Key Takeaways
- R-1 holders and their families can purchase commercial property for business use
- Business real estate funding available up to $5M without citizenship requirement
- Faith communities often purchase property to house their business operations
- Working capital and property acquisition funding both available
- 48-hour preliminary decisions
Commercial property ownership is a significant wealth-building milestone for faith-community business owners. Owning the building where your business operates eliminates lease risk, builds equity, and often reduces long-term occupancy costs compared to market-rate rents. For R-1-connected business owners who have built successful businesses in leased spaces, commercial property purchase is a natural next step.
Commercial Property Types for Faith-Community Businesses
- Retail storefronts: Own the space where your halal grocery, ethnic restaurant, or specialty store operates
- Office buildings: Own your professional service firm's office space
- Industrial/warehouse: Own your manufacturing or logistics facility
- Mixed-use: Commercial ground floor with residential units above, generating rental income
- Event venues: Purchase the property that houses your community event space
- Faith-adjacent properties: Community halls, educational facilities, social service spaces
Commercial Real Estate Funding Structure
Commercial property purchases typically require 20–30% down payment, with the remaining 70–80% financed. Bankable can provide the working capital component of a property purchase (bridging costs, business personal property acquisition) alongside traditional commercial mortgage financing for the real property itself. For faith-community business owners who face citizenship barriers to certain commercial mortgage programs, Bankable provides the non-citizenship capital components.
Important Note: Commercial Mortgage vs. Business Capital
Bankable provides business capital — not direct commercial mortgage lending. For the real property itself (the building and land), you will typically work with a commercial real estate lender or bank. Bankable provides complementary working capital, improvement financing, and business equipment funding that supports the overall property acquisition strategy. We can refer you to commercial mortgage lenders who work with non-citizen borrowers.
| Property Type | Typical Purchase Price | Bankable Can Help With |
|---|---|---|
| Small retail storefront | $300K–$800K | Improvement capital, equipment, working capital |
| Small office building | $500K–$2M | Renovation, buildout, business equipment |
| Warehouse/industrial | $500K–$3M | Equipment, fit-out, working capital |
| Event venue | $400K–$2M | AV/kitchen equipment, renovation, working capital |
Frequently Asked Questions
R-1 holders can own commercial real estate through business entities. The property purchase itself involves commercial mortgage financing — Bankable provides complementary business capital for improvements and equipment. We can refer you to commercial mortgage lenders who work with non-citizen borrowers.
Bankable funds the business capital components: leasehold improvements, business equipment, renovation costs, and working capital associated with the property purchase. We complement — rather than replace — commercial mortgage financing for the real property itself.
Many commercial mortgage lenders do not require US citizenship or permanent residency — they evaluate the property's value and the borrower's business income. However, SBA commercial real estate loans (SBA 504) now require citizenship. Bankable can refer you to non-SBA commercial lenders who work with non-citizen borrowers.
Faith organizations can purchase property, but this typically involves religious real estate financing that is separate from business commercial mortgages. If a for-profit business entity is purchasing property for business use (with or without religious affiliation), commercial property financing applies.
Commercial property purchases typically require 20–30% down payment. For a $500,000 property, you need $100,000–$150,000 in cash. Bankable does not eliminate the down payment requirement — we provide complementary business capital to make the overall acquisition work.
Yes. Owning the building where your business operates eliminates lease risk, which strengthens your business fundability for future capital needs. Property equity can also be used as collateral for larger business capital amounts.
We evaluate your business's revenue and provide commitment letters for the business capital components of your property acquisition. We can also refer you to commercial real estate attorneys, commercial mortgage brokers, and immigration attorneys familiar with real estate owned by non-citizens.
Yes. Bankable funds the business capital components of commercial property purchases in all 50 states. Commercial mortgage financing for the property itself is also available in all states through Bankable's lender network.