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Commercial Real Estate Glossary
Last updated on Nov 25, 2022
2 min read

Sale Leaseback in Commercial Real Estate

In commercial real estate, a sale leaseback is a transaction in which one party sells a piece of real estate, and then leases that real estate back from the new owner, usually under a pre-arranged contract. Sale leasebacks can be especially helpful for business owners who are holding onto expensive retail or office property, but have cash flow problems or need equity to expand their business.

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In this article:
  1. What is Sale Leaseback in Commercial Real Estate? 
  2. Sale Leaseback Benefits for Sellers 
  3. Sale Leaseback Benefits for Buyers 
  4. Questions? Fill out the form below to speak with a commercial real estate loan specialist.
  5. Related Questions
  6. Get Financing

What is Sale Leaseback in Commercial Real Estate? 

In commercial real estate, a sale leaseback is a transaction in which one party sells a property and then leases that property back from the new owner. Sale leasebacks usually involve a pre-arranged contract, which often lasts 20 to 30 years. Sale leasebacks are especially helpful for business owners who are holding onto expensive retail or office property, but have cash flow problems or need equity to expand their business.

In most cases, sale leasebacks are triple net (NNN) leases. Often, they also include options for a tenant to renew their lease. In some cases, sale leaseback agreements give the tenant an option to repurchase the property after a certain period of time. 

Sale Leaseback Benefits for Sellers 

Sale leasebacks can be incredibly helpful for businesses who want or need to stay in their current location, but need a new source of cash in order to stay afloat. Unlike a mortgage, in which only interest is deductible, sellers can typically deduct the full cost of rent from their taxes. However, this may not be the case if the seller reserves an option to repurchase the property later. 

Sale Leaseback Benefits for Buyers 

Investors also sale leasebacks, since they immediately have a paying tenant for their property who is likely to be well-funded due to the recent property sale. Plus, since sale leasebacks are typically long-term leases, a buyer/investor can estimate their income for years to come.

Sale leasebacks are commonly combined with credit tenant leases (CTLs). With CTLs, a large brand with a nationally recognized credit rating takes out a long-term lease on a commercial property as a condition of the property purchase. CTLs typically have more favorable terms for borrowers, including much more lenient loan to value (LTV) and DSCR requirements. 

Questions? Fill out the form below to speak with a commercial real estate loan specialist.

Related Questions

What is a sale leaseback in commercial real estate?

In commercial real estate, a sale leaseback is a transaction in which one party sells a property and then leases that property back from the new owner. Sale leasebacks usually involve a pre-arranged contract, which often lasts 20 to 30 years. Sale leasebacks are especially helpful for business owners who are holding onto expensive retail or office property, but have cash flow problems or need equity to expand their business.

In most cases, sale leasebacks are triple net (NNN) leases. Often, they also include options for a tenant to renew their lease. In some cases, sale leaseback agreements give the tenant an option to repurchase the property after a certain period of time.

Sale leasebacks can be incredibly helpful for businesses who want or need to stay in their current location, but need a new source of cash in order to stay afloat. Unlike a mortgage, in which only interest is deductible, sellers can typically deduct the full cost of rent from their taxes. However, this may not be the case if the seller reserves an option to repurchase the property later.

What are the benefits of a sale leaseback in commercial real estate?

Sale leasebacks can be incredibly helpful for businesses who want or need to stay in their current location, but need a new source of cash in order to stay afloat. Unlike a mortgage, in which only interest is deductible, sellers can typically deduct the full cost of rent from their taxes. However, this may not be the case if the seller reserves an option to repurchase the property later.

Investors also benefit from sale leasebacks, since they immediately have a paying tenant for their property who is likely to be well-funded due to the recent property sale. Plus, since sale leasebacks are typically long-term leases, a buyer/investor can estimate their income for years to come.

Sale leasebacks are commonly combined with credit tenant leases (CTLs). With CTLs, a large brand with a nationally recognized credit rating takes out a long-term lease on a commercial property as a condition of the property purchase. CTLs typically have more favorable terms for borrowers, including much more lenient loan to value (LTV) and DSCR requirements.

What are the risks associated with a sale leaseback in commercial real estate?

The main risk associated with a sale leaseback in commercial real estate is that the seller may not be able to repurchase the property at the end of the lease. Additionally, if the seller reserves an option to repurchase the property later, they may not be able to deduct the full cost of rent from their taxes. Finally, if the sale leaseback is combined with a credit tenant lease (CTL), the borrower may be subject to more stringent loan to value (LTV) and debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) requirements.

What are the tax implications of a sale leaseback in commercial real estate?

Sale leasebacks can be incredibly helpful for businesses who want or need to stay in their current location, but need a new source of cash in order to stay afloat. Unlike a mortgage, in which only interest is deductible, sellers can typically deduct the full cost of rent from their taxes. However, this may not be the case if the seller reserves an option to repurchase the property later.

For more information on the tax implications of a sale leaseback in commercial real estate, please consult a tax professional.

What are the legal considerations of a sale leaseback in commercial real estate?

When considering a sale leaseback in commercial real estate, there are several legal considerations to keep in mind. First, it is important to make sure that the sale leaseback agreement is properly drafted and that all parties understand their rights and obligations. Additionally, it is important to consider the tax implications of the sale leaseback, as well as any potential zoning or environmental issues that may arise. Finally, it is important to consider the potential for the tenant to repurchase the property in the future, as this could have an impact on the terms of the sale leaseback agreement.

For more information on sale leasebacks in commercial real estate, please see the following resources:

  • Sale Leaseback in Commercial Real Estate
  • Sale-Leaseback Definition
  • Sale-Leaseback Transactions

What are the financing options for a sale leaseback in commercial real estate?

The financing options for a sale leaseback in commercial real estate depend on the type of property and the borrower's creditworthiness. Generally, borrowers can choose from traditional bank loans, SBA loans, or private financing. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it's important to consider all of them before making a decision.

Traditional bank loans are typically the most common option for sale leasebacks. These loans are usually offered at a fixed rate and have a longer repayment period than other financing options. However, they may require a large down payment and have strict eligibility requirements.

SBA loans are government-backed loans that are designed to help small businesses. They typically have lower interest rates and longer repayment periods than traditional bank loans. However, they may require collateral and have more stringent eligibility requirements.

Private financing is another option for sale leasebacks. These loans are usually offered by private lenders and can be tailored to meet the borrower's needs. They may have higher interest rates and shorter repayment periods than traditional bank loans, but they may also have fewer eligibility requirements.

It's important to compare all of the financing options available for sale leasebacks before making a decision. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it's important to consider all of them before making a decision.

In this article:
  1. What is Sale Leaseback in Commercial Real Estate? 
  2. Sale Leaseback Benefits for Sellers 
  3. Sale Leaseback Benefits for Buyers 
  4. Questions? Fill out the form below to speak with a commercial real estate loan specialist.
  5. Related questions
  6. Get Financing
Categories
  • Commercial Property Loans
  • CRE Loans
Tags
  • Commercial Mortgage
  • commercial real estate loans
  • Commercial Property Loans
  • Leaseback
  • Sale Leaseback

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