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Commercial transactions scuttled by tight lending policies
Deals involving small businesses hardest hit

by Jeb Bing

Although commercial real estate markets showed signs of recovery in 2011, commercial lending standards have tightened in the past year for small businesses and scuttled a major portion of contracted transactions for smaller properties, according to the National Association of Realtors annual Commercial Real Estate 2012 Lending Survey.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said there is a significant split in commercial lending depending on value.

"This is very much a tale of two markets," he said. "There have been notable improvements in capital for large commercial transactions valued at $2.5 million or higher, but there remain significant challenges for small business.

"Our Realtor members typically are involved in helping commercial clients with purchases under $2 million, where a lack of capital has caused two out of three respondents to report deals have fallen through," Yun added. "Given that most jobs are created through small business, the lack of capital is hurting small businesses and the overall economic recovery."

According to Real Capital Analytics, more than 13,000 major properties valued at $2.5 million or higher traded hands in 2011. Sales volume increased 51% over 2010 to $205.8 billion, with the lion's share of lending funds coming from big banks. Other funding sources include insurance companies and institutional investors.

By contrast, the NAR survey shows that small business transactions rely heavily on smaller regional and local banks, and small private investors, for lending capital.

Respondents indicate nearly 30% of smaller commercial properties are purchased with cash, reflecting the tight credit environment, and some are seller financed. "When credit is tight, cash is king," Yun added.

The most common types of property transactions referenced in the survey were multifamily, land, warehouse, suburban office and retail strip centers. Other property types include industrial flex space, central business district office, freestanding retail, and restaurants.

Realtors report the system is clogged with property that must be sold or refinanced, which is significantly impacting the recovery. Long-time investors who never had a problem getting a loan in the past are now being declined.

More than half of respondents say lending is just as stringent as a year ago, while 23% say it is more stringent; 20% say it is less stringent but not near historical averages. Members also complained about banks being over-regulated, and refinancing being denied due to stringent internal lender underwriting requirements or low appraisal valuations.

Thirty-six percent of Realtors said clients used the Small Business Administration commercial refinance program, but of those who didn't, 45% said it was due to burdensome application and reporting requirements.