Yeah, they is risk in this type of lending. There's also risk in all lending, and managing risks is what banks do. This is less risky than many think on the surface. The major risk has to do with the asset class as a whole losing value, but that would be the same for any commercial property mortgage.
1. The asking rent has to close to actual market value. These small and medium sized banks have the local expertise to know what properties are actually renting for.
2. Tenets in commercial properties tend to stay around much longer than residential, and often a commercial property will stay vacant longer than residential property. The bank will want to see you have enough cash reserves to cover the loan payment for longer then they expect it to be vacant.
1. The asking rent has to close to actual market value. These small and medium sized banks have the local expertise to know what properties are actually renting for.
2. Tenets in commercial properties tend to stay around much longer than residential, and often a commercial property will stay vacant longer than residential property. The bank will want to see you have enough cash reserves to cover the loan payment for longer then they expect it to be vacant.