daughters 5 amazing grandchildren. Dennis has been an Arizona resident for the past 40 years.

Technorati Tags: commercial loans,commercial lending,commercial mortgage

Commercial Lending In Texas – Do I Need A Commercial Broker?

You have decided that you want to take advantage of some of the unique potential of the commercial lending market in Texas, but you are unsure of how to proceed. Maybe you like to do things for yourself and make it a learning process, or maybe you simply don’t have the time to do it yourself. If so, then you need to decide if it is in your best interest to hire a commercial broker.

Deciding whether or not to utilize a mortgage broker is a big decision and one that is entirely up to you as an individual and as a business owner. It is quite possible that a broker could make your commercial lending experience very easy, but there is also a chance that using one could cost you a significant amount of money.

When deciding whether you need a commercial broker or not, there are several things to consider. First, is the amount of time that you are willing to spend hunting down your own lenders. If this is a project that you would like to devote many hours to, on the phone and in person, speaking with lenders and setting up appointments, then using a commercial broker will not save you time. Maybe you even like this part of the process and do not mind spending the time to do it. However, if you do not want to spend the time to shop around to different banks and lending sources to track down the perfect commercial lending program for your needs, then hiring a commercial broker might be an excellent investment for you because of the time that you are bound to save.

Another deciding in factor is whether or not you are familiar with the commercial loan process in general. If this is your first time, it might not be a bad idea to get a recommendation from a colleague or mentor and work with a commercial broker. They will know much more than you do at this point. However, if you are experienced in this, and have a good handle on the process, then perhaps you don’t need one. If you have done many investments, then you might even have some preferred lenders to cut through some of the leg work.

If you have a unique situation, whether it be for qualifying, for the terms of the loan, or for something else, it also might be in your best interest to work with a commercial broker. Lenders want to get as many qualified loans out as possible and might not take the time necessary to hear your specific situation, unless you have a professional to advocate for you. Whether you decide to use a commercial broker or not is a decision only you can make, but there are many benefits to securing commercial lending in this manner.

What if I tried commercial lending in the past, but was not happy with the outcome?

If that is the case, that it is probably very important that you work with a broker if you are looking for another commercial loan. They will be able to find lenders to compare for you and you will have more choices than you did before. If you didn’t have a good experience the first time and you would like to try again, having a commercial broker as your advocate could drastically change your experience in commercial lending.

Dennis Dahlberg
Broker/RI/CEO/MLO
Level 4 Funding LLC  Private Hard Money Lender
Arizona Tel:  (623) 582-4444
Texas Tel:      (512) 516-1177
Dennis@level4funding.com NMLS 1057378 | AZMB 0923961 | MLO 1057378
22601 N 19th Ave Suite 112 | Phoenix | AZ | 85027
111 Congress Ave |Austin | Texas | 78701

About the Author:  Dennis has been working in the real estate industry in some capacity for the last 40 years. He purchased his first property when he was just 18 years old. He quickly learned about the amazing investment opportunities provided by trust deed investing and hard money loans. His desire to help others make money in real estate investing led him to specialize in alternative funding for real estate investors who may have trouble getting a traditional bank loan. Dennis is passionate about alternative funding sources and sharing his knowledge with others to help make their dreams come true. Dennis has been married to his wonderful wife for 42 years. They have 2 beautiful daughters 5 amazing grandchildren. Dennis has been an Arizona resident for the past 40 years.

Technorati Tags: commercial loans,commercial lending,commercial mortgage

Commercial Lending In Texas – What Can I Expect From A Commercial Broker?

Entering into a commercial real estate venture can be an intimidating decision. Whether you are looking to purchase your first property or are simply trying to scale up from what you already have, going at it alone might seem like a noble challenge, but with so much money on the line, it is often wise to seek the help of a broker in commercial lending.

The market of funding sources for property investors has been expanding and it will continue to do so as new and creative ways of funding commercial mortgages keep emerging for small business owners. As an individual, it can be a huge work load to try to stay on top of all of these various options, while still maintaining a small business. This is where a commercial broker could be of tremendous help to a potential borrower. This is not to say that a borrower should not spend a great deal of time learning what they can, it is a lot of money, but brokers know the commercial lending landscape better than anyone, especially in local markets like the one emerging in Texas.

So what exactly does a commercial broker do and what can a lender expect out of one? Essentially, a good commercial broker will have lots of experience in a large variety commercial lending options. This can be any property from a strip mall, to an office building to a multifamily housing unit, although each individual broker will most likely have an area of specialty.

A huge benefit of working with a commercial broker is that they have connections with a variety of lenders. This gives them a great deal of flexibility when searching for the best possible loan for a borrower. While some brokers only specialize in certain regions, this can actually be a benefit, as they will be able to guide a potential borrower to very specific lenders for very specific properties.

Typically, a commercial broker will take a borrower through the entire process of securing commercial lending. Sometimes this might mean that they even assist a borrower after the loan has been approved, if there are additional requirements. A broker will review a borrower’s financial needs and qualifications and then being “shopping” for a potential lender. Brokers will also help with finding appraisers for the property. However, one of the greatest aspects of working with a broker is that when all of the appraising and paperwork is done, they will present the borrower with a list of options to choose from. Compiling such a list as a small business owner going at it on their own would take an extensive amount of time and would most likely be incomplete, as a borrower is not going to have the same type of relationship with lenders as the broker. The borrower then simply chooses which option is best and the process moves forward.

How are commercial brokers paid on commercial lending in Texas?

Typically, brokers are paid from a percentage of the final loan amount. This can be anywhere from 1% to 5%, traditionally. While some brokers have an upfront fee, many do not, which is very beneficial for borrowers. Brokers also usually depend on referrals, rather than active recruitment, so it is in their best interest to do everything that they can to help you secure the best commercial lending option possible for a borrower.

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Dennis Dahlberg
Broker/RI/CEO/MLO
Level 4 Funding LLC  Private Hard Money Lender
Arizona Tel:  (623) 582-4444
Texas Tel:      (512) 516-1177
Dennis@level4funding.com NMLS 1057378 | AZMB 0923961 | MLO 1057378
22601 N 19th Ave Suite 112 | Phoenix | AZ | 85027
111 Congress Ave |Austin | Texas | 78701

About the Author:  Dennis has been working in the real estate industry in some capacity for the last 40 years. He purchased his first property when he was just 18 years old. He quickly learned about the amazing investment opportunities provided by trust deed investing and hard money loans. His desire to help others make money in real estate investing led him to specialize in alternative funding for real estate investors who may have trouble getting a traditional bank loan. Dennis is passionate about alternative funding sources and sharing his knowledge with others to help make their dreams come true. Dennis has been married to his wonderful wife for 42 years. They have 2 beautiful daughters 5 amazing grandchildren. Dennis has been an Arizona resident for the past 40 years.

Technorati Tags: commercial loans,commercial lending,commercial mortgage