Ohio Commercial Real Estate Loans
Capital for investors who buy, refinance, or build retail, office, industrial, and mixed-use property anywhere in Ohio. We size each loan around the project’s cost, value, and income rather than your tax returns, then move quickly: construction pricing from 9.5%, leverage up to 85% of cost, and closings in as few as 10-20 days.
- Ground-up construction, acquisition, bridge, and refinance financing
- Up to 85% loan-to-cost and up to 75% of completed value
- Retail, medical office, industrial, flex, self-storage, and mixed-use projects
- Underwriting that accounts for floodplain, stormwater, and winter-construction schedules
- LLCs, developers & foreign nationals welcome · all 88 Ohio counties
- Describe the propertyLocation, property type, land or purchase price, and total budget.
- Receive a same-day term sheetWe size the loan around cost, value, and expected income.
- Close and get to workYour first draw funds quickly, and later draws follow inspections.
Property types
Commercial properties we finance across Ohio
From a suburban Columbus pad site to an industrial park along the I-71 corridor, we evaluate each project on its own economics:
Retail & Shopping Centers
Grocery-anchored strips, neighborhood centers, and pad sites in fast-growing suburbs.Industrial & Flex
Distribution buildings, small-bay flex, and warehouses near ports, rail, and interstates.Office & Medical Office
Professional suites, outpatient clinics, and specialty medical buildings near major hospital systems.Mixed-Use & Multifamily
Ground-floor retail with apartments or offices above, suited to walkable urban districts.Commercial financing
How a Ohio commercial real estate loan works
A commercial real estate loan is secured by property that earns income or houses a business, and lenders judge it mainly by what the asset can produce. That is different from a home mortgage. We review the purchase price or build budget, the likely rents, the location, and the plan, then structure funding to match. A buyer closing on an occupied center needs a different loan than a developer clearing a vacant lot, so we offer several paths instead of one rigid product.
For new construction, funds are released in stages as inspected work is completed, and you pay interest only on the balance already drawn. We lend up to 85 percent of total project cost, which includes land, hard costs, and soft costs, and up to 75 percent of the building’s projected value on completion. When the building is finished, you can sell it, refinance into a long-term loan, or use a one-time-close structure that converts automatically. Because Ohio projects can involve floodplain, stormwater, Lake Erie or Ohio River flood exposure, and winter construction schedules, and because Ohio mechanic’s lien law shapes draw and title procedures, we review those items early so your schedule is not derailed at appraisal or title.
| Collateral | The land and the commercial property being purchased, refinanced, or built (mortgage) |
| Loan amount | $100,000 to $100,000,000 |
| Construction leverage | Up to 85% of total cost · up to 75% of completed value |
| Construction structure | Interest-only · pricing from 9.5% · 12-24 month term · draws against inspected work |
| Ohio factors | Floodplain and stormwater, Lake Erie and Ohio River flood exposure, winter construction timing, mechanic’s lien practice; zoning and permitting vary by city, village, and township |
| Borrower | Individual, LLC, or development entity · foreign nationals eligible |
| Coverage | All 88 Ohio counties, from Lake Erie to the Ohio River |
Loan programs
Ohio commercial loan programs
Pick the structure that fits where your property is in its life cycle:
Ground-Up Construction
Interest-only funding for new retail, office, industrial, and mixed-use buildings, released as work is inspected.
Land Plus Construction
Buy the parcel and fund the building together, so you are not arranging separate loans for lot and structure.
Acquisition & Bridge
Short-term capital to secure a property that needs lease-up, repositioning, or renovation before permanent financing.
Refinance & Exit
Take out a construction or bridge loan once the building is complete and leased, including one-time-close options.
Why build commercial in Ohio
Why investors choose to construct, not just buy
- Massive, fast-growing demandOhio has nearly 12 million residents and a central Midwest location with strong interstate, rail, and river access, and every household needs shopping, medical care, jobs, and storage.
- Building can beat buyingNew construction lets you design for modern tenants and lock in a cost basis that may deliver a better yield than purchasing a finished, fully priced asset.
- Many distinct marketsColumbus growth and new semiconductor and battery investment, Cleveland and Cincinnati healthcare and corporate headquarters, Lake Erie and Ohio River shipping, and Midwest logistics each create a different commercial niche.
- A lender that knows the stateFlood zones, Lake Erie and Ohio River exposure, Ohio lien rules, and city-versus-township permitting realities are priced into our process from the first conversation.
Free tool
Commercial construction budget & yield calculator
Estimate total project cost, loan amount, required equity, and interest carry, then compare your expected net operating income to the all-in cost. The interest estimate assumes the outstanding balance averages about half the loan over the build. Illustrative only.
Your project
Illustrative only; not a commitment to lend. Excludes permits, impact fees, insurance, reserves, and closing costs. Interest rate and NOI are example inputs, not a quote or a forecast.
How we compare
CambridgeHomeLoan vs. typical Ohio banks
Community and regional banks can offer good terms to existing customers, but approvals often hinge on a long relationship and a slow committee process. Here is how our approach usually differs, with our advantages highlighted.
| Feature | CambridgeHomeLoan | Typical Ohio Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifies on | Project cost, value & plan | Relationship plus the project |
| Documentation | Streamlined | Full financials, often deposits |
| Time to close | As fast as 10-20 days | Often 45-90+ days |
| Draw turnaround | Typically 3-5 days | Often 1-2 weeks or longer |
| Coastal & floodplain sites | Underwritten routinely | Often restricted |
| Exit options | In-house one-time-close | Usually a separate loan |
Bank column is a generic composite of commonly seen terms as of 2026 and does not describe any specific lender.
Top construction markets
12 Ohio cities where commercial construction makes sense
Ohio is a large Midwest state with very different markets, from the Columbus growth corridor and the Cleveland and Cincinnati healthcare hubs to the Lake Erie ports and the Ohio River. Below is a snapshot of twelve active areas for commercial construction loans, with rounded population figures based on U.S. Census Bureau estimates and the employers and centers that shape demand.
Columbus
Columbus is the state capital and the largest city in Ohio, home to Ohio State University, Nationwide, and a large finance and healthcare base. Easton Town Center anchors retail, and fast population growth supports mixed-use, medical office, industrial, and flex projects across the metro.
Cleveland
Cleveland is anchored by the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, and a Great Lakes port. Medical office, adaptive reuse, and industrial projects are common, and lower basis than coastal metros can improve yield on cost. Lake Erie and Cuyahoga River flood exposure calls for early review.
Cincinnati
Cincinnati is home to Procter & Gamble, Kroger, and Fifth Third, and Over-the-Rhine and the riverfront show what redevelopment can earn. Medical office, mixed-use infill, and suburban retail along I-71 and I-75 are natural fits, with Ohio River floodplain considerations.
Toledo
Toledo combines a Great Lakes port, major rail and interstate crossings, and an auto manufacturing base, with Owens Corning and ProMedica as major employers. Industrial, warehouse, and medical office projects fit well at a moderate cost basis.
Akron
Akron is home to Goodyear and a polymer research cluster, with Akron Children’s and Summa Health as large healthcare employers. Its position between Cleveland and Canton supports flex, medical office, and neighborhood retail projects.
Dayton
Dayton is tied to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, one of the state’s largest employers, plus a growing aerospace and defense supply chain. Flex and industrial space, medical office, and service retail suit its stable employment base.
Dublin
Dublin is an affluent Columbus suburb with Cardinal Health, OCLC, and Wendy’s headquartered nearby, and Bridge Park adds walkable retail and apartments. Office, medical, and upscale mixed-use projects suit the high-income customer base.
New Albany
New Albany is a planned community east of Columbus with Abercrombie & Fitch headquarters, large data-center and logistics campuses, and Intel’s major chip-plant site nearby. Rapid growth supports retail, hospitality, and support services, though timelines on large tenant projects can shift.
Mason
Mason, north of Cincinnati, is home to Cintas and is near Kings Island, with a strong corporate base along I-71. Office, medical office, hospitality, and suburban retail are natural project types.
Canton
Canton is best known for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and its Hall of Fame Village, and nearby North Canton hosts Diebold Nixdorf. Entertainment-adjacent retail, hospitality, and industrial projects work at a low basis.
Youngstown
Youngstown anchors the Mahoning Valley, with Youngstown State University, a growing medical sector, and nearby auto and battery manufacturing. Industrial reuse, medical office, and small-bay flex are practical projects at a very low basis.
Lorain
Lorain sits on Lake Erie west of Cleveland, with an active port, a steel and manufacturing history, and a redeveloping downtown. Industrial, waterfront-adjacent retail, and adaptive reuse projects are typical, with lakeshore flood review.
Population figures are rounded and approximate, drawn from recent U.S. Census Bureau and Ohio Department of Development estimates, and may have changed. Employers and centers are named for market context only and do not imply any relationship with them.
We fund projects all over Ohio. If your city is not listed, call us or submit your application and we will confirm.
How it works
Get your Ohio commercial loan in three steps
Send the project details
Share the location, property type, plans, total budget, and whether you plan to sell, lease, or hold.
Receive a same-day term sheet
We review cost, expected value, and your experience, then return clear terms with minimal paperwork.
Close and start drawing
We close, fund your first draw, and release later draws promptly as each stage passes inspection.
Requirements
Ohio commercial loan requirements
| Equity | As little as 15-20% of total project cost, depending on experience and the project |
| Credit | 640+ FICO typical; deal-first, with exceptions considered |
| Income documents | Streamlined and asset-based; personal income is not the main driver |
| Plans & permits | Approved plans and city, village, or township permits (or in process), building-code compliance, and floodplain and stormwater documentation where applicable |
| Vesting | Individual, LLC, or development entity · foreign nationals eligible |
| Exit | Sale on completion, or refinance into a long-term loan |
Answers
Ohio commercial real estate loan FAQ
What is a Ohio commercial real estate loan?
A Ohio commercial real estate loan finances income-producing or business-use property such as retail centers, office and medical buildings, industrial and flex space, and mixed-use projects. Instead of leaning on personal income, we look at the property, its cost or value, its projected or actual rents, and your plan for it. Funding can cover a purchase, a refinance, bridge capital, or a ground-up build, and we lend in all 88 Ohio counties.
How much can I borrow for ground-up commercial construction?
Construction loans run from $100,000 to $100,000,000. Leverage reaches up to 85 percent of total project cost and up to 75 percent of the completed value, and we size the loan to whichever measure is more conservative. Pricing starts at 9.5 percent on an interest-only term of 12 to 24 months.
Do you lend on Lake Erie, river, and floodplain sites?
Yes. Lakefront, river, and floodplain sites are a normal part of Ohio lending, and we underwrite them with that in mind. We review flood designation, elevation certificates, stormwater plans, and any shoreline or wetland permitting, along with local approvals. Your design team will usually already be building to these rules; we simply need the documentation in your file.
How do construction draws work?
You receive an initial draw at closing to start work, then request additional draws as each phase, such as site work, foundation, structure, and interior build-out, is finished. We inspect the completed work before releasing funds and typically turn draws around in about three to five days. Because interest accrues only on money already drawn, carrying costs stay lower early in the project. Retainage and lien waivers follow Ohio construction practice.
Can I buy land and build in a single loan?
Yes. Our land-plus-construction structure can fund the lot purchase and the vertical build together in one transaction. If you already own the land, its value generally counts toward your required equity in the project.
What happens when the building is finished?
After the certificate of occupancy, you can sell the property and repay the loan from proceeds, refinance into a long-term commercial loan, or convert automatically if you chose a one-time-close structure. Many investors lease up the building first so the long-term lender underwrites a stabilized income stream.
Do you finance projects in cities that are not listed on this page?
Yes. The cities above are a sample of the most active Ohio commercial markets, not a limit. If your project is somewhere else in the state, call us or submit an application and we will confirm the details.
Keep exploring
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© 2026 CambridgeHomeLoan.com · NMLS #1826020 · 4830 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33609 · (800) 826-5077 · Equal Housing Lender. Commercial real estate and construction loans are business-purpose loans and are not available for primary residences. Rates, points, loan-to-cost, loan-to-value, terms, draw schedules, and closing timelines are illustrative, subject to change without notice, and subject to borrower, property, and project qualification and underwriting approval. “Rates from 9.5%,” “up to 85% loan-to-cost,” and other maximums reflect the strongest profiles and are not a quote or commitment to lend. Completed values are estimates confirmed by appraisal. Calculator results are illustrative and exclude permits, impact fees, insurance, reserves, and closing costs. Population figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Ohio Department of Development, are rounded and approximate, and may have changed. Employer and shopping-center names are used only to describe local markets and do not imply endorsement or affiliation. City descriptions are general observations, not property-specific or investment advice. Comparison figures are generic composites and do not describe any specific lender. Borrowers must confirm applicable building code, floodplain, stormwater, zoning, lien, and permitting requirements with licensed professionals. This page is informational and is not financial, legal, tax, or investment advice.