Question 1

What does H Equities do?

Accepted Answer

H Equities is a dual-platform commercial real estate firm that operates both a bridge lending platform and a direct equity investment platform. On the debt side, we originate bridge loans, mezzanine financing, and preferred equity for transitional and value-add CRE assets. On the equity side, we invest alongside experienced sponsors as a Co-GP or direct equity partner. Based in Brooklyn, NY, we have completed $1B+ in aggregate transactions across 80+ deals, 6+ asset classes, and 10+ markets nationally.

Question 2

Who is Elliot Horowitz?

Accepted Answer

Elliot Horowitz is the founder and Managing Member of H Equities. His career in commercial real estate progressed from brokerage to passive investing to building H Equities as a principal-led firm operating on both sides of the capital stack. This trajectory gives him a unique perspective — he has sat in the sponsor's seat, the lender's seat, and the asset manager's seat. Elliot is directly involved in every transaction and can be reached at elliot@hequities.com or (917) 748-1955.

Question 3

Where is H Equities located?

Accepted Answer

H Equities is headquartered at 68 Jay Street, Suite 201, Brooklyn, NY 11201. While our office is in Brooklyn, we actively lend and invest in 10+ markets across the United States, including New York, New Jersey, Florida, Texas, Georgia, and the broader Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.

Question 4

How much has H Equities financed?

Accepted Answer

H Equities has participated in over $1 billion in aggregate commercial real estate transactions across more than 80 closed deals. This track record spans both our bridge lending platform and our direct equity investments, covering 6+ asset classes in 10+ markets nationally.

Question 5

What markets does H Equities operate in?

Accepted Answer

H Equities operates in 10+ markets across the United States. Our primary focus includes the New York metro area, New Jersey, Florida, Texas, Georgia, and select markets in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. We evaluate opportunities nationally and are open to new markets where we can partner with experienced local sponsors who have strong track records.

Question 6

Is H Equities a bank?

Accepted Answer

No. H Equities is a private commercial real estate firm, not a bank or regulated financial institution. This is a significant advantage for borrowers and partners. Because we are not bound by bank regulations, we can move faster, structure more creatively, and close deals that traditional banks cannot. Our bridge loans typically close in 2-4 weeks versus the 60-90 days that banks often require.

Question 7

What types of CRE bridge loans does H Equities offer?

Accepted Answer

H Equities offers several types of commercial real estate bridge financing: first mortgage bridge loans for acquisitions, recapitalizations, and refinancing; mezzanine loans that sit behind senior debt; preferred equity positions; and soft deposit financing for contract deposits. Each structure is tailored to the specific deal and sponsor needs. We specialize in transitional and value-add situations where traditional lenders are unable or unwilling to act.

Question 8

What is the loan size range?

Accepted Answer

H Equities originates bridge loans ranging from $3 million to $50 million. For deals above $50 million, we can participate as part of a broader capital stack through our capital partners program. The typical loan in our portfolio falls in the $5 million to $25 million range, which is a segment of the market often underserved by both large institutional lenders and smaller private lenders.

Question 9

How fast can H Equities close a bridge loan?

Accepted Answer

We can close bridge loans in as little as 2-4 weeks from term sheet execution. Speed is one of our core value propositions. Because Elliot Horowitz is directly involved in underwriting and all decisions are made in-house, there is no committee process or bureaucratic delay. For repeat borrowers with clean deals, closings can happen even faster. We understand that in CRE, timing often determines whether you win or lose a deal.

Question 10

What asset classes does H Equities lend on?

Accepted Answer

H Equities lends across 6+ commercial real estate asset classes, including multifamily, mixed-use, retail, office, industrial, and hospitality properties. We also consider specialty asset types on a case-by-case basis. Our strongest focus is on multifamily and mixed-use properties in urban and suburban markets, but we evaluate every deal on its own merits — the sponsor, the basis, the business plan, and the exit strategy.

Question 11

What is the typical loan term?

Accepted Answer

Most H Equities bridge loans carry an initial term of 12 to 24 months, with extension options available depending on the deal structure and business plan timeline. Bridge loans are designed to be short-term — they bridge the gap between acquisition or recapitalization and permanent financing or sale. We structure terms to align with the sponsor's realistic business plan execution timeline.

Question 12

Does H Equities offer non-recourse loans?

Accepted Answer

H Equities structures loans on a deal-by-deal basis. Many of our bridge loans include standard non-recourse carveouts (often called "bad boy" guarantees) that are typical in CRE lending. Full recourse, partial recourse, and non-recourse structures are all available depending on the loan-to-value ratio, asset quality, sponsor strength, and overall deal risk profile. We discuss recourse structure early in the process so there are no surprises.

Question 13

What is required to apply for a bridge loan?

Accepted Answer

To get started, we need the basics: a brief deal summary including property type, location, and loan amount; the business plan and exit strategy; a sponsor resume or track record; and preliminary financials. You do not need a formal application or lengthy package to start the conversation. Send the deal highlights to elliot@hequities.com or call (917) 748-1955, and you will receive a preliminary response within 24-48 hours.

Question 14

What is mezzanine financing and how does it differ from a first mortgage?

Accepted Answer

Mezzanine financing is subordinate debt that sits behind the senior first mortgage in the capital stack. While a first mortgage is secured by the property itself, mezzanine debt is typically secured by a pledge of the borrower's equity interest in the property-owning entity. Mezzanine financing carries higher interest rates than senior debt because it absorbs losses before the first mortgage lender. H Equities provides mezzanine loans to fill the gap between senior debt proceeds and the sponsor's required equity, reducing the total cash equity a sponsor needs to bring to a deal.

Question 15

What is preferred equity and when should I use it?

Accepted Answer

Preferred equity is a position in the capital stack that sits below all debt but above common equity. Unlike mezzanine debt, preferred equity is structured as an equity investment rather than a loan, which means it does not create additional leverage on the property and does not trigger senior lender restrictions on subordinate debt. Sponsors use preferred equity when they need to reduce their cash equity requirement but their senior lender prohibits mezzanine financing, or when the deal structure benefits from an equity-like partner rather than a creditor.

Question 16

What is soft deposit financing?

Accepted Answer

Soft deposit financing provides capital for the earnest money deposit required when a buyer goes hard on a purchase contract. When a deposit goes "hard" (becomes non-refundable), the buyer is putting significant capital at risk before closing. H Equities provides short-term financing to cover these deposits, reducing the buyer's at-risk cash during the pre-closing period. This is particularly valuable for sponsors pursuing multiple acquisitions simultaneously who want to preserve liquidity.

Question 17

What types of equity investments does H Equities make?

Accepted Answer

H Equities makes direct equity investments in commercial real estate through two primary structures: Co-GP equity, where we invest alongside an operating sponsor as a co-general partner; and direct equity, where we provide common equity capital for acquisitions and recapitalizations. We focus on value-add and opportunistic strategies where active asset management drives returns. Our equity investments typically range from $1 million to $15 million per deal.

Question 18

What is the Co-GP equity program?

Accepted Answer

The Co-GP equity program allows experienced sponsors to partner with H Equities as a co-general partner. Instead of simply providing passive LP capital, we invest at the GP level — sharing in the promote and aligning our interests directly with the operating sponsor. This program is designed for sponsors who have strong track records and operational capabilities but need additional GP capital to meet minimum co-invest requirements or to scale their portfolio without diluting their existing investor base.

Question 19

What markets does H Equities invest in for equity deals?

Accepted Answer

Our equity platform targets the same 10+ markets as our lending platform, with particular focus on high-growth markets in the Southeast, Texas, Florida, and the New York metro area. We follow our sponsors into markets where they have deep local expertise and established operating infrastructure. Market selection for equity is driven by population growth, employment trends, rent growth fundamentals, and the strength of the local sponsor team.

Question 20

What asset classes does H Equities target for equity?

Accepted Answer

For equity investments, H Equities focuses primarily on multifamily, mixed-use, and select industrial assets. We also consider opportunistic plays in retail and hospitality when the basis and business plan are compelling. Multifamily remains our largest equity allocation due to its defensive characteristics, consistent demand fundamentals, and the depth of the financing market for stabilized exits.

Question 21

How does H Equities select equity investment partners?

Accepted Answer

We evaluate equity partners based on four criteria: track record of execution in the target asset class and market; operational infrastructure including property management capabilities; alignment of interests and transparency in reporting; and a realistic, defensible business plan. We are not a passive capital source — we actively participate in asset-level decisions and expect regular communication. The best partnerships are with sponsors who value a hands-on capital partner rather than simply seeking a check.

Question 22

What is a capital partnership with H Equities?

Accepted Answer

A capital partnership with H Equities refers to our work with banks, credit unions, and senior lenders who need subordinate capital to complete their loan structures. When a senior lender can only fund 60-65% of a deal's capital stack, H Equities provides the additional subordinate capital — as a B-piece participant, mezzanine lender, or preferred equity provider — to fill the gap. This allows the senior lender to win the deal while maintaining their credit parameters.

Question 23

How does H Equities work with banks and senior lenders?

Accepted Answer

We work directly with banks and senior lenders as a subordinate capital partner. When a bank has a borrower relationship they want to maintain but cannot provide the full capital stack, H Equities steps in to provide the subordinate piece. We understand bank intercreditor requirements, regulatory considerations, and the documentation standards that institutional lenders expect. This collaborative approach allows banks to say "yes" to deals they would otherwise have to decline.

Question 24

What is a B-piece participation?

Accepted Answer

A B-piece participation is a structure where H Equities purchases the subordinate tranche of a loan originated by a senior lender. The senior lender retains the A-piece (the lower-risk, lower-return senior portion) and sells the B-piece (the higher-risk, higher-return junior portion) to H Equities. This structure allows the senior lender to reduce their exposure on a single credit while still providing a competitive loan to their borrower. B-piece participations are common in CRE lending as a way to manage risk and regulatory capital requirements.

Question 25

Why do banks need subordinate capital partners?

Accepted Answer

Banks face regulatory constraints on loan-to-value ratios, concentration limits, and risk-weighted capital requirements that often prevent them from providing 75-80% leverage on transitional assets. A subordinate capital partner like H Equities fills the gap between what the bank can lend (typically 55-65% LTV) and what the borrower needs. Without subordinate capital, many viable CRE transactions would not close because borrowers would need to contribute more equity than the deal economics support.

Question 26

Can H Equities act as both lender and equity partner on the same deal?

Accepted Answer

In certain situations, H Equities can provide capital across multiple positions in the same capital stack — for example, mezzanine debt combined with a Co-GP equity investment. This dual-position approach simplifies the capital raise for the sponsor by reducing the number of parties at the table and streamlining negotiations. Whether this structure makes sense depends on the deal size, risk profile, and the alignment of interests across all capital stack participants.

Question 27

How do I submit a deal to H Equities?

Accepted Answer

Submitting a deal is simple. Send a brief summary of your transaction to elliot@hequities.com or call (917) 748-1955. Include the property type, location, requested loan amount or equity need, and a short description of the business plan. There is no formal application form or lengthy intake process. Elliot reviews every submission personally and you will receive an initial response within 24-48 hours.

Question 28

What information do I need to provide?

Accepted Answer

For an initial review, we need: property type and location; loan amount or equity requested; purchase price or current value; the business plan (acquisition, refinance, value-add renovation, etc.); sponsor background and relevant track record; and a preliminary operating budget or pro forma. You do not need a full underwriting package to start the conversation — we will tell you what additional information we need after the initial review.

Question 29

How long does underwriting take?

Accepted Answer

Initial feedback on a deal is provided within 24-48 hours of submission. A formal term sheet can typically be issued within 3-5 business days. Full underwriting and closing takes 2-4 weeks depending on deal complexity, third-party report availability, and legal documentation. We move faster than most lenders because Elliot is the decision-maker — there is no loan committee, no investment committee, and no bureaucratic approval chain.

Question 30

What happens after I submit a deal?

Accepted Answer

After submission, Elliot personally reviews the deal summary. Within 24-48 hours, you will receive either preliminary terms or specific follow-up questions. If both sides want to proceed, we issue a formal term sheet. Once the term sheet is executed, we move into full underwriting — ordering appraisals, environmental reports, and legal documentation. Throughout the process, you communicate directly with Elliot, not a junior analyst or a call center.

Question 31

Can I reach Elliot directly?

Accepted Answer

Yes. One of the defining characteristics of H Equities is direct access to the principal. Elliot Horowitz can be reached by email at elliot@hequities.com or by phone at (917) 748-1955. There is no gatekeeper, no automated phone tree, and no intake form. Whether you are a borrower, broker, senior lender, or potential equity partner, you speak directly with the person who makes the decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

About H Equities

Bridge Lending / Debt Platform

Equity Platform

Capital Partners

Process & Getting Started

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