Gumption Blog

$10.4M Self-Storage Construction in Georgia: Winning Terms From a Bank

Author

Published

September 2, 2026

Reading Time

2 min read

A Georgia-based real estate investment firm was seeking vertical construction financing for a climate-controlled self-storage facility in Atlanta. For this sponsor, the priority was rate and I/O period to ensure debt service was manageable during the lease-up period. While the storage market has softened and some credit boxes have become constrained, Gumption was able to find banks willing to provide a low rate and the desired I/O. The winning lender was able to close at 80% LTC with 42 months of I/O, due to the sponsor's strength and track record.

While non-bank lenders can provide flexibility in some regards, they can be rigid and uncompromising in others. Banks, especially regional banks, can get very creative for the right sponsors. As one of Gumption's banking partners is fond of saying, "Policy should be written in pencil."

Deal snapshot

Climate-controlled self-storage facility interior in the Atlanta, Georgia market
MetricTerms
Property typeSelf-storage
Deal typeNew construction
MarketAtlanta, Georgia
Loan amount$10.4M
RateSOFR + 250bps floating (~6.15% as of writing)
Term5 years
Amortization25 years
I/O period42 months
LTC80%
Lender fee0.30%
Winning lender typeBank

How Gumption secured the best terms

Sponsors had acquired the property in cash in late 2024 and finished the permitting and entitlement process earlier this year, so significant equity was already built into the capital stack. The submarket was ripe for a new storage development, with strong population growth and limited supply.

While multiple lenders on Gumption's platform were interested, one stood out from the rest in what it was able to offer. This is a bank that is newer to market and does not operate a physical branch locally yet. Most would not think to call this bank, but Gumption's algorithm knew it could still be a good fit. Gumption's capital markets team handled negotiations and represented the borrower until closing.


Need financing for a ground-up development? Match your deal with the best lenders from Gumption's network of ~900 banks, credit unions, and private lenders.

Frequently asked questions

Usually not. 65-70% LTC is more common for most ground-up storage projects. However, there are lenders out there, both conventional and private, willing to provide higher leverage for the right project and the right sponsors.

Not normally, but often banks will expand geographically through making loans in newer markets. Larger banks can also follow sponsors based near them to faraway markets even in other states. This particular bank had capital to deploy and so could get comfortable going out-of-market for a strong sponsor.

It's a mix across the market. Some lenders are eagerly writing construction loans, but others are holding back. Some banks do not understand construction as well as others. The best way to see what the market is providing is by submitting your deal through Gumption.