Commercial Real Estate Loans in Boston, MA in Boston, MA
Introduction
Commercial real estate loans provide essential capital for acquiring, refinancing, and developing income-producing properties throughout the Greater Boston metropolitan area. From historic office buildings in the Financial District to modern logistics facilities in the suburbs, commercial properties form the backbone of the region's economy. Our commercial lending programs serve investors who need speed, flexibility, and certainty that traditional banks cannot provide in today's regulated environment.
Boston's commercial real estate market reflects the city's evolution from traditional manufacturing and shipping center to global hub for technology, biotechnology, education, and financial services. This transformation has created diverse opportunities across property types, lab space in Cambridge's Kendall Square, creative offices in the Seaport District, medical facilities near the Longwood Medical Area, and retail centers serving affluent suburban communities. Each segment has unique financing requirements, tenant profiles, and risk characteristics that demand specialized lending expertise.
Our commercial loan programs address the realities of modern commercial real estate investing. Bank regulations have made conventional commercial financing increasingly difficult to obtain, with lengthy approval processes, rigid debt service coverage requirements, and conservative valuations that often don't reflect actual property potential. Hard money commercial loans bridge this gap, providing capital based on property fundamentals and investor experience rather than bureaucratic checklists. For value-add opportunities, distressed acquisitions, or time-sensitive deals, our financing enables transactions that would otherwise be impossible.
Applications
Office property financing represents a significant portion of our commercial lending activity. Boston's office market spans historic buildings in downtown locations, Class A towers in the Financial District, converted mill buildings in emerging neighborhoods, and suburban office parks in Waltham, Burlington, and Route 128 corridor communities. We finance acquisitions of stabilized properties with existing tenant cash flows, value-add opportunities requiring renovation and re-leasing, and repositioning projects that transform obsolete buildings into modern competitive space.
Retail property loans support investors acquiring shopping centers, strip malls, single-tenant retail buildings, and mixed-use properties with ground-floor retail throughout Greater Boston. The retail sector has experienced significant disruption, creating both challenges and opportunities. We work with experienced retail investors who understand local market dynamics and can identify properties with strong underlying fundamentals despite temporary vacancies or tenant issues. Our loans enable acquisitions of distressed retail assets, refinancing of maturing debt, and renovation projects that reposition properties for success.
Industrial and warehouse properties have emerged as particularly attractive investments given the growth of e-commerce and logistics demand. Boston's constrained industrial land supply and strategic East Coast location create favorable supply-demand dynamics for well-located warehouse facilities. We finance acquisitions of distribution centers, last-mile delivery facilities, manufacturing buildings, and flex space throughout the metropolitan area. These properties often require immediate capital to secure competitive deals, and our rapid approval process gives investors the speed to win bidding situations.
Mixed-use developments combining residential, commercial, and retail components require sophisticated financing that addresses multiple income streams and regulatory considerations. From urban projects in Boston's South End and Jamaica Plain to suburban town center developments in Natick and Lexington, mixed-use properties demand lenders who understand the complexity of these assets. Our experience with Boston-area mixed-use projects enables us to structure loans that accommodate construction phasing, tenant fit-out requirements, and the extended timelines these developments often require.
Common Challenges
Commercial property valuation presents unique challenges in Boston's diverse market. Unlike residential properties with comparable sales data readily available, commercial assets require sophisticated analysis of income streams, tenant credit quality, lease terms, and market positioning. Cap rates vary dramatically by property type, location, and market cycle position. Our underwriting team brings deep commercial valuation expertise, enabling accurate assessments that support appropriate leverage while protecting against overvaluation.
Tenant rollover and vacancy risks create ongoing uncertainty for commercial investors. Major tenant departures can dramatically impact property cash flow and value, particularly in single-tenant or small multi-tenant buildings. Boston's competitive leasing market requires active property management and tenant retention efforts. Our loan structures account for these risks through appropriate debt service coverage requirements, reserve requirements for tenant improvements and leasing commissions, and loan terms that align with lease expiration schedules.
Environmental and regulatory compliance adds complexity and cost to commercial property ownership. Boston's older building stock often contains asbestos, lead paint, or other hazardous materials requiring professional remediation. Historic district designations, environmental contamination, and zoning non-conformities can limit property use or require expensive compliance measures. Our due diligence process identifies these issues early, and we work with borrowers to structure loans that accommodate necessary remediation without derailing transactions.
Our Approach
Our commercial lending begins with comprehensive property and market analysis that goes far beyond simple financial ratios. We evaluate location fundamentals, competitive positioning, tenant mix, lease structures, and physical condition to build a complete picture of asset quality and risk profile. This thorough underwriting enables us to make informed lending decisions and structure loans appropriate to each property's unique characteristics.
We maintain flexibility in loan structuring to accommodate the diverse needs of commercial real estate investors. Loan terms, amortization schedules, prepayment structures, and collateral requirements can all be customized based on property type, investment strategy, and borrower preferences. This bespoke approach contrasts with the one-size-fits-all products offered by many conventional lenders and enables us to finance transactions that don't fit standard templates.
Relationship-focused service distinguishes our commercial lending practice. We recognize that commercial real estate investing involves ongoing challenges and opportunities beyond the initial transaction. Our loan officers maintain long-term relationships with clients, providing financing for portfolio growth, refinancing as market conditions change, and strategic advice based on our broad market perspective. Many of our commercial borrowers have worked with us across multiple transactions and years of market cycles.
Related Services
Service Areas
Our commercial lending covers all of Greater Boston including prime downtown locations, suburban office markets along Route 128 and I-495, retail corridors in Cambridge and Somerville, and industrial areas in Chelsea, Everett, and South Boston. We understand the distinct characteristics of each submarket and adjust our underwriting accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of commercial properties do you finance?
We finance all major commercial property types including office buildings, retail centers, industrial warehouses, mixed-use developments, medical facilities, hospitality properties, and special-purpose buildings. Properties can be stabilized with existing cash flow, value-add opportunities requiring renovation or re-leasing, or development projects. We do not finance owner-occupied properties where the borrower's business occupies the majority of space.
What loan-to-value ratios are available for commercial properties?
We typically offer loan-to-value ratios of 65-75% for stabilized commercial properties, with lower leverage for value-add or development projects. The exact LTV depends on property type, location, cash flow stability, and market conditions. Prime properties in Boston's core markets may qualify for higher leverage, while secondary locations or properties with vacancy challenges may require more equity. We focus on debt service coverage and overall deal fundamentals rather than applying rigid LTV maximums.
How quickly can you close a commercial real estate loan?
Most commercial loans close in 2-4 weeks from complete application, with expedited closings possible for time-sensitive transactions. The timeline depends on property complexity, due diligence requirements, and title work completion. Simple refinance transactions on stabilized properties can close most quickly, while complex acquisitions or properties requiring environmental assessment may take longer. We provide clear timelines upfront and work aggressively to meet critical deadlines.
Do you offer non-recourse commercial loans?
We offer both recourse and limited recourse loan structures depending on property quality, leverage level, and borrower strength. Lower-leverage loans on high-quality stabilized properties may qualify for non-recourse or carve-out recourse structures. Higher-leverage or value-add loans typically require full recourse. We evaluate each transaction individually and can discuss recourse options as part of our initial term sheet.
What documentation is required for commercial loan approval?
Required documentation includes property financial statements (rent rolls, operating statements, lease abstracts), borrower financial information, purchase agreements or refinancing terms, environmental reports, property condition assessments, and title documentation. For value-add or development projects, we also require business plans, construction budgets, and market studies. We provide detailed checklists early in the process to ensure efficient document collection and review.
