Eastern Union Promotes Sarah Steinhardt to Lead New 'Small Loans Division'

Unit Will Fortify Eastern Union's Long-Standing Commitment to Transactions Valued Below $1.5M

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Sep 08, 2020, 08:38 ET

BROOKLYN, N.Y., Sept. 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Building upon nearly two decades of experience closing hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of small-sized transactions, Eastern Union -- one of America's largest commercial real estate finance firms -- has launched a new Small Loans Division.

Ben Schwartz, a senior loan consultant, will serve as lead broker for Eastern Union's new Small Loans Division. He will also continue to work on large deals. Mr. Schwartz executed more than 60 small deals in 2019, and had exceeded 50 such transactions through August of this year.

Sarah Steinhardt, director of Eastern Union's new Small Loans Division, says the unit will "support the business goals of investors with smaller assets." She recently closed 75 deals valued at a total of more than $60 million over a six-month period.

Sarah Steinhardt has been named director of the new Small Loans Division, which will primarily focus on multi-family deals valued at less than $1.5 million, with a minimum loan size of $150,000. The division -- which is national in scope -- will also arrange financing for portfolios of single-family rental (SFR) or smaller multi-family properties whose combined value can reach tens of millions of dollars.

In addition to the residential category, transactions handled under the Small Loans Division will encompass asset categories including office, retail, healthcare, hospitality, industrial and self-storage.

Eastern Union has a history of significant success in the small deal space. Over each of the last two years, the company has closed more than 300 small deals valued at a total of $250 million.

Ms. Steinhardt, who had served as a processor and underwriter with Eastern Union since September 2019, carries a dual degree in international business and economics. She has had a prolific record of success with the firm, having recently closed 75 deals valued at a total of more than $60 million over a six-month period. Most of her closings consisted of small-scale transactions.

Ben Schwartz, also an accomplished deal-closer, will serve as lead broker for the new unit.

In addition to numerous larger transactions, he signed up more than 60 small deals in 2019, and has already exceeded 50 such transactions this year. Mr. Schwartz, a senior loan consultant, will also continue to devote a portion of his energies to large deals.

"This new division will ensure that smaller deals will continue to be handled with the same energy and efficiency as larger transactions," said Ira Zlotowitz, Eastern Union's founder and president. "While Eastern Union already has an outstanding record of performance managing smaller transactions, Sarah Steinhardt and Ben Schwartz will introduce new, streamlined systems that will maximize speed and proficiency.

"Smaller loans have always comprised such a large percentage of our business that it made sense for Eastern Union to scale up and devote a full division to their interests," he said.

"I look forward to leveraging Eastern Union's robust banking relationships with big lenders to help support the business goals of investors with smaller assets," said Ms. Steinhardt. "By providing individualized service, the Small Loans Division will customize the process to ensure that each investor secures the best available rate and terms."

"Small deals have historically given new investors a toehold in the real estate industry," said Mr. Schwartz. "At the same time, these smaller transactions often serve as a springboard to long-term success for new lenders and brokers."

About Eastern Union

Founded in 2001, Eastern Union is a leading national commercial mortgage brokerage firm employing more than 125 brokers and real estate professionals and closing $5 billion in real estate transactions annually.

Boasting one of the industry's highest transaction volumes, the Eastern Union team leverages its relationships with banks and its marketplace knowledge to bring clients the best available rates.

The firm arranges financing for complex, multi-state, multi-site portfolios, as well as loans for smaller, single-property transactions. Eastern Union's Multi-Family Group has reset market pricing by introducing an unprecedented quarter-point fee -- with no back-end fees -- for refinancing multifamily properties backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, transactions known as "agency refinancings."

Eastern Union's groundbreaking app serves as an intelligent commercial real estate toolkit. Its eCALC feature enables investors to fully value and underwrite deals instantaneously and in the palm of their hand. It is available for download in the App Store and Google Play Store.

With nationwide operations, Eastern Union is headquartered in New York, with multiple branches along the East Coast.

Eastern Union's capital introductions are handled through its affiliate company, Eastern Equity Advisors.

For more information, visit www.easternunion.com.

Media contact:

Steve Vitoff
516 652 0785
[email protected]

SOURCE Eastern Union