What Is In A Lender LOI?
A Lender LOI or also a Letter of Interest is a document that a Commercial Mortgage Broker or Lender will provide to you when you submit a loan package. This document will state the terms of the proposed loan that the lender will give you. The lenders LOI is based on the information you provide. So the more information you provide, the more accurate the loan quote will be. Too many times I’ve seen a lender quote a good rate with good terms, then turn around and not be able to provide those terms. Why? Because during the due diligence phase, the lender finds out the borrower did not provide accurate or all of the information. Remember, lenders are in a business and their business is based on known risk. A lender won’t be in business too long if they keep lending out bad loans! So what kind of information should you expect to see in a Lender LOI? Well, it should have the brokers or lenders name and contact information. Also the Lender LOI should include the following information. Loan Name This is usually the property name or address. For this illustration we will use the name Ryan Office. Loan amount There is a requested loan amount and the loan amount the lender is going to lend. They will be listed on separate lines and the numbers may be different. Quotation date & expiration date The lender will only give you a specified amount of time to review their loan quote. Loan terms This is usually listed in years or months. Amortization This is usually listed in years or months. Interest Rate Spread This is a percentage over the current index yield. Current Index Yield The index yield on a given day. Final Note Rate This is the interest rate you will pay. It is the interest rate spread plus the current index yield. Interest Rate Index This is the index that is used in determining the current index yield. Examples are 10 yr Treasury, Prime or LIBOR. Loan Type This is stated as either fixed or variable loan. Interest Accrual Method This is how the lender will calculate your amount of interest. Proposed DSCR This is debt service coverage ratio for your loan amount. Proposed LTV This is the loan to value that the lender is willing to loan to you. This determines how much money you need to put down. Prepayment For paying off your loan early, some lenders charge a fee or penalty. That should be outlined in the lender’s quote. Recourse Options The loan will either be full recourse, partial recourse or non-recourse. Recourse determines if you are personally liable for any loan default. Assumption & Assumption Fee With most commercial loans, the loans are assumable for a new borrower for a small fee. Junior Debt Whether the lender will allow a 2nd to be taken on the property. The lender will also state what conditions must be met for the loan. Examples are clear title reports, inspection, occupancy, etc. Also, the lender will give an estimate of the fees (due on acceptance of loan and at closing).
| Sample Lender LOI |
| Loan Name |
Ryan St Office Building |
| Requested Loan Amount |
$800,000 |
| Quotation Date |
April 1, 2006 |
| Expiration Date |
April 15,2006 |
| Loan Amount |
$800,000 |
| Loan Terms |
10 years |
| Amortization |
25 years |
| Interest Rate Spread |
1.250 |
| Current Index Yield |
5.000 |
| Final Note Rate |
6.250 |
| Interest Rate Index |
10 year Treasury |
| Loan Type |
Fixed |
| Interest Accrual Method |
Actual 360 |
| Proposed DSCR |
1.53 |
| Proposed LTV |
67% |
| Prepayment Lockout Period |
48 months |
| Prepayment Privilege |
Yield Maintenance |
| Recourse Options |
Non-recourse |
| Junior Debt |
Prohibited |
| Assumption |
Permitted |
| Assumption Fee |
1% |
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