In a rapidly shifting economic environment, hotel developers and lenders are adapting their strategies to secure successful outcomes for hotel projects. We sat down with Jared Schlosser, EVP of Hotel Lending and Head of CPACE at Peachtree Group to discuss how rising interest rates and inflationary pressures are influencing lending criteria and financial planning. Hear more insights from Jared during his panel Active Lending at Lodging Conference.
Q: Given the rising interest rates and inflationary pressures, how are lenders adjusting their underwriting criteria for hotels?
Jared Schlosser: Right now, it's all about cash flow. It’s hard to underwrite any sort of pro forma growth unless there’s a real story behind it. Lenders are focused on the cash flow, and if you can achieve a 13% debt yield or higher, you qualify for generally permanent debt, CMBS, life company, or even bank takeouts. If you don’t meet that threshold, then you typically fall into the private credit space, which is where Peachtree Group comes in.
Q: What are the current trends in loan terms, such as loan-to-value (LTV) ratios or interest rates?
JS: It’s been quite varied, depending on what each lender's risk threshold is. The biggest trend I’m seeing is uncertainty around how long rates will stay elevated. Because of that, borrowers are seeking flexibility. They’re willing to pay a premium for loans with shorter yield maintenance or reduced prepayment penalties. Many are hesitant to lock into long-term fixed-rate debt like they used to.
We provide both fixed-rate and floating-rate loans, but even with fixed-rate products, borrowers are trying to secure as much flexibility as possible. We’re still getting to 70% loan-to-cost (LTC) or LTV, sometimes pushing up to 75% or scaling back, depending on our underwriting. In contrast, the banking market is closer to 50-55% on average, which highlights the difference between our space and traditional banks.
Q: How should developers adapt their financial strategies in this market?
JS: I always say in a volatile market, get ahead of it. Be proactive—get ahead of your maturity dates and start conversations early, whether it’s with us or other competitors in the space. Early engagement is key right now because the future is so uncertain.
With upcoming elections, the volatility surrounding Federal Reserve policy, and questions about whether rates will be cut or stay elevated longer than expected, liquidity is fluctuating. The sooner borrowers are out in the market looking for refinances or construction financing, and the more well-prepared their packages are, the better their chances of securing favorable terms.
Peachtree Group is a direct balance sheet lender focused on funding first mortgage bridge loans, mezzanine loans, preferred equity investments, and commercial property assessed clean energy (CPACE) financing, lending to all commercial real estate asset classes with a specialty in hotel financing. The Peachtree Group team has executed more than 297 transactions, originating more than $4.5 billion for projects seeking capital to complete acquisitions, recapitalizations, refinancing and renovations.
This article is republished with permission from Commercial Observer
Commercial Observer (February 4, 2025) - Starlife Group has secured $35 million of construction financing to build a multifamily development in Hollywood, Fla.,Commercial Observer can first report.
Peachtree Group originated the fixed-rate Commercial Property Assessment Clean Energy (C-PACE) loan on the developer’s planned 200-unit 21 Hollywood project.
SF Capital Group’s Matt Shane arranged the transaction, which will be used to support the 13-story project’s energy efficiency, envelope enhancements and hurricane resiliency measures.
Jared Schlosser, Peachtree Group’s senior vice president, said the long-term structure of the deal was an ideal approach for the project amid a high interest rate climate, with Peachtree covering 40 percent of the cost and Starlife Group contributing 60 percent equity. The 30-year loan is non recourse outside of a completion guarantee, according to Schlosser.
“We handled theconstruction draws just like you would on a senior construction loan and wewere even able to fund a little bit of capital at close for the project to getstarted, so it ends up being a pretty accretive alternative compared to justtaking a low-leverage bank loan,” Schlosser told CO.
“It acts like an insurance product where it’s a construction-to-perm deal, but it doesn’t have the traditional rights and remedies and recourse that may come along with traditional long-term financing,” Schlosser added. “Here it’s just a straight annual payment, which is easier to navigate for the borrower.”
Located at 2100 N.Federal Highway, the 21 Hollywood project broke ground late last year and is slated for completion in February 2027. Community amenities will include an infinity pool, a fitness center, outdoor kitchens, co working space and a dog park. The property will also feature 9,997 square feet of ground-floor retail.
Fort Lauderdale-based Starlife purchased the 1.48-acre site across from South Broward High School for $6.5 million in 2023, according to the South Florida Business Journal. The development was designed by Kobi Karp Architecture.
“Conventional construction loans are hard to find these days,” Shane said. “There was significant equity brought into the project, so it made the deal easy to do with PACE.”
Officials at Starlife Group did not immediately return a request for comment.
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ATLANTA (Feb. 12, 2025) – Peachtree Group (“Peachtree”), a diversified commercial real estate investment platform, announced the appointment of Michael Brunner as executive vice president, credit investments. With an extensive background in securitized products, asset finance and commercial real estate, Brunner will be critical in elevating Peachtree’s credit platform and driving its strategic growth initiatives.
Brunner has more than 25 years of experience at top-tier financial institutions, including ATLAS SP Partners, where he was instrumental in the warehouse finance and securitized products business. He also held leadership roles at Credit Suisse, where he contributed to the Securitized Products Asset Finance division, focusing on commercial real estate finance and commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS). Earlier in his career, he spent 18 years in real estate capital markets at J.P. Morgan, where he managed a loan securitization team, led a loan underwriting team and worked with bond investment clients on new issue offerings.
“Michael’s leadership in securitized finance and commercial real estate finance makes himan invaluable addition to our team,” said Michael Harper, president, hotel lending at Peachtree. “His deep institutional relationships and ability to streamline deal execution will strengthen our credit platform, broaden our market reach and enhance our portfolio. With Michael on board, we are well-positioned to optimize our credit strategies, unlock new capital sources and drive superior risk-adjusted returns for our stakeholders.”
Brunner holds an MBA from theUniversity of Florida and a Bachelor of Science in construction science from Texas A&M University.
“I am thrilled to join Peachtree Group at such an exciting time for its credit platform,” Brunner said. “Peachtree’s ability to pivot across the capital stack, combined with its track record in private credit, positions it as a commercial real estate market leader. I look forward to contributing to its continued success and growth.”
“Peachtree’s credit platform has consistently delivered strong results, supported by a team of seasoned professionals dedicated to originating, underwriting and managing private credit investments. With Michael’s leadership, the credit platform is poised for further growth, reinforcing its position as an industry leader,” Harper added.
About Peachtree Group
Peachtree Group is a vertically integrated investment management firm specializing in identifying and capitalizing on opportunities in dislocated markets, anchored by commercial real estate. Today, the company manages billions in capital across acquisitions, development and lending, augmented by services designed to protect, support and grow its investments. For more information, visit www.peachtreegroup.com.
This article is republished with permission from Green Street News.
The developer of an apartment complex in northwest Washington state has lined up $57.5 million of senior debt from Peachtree Group, including $29 million of commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy financing.
Grandview North is on track to complete the 350-unit Harrington Place, in Ferndale, by January 2026. Atlanta-based Peachtree funded $13 million of the debt at closing on Jan. 28.
The fixed-rate C-PACE loan has a 30-year term. The rest of the senior financing package, brokered by CapNorth, was structured as a $28.5 million, floating-rate construction loan with an initial term of 18 months, plus extension options.
As part of the deal, the term of an outstanding $20 million mezzanine loan from Hickory CRE Lending was adjusted to match that of the Peachtree floater. The project is expected to cost $90 million, which pegs the overall loan-to-cost ratio at roughly 86%.
New York-based Hickory originated its fully funded subordinate loan as part of a $77 million debt package that Arlington, Wash.-based Grandview lined up in April 2023. The package also included a $57 million senior-debt commitment from Bayview Asset Management of Coral Gables, Fla. Bayview’s portion, which never funded because construction was postponed due to permitting delays, was split between a $45 million construction loan from its Oceanview Life and Annuity affiliate and $12 million of C-PACE financing from its Bayview PACE unit.
Developers can use C-PACE loans, which are repaid via assessments collected with property taxes, to help finance commercial buildings that meet certain standards for energy efficiency and sustainability. For its part, Peachtree offers borrowers debt throughout the capital stack by providing such financing in conjunction with traditional construction and bridge loans, president Daniel Siegel said.
Harrington Place will comprise 11 buildings on an 18-acre site that Grandview has owned since late 2020. The 101 studios and 150 one-bedroom, 63 two-bedroom and 36 three-bedroom units will have quartz counters, stainless-steel appliances and full-size washer/dryers.
Amenities will include fitness, game and party rooms, a lounge, a playground, indoor and outdoor athletic courts, and a patio with grills. The property is at 6276 Portal Way, a half-mile west of the Nooksack River and 10 miles northwest of Bellingham, a growing city between Vancouver, Canada, to the north and Seattle to the south.
