Christine Zarndt, senior vice president with Draper and Kramer, said she is sometimes surprised by the questions loan officers are asking.

O'Neal asked, “In the CMBS world, speaking to low cap rates, what does that mean for debt yield?”

Answered Velasquez, “Focusing on grocery-anchored at an eight debt yield, sales are getting stronger with large, regional malls.”

Zarndt added that many life companies are financing stand-alone drug stores.

“The bigger the boxes, the more trouble we have,” added Quinn.

“In CMBS, when you're financing a big box space, performance is key. Is cash flow substantial? How liquid is that space? Can you backfill that space?” asked O'Neal.

McIntyre remarked on the high volatility of construction loans and, the impact on pricing and availability.

The subject of condominiums in a mixed use environment was presented to the panel.

“We are still at a point where condo is a bad word,” said McIntyre. “But mixed use is getting attractive for the lenders.”

Entertainment centers are considered a big draw for some lenders, if the numbers are present.

“We are very selective in that space and looking at the numbers; they have to be well above national numbers,” said Velazquez.

McIntyre said, “You can use plenty of analytics, but at the end of the day it's the human element that comes into play.”

In closing remarks, Velazquez said: “A rise in interest rates my mean a rise in cap rates, but strong economic growth. So it could be a good thing, or it could be risk related.”

“Take your money today,” said O'Neal. “Don't wait.”

“There is no shortage of capital,” said Zarndt. “The key is understanding your borrowers' needs. Cover your bases.”