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Retail bridge

Retail Bridge
Loans.

Short-term, interest-only financing for strip centers and retail buildings between tenants, coming off a maturing loan, or bought on a deadline. Once the center is leased, a 30 year fixed is one way to refinance.

Get a QuoteSee typical terms
Program Snapshot
$1M
Minimum loan
$50M
Maximum loan
75%
Maximum LTV
6 to 36 mo
Term
Strip centers, standalone retail, and neighborhood commercial
Centers between tenants considered
Seller credits and seller financing allowed on purchases
30 year fixed retail loans available to refinance
How it works

See how
retail bridge works

A retail center is only as strong as its leases, and one move-out can change the whole picture. When an anchor or a few shop tenants leave, the center can drop below the roughly 70% occupancy a long-term retail loan typically needs. If the current loan is maturing at the same time, the owner is stuck.

A retail bridge loan carries the center while you re-lease it. It pays off the maturing loan or closes the purchase, and the interest-only payment keeps the cost of holding down while the new tenants move in. Once the center is leased, you can refinance into long-term debt. Our Retail DSCR loan is one option, with a 30 year fixed available.

  • Re-lease a center after an anchor or shop tenants move out
  • Buy a center with vacancy at a price that reflects it
  • Pay off a maturing loan before the center qualifies for long-term debt
Typical terms

What you can typically borrow

These are typical ranges, not a quote. Your terms depend on the center, the equity in it, your credit, and how quickly it needs to close.

Loan Amount
$1,000,000 to $50,000,000
Maximum LTV
75%Including cash out
Loan Term
6 to 36 monthsExtensions available
Payments
Interest onlyNo principal during the term
Retail types
Strip centers, standalone, and neighborhoodSingle and multi-tenant
Vacancy
Re-tenanting consideredBelow long-term loan minimums
Valuation
Appraisal, BPO, or neitherPhotos and video only on strong loans
Documentation
Tax returns often not required
Additional Collateral
Free and clear propertyCan be pledged to reduce cash to close
Prepayment
Usually noneMinimum interest may apply on some loans
New leases
Signed leases and LOIs reviewedWeighed against the exit
Exit
Refinance or saleRetail DSCR is one option, with a 30 year fixed
Eligible Borrowers
LLC, LP, corporation, or trustNon-recourse available on loans of $5M and up
Available in
35 statesAL, AK, AR, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MS, MO, MT, NE, NH, NM, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY, DC. Very rural areas within these states may be restricted.
Note: These are typical terms. Yours depend on the property, the equity in it, the exit, and how quickly it needs to close. Bridge is for non-owner-occupied property only.
Center between tenants or a loan coming due?
Send the rent roll, the address, and the date.
Get a Quote
The exit
Refinancing out? We have a program for that.

Once the center is leased, you can refinance the bridge with any lender. One option is our Retail DSCR loan, which typically needs around 70% occupancy and has a 30 year fixed available.

70%
Typical occupancy for our Retail DSCR loan
30 yr
Fixed available on our Retail DSCR loan
Retail Bridge Questions

Frequently asked

What is a retail bridge loan?+
A short-term, interest-only loan on a retail property that isn't ready for long-term financing yet, usually because of vacancy, a maturing loan, or a purchase deadline. It's replaced by a long-term retail loan once the center is leased.
My anchor tenant left. Can I still refinance?+
Usually not into a long-term loan right away, since the center may fall below the roughly 70% occupancy a long-term retail loan typically needs. A bridge loan can pay off the current loan and carry the center while you re-lease the space.
Do signed leases count if the tenant hasn't moved in yet?+
Signed leases and letters of intent are reviewed as part of the exit plan, so they help even before rent starts.
Can I buy a retail center with vacancy?+
Yes. A center with vacancy often sells at a price that reflects it, and a bridge loan lets you close and lease it up before moving into long-term debt.
Can the seller help with my down payment or closing costs?+
Yes, on qualifying purchases. The seller can carry up to one third of your down payment, and there's no set limit on seller credits. If you plan to use either one, tell us when you send the deal and we'll build the loan around it.
Do I need an appraisal?+
Not always. Many bridge loans use a BPO instead, and some lower leverage loans need no formal valuation at all, just property photos and a video walkthrough. The value still gets checked either way.
What about single-tenant buildings leased to national brands?+
Those usually fit our net lease loans, which have no prepayment penalty. A bridge loan fits when the building is vacant and needs a new tenant.
Where does Capituro offer retail bridge loans?+
In 35 states: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Very rural areas within these states may be restricted. Send the address and we'll confirm whether your property fits.
Other property types

Other bridge types

All bridge loans
Two-story garden-style apartment building with exterior renovation underway on one wing
Multifamily

Apartment buildings in lease-up, value add, or coming off a maturing loan.

Two-story suburban office building with a glass entrance and surface parking
Office

Medical, professional, and multi-tenant office with a loan coming due or space to fill.

Single-story warehouse building with loading docks and an empty truck court
Warehouse

Vacant or partially leased warehouse, flex, and light industrial.

Self storage facility with rows of drive-up units and a climate controlled building
Self storage

Facilities still filling up, or coming off a maturing loan.

Three-story brick mixed use building with storefronts below and apartments above
Mixed use

Buildings with vacant commercial space below or residential still leasing.

Two-story garden-style apartment buildings under a clear sky
Bridge Loans

The Speed Bridge program, every property type and situation.

Get Started

Retail property between tenants? Let's look at the bridge.

Send the address, the rent roll, and when it needs to close. Planning to use seller credits or seller financing? Mention it and we'll build the loan around it.

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What are you looking to do?