A commercial real estate loan is a mortgage secured by a lien on commercial property versus residential property. Commercial real estate (CRE) is any income-producing real estate used for business purposes. For example, offices, retail, hotels, and apartments.
A CRE loan might be sought by small businesses seeking to buy, expand, or renovate their sites. CRE loans are often made to investors like corporations, developers, partnerships, funds, trusts, and real estate investment trusts or REITs. These are business entities formed for the specific purpose of owning and operating commercial real estate.
The business entity buys commercial property, leases out space, and then collects rent from businesses operating within the property. Financing for the venture, including the acquisition, development, and construction of these properties, comes from commercial real estate loans.