Prepayment penalties protect lenders from losing anticipated interest income when borrowers pay off loans early through refinancing or property sale. These penalties are common in commercial real estate loans, DSCR loans, and some non-QM products. Structures vary and may include step-down penalties (5% in year one, 4% in year two, etc.), yield maintenance (compensating the lender for lost yield), or defeasance (substituting government securities for the loan). Investors should carefully evaluate prepayment terms before closing, as they can significantly impact the profitability of a shorter-than-expected hold period.