1st Nationwide Mortgage

California Commercial Real Estate Loans

Commercial real estate loans for California investors — 5+ unit multi-family, mixed-use, office, retail, and industrial. Nationwide private lender, available in all 50 states.

California Commercial Real Estate Loans

California’s commercial real estate market is the largest in the country by transaction volume — and one of the most complex to finance. We originate commercial real estate loans for California investors across the full property spectrum: 5+ unit multi-family, mixed-use, office, retail, industrial, and self-storage.

Commercial real estate loans qualify on the property’s cash flow, not personal income. No tax returns required.

We are a nationwide private commercial lender — commercial loans are available in all 50 states and are not subject to the state licensing restrictions that apply to our residential mortgage products. Whether your deal is in Los Angeles, the Bay Area, the Inland Empire, or Sacramento, we can quote and close.

Get Pre-Qualified for a Commercial Loan Talk to a Commercial Specialist — (833) 350-9185

California Commercial Markets We Serve

Los Angeles Basin The LA metro is the top commercial real estate market in the western US. Demand from multi-family investors, mixed-use developers, and industrial users (logistics, last-mile) is driven by population density and limited supply. We finance apartment buildings, strip centers, flex industrial, and mixed-use projects across LA County, the San Fernando Valley, Long Beach, and the South Bay.

San Francisco Bay Area The Bay Area’s commercial market is defined by its scarcity and price. Office correction has created opportunities for repositioning plays; multi-family and mixed-use in the East Bay and South Bay remain supply-constrained. We work with investors in San Jose, Oakland, Berkeley, and the Peninsula on apartment buildings, small commercial blocks, and mixed-use acquisitions.

San Diego San Diego’s commercial market is driven by biotech, defense, and military-adjacent industries in the north county. Multi-family demand is strong throughout the county given limited rental inventory. Industrial and flex space in Otay Mesa and Kearny Mesa are active markets. We finance across all San Diego submarkets.

Inland Empire The Inland Empire (Riverside and San Bernardino counties) is the national center for logistics and warehouse distribution. Industrial vacancy is low; rent growth has been among the strongest in the country. Multi-family demand has grown as residents priced out of coastal markets relocate inland. We originate commercial loans across Riverside, San Bernardino, Ontario, Fontana, and surrounding cities.


Property Types We Finance in California

Property TypeMin LoanTypical LTVNotes
Multi-family (5+ units)$500K70–75%Apartment buildings, garden-style, mixed residential
Mixed-use$500K65–75%Retail/residential combos; commercial first floor + apartments
Office$750K65–70%Medical, professional, flex-office
Retail$500K65–70%Strip centers, NNN single-tenant, urban retail
Industrial / warehouse$750K65–75%Light industrial, flex, logistics, last-mile
Self-storage$1M65–70%Existing stabilized facilities

Typical Loan Terms

FeatureRange
Loan amounts$500,000 – $10,000,000+
Term5, 7, or 10-year fixed with 25–30 year amortization
LTV65–75% depending on property type
DSCR minimum1.20–1.30
Close time45–75 days
Income docsNot required — property cash flow qualifies
VestingLLC preferred; single-asset SPV standard
Reserves6–12 months operating + capex

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Commercial real estate loans do not require borrowers to go through a state-licensed residential mortgage lender. We originate commercial loans in all 50 states — California included — without the state-by-state licensing restrictions that apply to our FHA, VA, or conventional residential products. If your property qualifies commercially, the origination is straightforward regardless of state.
Our minimum is $500,000 on most commercial property types, with some programs starting at $750,000–$1,000,000 for office, self-storage, or higher-complexity assets. California’s commercial deals typically come in well above minimums given local property values.
45–75 days is typical. Commercial underwriting requires a property condition report, Phase I environmental, rent roll verification, lease review, and a commercial-grade appraisal with an income-capitalization methodology. Straightforward, stabilized multi-family or NNN retail can close on the faster end; value-add, repositioning, or complex mixed-use deals take longer.
Yes. 5+ unit apartment buildings are the most common commercial loan use case in California. Properties with 5–20 units are typically financed with standard commercial programs; larger portfolios or high-balance individual assets may qualify for agency multi-family (Fannie/Freddie) or CMBS programs depending on size and stabilization. We can identify the right program for your specific deal.
Yes — we originate across all California markets. Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, Inland Empire, Sacramento, Fresno, and other California metros are all within our commercial lending footprint.


Get Pre-Qualified for a Commercial Loan Talk to a Commercial Specialist — (833) 350-9185

1st Nationwide Mortgage, NMLS 1281. Commercial real estate loans subject to property underwriting, sponsor qualification, and lender approval. Terms, LTV, and DSCR minimums vary by property type and loan amount. Not all applicants or properties will qualify. Commercial loans are available in all 50 states and are not subject to residential NMLS licensing restrictions.

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Talk to a licensed loan officer about your options — no obligation.