Make Business Real Estate Work for You
December 19, 2025
Buying property isn’t just about finding the right house. It can also mean securing the right space for your business or investing in rentals that build long?term wealth.
For many local entrepreneurs, the process looks familiar but comes with important differences compared to a traditional home mortgage.
To help explain those nuances, UnitedOne Credit Union’s Business Relationship Manager, Lindsay Wiesner, joined the Local Home Loan Experts on the “At Home on the Lakeshore” podcast to discuss how real estate purchases work and what borrowers should know before they get started.
“When you’re talking a home, you can have a fixed rate for up to 30 years,” said Wiesner, NMLS # 2368797. “Where on the business side, we’re looking more at a term of five or seven years and then the loan would balloon.”
This means that while payments may be spread out over a 30?year schedule, the interest rate resets after the shorter term and is subject to market changes.
Down payments are another area where business lending stands apart.
For personal mortgages, buyers can often avoid large down payments through programs like PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance).
But for most investment properties, Wiesner noted, “There’s always a down payment requirement with buying an investment property — that’s 20% down just because of the PMI that’s not (always) an option on the business side.”
Otherwise, there are creative ways to meet this requirement, such as leveraging the equity in your current home.
Ownership structure is also an important consideration. Many investors prefer to purchase properties under an LLC to limit liability.
“A lot of times people would like to buy the investment properties in an LLC,” Wiesner said.
That makes business lending the right path for those structuring purchases through a company entity.
Commercial properties and short?term rentals are also becoming increasingly popular in the local market.
“Commercial is kind of the same thing when it comes to investment properties, when it comes to the term, it’s very similar,” Wiesner said. “We also do short?term rentals, so like the Airbnb’s that are up and coming in the area as we get more tourism in our area, which is great.”
When it comes to rates and paperwork, Wiesner said the process is manageable. Rates are reviewed weekly and locked at the time of application for up to 90 days, giving borrowers stability during the process.
While paperwork is required, she emphasized that timing is efficient: “From start to finish, we can easily close within 30 days.”
Wiesner’s final piece of advice is simple but powerful: start the conversation early.
“I always feel like there’s never too early of a conversation, even if it’s something you’re just throwing around,” Wiesner said. “I love the beginning conversations and watching our relationship grow into something to help you start from one rental all the way up to 50 if you really want.”
Whether you’re considering your first rental property or expanding into commercial real estate, reaching out to UnitedOne Credit Union’s team of Business and Local Home Loan Experts can help you navigate the process with confidence.
With local professionals working side by side across consumer and business lending, you’ll have the guidance you need to make the right decision for your future.