Don’t Lead With the Rate

Justin Madoff on structuring a financing before the rate
Rate is the first question most sponsors ask and the last thing that can be answered well. Structure comes first.

The first question many sponsors ask is simple: what’s the rate? It is an understandable question and almost always the wrong place to start.

Why a quote on day one is not useful

A rate is the output of an underwriting process, not an input. It depends on the collateral, the sponsor’s equity and liquidity, the business plan, the market and the structure of the capital stack. Until those are understood, any number is a guess.

Typically, you will not get a quote on a rate or a structure until 30 days down the path. It’s just not going to happen.

Laurent Ronald Gray, Chairman, CEO and Co-Founder

Structure decides the money

The terms a sponsor receives are shaped by how the transaction is prepared and presented. A well organized package, with the story, the numbers and the documentation aligned, gives capital providers confidence to compete on terms.

Structure is what dictates the kind of money that you get and how you get the money.

Justin Madoff, Chief Operating Officer

A disorganized approach does the opposite. Missing documents, inconsistent projections and open questions slow a lender down and push pricing up to cover the uncertainty.

The questions that come first

Before discussing pricing, we want to understand the fundamentals. Do you control the land? What is your equity position and liquidity? What studies have been done? What are your expectations, and where did they come from? Answering those questions honestly is what makes a competitive rate possible later.

Contact us to start with the questions that matter.

About Macallan Capital Partners

Macallan Capital Partners is a real estate investment banking and advisory firm with operations across major U.S. markets. The firm specializes in capital advisory, structured finance, and strategic consulting for real estate developers, investors, and family offices. Macallan Capital Partners combines financial expertise with data-driven leadership in investment operations to deliver clarity and precision across the capital stack. Its leadership team combines decades of experience in investment banking, real estate development, and institutional advisory.

For Inquiries: Laurent Ronald Gray, Chairman, CEO and Co-Founder, Macallan Capital Partners, lgray@macallancap.com

Share the Post: