Education
Browse our education on commercial real estate financing.
Education Articles
46 articles · Page 1 of 2
How to Calculate Cap Rate on Any Property
Learn how to calculate cap rate step by step with the NOI formula, worked examples for apartments, retail, and office buildings, plus common mistakes to avoid.
Cap Rate Formula: How to Calculate Capitalization Rate
Learn the cap rate formula and how to calculate capitalization rate for commercial real estate. Includes worked examples, NOI breakdown, and deal analysis tips.
How to Value a Commercial Property: 3 Methods Explained
Learn how to value a commercial property using the income, sales comparison, and cost approaches. Step-by-step examples with real numbers for each method.
SBA 504 vs 7(a) Loans: Which Is Right for Your Business?
SBA 504 loans offer 10% down for real estate while 7(a) provides flexible funds up to $5M. Compare rates, terms, down payments, and uses side by side.
Commercial Loan Prepayment Penalties Explained
Prepayment penalties on commercial loans range from 1% step-downs to full defeasance costing 5-10% of the balance. Compare all four types and negotiate.
LTV vs LTC in Commercial Real Estate: How Lenders Size Your Loan
LTV caps your loan at a percentage of property value while LTC limits it based on total project cost. Learn when each applies and how they affect proceeds.
Defeasance in Real Estate: Costs, Process, and When It Makes Sense
Defeasance lets you exit a CMBS or agency loan early by substituting Treasury securities. Learn the process, typical costs, and alternatives to consider.
Debt Yield in Commercial Real Estate: What Lenders Look For
Debt yield measures NOI against total loan amount, and most lenders require 8-12%. Learn how to calculate it, why it matters, and how it affects your loan.
What Is a REIT? How Real Estate Investment Trusts Work
Learn what a REIT is, how real estate investment trusts work, the types of REITs, dividend yields, tax rules, and how to start investing in REITs.
Cash on Cash Return: What It Is and How to Calculate It
Learn how to calculate cash on cash return for real estate investments. Covers the formula, worked examples, benchmarks, and leverage effects.
Cap Rate: What It Is and Why Investors Use It
Learn what cap rate means, how to calculate it using NOI and property value, what good cap rates look like by property type, and how lenders use them in 2025.
Recourse vs Non-Recourse Loans: Which Is Right for Your Deal?
Recourse loans put your personal assets at risk while non-recourse loans protect them. Learn which CRE loan structure fits your deal and how lenders decide
First-Time Commercial Real Estate Investor Guide 2026
New to commercial real estate investing? Learn how to evaluate deals, choose the right financing, structure your entity, and avoid first-timer mistakes.
How to Build a Commercial Loan Package
Building a commercial loan package? Get the complete document checklist, learn what lenders look for, and avoid the mistakes that delay your approval.
Mezzanine Debt vs Preferred Equity for CRE
Not sure whether mezzanine debt or preferred equity fits your deal? Compare costs, legal rights, and capital stack positioning for smarter gap financing.
Commercial Real Estate Risk Assessment Guide
Learn how to identify, evaluate, and mitigate the 9 key categories of CRE investment risk. Build a risk-adjusted return framework for property investors.
Operating Expense Analysis for Commercial Real Estate
Learn to analyze commercial real estate operating expenses with expert benchmarking methods, expense ratio data, and proven cost reduction strategies.
Comparable Sales Analysis for Commercial Real Estate
Learn how to find and analyze comparable sales for commercial property valuation. Covers key data sources, adjustment factors, and PSF analysis methods.
Title and Survey Due Diligence Guide
Discover how CRE investors review title commitments, ALTA surveys, and lien searches before closing. Complete step by step due diligence guide inside.
Commercial Property Inspection Checklist 2026
Master your commercial property inspection checklist. Covers structural, mechanical, and safety systems plus deferred maintenance and CapEx budgeting.
Commercial Real Estate Market Analysis Guide
Learn how to conduct commercial real estate market analysis. Covers absorption rates, vacancy trends, rent growth, and using market data in CRE deals.
Commercial Real Estate Pro Forma Guide
Build a commercial real estate pro forma with our free template. Covers NOI, cap rate, cash-on-cash return, and IRR calculations for any property type.
CRE Due Diligence Checklist 2026: 47-Point Buyer's Guide
Follow this 47-point commercial real estate due diligence checklist covering financial, physical, legal, and environmental reviews before closing.
Tenant Estoppel Certificate Guide
Learn what tenant estoppel certificates contain, why CRE lenders require them, and how to navigate the request process to avoid costly closing delays.
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