Welcome back to the Mobile Home Park Lawyer Podcast! In this episode, Ferd sits down with Austin Fee of Bank of Springfield, a Kansas City–based lender with deep experience in commercial and mobile home park financing. Austin shares how he evaluates deals, what banks look for in today’s lending environment, and how borrowers can position themselves for smoother approvals and better terms.

Ferd and Austin dive into the nuts and bolts of underwriting—including down payment expectations, amortization norms, rate structures, committee approvals, deposit requirements, guarantor strength, and seller financing. Austin explains how banks think about risk, when they stretch on pricing, how relationships influence renewals, why communication matters, and how borrowers can “sell the deal” to help lenders champion it internally. The conversation also covers market shifts in 2025, tightening credit, committee dynamics, and why small deals often open the door to long-term lending relationships.

Whether you’re approaching your first bank, planning a refinance, raising capital, or navigating infill and turnaround projects, this episode gives you clear, practical insight into how lenders think—and how to get more of your deals across the finish line. Tune in now to understand today’s lending landscape and build stronger banking relationships that support your long-term growth.

Highlights of the episode:
00:36 – Introducing Austin Fee
03:17 – Market differences
05:29 – Selling your deal
07:06 – How rates are priced
10:26 – Value-add flexibility
12:06 – Guarantee importance
17:17 – Seller financing blends
20:07 – Net worth ranges
23:12 – Bank-friendly documents
27:13 – Performance vs. projections
28:08 – Communication matters
35:33 – When deals get vetoed
37:23 – Relationship-driven lending
39:22 – Trust in banking
40:03 – Packaging your loan
42:35 – Document requirements
45:40 – Minimum deal size
46:58 – Credit tightening
48:47 – Customer scoring
49:45 – Relationship value
50:01 – Lending states & contact info

Connecting with MHP Law:
Website: https://themobilehomelawyer.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/The-Mobile-Home-Park-Lawyer-103814958118069
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themhplawyer-ferdniemann6923147/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themhplawyer

Connecting with Guest:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-fee-/

#MobileHomePark #MHPInvesting #RealEstateInvesting #BankingInsights #CommercialLending #MobileHomeParkFinancing #PropertyManagement #Underwriting #LoanApproval #ParkAcquisitions

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