Commercial Observer: Peachtree Group Refis Seattle Hotel With $68MM Loan
Peachtree Group originated the three-year $68.15 million loan to refinance a newly opened Seattle hotel asset
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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Commercial Observer | Peachtree Group originated the three-year, $68MM, floating-rate, first-mortgage loan with two 12-month extension options for the Atlanta-based developer’s 200-room AC Hotel in Downtown Seattle that opened in October 2024.
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Commercial Observer: Peachtree Group Supplies $36MM Refi for Houston Hotel Conversion Project
Peachtree Group originated a $36.1MM three-year, floating-rate loan with two 12-month extension for a Houston Hotel
Commercial Observer | Peachtree Group originated a $36.1MM three-year, floating-rate loan with two 12-month extension options for the DSG’s Meridien Houston Downtown hotel property located where the 1952-built Melrose Building once stood. In 2015, the developer acquired the office property, which was Houston’s first modern skyscraper, and repurposed it into a 250-room hotel that opened in 2017.
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Discover Creative Capital Solutions in a Challenging Market
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.
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.
