Underwrite the opportunity
We review property performance, sponsorship, business plan, and financing priorities.
Mixed-use financing requires lenders comfortable with multiple income streams and use types within a single property. Vertical mixed-use (retail ground floor with apartments above) is the most common structure, followed by horizontal mixed-use developments. Lenders typically underwrite the residential and commercial components separately, then blend the analysis. CLS CRE's expertise in mixed-use structuring helps investors maximize leverage across the full capital stack.
Underwriting starts with the asset: income durability, tenancy or operations, physical condition, market position, sponsorship, and the proposed business plan shape the lender universe.
We match the property, sponsorship, and business plan to lenders with current appetite, then compare proceeds, pricing, recourse, reserves, prepayment, and closing certainty.
| Financing path | Where it may fit |
|---|---|
| Bank Permanent Loans | Relationship-oriented capital that can offer local market knowledge and structural flexibility, with recourse often considered. |
| Bridge Loans | Flexible short-term capital for acquisition, lease-up, renovation, repositioning, or other transitional business plans before stabilization or sale. |
| Construction Loans | Draw-based financing for ground-up development, major renovation, or conversion, sized to budget, schedule, sponsorship, and the planned permanent exit. |
| CMBS | Non-recourse execution with broad property appetite, balanced against more standardized servicing and prepayment provisions. |
| Agency (If 80%+ Residential) | Programmatic multifamily or housing capital with defined underwriting, documentation, and eligibility requirements. |
| Mezzanine & Preferred Equity | Subordinate capital that can fill the gap between senior debt and sponsor equity, with returns and controls matched to execution risk. |
The objective is not simply to find a lender. It is to create a credible, comparable set of financing choices around the transaction.
Property-level insight and lender appetite have to meet before pricing becomes meaningful.
We review property performance, sponsorship, business plan, and financing priorities.
The request is matched to capital sources that understand the asset and market.
Rate, proceeds, recourse, reserves, prepayment, and execution risk are evaluated together.
We coordinate lender diligence, third-party reports, documentation, and issue resolution through funding.
We arrange mixed-use financing nationwide while accounting for local property fundamentals and lender appetite.
The final structure depends on the property, sponsor, market, and requested execution.
Sizing your equity? See the down payment guide for commercial property: typically 20% to 30% down, with SBA owner occupied from 10%.
Lenders evaluate each component of a mixed-use property separately (residential, retail, office) and then blend the analysis. Properties with 80%+ residential may qualify for agency financing. The commercial component is underwritten based on in-place leases and market rent comparisons.
Mixed-use properties can be challenging because they straddle multiple underwriting frameworks. Lenders need to be comfortable with each use type, and the blended analysis may result in more conservative terms than a single-use property. Finding the right lender is key.
Mixed-use properties with at least 80% residential use (by income or square footage) may qualify for Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac financing, benefiting from agency rates and non-recourse terms. The commercial component must comply with agency guidelines.
Mixed-use property loan rates range from 5.50% to 8.50% depending on the lender, property composition, and market. Agency-eligible mixed-use (80%+ residential) can access rates in the 5.50% to 6.75% range.
Yes. Mixed-use construction loans are available from banks, debt funds, and private lenders. These projects typically require 20-35% borrower equity (65-80% loan-to-cost), strong development experience, and a clear permanent financing or sale exit strategy.
Share the property and transaction. We will respond within 24 hours with an initial view.