Discover Creative Capital Solutions in a Challenging Market

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In the latest episode of Peachtree Point of View podcast, CEO Greg Friedman sits down with EVP Jared Schlosser, who specializes in hotel lending and C-PACE financing. Their conversation offers valuable insights into navigating today's dislocated credit markets and finding creative solutions to capitalize commercial real estate projects.

Jared, who joined Peachtree in 2019 after beginning his career during the 2007 market downturn, provides a unique perspective on the dramatic shift in credit markets since then. He explains how developers are struggling with rising costs and persistently high interest rates that make traditional financing structures difficult to pencil.

Senior + CPACE
The discussion centers on how Peachtree is helping clients overcome these challenges, with particular focus on C-PACE (Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy) financing as an innovative tool. This state-by-state legislative product allows financing for specific elements of construction (roofing, HVAC, elevators, etc.) through long-term fixed-rate loans repaid via property tax assessments.

What makes this strategy particularly powerful is the ability to combine C-PACE with senior debt to achieve higher leverage at a lower blended cost of capital. For example, on a $100 million project, developers might secure $30 million through C-PACE at 7.5% fixed (half the cost of traditional mezzanine debt), allowing them to finance 75% of project costs at favorable rates while maintaining acceptable returns.

Case Study: Washington Multifamily
Jared shares a recent success story from Washington state where Peachtree provided both senior debt and C-PACE financing, partnering with Hickory for mezzanine debt to deliver an impressive 87% capital stack. With Peachtree providing 70% through the combined senior and C-PACE loans, the borrower secured an attractive blended cost of capital for a higher-lever age construction loan. The multifamily project is located in an underserved secondary market with limited recent development—a focus area for Peachtree.The deal also featured flexible terms allowing the borrower to potentially payoff the C-PACE portion if rates decline.

Key Takeaways:

  • C-PACE financing offers developers a powerful tool to replace more expensive capital in the stack, potentially reducing costs by hundreds of basis points compared to traditional mezzanine or preferred equity.
  • In today's market, there are "no slam dunks" - every deal has challenges requiring creative solutions, thorough vetting, and proper risk structuring.
  • Peachtree's ability to provide both senior loans and C-PACE financing creates a significant competitive advantage, allowing them to deliver financing packages higher up the capital stack.
  • Speed and execution are critical in this environment, as many lenders fail to close deals due to improper risk assessment or changing credit committee decisions.
  • Secondary markets with limited new supply present attractive investment opportunities, particularly for multifamily development.

Listen to the full Peachtree Point of View podcast to gain deeper insights into how you can leverage these creative capital solutions for your next commercial real estate project. Follow Peachtree Point of View on your favorite podcast platform to stay informed on investment strategies in today's challenging market.

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Commercial Mortgage Alert: Peachtree Group Backs Multifamily Project

Green Street News: The developer of an apartment complex in northwest Washington state has lined up $57.5 million of senior debt from Peachtree Group, including $29 million of commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy financing.

This article is republished with permission from Green Street News.

CAD image Harrington CPACE deal

The developer of an apartment complex in northwest Washington state has lined up $57.5 million of senior debt from Peachtree Group, including $29 million of commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy financing.

Grandview North is on track to complete the 350-unit Harrington Place, in Ferndale, by January 2026. Atlanta-based Peachtree funded $13 million of the debt at closing on Jan. 28.

The fixed-rate C-PACE loan has a 30-year term. The rest of the senior financing package, brokered by CapNorth, was structured as a $28.5 million, floating-rate construction loan with an initial term of 18 months, plus extension options.

As part of the deal, the term of an outstanding $20 million mezzanine loan from Hickory CRE Lending was adjusted to match that of the Peachtree floater. The project is expected to cost $90 million, which pegs the overall loan-to-cost ratio at roughly 86%.

New York-based Hickory originated its fully funded subordinate loan as part of a $77 million debt package that Arlington, Wash.-based Grandview lined up in April 2023. The package also included a $57 million senior-debt commitment from Bayview Asset Management of Coral Gables, Fla. Bayview’s portion, which never funded because construction was postponed due to permitting delays, was split between a $45 million construction loan from its Oceanview Life and Annuity affiliate and $12 million of C-PACE financing from its Bayview PACE unit.

Developers can use C-PACE loans, which are repaid via assessments collected with property taxes, to help finance commercial buildings that meet certain standards for energy efficiency and sustainability. For its part, Peachtree offers borrowers debt throughout the capital stack by providing such financing in conjunction with traditional construction and bridge loans, president Daniel Siegel said.

Harrington Place will comprise 11 buildings on an 18-acre site that Grandview has owned since late 2020. The 101 studios and 150 one-bedroom, 63 two-bedroom and 36 three-bedroom units will have quartz counters, stainless-steel appliances and full-size washer/dryers.

Amenities will include fitness, game and party rooms, a lounge, a playground, indoor and outdoor athletic courts, and a patio with grills. The property is at 6276 Portal Way, a half-mile west of the Nooksack River and 10 miles northwest of Bellingham, a growing city between Vancouver, Canada, to the north and Seattle to the south.

Image of construction site of Harrington CPACE deal

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Press Release
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Peachtree Group Deploys $1.6 Billion in 76 transactions

Peachtree Group Deploys $1.6 Billion in 2024, Strengthening its Reach in Private Credit Lending

Peachtree Group Deploys $1.6 Billion in 2024, Strengthening its Reach in Private Credit Lending

ATLANTA (Feb. 10, 2025) – Peachtree Group (“Peachtree”), a diversified commercial real estate investment platform, deployed $1.6 billion in credit transactions in 2024, marking a 54% increase from 2023. This growth highlights Peachtree’s reach in private credit lending and its ability to provide financing solutions across multiple property types, including hospitality, multifamily, industrial and specialty assets.

Founded in 2007, Peachtree has evolved into a vertically integrated investment firm, strengthening its ability to source, underwrite and manage assets. Since 2010, it has played a key role in expanding private credit in commercial real estate, supporting hotels and other commercial real estate sectors. Through strategic growth, the firm has deepen edits leadership and expertise, accelerating expansion in commercial real estate lending.

The majority of Peachtree’s 2024 credit investments were concentrated in the hospitality and multifamily sectors, with $876 million and $392.3 million in transactions completed, respectively. The remaining $297.4 million was strategically deployed across industrial, land, mixed-use, retail, office and single-family residential asset classes, reinforcing Peachtree’s commitment to a diversified lending strategy.

“As we reflect on 2024, we executed a record level of transactions while expanding our lending platform to serve a broader range of commercial real estate asset classes,” said Greg Friedman, CEO and managing principal of Peachtree. “Looking ahead, we expect outsized growth by leveraging our private credit lending programs and launching additional initiatives to address underserved niches in the market.”

Since strengthening its credit team, Peachtree has executed more than $1 billion in commercial real estate transactions, underscoring its reach and execution capabilities in a challenging lending environment.

“With sustained high interest rates, reduced bank lending and $4.5 trillion in U.S. commercial real estate debt maturing by 2028, the need for alternative financing solutions is more critical than ever,” said Daniel Siegel, president and principal, CRE at Peachtree. “At Peachtree, we help borrowers navigate rising capital costs and liquidity constraints by offering flexible financing solutions across multiple asset classes.”

The Mortgage Bankers Association recognized Peachtree as the seventh-largest investor-driven commercial real estate lender in the U.S., further solidifying its position as a top-tier financing partner.

As a direct commercial real estate lender, Peachtree offers a full spectrum of financing solutions, including permanent loans, bridge loans, mezzanine financing, CPACE (Commercial Property-Assessed Clean Energy) loans and preferred equity investments. Expanding its capabilities, Peachtree also launched a Triple Net Lease (NNN) financing program last year to further support sponsors.

In addition to its broad lending platform, Peachtree continues to lead in CPACE financing, setting a record in2024 with 22 transactions totaling $316.6 million. The CPACE team also recently surpassed $1 billion in total transactions—an achievement few companies in the industry can claim—further cementing Peachtree’s position as a leader in structured financing solutions.

“As Peachtree continues to scale its lending platform, it remains committed to providing capital solutions that drive long-term value for borrowers and investors alike,” Friedman added.

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, the company manages billions in capital across acquisitions, development and lending, augmented by services designed to protect, support andgrow its investments. For more information, visit www.peachtreegroup.com.

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Podcasts
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Unlocking Hidden Opportunities in Private Credit

In the latest episode of Peachtree Point of View, host Greg Friedman delves into the world of private credit lending with Daniel Siegel, head of Peachtree Group's commercial real estate lending platform.

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In the latest episode of Peachtree Point of View, host Greg Friedman delves into the world of private credit lending with Daniel Siegel, head of Peachtree Group's commercial real estate lending platform. Together, they unpack how today's evolving market landscape is opening doors to compelling private credit investments.

Market Dynamics and Opportunities

The market is at an inflection point, with treasury yields north of 4.5% and nearly $2 trillion in commercial real estate loans maturing over the next 24 months. Siegel observes, "If you bought in 2020-2022, there's a good chance you've experienced some value deterioration." This trend has pressured multifamily valuations, which have dropped by 20-25%, yet fundamentals remain solid, with properties continuing to maintain healthy occupancy.

The discussion highlights an intriguing paradox: while many assets face valuation challenges, they continue to perform well operationally. This disconnect is creating opportunities for sophisticated investors, particularly as banks contend with increasing regulatory pressure to reduce their commercial real estate exposure. Siegel shares an interesting case study of a Massachusetts multifamily project where his team stepped in to provide a creative financing solution that benefited both the original lender and the borrower.

Property Sector Analysis

The episode also offers nuanced insights into various property sectors. As mentioned, multifamily, while grappling with near-term pricing pressure, holds strong long-term fundamentals. Hospitality demonstrates remarkable resilience, leveraging its daily pricing power. Retail has emerged stronger after years of supply rationalization. Conversely, office assets present a mixed picture—Class A properties maintain performance, while secondary assets face substantial challenges.

Strategic Advice for Borrowers

For investors exploring private credit opportunities, Siegel emphasizes the importance of working with experienced managers equipped with the infrastructure for loan servicing and workouts. "It's easy to write loans," he notes. "It's the infrastructure needed to work them out that matters."

Drawing on Peachtree Group's 17-year track record and over $11 billion in commercial real estate investments, the discussion underscores the firm's ability to provide creative financing solutions while maintaining conservative underwriting (typically 65-70% LTV).This approach has helped the firm to capitalize on market dislocations while effectively managing risk.

With its seasoned expertise and innovative strategies, Peachtree Group continues to lead the way in delivering strong risk-adjusted returns on its investments. This episode is filled with actionable insights and strategic guidance for navigating today's complex market environment.

Listen to the full episode to hear detailed discussions on:
  • Current market dynamics and opportunities
  • Property sector analysis and outlook
  • Keys to selecting private credit managers
  • Strategic advice for borrowers in today's market