CalculateRealEstateROI

Financing · Guide

Prepayment Penalties Explained

Step-down, yield maintenance, defeasance — three PPP structures with very different costs.

Reviewed by Keiron Brown, Founder & Editor, CalculateRealEstateROI · Educational estimates only — not investment, financial, tax, or legal advice

Key takeaways

  • Step-down: 5/4/3/2/1% typical.
  • Yield maintenance: punishing.
  • Defeasance: complex + expensive.
  • Negotiate down at origination.
  • Plan exits around PPP windows.

Core concepts

Step-down

Decreasing penalty by year.

Yield maintenance

Make lender whole on lost yield.

Defeasance

Buy Treasuries to replace cash flow.

Step-by-step framework

  1. 1Read PPP carefully.
  2. 2Negotiate at origination.
  3. 3Plan exit around PPP.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Accepting standard PPP without negotiation.

Frequently asked questions

Best PPP?

Step-down.

Worst?

Defeasance.

Negotiable?

Yes at origination.

Refi cost?

PPP + closing.

Action checklist

  • PPP type identified.
  • Cost computed.
  • Exit aligned.

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