Navigating Commercial Financing - Introduction to Author

My blog postings are created for individuals looking to start the process of investing in Investment properties for various reasons.  A lot of information can be found throughout the Bigger Pockets Community and this blog will be a supplementation of that information.  I hope to add value by simplifying terms and concepts related to financing commercial deals so they are easier to understand for investors looking to make the step into commercial real estate investing. 

First off... Who am I?

Hello BP Community. My name is Christian Cruz and I've actually been a member of BP for longer than my profile states.  I actually joined this amazing community on my first profile back in late 2011 but due to inactivity and dealing with life circumstances I couldn't focus solely on Real Estate Investment and had to develop my career in retail and investment banking.  So I basically lost my original username and password. I know some of you know the feeling.

Now in the past, I've been a Licensed Residential Real Estate Realtor in various states and I also did Sub Prime Lending prior to the economic downturn in 2008.  I actually left subprime lending before the collapse because the view from the inside wasn't as pretty as the companies I worked for painted, prior to working for them. I was constantly at odds with my bosses production goals because I had no qualms about telling clients how they would be worst off if they moved forward with the loan. I did move forward with well-qualified individuals who benefited from the debt consolidation and who could handle the adjusted mortgage payments when they hit.  But enough was enough. I simply got up one day, grabbed my belongings, walked into my boss's office and explained to him how this house of cards was going to fall apart real soon! He giggled, laughed and replied, "If you say so! I wish you the best" (He actually wasn't a bad boss at all. He was just a young guy under a lot of pressure to perform.)  That was in October 2006 and on April 2, 2007, New Century Financial Corporation filed Chapter 11 Bankruptcy.  I didn't have the heart to laugh or giggle because I knew it was the first domino falling in a long chain, but I'm glad I listened to that little voice in my head and got situated at a new employer before it was too late. So I took a serious look at my skillsets and experiences and realized that Banking was the next logical move for me.  

Fast forward to 2018, I grew tired of my banking career due to the fact that I was doing more explaining of how I wasn't able to help a client out rather than all the ways I could help them. The conventional products I had to offer through the bank, for the majority of the situations my clients faced, could not help them. 

So earlier this year I came across an opportunity where I could incorporate my own business, go through proper training and gain access to over 50-60 lenders with access to numerous loan products for businesses and commercial real estate. When I saw that I can finally offer products that would have helped close to 90% of the people I was forced to turn away, I was beyond excited, to say the least!  

So I created a company and named it Capital Connex (pronounced Connects) because I finally had an opportunity to connect clients to capital sources and actually help them with their business and investment goals. I'm happy to say that I've already reached out to some former clients and we already have the ball rolling on several deals. If there is anything to take away from that last statement it's the fact that their willingness to even entertain the idea of giving me an opportunity stems from my willingness to do what's right for them and sustain the relationships as best I could through great service. 

Ok, so what's the purpose of this blog?

I noticed throughout my career there is a lot of confusion and hearsay on how obtaining financing for businesses and commercial real estate gets accomplished. So I look to break down each component and try to go into detail as best to my ability on how each moving part works and it's importance to the deal is. It's also to go over and discuss any hurdles or experiences I face while helping my clients obtain funding (without disclosing personal details) so that you, in the community, take them into consideration when you're faced with similar situations.  I ultimately will be an expert in this field and this blog is to add more value to the BP Community as an additional source of information. 

So who is this blog for?

This blog is not for everyone although the information will be useful too many.  The terms and concepts I plan to discuss cater to individuals who are interested in investing in non-owner occupied real estate. This includes everything from fix-n-flip, non-owner occupied 1-4 family, 5+ units multifamily investment, apartment complex, mixed-use commercial and commercial properties including business commercial properties for franchises and hospitality services. 

This blog is geared towards individuals who want to get further clarification of the process to qualify for these types of loans. There are many members in the BP community that are aware of the topics I will be going over and if you do know the material already, that's great and I hope you will add value to the discussion. 

Some ground rules...

One thing this blog is not for is DOOM and GLOOM! There is a very distinct difference in discussing DUE-DILIGENCE and FEAR MONGERING.  There is no place for fear in the business and investment world but RISK is real. Calculated risks are best and that's what I plan to help with.  You plan for the worst but execute for the best. Commercial investment is a different game but at the end of the day, it's real estate on a larger scale with more paperwork. Outside of that, it's a building that needs a tenant and should profit after expenses just like any single family rental should. Everyone is allowed to have opinions and perspectives based off their experiences, but please consider the audience and share them in a way that adds value and not a way that drains the life out of you as the reader.

What I look forward too...

I look forward too sharing my journey and documenting and welcoming the low's and highs so I can continuously add value to the community. If you ever have a question or situation you think I might be able to help with, feel free to Private Message me and I'll do my best to respond to the best of my ability. If I don't have an answer, I'm great with pointing people in the right direction which many of my past clients have appreciated about me.  

Remember, there's no room for fear in business and investments, just well-informed decisions!