Built for Brokers Making the Move into Commercial
Every course is practical, deal-focused, and built around what lenders actually look for.
Your Starting Point for Commercial Lending.
Whether you're crossing over from residential or starting fresh, we give you the training, tools, and confidence to originate and close commercial deals. Approved as a CPE credit instructor in New York, New Jersey, and Florida.
Learn How Commercial Lending Deals Actually Work
Pick your starting point and begin closing commercial deals
Start with Commercial Lending Foundations
Valued at $99 — complimentary for all new members.
Thinking about adding commercial to your business but not sure where to start? This course was built specifically for residential mortgage brokers making the move into commercial origination — and for professionals starting fresh in the field.
In this introductory course you will learn how commercial mortgage origination works, why it can significantly increase your income, and what separates commercial deals from the residential transactions you already know. You will cover the core loan types, the fundamentals of commercial underwriting, and how lenders evaluate income-producing properties — giving you the language and confidence to approach your first commercial conversation.
By the end you will have a clear picture of how commercial lending works and a defined learning path to take your skills and your income to the next level.
What's included:
- Small Balance Commercial Made Easy — eBook
- Introductory video course
Complimentary Commercial Lending Toolkit
Access practical templates and intake tools designed to help you analyze deals, qualify borrowers, and move transactions forward.
The Commercial Lending Accelerator
The most comprehensive small balance commercial training program available for residential brokers making the move into commercial origination. The Commercial Lending Accelerator takes you from the fundamentals of commercial underwriting all the way through agency programs, government-backed lending, and asset-based financing — with real case studies drawn from actual closed transactions. Every module is built around how deals actually work, not theory.
What you will be able to do when you finish:
- Evaluate any income-producing property using DSCR, LTV, and Debt Yield
- Structure deals across DSCR, Fix & Flip, SBA 7(a), SBA 504, Fannie Mae SBL, and Freddie Mac SBL
- Match every transaction to the right lender and the right program
- Walk into any commercial lending conversation with the confidence of an experienced originator
The most comprehensive small balance commercial training program available for residential brokers making the move into commercial origination.
- DSCR Lending Fundamentals
- Foundations of Commercial Underwriting
- Understanding Commercial Appraisals
- Fix & Flip Lending Fundamentals
- SBA 504 Loan Program
- SBA 7(a) Loan Program
- Fannie Mae Small Balance Loans
- Freddie Mac Small Balance Loans
- Closed Loan Examples — Real Transactions
Also included — Commercial Lending Toolkit ($99 value):
- Personal Financial Statement (Intake Version)
- Deal Submission Checklist
- Rent Roll Template & Checklist
- REO Schedule Template
- DSCR Calculator & Loan Sizing Tool
This is not an introductory course. It is a complete professional toolkit for brokers who are serious about building a commercial practice and closing deals.
$499
Events
05/13/2026
How to Get Started in Commercial Mortgage Brokering: A Guide for Residential Originators
2 PM
-
3 PM EST
Webinar
Event Details
05/13/2026
How to Get Started in Commercial Mortgage Brokering: A Guide for Residential Originators
Thinking about expanding your mortgage business beyond residential? Join seasoned commercial originators Art Swiatkowski, Enrique Gomez, and...
2 PM
-
3 PM EST
Webinar
5/6/2026
Southeast Real Estate Expo
May 6 & 7 - Greenville, SC
Event Details
5/6/2026
Southeast Real Estate Expo
The Academy for Commercial Lending is sponsoring and promoting a series of execution-focused panel discussions at the 2nd Annual Southeast R...
May 6 & 7 - Greenville, SC
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Videos
Understanding Today’s Real Estate Capital Markets
As real estate markets continue to evolve, professionals across lending, brokerage, advisory, and investment need a clear understanding of how capital actually moves through the system. This short course provides an objective, practical overview of the major forces shaping today’s capital markets and explains what brokers, realtors, lenders, and investors must know to navigate this environment with confidence.
Streamlined DSCR Approach (Recourse Loans)
This video explains the Streamlined DSCR loan approach, focusing on recourse loans, property types, and underwriting essentials. Learn more at academyforcommerciallending.com
Traditional DSCR Approach
Learn how traditional DSCR loans emphasize stabilized assets, conservative underwriting, and non-recourse structures favored by institutional lenders. something interesting about your business here.
Commercial Lending Insights: 3 Podcasts Every Broker Should Follow
Staying informed is the key to success in commercial mortgage lending.
In this video, we highlight three trusted resources that help brokers, lenders, and advisors stay ahead of market shifts:
Expand Beyond Residential Lending
This short video explains how to transition into commercial mortgage brokering. Learn why now is the perfect time to diversify, how to avoid common pitfalls, and the practical steps to start closing commercial deals. e customers a reason to do business with you.
Small-Cap CRE Market Update | Q3 2025 Insights for Brokers & Lenders
Small-Cap CRE Market Update | Q3 2025 Insights for Brokers & Lenders
In this market update, we break down the latest trends shaping the small-cap commercial real estate (CRE) space per the latest Boxwood Means update— with a focus on properties under $5 million. Whether you're a broker, lender, or private capital advisor, this Q3 2025 snapshot will help you understand where the market stands and where it's headed.
Is SFR real estate still worth the investment in 2025?
With high interest rates, soaring insurance costs, and tighter margins, many investors are starting to wonder if the numbers still work.
In this video, I’ll break down what’s really happening in today’s market—and how savvy investors are using smarter financing strategies like interest-only DSCR loans to protect cash flow and stay ahead.
If you’re planning to buy your next rental property—or just trying to figure out if now is the right time—you need to watch this before you make your next move.”
Fix-and-Flip Loans: What You Need to Know
Welcome to the Academy for Commercial Lending, where we help mortgage brokers and real estate professionals master the art of commercial lending.
In this video, we take a deep dive into Fix-and-Flip Loans — one of the most active and accessible entry points into small-balance commercial lending. You’ll learn how these short-term loans are structured, what lenders look for, and how to help your clients avoid the common pitfalls that can derail a deal.
Ground-Up Construction Loans — What You Need to Know
In this video, we break down Ground-Up Construction Loans — a critical topic for brokers and investors who finance new residential builds. You’ll learn how these loans are structured, what key ratios lenders use to assess risk, and how to manage the draw and inspection process from start to finish.
Mortgage Types - Knowing The Differences
We break down the key differences between fixed, adjustable, hybrid, and variable-rate mortgages. You’ll see how each loan structure impacts affordability, risk, and borrower suitability. rom long-term homeowners seeking stability to investors leveraging bridge financing. Understanding these rate types allows lending professionals to offer more informed advice and strengthen client relationships built on trust.
Residential Divergence: Strategic Positioning in a Segmented Market
We explores the latest residential housing trends from Cotality’s November 2025 report, highlighting a sharp slowdown in national price growth alongside rising regional divergence. We identify strategic opportunities for realtors and mortgage professionals, including targeting resilient Northeast metros, hybrid worker migration, and alternative client segments. Presented by the Academy for Commercial Lending, this briefing delivers actionable insights for navigating a segmented and shifting market.
11 Tax Strategies Every Real Estate Investor and Broker Should Know
Learn how to maximize returns and build long-term wealth with 11 essential tax strategies every real estate investor and broker should know. This short video explains key concepts such as cost segregation, entity structuring, 1031 exchanges, and Real Estate Professional Status (REPS). Gain the insight you need to become a trusted advisor and help your clients make smarter, tax-efficient investment decisions.
Academy For Commercial Lending