Getting funding for real estate for startups can be tricky. Unforeseeable situations can arise that put you in financial need. A traditional loan from a bank, credit union, or other lending institution can require 20% or more down—money that you need for inventory, payroll, and paperwork.

Turnaround times on traditional loans are also slow compared to government-backed loan programs like the SBA 7(a). For owner-occupied commercial real estate, the SBA 7(a) loan is a great choice: it’s dynamic and can be used to cover 100% of the loan to value.

How Do SBA 7(a) Loans Help Entrepreneurs?

Below are three of the most common scenarios where the SBA 7(a) loan can help you as an entrepreneur.

1. A rapidly growing business that has the opportunity to buy a building

Sudden growth can give an entrepreneur the chance to get out from under a lease, or to move into a new facility with room for the influx. On its own, a business usually can’t buy a new building — current leases combined with other costs are too high to allow it. The SBA 7(a) loan might be the solution for business owners in this situation.

The SBA 7(a) is a versatile loan, and the borrower can request funds for nearly any legitimate business purpose. For example, they could request $1 million for the new real estate, $500,000 for equipment costs, and another $150,000 for working capital.

Real estate loans typically require 10% down and carry terms of up to 25 years. Thanks to our matching platform, a business owner experiencing rapid growth can quickly close a deal and get the keys to the building they need.

2. A business that was turned down by the banks

There are many reasons why a bank might deny a potential borrower’s request for a loan. Each lender has the authority to refuse borrower requests at their own discretion, and each lender is unique. Here’s a list of some of the more common reasons why a bank or other type of lender might turn down a business owner:

• A past credit issue like a late payment history, tax liens, bankruptcy, or foreclosure. These are usually isolated credit problems that might make a traditional lender hesitate.

• Specialized property types are sometimes victims of a lender’s preferences or past experiences. Motels, gas stations, restaurants, and sometimes automotive shops are labeled as high-risk industries for certain lenders.

• Drops in revenue can sometimes be viewed negatively by lenders. The same can be said for a brief history of income: If a business can’t prove that it’s been making money for a long enough period, a bank or credit union might deny its loan request.

Also Read: 5 Quick Fixes to Improve Your Business Credit

Some lenders will take the time to listen to your story in spite of what your credit history or cash flow implies. To help your chances, use good bookkeeping practices and keep your records up to date so that you can show proof of your revenue history. Also, familiarize yourself with your own creditworthiness: Know your credit score, and be ready to recall any credit events on record.

For more information about how to prepare, head over to our page on how to qualify for an SBA 7(a) loan.

3. A business with an approaching deadline

Things in the business world happen quickly, and a company can suddenly find itself in need of funding. While the SBA 7(a) loan can be processed much faster than a traditional loan, there’s a specific SBA loan program for business owners who need quick cash: the SBA Express loan. 

This loan's approval time frame is typically less than 36 hours. The quick process means the loan has a lower maximum of $350,000 and a lower guarantee from the SBA (50%). The term for an Express loan is seven years, but a maturity extension is allowed at the time of application.

Want Personalized Guidance?

At SBA 7(a) Loans, we live and breathe the SBA 7(a) loan process. We match business owners like you with the best lenders for your situation — even if it means that we have to look outside of the SBA 7(a) platform.

We serve our customers by 1) offering a free educational portal, and 2) leveraging our lender-matching service to get you on your way to success. We have a deep love of American small businesses, and it shows in our customer-first attitude.