Fixed-rate CMBS loans from $2M+ with 25–30 year amortization. No personal guarantee on qualifying deals. Compare conduit lenders through one advisor-led platform.

Get Pre-Qualified →How CMBS Works ↓

$2M+

Minimum Loan

75%

Max LTV

5.75–8.0%

Rate Range

Non-Recourse

Loan Structure

WHAT IS A CMBS LOAN?

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities Explained

A CMBS loan (also called a conduit loan) is a type of commercial real estate financing where individual mortgages on income-producing properties are pooled together, securitized into bonds, and sold to investors on the secondary market. Because the risk is distributed across many investors, CMBS lenders can offer non-recourse terms with competitive fixed rates that portfolio lenders often can’t match.

CMBS loans are originated by commercial banks, investment banks, and specialized conduit lenders. Once originated, the loans are transferred to a trust called a Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit (REMIC), packaged into tranches based on risk and return, and sold to institutional investors. This securitization model is what enables the favorable borrower terms — but it also means loan modifications after closing are extremely difficult.

Non-Recourse Structure

No personal guarantee required. Borrower liability limited to standard “bad boy” carve-outs for fraud, environmental violations, and voluntary bankruptcy.

Fixed-Rate Terms

Lock in a fixed interest rate for 5–10 year terms with 25–30 year amortization schedules, providing long-term payment predictability.

Property-Focused Underwriting

Loan sizing based on DSCR, LTV, and debt yield — not borrower net worth or prior real estate experience.

Higher Leverage Available

Up to 75% LTV for qualified properties. Cash-out refinancing available, unlike many other CRE lending products.

Loan Assumability

CMBS loans can be assumed by a qualified buyer at sale, making properties more marketable and simplifying exits.

Interest-Only Options

Partial or full interest-only periods available for stabilized properties, improving initial cash flow during hold.

CURRENT RATES & TERMS

CMBS Loan Structures at a Glance

CMBS rates are priced as a spread over benchmark Treasury yields. Structures and terms vary by loan size, property quality, and market conditions.

Standard CMBS

Large Loan

Single Asset

Loan Size

$2M – $25M

$25M – $250M+

$100M+

Interest Rate

5.75 – 8.00%

5.50 – 7.00%

Negotiated

Maximum LTV

65 – 75%

60 – 70%

50 – 65%

Minimum DSCR

1.20x – 1.25x

1.25x – 1.35x

1.30x+

Debt Yield

8 – 10%

9 – 11%

10%+

Term Length

5 or 10 years

Custom

Amortization

25 – 30 years

Recourse

Non-recourse

Prepayment

Defeasance / YM

Negotiated

IO Period

0 – 3 years

2 – 5 years

Full or partial

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

What Lenders Look For in CMBS Deals

CMBS underwriting focuses primarily on property performance rather than borrower financials. The three key metrics — DSCR, LTV, and debt yield — determine loan sizing and approval.

1.20x – 1.25x

Minimum DSCR

Net Operating Income must cover annual debt service by at least 1.20x. Higher ratios unlock better rates and more favorable terms.

65% – 75%

Maximum LTV

Loan-to-value based on appraised value. Higher-quality assets in primary markets may qualify for higher leverage.

8% – 10%+

Minimum Debt Yield

NOI ÷ Loan Amount. The key risk metric for conduit lenders. Properties with higher debt yields are more likely to be approved.

90%+

Occupancy Rate

Stabilized occupancy preferred. Properties with less than 85% occupancy typically require bridge financing first.

All Major Types

Eligible Property Types

Multifamily, office, retail, industrial, warehouse, self-storage, hospitality, and mixed-use properties are all eligible.

Minimal

Borrower Requirements

Unlike bank loans, CMBS lenders place less emphasis on borrower net worth and real estate experience. Credit and background checks still apply.

LOAN COMPARISON

CMBS vs. Bank Loans vs. Agency Loans

Understanding how CMBS compares to other CRE financing options helps you choose the right structure for your deal.

RECOMMENDED FOR INVESTORS

CMBS / Conduit

RecourseNon-recourse

Rate TypeFixed

Max LTV75%

Min Loan$2M

FlexibilityLow

PrepaymentDefeasance / YM

Best ForStabilized assets

TRADITIONAL

Bank / Portfolio

RecourseFull recourse

Rate TypeFixed or variable

Max LTV80%

Min Loan$500K

FlexibilityHigh

PrepaymentNegotiable

Best ForRelationship banking

MULTIFAMILY ONLY

Agency (Fannie/Freddie)

RecourseNon-recourse

Rate TypeFixed or variable

Max LTV80%

Min Loan$1M

FlexibilityMedium

PrepaymentYield maintenance

Best ForApartments 5+ units

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

CMBS Loan FAQ

What is the minimum loan amount for a CMBS loan?

Standard conduit CMBS loans typically start at $2 million, though some lenders will consider deals as low as $1.5 million. Large loan CMBS programs start at $25 million and can exceed $250 million for single-asset deals.

What does “non-recourse” actually mean?

Non-recourse means the lender cannot pursue the borrower’s personal assets if the loan defaults. However, “bad boy” carve-outs exist — if the borrower commits fraud, files bankruptcy voluntarily, or violates environmental laws, the loan can become full recourse.

Can I pay off a CMBS loan early?

CMBS loans have strict prepayment protections, typically either yield maintenance or defeasance. Yield maintenance requires compensating the lender for lost interest. Defeasance requires purchasing a portfolio of Treasury securities to replace the loan’s cash flows. Both are expensive. Use our Yield Maintenance and Defeasance calculators to estimate costs.

How long does CMBS loan approval take?

From application to closing, a typical CMBS loan takes 45–90 days. The process includes underwriting (2–3 weeks), third-party reports (appraisal, environmental, engineering), legal documentation, and rating agency review before securitization.

Can I modify a CMBS loan after closing?

Loan modifications on CMBS are extremely difficult because the loan has been securitized and sold to bondholders. Any modification requires special servicer approval and must meet strict REMIC trust guidelines. This inflexibility is one of the most significant trade-offs of CMBS financing.

What property types qualify for CMBS?

Most income-producing commercial properties qualify: multifamily, office, retail, industrial, warehouse, self-storage, hospitality, and mixed-use. The property must be stabilized with consistent cash flow. Value-add, transitional, or development projects typically require bridge financing first.

Ready to Explore CMBS Financing?

Our advisors evaluate your deal, identify the best-fit conduit lenders, and negotiate terms on your behalf. No upfront fees.

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Platform comparison

One relationship, every CRE capital source.

A structural comparison of marketplace coordination versus going directly to a single lender — not a judgment of any lender's quality.

Marketplace platform

BestLoanUSA

Direct provider

Traditional bank

Direct provider

Debt fund / bridge lender

Access to 30+ CRE lenders

Banks, agency, CMBS, debt funds, SBA

✓

–

Side-by-side term sheet comparison

✓

–

Dedicated advisor through closing

✓

Agency multifamily

Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac

✓

–

CMBS / conduit execution

✓

–

Bridge & hard money for fast closings

✓

–

✓

SBA 504 / 7(a) for owner-occupied

✓

–

Construction & value-add financing

✓

Non-recourse structures

✓

–

Transparent fee disclosure

✓

No obligation to accept

✓

Standard

Limited or case-by-case

–

Not typically available

Not sure which route fits your property? Tell us the deal and we'll show you what each source would realistically offer.

Start now →

Advisor note

We compare bank, agency, CMBS, and private capital side by side and walk you through the trade-offs — leverage, recourse, prepayment, and timing — before you commit. Our role is to present appropriate structures for your property, not to push a specific lender.

Platform context

This comparison reflects structural differences in how commercial financing is coordinated, not a judgment of individual lender quality. Each route serves different property types, timelines, and sponsor profiles.

BestLoanUSA functions as a marketplace coordinator, providing access to both traditional and alternative capital sources through a single advisory relationship.

Loan Programs

Every CRE Financing Structure, One Platform

From conventional mortgages to bridge loans — compare real options across 12 distinct programs.

CRE Loan Overview

How commercial loans work, common structures, and what lenders evaluate

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Qualification Requirements

DSCR, credit score, down payment, and documentation checklist

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Current CRE Rates

Rate ranges by property type, loan structure, and borrower profile

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CMBS Loans

Non-recourse financing with competitive fixed rates for stabilized commercial properties

→

Bridge Loans

Short-term financing for acquisitions, repositioning, or refinancing

→

DSCR Loans

Income-based qualification without personal income documentation

→

CRE Refinancing

Lower rates, better structure, or access equity from existing property

→

Owner-Occupied

Buy the building your business operates in with SBA 504 or conventional

→

Cash-Out Refinance

Access equity from your commercial property for expansion or acquisition

→

Hard Money Takeout

Exit bridge or hard money loans with conventional or SBA refinancing

→

Investment Property

DSCR and conventional financing for income-producing properties

→

Tenant Improvement

Finance buildout and renovation through CRE loans or SBA programs

→

Our 6 commitments to every borrower

Other lenders make promises.
We put them in writing.

Every commitment below exists because real borrowers got burned without it. We built BestLoanUSA to be the lender we wished existed.

Hidden Fees

No surprise charges at closing. Every cost disclosed upfront in writing before you commit.

48hr

Pre-Qualification

Know where you stand within one business day — not weeks or months of silence.

Dedicated Advisor

One point of contact from application to closing. No handoffs, no ghosting, no runaround.

Day 1

Complete Checklist

Full document requirements on your first call. No mid-process surprises asking for "one more thing."

100%

Upfront Pricing

The rate and terms you're quoted are the rate and terms you close on. Period.

1 min

Application

One simple form, multiple lender options. Stop repeating yourself to dozens of brokers.

Start Your Free Application →

· No commitment required

Why borrowers switch to us

Five things your last lender should have done.

Borrowers don't come to us because lending is complicated. They come because someone else made it harder than it needed to be.

1
48 hours to clarity. You'll know exactly where you stand — not wonder for months.
2
Every dollar in writing. The rate and fees you see on day one are the ones you sign at closing.
3
One advisor, start to finish. No handoffs. No vanishing acts. One person who knows your deal.
4
Full checklist, first call. Every document listed upfront. No mid-process surprises.
5
We earn when you close. No upfront fees. Our only incentive is your funded deal.

“I’ve spent over a decade watching good borrowers lose money to a broken process. BestLoanUSA exists so that stops happening.”

David Choi

Marketing Director, Commercial Lending

See the difference yourself →

Non-Recourse Financing for Stabilized Commercial Properties