Why Lenders Require Comfort Letters for Branded Hotel Financing

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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.

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ATLANTA (April 2, 2024) – Peachtree Group ("Peachtree") ranked as the seventh largest U.S. commercial real estate investor-driven lender by the Mortgage Bankers Association ("MBA") 2023 loan origination rankings. In 2023, Peachtree deployed over $1.0 billion in commercial real estate credit investments.

Peachtree was also ranked as the tenth largest U.S. commercial real estate hotel lender, its third consecutive year in the top ten. In addition, the firm was among the leading lenders in the retail, multifamily, industrial and 'other' sectors.  

"We have experienced a wave of activity since the fourth quarter of 2023, driven by the expectation of persistent high-interest rates and a constrained lending environment from banks," said Greg Friedman, Peachtree's CEO and managing principal. "With traditional lenders stepping back, we have seen a pronounced shift in the capital markets at a time when there is a steep increase in debt maturities within the industry, potentially nearing $1 trillion in this year alone."

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Stakeholders in the commercial real estate arena are navigating through this era marked by rising capital costs and limited liquidity. These conditions are particularly challenging when securing necessary capital for acquisitions, recapitalization and development initiatives.

"Years of dedicated effort in building our capital foundation have equipped us to support real estate owners in executing their business strategies, a commitment that remains firm even during uncertain times," Friedman concluded.

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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678-823-7683

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###

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CharlesTalbert

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ctalbert@peachtreegroup.com

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Why Lenders Require Comfort Letters for Branded Hotel Financing

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. 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.

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.