News & Deals

AMARILLO, TX - Ben Wilson of Helvetica identified an exchange property for a private investor's 1031 exchange upleg.  The investor needed to quickly identify a substitute property to qualify for a 1031 exchange and defer a substantial amount of tax liability.The investor's financial advisor and CPA referred him to Helvetica as a trusted source to provide advise on acquiring and financing commercial real estate. Helvetica was able to scour the country side within a few days and find a suitable, low risk, worry free, cash flowing investment located in Amarillo, TX. The single tenant retail building was leased to a credit tenant and was generating a 5.6% return (cap rate).

Using an alternative bridge lender for financing 1031 exchanges often provides the best solution.  This type of financing gives the most certainty for closing on time and is well worth the extra interest and fees that may be charged, when compared with the high taxes that could be incurred otherwise. 

ST. PETERSBURG, FL (December 31, 2015) - Chad Mestler, CEO of Helvetica Group, arrannged for the purchase of a vacant hospital, formerly known as the Ed White Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL.  This 6 story, 121,000 sq. ft. building is an ideal opportunity for an adaptive reuse development.  Ideally suited for assisted living, senior housing, veterans housing, immigrant children housing, single resident occupancy or multifamily.  The neighborhood of Kenwood is a very desirable residential area in St. Petersburg, Florida. Kenwood is located just 2 miles from downtown St. Petersburg, and 15 minutes from downtown Tampa.

LOS ANGELES (August 3, 2016) - Helvetica refinanced a recently matured private money loan.  The borrower was a non profit that owned a chuch building located in Los Angeles.  The transaction was structured with a 20 year amortization and a 7 year maturity which enabled the borrower to payoff the existing debt as well as lower their monthly payment.   

LA JOLLA, CA (November 30, 2016) - The Helvetica Group provided a low loan-to-value bridge loan secured by one junior trust deed on three luxury single family homes located in prestigious neighborhoods in La Jolla, CA.  The homes were non-owner occupied investment properties and were in excellent locations.  The loan was to a sucessful tech entrepreneur and the proceeds were to be used to provide venture debt to an early stage biotech company. 

RAMONA, CA (September 30, 2015) - Helvetica funded a loan secured by a two story, 24,960 square foot, multi-tenant office/retail building in Ramona, CA. Helvetica provided a $1,900,000 loan to refinance the borrower’s maturing debt. The borrower purchased the land nearly 15 years ago and received a bank loan after completing the construction of the building in 2003. During the economic downturn, a few tenants vacated the building causing the property value to decline. The borrower negotiated a forbearance agreement with the existing lender who later accepted a discounted payoff.  The borrower refinanced with a private money lender and that loan came due. The broker was unable to find a traditional loan: banks were unwilling to finance the property even though there was plenty of equity.

The broker earned $19,000 and was able to save the borrower from foreclosure.

ENCINITAS, CA (December 9, 2016) -  Today the City of Encinitas approved Helvetica's project to build 5 new luxury ocean view homes in beautiful Cardiff by the Sea.   It was a long process, but the collaborative effort with the City of Encinitas resulted in a much better project overall.   The homes to be built on the corner of Chesterfield and Glasgow will consist of approximately 12,400 total square feet of living space and include 2 twin homes and one single family residence. All of the homes will have covered patios, entertainment space, roof top decks and expansive white water views.  These homes are an entertainer's and beach lover's dream.  

HOLLYWOOD, CA - In 2008, Helvetica provided a $3.5 million loan to refinance the iconic home in Los Angeles known as Castillo Del Lago: a house with a sorted history, celebrity ownership, mafia affiliation, ghost hauntings and murder intrigue.  The home built in 1926, was once owned by Bugsy Siegel, purchased for $20,000 in 1930  and used for illegal gambling prior to Bugsy moving to Las Vegas to build the famous Flamingo hotel.  

SANTA ROSA, CA (June 30, 2016) - Helvetica financed a repeat borrower requesting a bridge loan to facilitate a reverse 1031 exchange.  Loan required a quick closing with liimited documentation and no debt service coverage. The borrower was in escrow to sell a multifamily property in Santa Rosa, CA, but needed to quickly close on the purchase of another property which qualified for their 1031 reverse exchange property. Helvetica's $2.7M bridge loan provided the borrower with enough equity to close on their upleg exchange property. The borrower intended to payoff the loan shortly after close with the sale of the property in escrow. Helvetica was able to provide a loan without a prepayment penalty and with a small minimum interest and yield maintenance. 

SANTA MONICA, CA (July 20, 2015) - Helvetica provided a $305,000 refinance loan on a 5-unit multifamily property in Santa Monica, CA.   The borrower had an existing loan on the property with an upcoming maturity date. The property was 100% occupied and had good cash flow. Despite the fact that the property was stabilized, and located in a highly desirable area, the borrower was unable to obtain conventional bank financing due to some temporary credit challenges. Helvetica acted quickly to refinance the borrower helping them to avoid a late fee on their looming balloon payment.  The borrower will be able to utilize Helvetica's bridge loan while they clean up some credit issues and look for permanent bank financing.  The borrower may also be able to take advantage of Helvetica's bridge to perm program.