Frequently Asked Questions
Your Capital, Your Timeline, Your Terms.
At Estates of Elysium, we connect investors and developers with fast, flexible funding nationwide and in select global markets. Here are answers to our most commonly asked questions across all loan types:
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to your bridge loan questions
Wondering about fees, eligible properties, or how bridge loans work in today’s market? Estates of Elysium breaks it all down for you. From deal structure to closing timelines, we provide clear answers to help you navigate your next real estate investment with confidence and clarity.
Q. How can you maximize your investment with bridge loans?
A. Tired of traditional bank delays and rigid financing? Our capital partners offer bridge loans with high leverage and full rehab funding, helping you purchase and renovate with confidence. Your credit profile, experience, and the property’s After-Repair Value (ARV) all factor into how much leverage you can access—giving you more flexibility to scale your real estate strategy.
Q. What should you know about the fees?
A. We prioritize fee transparency—no hidden charges, no prepayment penalties, and no unexpected exit costs. Our team walks you through every fee upfront so you can plan your project with clarity and protect your ROI from day one.
Q. What kind of service can you expect?
A. We’re known for responsive, relationship-based service—with fast approvals, efficient closings, and dedicated support throughout the process. Repeat borrowers often enjoy faster underwriting and quicker closings, helping you move confidently from one project to the next.
Q. What are the loan terms and leverage options?
A. Our bridge loans are built for real estate investors who need speed, flexibility, and buying power:
Up to 95% Loan-to-Cost (LTC)
Up to 80% of ARV
100% Rehab Financing available
Loan amounts from $500K to $1B+
No application fees and competitive investor rates
Q. What types of properties are eligible?
A. Bridge loan funding is available for a wide range of investment properties, including:
Single-family homes (non-owner occupied)
2–4 unit residential properties
Condominiums (Condos)
Planned Unit Developments (PUDs)
Manufactured homes
Mixed-use properties
Multifamily (5+ units)
Commercial properties (retail, office, industrial, and special use)
Vacant land and lots (case-by-case)
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything You Need to Know About DSCR Rental Loans
Whether you're new to rental investing or scaling your portfolio, we’re here to make financing simple. Below are answers to common questions to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
Q. What is a DSCR loan?
A. A DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio) loan is a type of rental loan based on the income of the property—not your personal income. It’s ideal for investors who want to qualify without submitting tax returns, W-2s, or pay stubs.
Q. What types of properties qualify for DSCR rental financing?
A. DSCR is the ratio of a property's monthly rental income to its monthly debt obligation (principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and HOA, if applicable). Most lenders look for a DSCR of 1.0 or higher to qualify.
Q. Can I refinance or pull cash out using a DSCR loan?
A. Yes. We can help you refinance existing rental properties or pull cash out of your equity to reinvest, renovate, or consolidate debt—without the red tape of conventional banks.
Q. Can I bundle multiple rentals under one loan?
A. Yes—if you have 5 or more stabilized rental properties, a portfolio loan may be a better fit. We can help you structure one loan to cover your entire portfolio, simplifying management and improving cash flow.
Q. Is DSCR financing a good option for first-time investors?
A. Absolutely. DSCR loans offer flexible guidelines, no income verification, and a faster path to funding—making them ideal for new investors building passive income through real estate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to Your Rental Portfolio Loan Questions
Q. Does a rental portfolio loan give real estate investors more options to grow?
A. Yes! A rental portfolio loan allows you to finance multiple properties under a single loan, eliminating the need to manage separate files, underwrites, and closings for each. It simplifies the process so you can focus more on building your business and less on chasing paperwork.
Q. What are the benefits of a rental portfolio loan?
A. Portfolio loans bundle multiple properties into one umbrella loan—meaning one payment, one underwrite, and one closing. This streamlined structure saves time, reduces fees, and helps you manage your growing rental business more efficiently.
Q. Is there a limit to the number of properties I can include in a portfolio loan?
A. No, there’s no maximum. As long as you have five or more eligible properties, you can use a rental portfolio loan. Whether you’re financing 5 or 50, the structure remains flexible.
Q. Do portfolio lenders have a cap on total loan exposure?
A. Our partners don’t enforce strict exposure limits like many local banks. That means you’re free to grow your portfolio without being held back by arbitrary ceilings on loans or total asset value.
Q. What is the maximum term for a rental portfolio loan?
A. Our portfolio loans can go up to a fully amortizing 30-year term, giving you long-term stability and predictable cash flow.
Q. Are rental portfolio loans non-recourse?
A. We offer both full-recourse and non-recourse options, depending on the strength of the deal and your experience. Let’s structure something that fits your goals and risk tolerance.
Q. How can a rental portfolio loan save me money?
A. Portfolio loans offer transactional savings. Since you’re bundling deals, vendor and processing fees are often lower compared to financing properties individually. These cost efficiencies scale with the size of your portfolio.
Q. What are the qualifications for a rental portfolio loan?
A. You’ll need to own at least five rental properties and have some real estate investing experience. We’ll guide you through the rest of the process from there.
Q. What should I expect when applying for a rental portfolio loan with Estates of Elysium?
A. Expect a streamlined, professional experience. You’ll be assigned a dedicated team to structure your deal, manage documentation, and close efficiently—so you can focus on expanding your portfolio with confidence.
Q. What if I have more questions about rental portfolio loans?
A. Reach out to us anytime. We’re happy to walk you through your options and help you find the financing strategy that supports your long-term rental goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to Your Residential New Construction Loan Questions
Q. What makes Estates of Elysium’s new construction loans stand out?
A. We focus on helping investors and developers secure fast, strategic capital—without unnecessary friction. Our process minimizes delays through streamlined underwriting, fast draw disbursements, and no prepayment penalties. For residential projects, we can often fund before permits are finalized. For commercial developments, we help structure capital around realistic permitting timelines and municipal requirements.
Q. How does your financing support build-to-rent or build-to-sell strategies?
A. Whether you're developing to hold or exit, we structure each loan to align with your business plan. Choose from flexible features like interest-only payments, staged funding tied to project milestones, and dual closings (land + construction). This gives you maximum flexibility to reduce risk and increase profitability.
Q. What loan terms do you offer?
A. Most construction loans come with 12- to 36-month terms, with extensions available depending on the size and scope of your project. Commercial and mixed-use builds may qualify for custom timelines based on construction progress, lease-up forecasts, and local approvals.
Q. How do you determine loan amounts?
A. We evaluate your project using a data-driven, deal-first approach. Our underwriting considers location and zoning, scope of work, market trends, and internal performance data from similar projects. This allows us to offer capital that reflects your project’s real value and upside—not just static appraisals.
Q. What types of construction projects do you finance?
A. We fund a wide range of ground-up developments, including: single-family homes, build-to-rent communities, multifamily (5+ units), retail centers, hospitality builds, industrial facilities, medical offices, and mixed-use properties. Whether you're building to sell, rent, or reposition, we structure the capital to support your project from land to delivery.
Q. How do your systems and tools support my construction timeline?
A. Our investor-first platform offers fast digital submissions, real-time draw tracking, transparent reporting, and responsive support. You stay focused on the build—we handle the backend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to Your Commercial New Construction Loan Questions
Q. What makes Estates of Elysium’s commercial construction loans stand out?
A. We help commercial developers access fast, strategic capital without the friction of traditional lending. Our partners’ underwriting process is streamlined, our draw process is responsive, and we eliminate common bottlenecks—like prepayment penalties and rigid timelines. We also align funding structures with your permitting, entitlement, and phasing timelines to keep complex builds moving.
Q. How does your financing support lease-up or stabilization strategies for commercial projects?
A. We structure financing to support your project from construction through stabilization. With interest-only payments, flexible terms, and extensions aligned with your leasing milestones, you can complete the build, reach target occupancy, and maximize value before exiting or refinancing.
Q. What loan terms do you offer for commercial projects?
A. Our commercial construction financing supports everything from pre-leased build-to-suit deals to speculative construction and long-term holds. We offer flexible loan terms, interest-only periods, and custom draw schedules aligned with your project’s phasing, lease-up strategy, or disposition plan. Whether you plan to refinance, sell at delivery, or operate the asset, we build the capital stack to fit your end game.
Q. How do you determine loan amounts?
A. We take a comprehensive approach to loan sizing. Our underwriting considers land value, location, zoning, project scope, comps, and feasibility—alongside your track record and financial strength. We prioritize experienced developers with clear, executable plans, and structure loans that balance risk with upside potential.
Q. What types of commercial construction projects do you finance?
A. We fund a wide variety of ground-up commercial developments, including:
Multifamily buildings
Retail centers and mixed-use properties
Hospitality and boutique hotels
Industrial and flex space
Medical and specialty-use facilities
Whether your strategy is to lease, reposition, or sell, our capital supports your project from foundation to finish.
Q. How do your systems and tools support my commercial timeline?
A. Our tech-enabled platform keeps your project on track. From digital submissions and real-time draw tracking to transparent reporting and fast communication, we help you stay focused on execution—not paperwork. You stay in control, and your project stays on schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to Your Private Equity Questions
Q: How does preferred equity differ from mezzanine debt?
A: Preferred equity typically includes payment priority and rights to force sale in default, plus an equity upside ("kicker"), unlike mezzanine debt which is collateralized by the borrower’s equity and usually lacks upside participation.
Q: What kinds of projects are best suited for preferred equity?
A: Diversified income properties like multifamily and mixed-use are ideal due to stable cash flow. Single-tenant assets may be riskier for preferred equity investors.
Q: What is the typical return profile?
A: Preferred equity investors generally receive fixed preferred returns of 7–12%, plus potential upside returns on project exit.
Q: How much equity does the sponsor usually contribute?
A: Sponsors often contribute around 10% of total equity, demonstrating alignment and confidence in the project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to Your Mezzanine Financing Questions
Q: How does preferred equity differ from mezzanine debt?
A: Preferred equity typically includes payment priority and rights to force sale in default, plus an equity upside ("kicker"), unlike mezzanine debt which is collateralized by the borrower’s equity and usually lacks upside participation.
Q: What types of projects qualify for mezzanine or preferred equity financing?
A: Ground-up construction, value-add redevelopments, acquisitions, and recapitalizations across multifamily, mixed-use, retail, industrial, and select hospitality. The project should have strong market fundamentals, a feasible business plan, and experienced sponsorship.
Q: Do I need to have the property under contract before applying?
A: We prefer projects that are either under contract or already owned. This shows commitment and allows us to evaluate the opportunity with real terms, timelines, and a clear capital stack.
Q: How much leverage can I get using mezzanine capital?
A: When layered with senior debt, mezzanine financing can bring total leverage up to 85–90% of total project costs—helping you preserve cash and scale faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to Your Refinance Questions
Q. Can I refinance if my property is underperforming?
A. Yes, depending on the asset and your exit strategy. While strong income helps, we also look at your equity position, market potential, and business plan. Some lenders offer interest-only or bridge refinance options even for distressed assets.
Q. Do I need perfect credit to qualify for private capital refinancing?
A. No. Private capital focuses more on the asset's performance and potential than on personal credit scores. That said, having a clear financial story helps in structuring better terms.
Q. How fast can you close a refinance deal?
A. We can close in as little as 10 to 21 business days once all required documents are submitted. Timelines depend on deal complexity and third-party reports like appraisals.
Q. Can I do a cash-out refinance on a commercial property?
A. Yes, if the income and equity support it. Many of our clients use cash-out refinancing to fund new acquisitions, capital improvements, or pay down higher-interest debt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to Your Refinance Questions
Q. Can I refinance if my property is underperforming?
A. Yes, depending on the asset and your exit strategy. While strong income helps, we also look at your equity position, market potential, and business plan. Some lenders offer interest-only or bridge refinance options even for distressed assets.
Q. Do I need perfect credit to qualify for private capital refinancing?
A. No. Private capital focuses more on the asset's performance and potential than on personal credit scores. That said, having a clear financial story helps in structuring better terms.
Q. How fast can you close a refinance deal?
A. We can close in as little as 10 to 21 business days once all required documents are submitted. Timelines depend on deal complexity and third-party reports like appraisals.
Q. Can I do a cash-out refinance on a commercial property?
A. Yes, if the income and equity support it. Many of our clients use cash-out refinancing to fund new acquisitions, capital improvements, or pay down higher-interest debt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to Your Commercial Bank Loan Questions
Q. What types of properties can I finance with a commercial bank loan?
A. You can finance stabilized income-producing assets such as multifamily (5+ units), office, retail, warehouse/industrial, self-storage, hospitality (in select markets), and medical buildings.
Q. What credit score do I need to qualify?
A. Most lenders look for a credit score of 680 or higher, though lower scores may be considered with strong financials or additional collateral.
Q. Can I get a commercial bank loan if I’m a first-time investor?
A. Yes. While experience helps, first-time investors with strong personal financials, good credit, and a solid business plan can qualify.
Q. Are commercial bank loans always full recourse?
A. No. Depending on the deal and your profile, you may qualify for non-recourse or limited-recourse terms.
Q. What’s the typical down payment required?
A. Most lenders require 20% to 30% down, depending on the LTV, risk profile, and asset type.
Q. How long does it take to close a commercial bank loan?
A. The average timeline is 30–60 days, depending on how quickly you provide documentation and the complexity of the deal.
Q. Can I refinance an existing commercial loan through a bank?
A. Absolutely. You can refinance to secure a better rate, pull out equity, or restructure terms. Banks often offer favorable refinancing for stabilized assets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to Your SBA Loan Questions
Q. Can SBA 504 loans finance both real estate and equipment in a single transaction?
A. Yes. The SBA 504 program allows financing of real estate and long-lived equipment simultaneously. You can structure two separate 504 loans—for example, a 20-year loan for the building and a 10-year loan for equipment. Or combine them into one loan if the weighted useful life remains at least 20 years.
Q. Are SBA 504 loans available for startups or special-use properties?
A. Yes, but additional equity is typically required. Startups or special-use properties (like hotels or car washes) usually require 15% down, and if you're both a startup with a special-use asset, that can rise to 20% equity.
Q. How are interest rates determined for SBA 504 loans?
A. 504 loan rates are fixed and tied to market conditions via a monthly debenture auction. Rates are set based on current 5- or 10-year U.S. Treasury yields and apply uniformly nationwide.
Q. Can SBA 7(a) loans provide 100% financing?
A. In rare cases, yes. While SBA mandates at least 10% borrower equity, lenders may occasionally finance the full amount—especially when supplemented with seller financing—to accommodate more flexible deal structures.
Q. Do SBA 7(a) loans require collateral beyond the purchased asset?
A. Possibly. If the value of the asset isn’t sufficient, lenders can require additional collateral—even personal assets. SBA policy compels lenders to secure the loan to the fullest extent possible .
Q. What other SBA loan programs exist beyond 504 and 7(a)?
A. Beyond the 504 and 7(a), the SBA offers CAPlines (for short-term working capital), Export Loans, Microloans, Surety Bonds, and disaster-recovery financing. The 7(a) is the most popular, but there are at least seven total SBA loan types.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to Your CMBS Loan Questions
Q. Are CMBS loans still a viable option in 2025 given higher interest rates?
A. Yes. While interest rates have generally risen across the board, CMBS loans remain competitive due to their fixed-rate structure, longer terms, and non-recourse nature. For stabilized properties with consistent cash flow, they continue to offer attractive financing compared to floating-rate bridge loans or recourse bank debt.
Q. What types of properties are getting approved for CMBS loans in 2025?
A. The most common approvals are for well-leased multifamily, industrial, and essential retail properties (e.g., grocery-anchored centers). Office properties are still financeable, but lenders are much more conservative—requiring higher DSCRs, strong tenancy, and long-term leases.
Q. Can I still get interest-only periods with CMBS loans?
A. Yes, but it's deal-dependent. In 2025, lenders are more selective with interest-only terms. Strong sponsors and low leverage deals may qualify for up to 5–10 years of interest-only payments, especially on core assets in major metros.
Q. What’s the difference between defeasance and yield maintenance?
A. Both are forms of prepayment penalties. Yield maintenance charges the borrower the present value of remaining interest, while defeasance replaces the loan’s cash flow with Treasury securities. In 2025, most CMBS loans still require defeasance after a 2–3 year lockout.
Q. Can I use a CMBS loan to finance a value-add or transitional property?
A. Not typically. CMBS lenders prefer stabilized properties with predictable cash flow. For transitional assets, borrowers usually start with bridge loans and refinance into CMBS once the property is stabilized.