Path one: chase bank branch loans with 90-day timelines, rigid debt-service coverage ratios, and underwriters unfamiliar with Gainesville's game-day revenue spikes. Path two: work with a broker who knows local occupancy patterns and connects you to SBA 7(a) lenders, bridge-loan sources, and commercial real estate programs designed for hospitality cash flow. One path burns months; the other fits your local economy.
Gainesville hotel operators compete for UF parents, Shands Medical visitors, and travelers breaking I-75 drives between Jacksonville and Tampa. That mix demands financing partners who understand your revenue isn't linear across twelve months.
Loan programs
Each program carries different collateral rules, personal-guarantee structures, and documentation lists. A broker sorts which lenders accept limited-service motels versus full-service conference properties, saving you from mismatched applications.
remain the workhorse for hotel purchase and refinance transactions up to $5 million, offering longer amortizations that smooth out seasonal dips. Commercial real estate loans work for stabilized properties with two years of tax returns.
We gather your trailing twelve-month profit-and-loss statements, occupancy reports, and property condition assessments, then match your file to lenders active in Gainesville's hospitality market. If you're buying the motor lodge on SW 13th Street, we know which lenders price I-75 visibility into their loan-to-value calculations.
A family partnership wanted to acquire a 48-room property near the Oaks Mall, converting it from a fading franchise to an independent extended-stay model serving Shands families and UF researchers. Traditional banks hesitated at the brand change. We brokered an SBA 7(a) loan paired with seller financing for the FF&E, structuring the deal so first-year occupancy ramp-up wouldn't trigger default. The loan closed in 60 days, and the property now runs 72 percent occupancy outside football season.
Serving the Gainesville area

We know which lenders fund which kinds of Gainesville businesses, and we position your file where it fits.
One local broker, many lenders, and no cost to apply.
Common questions
Why Gainesville owners trust Laurelhaven Funding Group
Talk to a local advisor and get matched to the right program, no obligation.