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toast0yesterday at 4:17 PM0 repliesview on HN

It is stupid, but every party involved benefits from playing by the stupid rules, so they keep doing it.

If the lender insists the property be valued based on actual collections rather than hypothetical collections based on the rate once discounts expire or the asking rate if vacant, then they will have a loan where the borrower is underwater and that's going to end up as a loss on the bank's books.

If the borrower values it factually, they will be underwater and likely have to sell for a loss or be forclosed on.

There's also portfolio effects. If rent drops are acknowledged in one space, nearby spaces may also acknowledge lowered rents and most banks have lots of loans and many borrowers manage several buildings.