Lev Blog

Insights and guides about commercial real estate financing, market trends, and industry best practices.

Introducing Lev InsightsLev Insights

Introducing Lev Insights

For the first time, we're publishing Lev Insights — real quotes from real lending institutions on real deals happening on our platform right now. Not market commentary. Not a survey. What we're actually seeing, deal by deal.

Multifamily Cap Rates in 2026: Where Pricing Stands and Where It's HeadedMarket Intel

Multifamily Cap Rates in 2026: Where Pricing Stands and Where It's Headed

Multifamily cap rates held near 5.7% for seven quarters — and Q1 2026 data shows the first signs of gradual compression. Here's where pricing stands by class and market.

The Best Commercial Real Estate Lenders in 2026, by Deal Type

The Best Commercial Real Estate Lenders in 2026, by Deal Type

The best CRE lenders by deal type in 2026 — banks, agency/multifamily, bridge, and SBA — plus how to match your deal to the right lender.

How to Find the Right CRE Lender for Your Deal

How to Find the Right CRE Lender for Your Deal

Finding the right commercial real estate lender can make or break your deal. Learn how to match your deal to the right lender and close faster.

The Complete Commercial Loan Package: Checklist and Template

The Complete Commercial Loan Package: Checklist and Template

Everything a lender expects in a commercial loan package — the full document checklist, an executive summary template, and the mistakes that stall deals.

CRE Offering Memorandum Template: A Step-by-Step Guide for Brokers and Sponsors

CRE Offering Memorandum Template: A Step-by-Step Guide for Brokers and Sponsors

Use this section-by-section CRE offering memorandum template to write an OM that gets lenders to respond. Step-by-step guide for brokers and sponsors.

Top 7 Commercial Bridge Lenders, Compared

Top 7 Commercial Bridge Lenders, Compared

Compare the leading commercial bridge lenders by interest rate (6-12%), loan size, and term length. Plus, when a bridge loan is right for your deal.

The Best Texas Commercial Real Estate Lenders

The Best Texas Commercial Real Estate Lenders

Compare 12 broker-recommended Texas commercial real estate lenders — banks, debt funds and private lenders — plus how Texas commercial mortgages work in 2026.

The Best California Commercial Real Estate Lenders

The Best California Commercial Real Estate Lenders

Compare California commercial real estate lenders — CA-based banks and private bridge lenders — plus how Prop 13 reassessment changes your underwriting.

The Best Florida Commercial Real Estate Lenders

The Best Florida Commercial Real Estate Lenders

Compare Florida commercial real estate lenders — banks, private and bridge lenders — and find the right fit for your Florida commercial mortgage.

The Best New York Commercial Real Estate Lenders

The Best New York Commercial Real Estate Lenders

Compare New York commercial real estate lenders — NYC and upstate banks plus private bridge lenders — and how NY commercial mortgages actually work.

Commercial Bridge Loans in Texas: How They Work and Who's Lending

Commercial Bridge Loans in Texas: How They Work and Who's Lending

How commercial bridge loans work in Texas in 2026 — typical rates, terms and leverage, plus how to find and compare commercial bridge loan lenders.

The 9 Types of Commercial Real Estate Loans, Demystified

The 9 Types of Commercial Real Estate Loans, Demystified

Compare the 9 types of commercial real estate loans — permanent mortgages, construction, bridge, hard money, CMBS, agency, mezzanine and SBA — and when to use each.

Capital stacking in commercial real estate: how senior debt, mezzanine, preferred equity, and common equity fit together

Capital stacking in commercial real estate: how senior debt, mezzanine, preferred equity, and common equity fit together

The capital stack is how every CRE deal gets financed. Learn how senior debt, mezzanine, preferred equity, and common equity layer up, and what each costs.

Debt yield in commercial real estate: the formula lenders use when DSCR and LTV aren't enough

Debt yield in commercial real estate: the formula lenders use when DSCR and LTV aren't enough

Debt yield is the cash-flow yield a lender earns on the loan amount. Learn the formula, why lenders use it alongside DSCR and LTV, and what's a good debt yield.

Estoppel certificate in commercial real estate: what it is, who uses it, and why every closing needs one

Estoppel certificate in commercial real estate: what it is, who uses it, and why every closing needs one

An estoppel certificate is what tenants sign to verify lease terms in a CRE sale or financing. Learn what it covers, who needs it, and how to negotiate it.

Ground lease in commercial real estate: what it is, how it works, and when it makes sense

Ground lease in commercial real estate: what it is, how it works, and when it makes sense

A ground lease lets a tenant build on land they don't own. Learn how they work, subordinated vs unsubordinated structures, and how to finance one.

Warehouse and industrial real estate investment: how to buy, finance, and operate industrial properties

Warehouse and industrial real estate investment: how to buy, finance, and operate industrial properties

Industrial is the strongest CRE asset class. Learn how to buy a warehouse, what to underwrite, financing options, and what makes a property institutional-grade.

Rent roll in commercial real estate: what it is, what it shows, and how to read one

Rent roll in commercial real estate: what it is, what it shows, and how to read one

A rent roll is the most-read document in any CRE deal. Learn what a rent roll shows, the columns lenders and buyers scrutinize, and the red flags to spot.

DSCR loans in CRE: how lenders measure debt service coverage and what borrowers and brokers should know

DSCR loans in CRE: how lenders measure debt service coverage and what borrowers and brokers should know

DSCR is the ratio lenders use to decide if a CRE deal pencils. Learn how to calculate it, target ratios by property type, and how to strengthen yours.