Development Fee Deferred as Equity

Hi Everyone,

I'm beginning my first mixed-use project as the General Partner (GP). I'm curious about how much of the development fee lenders typically allow to be deferred and counted as equity.

For example, if you have a $16 million project with 75% Loan-to-Cost (LTC) financing, you'd need $4 million in equity. If the development fee is $1 million, will a lender allow you to defer the entire development fee and count it as equity?

22 Comments
 

Can't imagine why not, unless there are legal or regulatory issues that prevent it (this does occur in LIHTC financing, for example).

 

NewDevNE

Funny enough, I actually got the idea to defer my developer fee after reviewing underwriting for a LIHTC project. Everything thing just clicked in my head and gave me the confidence to sign a PSA.

Congratulations on getting a deal done!

 
Most Helpful

I guess you can make a technical case that you don't have any "skin in the game" if you're just using your deferred fee as equity.  There are plenty of ways to monetize a construction project so there is a risk that you don't project manage well and make your money elsewhere.

But that seems kind of ticky tack? I guess on the other end, if you're not taking a fee it means you may no be properly investing into staff and back office which may lead to problems down the line, but that also seems like a hurdle that an investment partner should clear before even agreeing to invest in a project.  Who is giving money to someone they don't think can finish out construction?

 

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