Retail Property Loans

Retail real estate is evolving, with necessity-based and service-oriented tenants playing an increasingly central role. AVANA Companies provides retail property loans for grocery-anchored centers, neighborhood shopping centers, and select single-tenant and owner-occupied locations. Our mix of SBA 504, bridge, and conventional financing supports both stable cash-flowing assets and value-add strategies, while offering investors secured access to community-facing properties.

Apply for a loan

SBA 504 Loans
Built for Growth

Fixed-Rate, High LTV (Up to 90%), Long-Term CRE Loans for Owner-Occupied Properties

Backed by $5B+ in SBA lending expertise. Fast, transparent closings tailored for small businesses and brokers.

Financing Solutions for Retail Investors

Retail properties range from essential-service shopping centers to destination locations anchored by strong national or regional brands. AVANA focuses on retail assets where tenant quality, lease structures, and trade area fundamentals support durable cash flow.
We structure retail loans to reflect both the real estate and the underlying tenant businesses. That includes aligning maturities with lease rollovers, accounting for co-tenancy provisions, and supporting capital plans such as re-tenanting or façade improvements. For investors, these loans provide secured exposure to brick-and-mortar assets that serve as daily touchpoints for local communities.

Loan Options for Retail Properties

SBA 504 Loans

For eligible owner-users purchasing or refinancing retail properties they substantially occupy, SBA 504 provides high-leverage, fixed-rate funding with long amortizations.

Conventional Term Loans

Medium- to long-term loans for stabilized, income-producing centers and single-tenant properties, structured around anchor tenant strength and rent rolls.

Bridge Loans

Short-term, often interest-only loans supporting acquisitions, recapitalizations, and repositionings—such as re-tenanting, redevelopment, or cure of occupancy issues prior to permanent financing.
Check Icon - Fintech X Webflow Template
Diversify portfolios
Check Icon - Fintech X Webflow Template
Expand lending programs beyond their communities
Check Icon - Fintech X Webflow Template
Mitigate concentration risk
Check Icon - Fintech X Webflow Template
Improve Loan-to-share ratio
Check Icon - Fintech X Webflow Template
Diversify portfolios
Check Icon - Fintech X Webflow Template
Expand lending programs beyond their communities
Check Icon - Fintech X Webflow Template
Mitigate concentration risk
Check Icon - Fintech X Webflow Template
Improve Loan-to-share ratio

Key Terms & Structures

Rates and structures vary depending on loan type and borrower qualifications

Loan Sizes

Approximately $1MM to $30MM across programs.

Terms

Short-term bridge and construction: up to 3 years.
Long-term / SBA 504 & conventional: up to 25 years.

Leverage

Up to 75% LTV for many structures.
Up to 90% total project costs for qualifying SBA 504 projects.

Pricing

Market-indexed, generally tied to SOFR, CMT, or Treasury benchmarks, with program-specific spreads.

Use of Proceeds

Proceeds for retail loans may be used for

For Investors: Why Retail Loans Matter

Retail loans—particularly those backed by grocery-anchored and necessity-based centers—can offer:
  • Stable cash flows tied to everyday consumer spending and essential services.
  • Resilience in locations with strong population density, income levels, and limited competing supply.
  • A real-asset collateral base with potential for long-term appreciation under skilled ownership.
These characteristics make well-underwritten retail loans a valuable component of AVANA’s private-credit portfolios, while simultaneously supporting local commerce and community amenities.

Strategic Partnerships: Oaktree & IHG

Through the AVANA Oaktree Private Credit Partnership, AVANA delivers institutional-grade construction and bridge financing to experienced commercial real estate sponsors, combining AVANA’s sector expertise with Oaktree’s private credit platform
The AVANA–IHG Co-Lending Construction Program offers tailored structures for IHG-branded hotel projects, giving qualified sponsors a specialized lending solution aligned with brand standards and ramp-up expectations.
These partnerships help accelerate funding timelines, sharpen pricing, and create co-investment opportunities for aligned investors.

Frequently asked questions

Find answers to common questions
Can SBA 504 be used for retail owner-users?
Yes—SBA 504 is available for owner-operated retail properties. The business must occupy the majority of the space and meet SBA eligibility requirements.  
Do you finance single-tenant and multi-tenant retail?
Yes—term loans, bridge financing, and SBA 504 can be available for both single-tenant and multi-tenant retail. Grocery-anchored centers are strongly preferred due to stability and consistent foot traffic.  
Can I refinance a retail property for better terms or equity?
Yes—eligible owner-operators can access conventional, bridge, and SBA 504 refinance options to lower rates, restructure terms, or pull out capital for improvements.  
Do mixed-use properties qualify (retail + residential)?
Mixed-use with a retail component may qualify, depending on the commercial share, tenancy mix, and borrower goals.

Ready to Get Started?

Ready to move your project forward? Complete a short online form to share your property details, capital needs, and timing.

Our Team

About Sanat Patel

As Chief Lending Officer at AVANA Companies and Chair of the Board at AVANA Bank, Sanat Patel brings more than three decades of experience in financial services, private credit and commercial banking, with a proven track record in loan structuring, risk management, and balance sheet growth. Sanat has led strategic initiatives that connect institutional capital with entrepreneurial ambition, supporting the growth of businesses, and  owners engaged in commercial real estate across the U.S. He has built and scaled lending platforms in partnership with banks and credit unions, developing tailored financial solutions that drive job creation and foster inclusive economic development.

Sanat Patel
Chief Lending Officer

Our Team

About Christyna Lane

As a lending participation expert in Southern California, Christyna Lane manages the direct loan placements for AVANA CUSO, a Member of the AVANA Family of Companies, with lenders like credit unions, community banks and other financial institutions while establishing and maintaining relationships for the organization.  Joining the CUSO team in 2014, she works in connection with lenders nationwide to assist them in reaching their commercial lending goals and diversifying their portfolio.

Christyna Lane
Vice President Participations