Key Takeaways
- Parolees can legally own US commercial real estate
- Property-backed financing for business property acquisition
- Revenue from your business is the primary underwriting factor
- No green card required for commercial real estate loans
- SBA 504 closed to parolees — Bankable is the alternative
Owning your business premises is a transformative wealth-building step for any entrepreneur — and parolees are legally entitled to pursue it. The US has no law preventing humanitarian parolees from owning commercial real estate. Banks, however, systematically deny commercial mortgages to parolees using automated underwriting. Bankable's commercial property financing focuses on your business's revenue-generating capacity, not your immigration documentation.
Commercial Property Types We Finance for Parolees
- Retail Strip: Buy your own store building instead of paying rent. Revenue from your business and potential co-tenants supports the loan.
- Medical/Dental Offices: Physician and dentist-parolees buying their practice building. Practice revenue covers debt service comfortably.
- Industrial/Warehouse: Manufacturing and logistics businesses buying their facility for operational stability.
- Mixed-Use: Restaurant or retail on ground floor, residential units above. Dual income stream supports financing.
- Small Office Building: Professional services firm buying its building — typically 2-10 units, partially owner-occupied.
The SBA 504 Gap
SBA 504 loans were the gold standard for small business commercial real estate acquisition — 10-25 year terms, low down payments (10%), and below-market rates. The March 2026 SBA citizenship rule eliminated parolees from all 504 programs. Bankable provides alternative commercial real estate financing with competitive terms for parolees with strong business revenue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. There is no federal law preventing parolees from owning commercial real estate. Most states also allow non-citizen commercial real estate ownership (some states have restrictions on agricultural land — commercial property is generally unrestricted). The challenge is financing, not legality.
Most commercial real estate lenders require 20-35% down for non-standard borrowers including parolees. If your business generates strong revenue ($50,000+/month), the down payment requirement may be at the lower end. The property's income potential is the key LTV factor.
Yes. Bankable underwrites commercial property financing based on your business's revenue and the property's projected income. A restaurant owner buying their building qualifies based on restaurant revenue plus any rental income from co-tenants.
Mixed-citizenship property partnerships are common. A parolee and a US citizen co-owning commercial property may access more traditional financing options, with the citizen co-borrower qualifying for conventional commercial mortgages.
Owner-occupied commercial real estate (buying your current leased space) is one of our strongest use cases. Your existing lease proves the revenue capacity of the space, and your business's existing revenue is the primary underwriting factor.
Commercial real estate transactions take 3-8 weeks from application to close — including appraisal, title search, environmental inspection, and legal documentation. Faster than SBA 504's typical 60-90 day process.
Typically 65-75% LTV for parolee-owned commercial properties — meaning a $500,000 property requires $125,000-$175,000 down. Strong business revenue and personal credit can support higher LTV.
Yes. Business entities can own commercial real estate. Many parolee business owners structure separate LLCs for the property and the operating business, with the operating business paying rent to the property LLC. Bankable finances both structures.