Lending Conditions Likely More Certain for Hotels in 2024

ATLANTA (March 18, 2024) – Peachtree Group (“Peachtree”), a diversified commercial real estate investment firm, announced it has closed approximately $660 million in credit investments since Dec. 1, 2023, with an additional $350 million anticipated closing over the next 30 to 45 days.

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The credit investments primarily encompass originations for hotels, multifamily, industrial and student housing.

In February, Peachtree closed one of the largest individual credit transactions in the firm's history with a $102.9 million three-year loan to recapitalize a 350‐room Marriott dual-brand AC Hotel Sunnyvale Moffett Park and TETRA Hotel, Autograph Collection in Sunnyvale, Calif.

"We are witnessing heightened activity in response to the anticipation of sustained elevated interest rates and continued reductions in bank exposure. The pressing need to refinance maturing debt, estimated at $2.8 trillion in U.S. commercial real estate debt by the end of 2028, is a growing concern. Commercial real estate stakeholders are grappling with the challenges of increased capital costs and constrained liquidity, particularly in securing capital for acquisitions, recapitalizations and development initiatives,” said Greg Friedman, Peachtree Group’s managing principal and CEO.

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Peachtree Group's credit division, formerly Stonehill, ranked as the 8th largest U.S. commercial real estate hotel lender by the Mortgage Bankers Association in its last loan origination rankings.

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As a direct commercial real estate lender, it offers permanent loans, bridge loans, mezzanine loans, commercial property-asset clean energy (CPACE) financing and preferred equity investments across all commercial real estate sectors, with its origins in the hospitality industry.

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Other notable credit transactions closed over the past 90 days:

• $40.8 million first mortgage loan for the construction of a dual-branded Residence Inn and Home2 Suites in Montgomery, Ala.
• $46.0 million in Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (“CPACE”) financing for the Thompson Hotel in Palm Springs, Calif.  
• $36.2 million first mortgage loan for Courtyard by Marriott in Chevy Chase, Md.
• $40.6 million first mortgage loan for Home2 Suites in Charlotte, N.C.
• $34.5 million first mortgage loan for a multifamily complex in Gainesville, Fla.
• $17.5 million first mortgage loan for student housing in Athens, Ga.  

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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, we manage billions in capital across acquisitions, development, and lending, augmented by services designed to protect, support and grow our investments. For more information, visit www.peachtreegroup.com.

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Contact:

CharlesTalbert

678-823-7683

ctalbert@peachtreegroup.com

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Investing in a franchise hotel can be a good way to diversify your portfolio and to achieve solid returns over an extended period of time. Finding the right hotel financing options can make this acquisition even more profitable. Comfort letters are designed to provide a legal framework for lenders and franchisors to handle situations in which the hotel purchaser defaults on the loan. Here are some facts ever investor should know about comfort letters.

What are Comfort Letters?

Comfort letters are documents that allow lenders to assume franchise rights if the original franchisee defaults on the loan. These letters include provisions that ensure that lenders can continue to operate the hotel in the event of default or foreclosure on franchise hotel loans.

Benefits of Comfort Letters

Comfort letters offer several benefits for all parties involved in the transaction, including the following:

• Borrowers are more likely to find the most attractive hotel lending arrangements if the lenders have greater certainty that they will be able to recoup their investment even if the borrower defaults. This can improve the terms of these loans and can make it easier to obtain the financing needed to acquire franchise properties.
• Lenders can more effectively collateralize their loans by ensuring the ability to maintain the profitability of the properties they finance.
• Franchise companies can protect their brand name by continuing operations and maintain a presence even when franchisees fail to meet their financial obligations and go into default on their hotel loans.

Many lenders require comfort letters before they will finalize loans for franchise hotel properties.

Crafted by the Franchise Company

In most cases, the comfort letter is drawn up by the franchise company as part of the franchising process. These legal documents may follow a standardized template or may be customized to suit the needs of the borrower and the lender. The contents of the letter may include some or all of the following provisions:

• A provision that ensures the ability of the lender to appoint a receiver to operate the hotel for a short period of time during foreclosure proceedings.
• A clause that allows the lender to cure any default of the franchise agreement before it is terminated.
• A provision that allows for the resale of the property and the transfer of the franchise agreement to a third party if the hotel goes into default.

These provisions are designed to protect the lender if the hotel financing loan goes into default.

About Peachtree Group

Peachtree Group is a direct lender with a specialty in hospitality lending. Our originators work with investors across the US to provide the most practical hotel financing arrangements for their specific needs. Contact us today to discuss your financial needs with one of our expert loan originators. We work with you to provide the best options for your hotel financing requirements.

ATLANTA (Feb. 2, 2024) – Peachtree Group announced the company originated a $34.5 million loan for the acquisition and renovation of a 312-unit multifamily property in Gainesville, Fla., on behalf of Coastline Management Groups (Coastline), a Hollywood, Fla. based service-oriented real estate management company. The property, Pavilion on 62nd, is a 25-building, 312-unit multifamily used previously for student housing.

The Peachtree Group team originated the floating-rate bridge loan over a three-year term, representing 61% of the stabilized appraised value.

The multifamily property contains 31.74 acres and features two-, three- and four-bedroom units with onsite property management, two clubhouses, two swimming pools, workstation cubicles, a game room, a media room, rentable event room, a gym, indoor racquetball and half-court basketball, sand volleyball court, dog park and package receiving center.

Coastline will use approximately $5.0 million of the bridge loan proceeds to renovate unit interiors, convert four-bedroom units to three-bedroom units, expand the onsite amenities and complete deferred maintenance on exterior and common areas.

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About Peachtree Group

Peachtree Group is an investment firm driving growth with a diverse portfolio of commercial real estate assets and other ventures. We’ve executed hundreds of investments since inception with a focus on real estate acquisition, development, and lending. Today, we manage billions in equity, augmented by services designed to protect, support, and grow our investments.

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