Retail & Shopping Center Loans | $1M to $100M+ | Commercial Lending Solutions

The Best Retail Financing, Tailored to Your Deal

Retail real estate remains a core commercial asset class, driven by essential tenants, grocery anchors, and service-oriented businesses that thrive in physical locations. Whether you're acquiring a grocery-anchored shopping center, refinancing a strip mall, or repositioning a power center, Commercial Lending Solutions connects you with the right lender and the right program for your specific situation.

As a commercial mortgage broker with access to over 1,000 lenders, including life insurance companies, banks, credit unions, CMBS conduits, and debt funds, we present your deal to multiple capital sources simultaneously and negotiate the best terms on your behalf.

Retail Loan Programs

Program	Rate	Term	LTV
Life Company	5.85%, 6.50%	7-25 yr	Up to 65%
Bank / Credit Union	6.00%, 7.00%	5-10 yr	Up to 75%
CMBS	6.25%, 7.50%	5-10 yr	Up to 70%
Bridge	8.00%, 10.00%	12-36 mo	Up to 70%

Rates shown are approximate ranges as of Q1 2026 and vary by property size, location, borrower strength, and market conditions.

Common Retail Use Cases

Acquisition

Financing for purchasing shopping centers, strip malls, and retail properties. We match your deal with the best acquisition loan program based on tenant mix, anchor strength, and your investment strategy.

Refinance

Lower your rate, extend your term, or pull cash out of your stabilized retail center. Take advantage of competitive permanent rates to optimize your capital structure and increase returns.

Repositioning

Bridge financing for tenant improvements, re-tenanting, and center renovations. Upgrade your property, attract stronger tenants, then refinance into a permanent loan at improved terms.

Anchor Tenant Rollover

Financing solutions for retail centers facing anchor lease expirations. Bridge the transition period with flexible short-term capital while securing replacement tenants or renegotiating lease terms.

Property Types We Finance

Anchored shopping centers
Grocery-anchored centers
Strip malls
Power centers
Neighborhood retail
Single-tenant retail / NNN
Outlet centers
Mixed-use retail

Why Use a Retail Loan Broker?

Retail lending requires lenders who understand tenant credit, lease structures, and the evolving retail landscape. Going directly to one lender means you get one set of terms. Working with Commercial Lending Solutions, your deal is shopped to the entire market, including lenders who specialize in retail assets.

Access to 1,000+ lenders, including specialized retail and shopping center lenders
One application, multiple competing term sheets
We negotiate on your behalf, rate, fees, prepayment flexibility, interest-only periods, and cash-out limits
Dedicated broker managing your deal from application through funding
No upfront fees, we only get paid when your loan closes

Prefer to talk? Call the broker directly.

310.708.0690

Trevor Damyan · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm PT

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FAQ

Retail Loan Questions

Tenant mix is one of the most critical factors lenders evaluate when underwriting a retail property. Lenders look for a diversified mix of tenants with strong credit profiles, essential service businesses (grocery, medical, restaurants), and tenants with long remaining lease terms. A center dominated by a single industry or tenant type is viewed as higher risk. National and regional tenants with investment-grade credit ratings strengthen loan applications significantly. Commercial Lending Solutions helps borrowers present their tenant mix in the most favorable light to maximize loan proceeds and minimize rates.

An anchor tenant, typically a grocery store, big box retailer, or national chain occupying 25% or more of a center, significantly improves financing options and terms. Grocery-anchored centers are especially favored by lenders due to their recession-resistant nature and consistent foot traffic. However, strong multi-tenant retail centers without a traditional anchor can still secure competitive financing if they demonstrate stable occupancy, diverse tenant credit, and healthy cash flow. Life companies and CMBS lenders often require anchored centers for their best pricing tiers, while banks may be more flexible with unanchored properties.

Vacancy levels directly affect both loan proceeds and available programs. Most permanent lenders (life companies, CMBS, banks) require occupancy of 80-90% or higher for standard financing. Properties with vacancy above 15-20% may need bridge financing until they can be stabilized. Lenders evaluate both physical occupancy and economic occupancy (actual rent collected vs. potential rent). Properties with signed leases not yet commenced may receive credit for those future tenants. Commercial Lending Solutions specializes in finding the right capital solution for retail properties at every occupancy level, from fully stabilized to value-add repositioning opportunities.

CMBS (Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities) can be an excellent option for retail properties, particularly for larger deals ($5M+) where borrowers want non-recourse financing with fixed rates and longer terms. CMBS lenders are comfortable with retail assets when the tenant profile is strong and the property is well-located. Key advantages include non-recourse terms, interest-only periods, and the ability to finance properties that might not fit traditional bank criteria. However, CMBS loans come with more rigid servicing structures and potentially higher costs for modifications or early payoff. Commercial Lending Solutions evaluates CMBS alongside all other options to determine the best overall execution for each retail deal.

Important Loan Disclosures

Representative Example: A $12,000,000 retail center loan at a 6.50% fixed rate with a 10-year term and 25-year amortization would have an estimated monthly principal and interest payment of approximately $81,000. Total amount repayable over the 10-year term: approximately $9,720,000 (balloon balance due at maturity). This example is for illustrative purposes only; your actual rate, payment, and terms may differ.

Rate Range: Retail loan rates currently range from approximately 5.85% to 7.50%, depending on program type (life company, bank, CMBS, bridge), property size, location, leverage, and market conditions at the time of funding.

Fees: Origination fees typically range from 0.5% to 2.0% of the loan amount. Additional costs may include appraisal ($3,000-$10,000), legal fees ($5,000-$15,000), title insurance, environmental reports, and third-party inspections. All fees will be disclosed in writing before loan commitment.

Loan Terms: Retail loan terms range from 5 to 25 years with bank, life company, CMBS, and bridge execution available. Non-recourse financing available for qualifying properties and borrowers. Prepayment penalties (yield maintenance, defeasance, or step-down) may apply depending on the program.

Risks: Commercial real estate loans carry inherent risks including but not limited to: property value decline, interest rate changes, inability to refinance at maturity, tenant vacancy, changing retail trends, and potential loss of invested equity or the property itself. Borrowers should consult with qualified financial, legal, and tax advisors before committing to any loan.

Broker Disclosure: Commercial Lending Solutions (Commercial Lending Solutions) is a commercial mortgage brokerage, California DRE License #02244836. Commercial Lending Solutions does not make loans directly. All loans are originated and funded by third-party lenders. Commercial Lending Solutions receives compensation from the borrower, the lender, or both upon successful loan closing. Commercial Lending Solutions is not affiliated with or endorsed by any specific lender.

Retail Property Loans: $1M-$50M | NNN, Anchored & Strip