Commercial real estate analysts have predicted that approximately 1.5 trillion dollars of commercial loans will be maturing between now and 2013
. Most of these loans were initiated during the peak times of real estate valuation, between 2005 and 2007. Since 2007, however, commercial real estate owners have watched as their investments have dropped in value by an average of 40%. Commercial real estate investors who have a loan that is now coming due are facing a dire situation. Most commercial properties purchased with financing during the past five years simply will not qualify for financing of any kind as underwriting guidelines and liquidity have changed dramatically. Below are the steps that a commercial property owner should take when they are evaluating their position for extending the terms of their existing commercial loan, attempting a loan modification or seeking a new loan.