The property
- Property type, location, and intended use
- Unit count or square footage, occupancy, and condition
- Purchase price or estimated value, with supporting context
THE COMMERCIAL CONVERSATION CHECKLIST
Be ready for
a useful first conversation.
Start with a summary. Detailed financial records come later through an approved secure channel.
The transaction
- Purchase, refinance, construction, or another objective
- Approximate financing need and available equity
- Contract deadlines, loan maturity, or project milestones
The income and obligations
- Rent roll and recent property operating statements, if applicable
- Business operating history for an owner-occupied property
- Existing loan balance, payment, maturity, and prepayment terms
The plan and the questions
- Ownership structure and relevant experience
- Repairs, improvement budget, and reserve needs
- Questions about guarantees, costs, amortization, and repayment
Three useful terms
- Net operating income (NOI)
- Property operating income less operating expenses, before debt service. Underwriting adjustments can differ from the owner’s bookkeeping.
- Debt service coverage ratio (DSCR)
- Income available for debt service divided by debt payments over the same period.
- Loan-to-value (LTV)
- The loan amount divided by the property value used in the analysis.
Educational reference: FDIC commercial real estate lending guidance. Our explanations are summaries, not lender-specific approval standards. Updated September 30, 2026.
LET’S LOOK AT THE DETAILS
Bring us the property.
And the questions.
Start with the goal, the timing, and the financing need.