About Us

Aurum and Sharpe was founded in 2017 by me, Bryan Hanley, and one of my best friends, Rudy Renelique. After many years working at big banks like Chase, and Wells Fargo, we decided we could bring value to a mortgage market that was starving for independent thinkers. So we started Aurum and Sharpe over a phone call about financing a multi-family deal in Brooklyn. Since starting this business we’ve been on many adventures from financing a $20 million portfolio of single families, to meeting the President of Rwanda and Finance Minister of Namibia.

Rudy has gone on to start his own firm, Overture Capital, while I’ve stayed on to grow Aurum and Sharpe. Aurum is the original Latin word for gold (that’s why the periodic table has it listed at Au). We chose it because we think of our word as “as good as Gold.” And in that vein, we want to add value to every customer we come in contact with. Our promise is that by working with us, you will increase your Freedom, Purpose, and Fulfillment.

Our process includes learning your overall objectives and where you want to go in your life so that we make sure your financing enhances your life and gets you to your destination much faster. What that means though, is that we are not like every other broker on the street that will only do a surface level amount of learning about you, your life, and your motivations. For us, that is Gold. We want to learn how we can tailor your financing so that you thrive in your life! So before we talk about rates, terms, or anything else, we are going to try and figure out how to add value through financing.

We know this approach isn’t for everyone. But if this resonates with you, lets talk: 917 475 6207

July 21, 2017
Financing Your Commercial Property with a Cross-Collateralization Loan

Financing Your Property with a Cross-Collateralization Loan

Many business owners looking to finance multiple properties will do so with a cross-collateralization loan, which involves taking out a new loan using equity in properties they already have. Cross-collateralization loans are most commonly made by private lenders, and are enough to finance at least two properties at once. You can do the same thing with a bridge loan, which you may have heard of, however cross-collateralization loans don’t involve a balloon payment that needs to be paid back in 18 months like bridge loans do, making them an ideal choice for people who don’t want the extra pressure. Just as with any important financial decision, it is important to consider the benefits and drawbacks of a cross-collateralization loan before you decide to apply for one. This type of loan appeals to business owners who want a consistent, reliable source […]
July 21, 2017
Calculating Your Cap Rate and Creating Positive Leverage

Calculating Your Cap Rate and Creating Positive Leverage

The capitalization rate, or cap rate for short, is the rate of return on an investment property based on the amount of income it’s expected to generate in the present year. By calculating the cap rate of a property, you can see the potential rate of return on an investment. Compare the cap rates of multiple properties to see which one is the wisest investment.   Calculating the cap rate The equation to manually calculate a cap rate is fairly simple. All you have to do is calculate the investment property’s net operating income (NOI) by subtracting the total operating expenses from the total operating revenue. Then, you divide the result by the value of the property. total operating revenue – total operating expenses = Net Operating Income (NOI) Net Operating Income (NOI) / value of property= Cap Rate   Let’s […]
June 8, 2017

What is Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and Why Does it Matter?

The internal rate of return (IRR) is a metric used by real estate professionals to determine the net money you’ve made on an investment by considering the timing and magnitude of the return. However, its main use is to compare investments. By calculating the IRR of many potential investments, you can see which one is wiser. The calculated IRRs must be higher than the company’s cost of capital, and whichever one is highest is the wiser investment (provided they have equal risk).     The manual calculation for IRR is highly complex, and can only be solved through tedious trial and error.  This equation is as complicated as it looks, and it’s only a three-year calculation. To solve it, you would have to keep testing potential IRRs until you get an NPV equal to zero. Your result would be the […]
June 8, 2017

How to Get Your Loan Past the Loan Committee, and Get It Approved

Commercial mortgage lenders look at hundreds of loan applications each month. How can you make sure yours stands out? Many borrowers try to get a loan without first investigating what a lender might want to see on his application before approving the loan. These days, lenders are especially cautious because of the financial regulation environment, and of course, the elephant in the room, heavy losses from the recent recession.   What lenders look for There are three things that the the lender looks for in general when evaluating loan scenarios. The first is credit. This can also be looked at as character. How is your credit? Are all your bills paid on time? And more importantly are all your bills related to real estate paid on time? One of the easiest ways to kill a deal is to have a […]
May 31, 2017

How to Calculate Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR)

If you’re looking to obtain a loan to finance commercial property, one important metric you’ll need to provide your lender with is the DSCR, or debt service coverage ratio. The DSCR shows how well you will be able to repay the loan, and helps your lender determine the size of the loan. You can calculate it by dividing your business’s net operating income (NOI) by the total debt service. Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) = Net Operating Income (NOI) / total debt service A DSCR of 1.0 means that you’ll be able to pay back your loan with no wiggle room. Obviously, this is not ideal. The DSCR requirement varies by lender, loan type, and property type, but it will always be above 1.0 to provide a cushion in case something goes wrong.   Calculating your NOI Your NOI is defined […]
May 31, 2017

The Office Condo Market in New York City

Office condos are buildings with individual units that companies can purchase as office space. Though they are relatively new in the United States, they’re becoming increasingly common in big cities with limited space, such as New York City. Here is a quick breakdown of the office condo market in NYC.   Who is investing? Nonprofit organizations are the largest classification of office condo buyers in New York City, making up 24% of buyers. For the approximately 25,000 nonprofits based in NYC, office condos are the ideal choice for office space because they’re the ideal size, and they’re economical. Nonprofit organizations benefit more from owning their office condos instead of leasing. Owning protects them from being forced to leave due to expensive rent. In addition, in the United States, nonprofit organizations are exempt from property taxes if they buy their office […]
May 24, 2017
closing costs on office condos

Closing Costs on Office Condos in NYC

  An office condo is a great investment for small business owners looking for affordable office space in a great location. However, before you obtain an office condo, it’s important to be aware of all the potential fees you may incur along the way. Closing costs on commercial real estate are generally much higher than those of residential property, and can run into the tens of thousands of dollars. Below is a quick breakdown of some of the buyer’s closing costs on office condos in New York City.   Attorney The first fee you may run into in the process of purchasing an office condo is the attorney fee. It is highly recommended you get a commercial real estate lawyer to help you negotiate the transaction and complete any complicated paperwork. This can cost approximately $5,000. Origination fees Origination fees, […]
May 22, 2017
office condo

Things to Consider About Office Condos

If you’re the owner of a small company, finding adequate office space can be pretty daunting. There are so many factors to consider, such as size, location, and price. Office condos are a relatively new concept that’s growing in popularity. Just like a residential condo is a building with units people can purchase as living space, office condos are buildings with individual units that companies can purchase as office space. These buildings are becoming more common, especially in big cities where space is limited. The market for office condos is new, but fast-growing, as these lower-cost spaces fit the needs of so many.   How to know if an office condo is right for you An office condo could be the perfect place to conduct your business, depending on what kind of company you have. In our rapidly digitizing society, […]
May 22, 2017
finance office condo

Financing an Office Condo in New York City

New York City is a great place to conduct business. As the most populated city in the United States as well as the most diverse, you are sure to find a wide array of clients looking for what you have to offer. Because space is limited in NYC, many smaller companies are turning to office condos for office space because they’re the more economical option. However, chances are you’ll still need help from a lender to finance one. The process of investing in an office condo in New York City can be complicated, but evaluating all your options and making sure you have everything you need can make it a lot easier. Here are some things you should know about financing an office condo in NYC:    Types of loans available The types of loans available to you depend on […]
May 19, 2017
Aurum and Sharpe developpment Afrique

Aurum and Sharpe Finances Africa

We finance infrastructure development in Africa with a focus on the Francophone, Angola, and Namibia. Contact us for more information below. Mortgage Rates Calculate Your Monthly Payment