Commercial property finance: when should you prepare the follow-up loan?
A fixed-rate period coming to an end or a loan falling due is no sure thing — and no reason to simply extend with your existing bank. This is exactly where your strongest negotiating lever lies: we review prolongation, refinancing and top-up bank-independently and extract the best follow-up solution for your commercial property. Under §34c GewO.
When should you prepare the follow-up to your commercial property finance?
Prepare the follow-up six to twelve months before the fixed-rate period ends. After that the room to negotiate shrinks; before it, there is time to compare properly. Three routes are open: extending with the existing bank, refinancing with another lender, or topping up for refurbishment or the next acquisition.
Commercial property finance: how many months before the fixed rate ends should you start?
For commercial property finance, prepare the follow-up loan ideally 6 to 12 months before the fixed-rate period ends.
Start 6 to 12 months before the fixed-rate period ends: Starting early lets you use interest-rate windows, negotiate calmly and avoid the pressure of a last-minute extension with your existing bank. Refinancing your German loan.
Commercial finance: prolongation, refinancing or top-up?
Prolongation with the existing bank is convenient but rarely the best terms, because there is no competition. Refinancing with a better provider often pays off clearly with larger remaining debts. A top-up raises additional capital for modernisation or the next acquisition. First comes a free stocktake: remaining debt, terms, property value, letting status and your onward strategy. Refinancing your German loan.
Who arranges this? Perini Finance & Property — licensed under §34c GewO for commercial property loans, 650+ banks & capital providers, we know the houses whose lending rules cover commercial follow-up loans — organising the competition between banks and financiers that turns an extension offer into a negotiation.
Three routes at the end of the fixed-rate period
At the end of the fixed-rate period you can extend with the existing bank, switch to a better provider or use the follow-up financing to raise additional capital. Prolongation is convenient but rarely brings the best terms.
- Prolongation: You extend with the existing bank. Convenient — but rarely the best terms, because there is no competition.
- Refinancing: You switch to a better provider. The effort often pays off clearly, especially with larger remaining debts.
- Top-up: You use the follow-up financing to raise additional capital — for example for modernisation or the next acquisition.
Why competition is your best ally
Anyone who knows only their own bank’s extension offer is negotiating blind. The bank knows: a switch is effort, and many shy away from it. As soon as a solid comparison offer is on the table, the tone changes — suddenly more is possible. That competition is exactly what I organise for you, across banks and financiers.
Timing decides. Start early — ideally 6 to 12 months before the fixed-rate period ends. Anyone who checks in good time can use interest-rate windows, negotiate calmly, and avoid the pressure of a last-minute extension. Brokerage of commercial follow-up loans under §34c GewO.
What we check before the follow-up financing
Before any follow-up solution comes the stocktake: current remaining debt and terms, the property’s value and letting status, your onward strategy.
Only from that does it emerge whether prolongation, refinancing or top-up is the right route — and which lender fits. This check is free for you.
Frequently asked questions
When should I start the follow-up financing?
Early. 6 to 12 months before the fixed-rate period ends, you have the greatest scope: you can obtain comparison offers, negotiate calmly, and don’t have to extend under time pressure.
Is switching to another bank really worthwhile?
Often yes — especially with larger remaining debts, even a small interest difference can be considerable over the term. I organise the effort of switching; you decide based on solid figures.
Can I raise additional capital with the follow-up financing?
With sufficient property value, a top-up is possible — for example for modernisation or the next acquisition. Whether and how much depends on the value, rental yield and your overall situation.
What does the advice cost?
Checking your follow-up solution is free for you; we are remunerated by the financing house. For very individual mandates we discuss any fee agreement transparently in advance.
Let’s check your follow-up solution
Message us on WhatsApp or book a 30-minute call. The first check of your plan is free.
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Editorially responsible: Olga Nikushkina — owner, §34i GewO (German mortgage brokerage), adviser register D-W-132-ZUCB-95. Specialised in German property financing with an international dimension: non-residents, foreign-currency income, cross-border workers, expats. Siegfried Perini is entered in the German intermediary register under this licence as a person directly involved in brokerage and advice (§ 11a GewO), active in real estate since 1992. Not legal or tax advice.