Business Financing Alternatives to Buy a Business Opportunity
When buying a business opportunity that does not include commercial property, borrowers should realize that commercial loan options will be significantly different when compared to a business purchase that can be acquired with a commercial property loan. This problematic situation occurs because of the normal absence of commercial real estate as collateral for the commercial financing when buying a business opportunity. In terms of arranging the business financing, efforts to buy a business opportunity are almost always described by commercial borrowers as excessively confusing and difficult.
The comments and suggestions in this report reflect business financing conditions that are frequently offered by substantial lenders willing to provide a business loan to buy a business opportunity throughout most of the United States. There are likely to be circumstances in which a seller will privately fund the acquisition of a business opportunity, and it is not our intent to address those business loan possibilities in this report.
Business Loan to Buy a Business Opportunity - Length of Loan
Business loan terms to buy a business will typically include a shorter amortization period than commercial real estate financing. A ten-year maximum term is common, and even that length of business financing is likely to require a commercial lease of at least ten years.
Buying a Business Opportunity - Appropriate Interest Rate Expectations
Commercial borrowers should anticipate business financing interest rates in the range of 11-12 percent to buy a business opportunity in the current interest rate climate. Because a rate of 10-11 percent is currently normal for commercial real estate financing, the rate for business opportunity borrowing should be viewed as quite reasonable. The commercial loan interest rate cost to purchase a small business opportunity is typically higher than the cost of a commercial real estate loan due to the absence of business property for collateral in a business opportunity purchase.
Down Payment Requirements for Buying a Business Opportunity
Depending on the specific type of business and some other issues, a normal down payment for a business loan to buy a business is 20 to 25 percent. Some seller financing (such as 10 percent) is usually helpful and in some cases might reduce the down payment required from the buyer to buy a business.
Refinancing Alternatives After Buying a Business Opportunity
A related business loan issue to anticipate when buying a business is that refinancing the business opportunity loan terms will normally be even more difficult than the original business financing. There are currently some new business loan programs in the final stages of development that could dramatically improve future refinancing options. But until these new business financing options are finalized, it is important to arrange the best possible terms initially and not depend upon refinancing possibilities.
Lenders to Avoid When Commercial Borrowers Buy a Business Opportunity
Perhaps the most important phase of the business loan process for buying a business opportunity is the selection of a commercial lender. In our view an even more critical stage of this process is avoiding certain lenders that are routinely unsuccessful in finalizing a business loan to buy a business.
By avoiding such lenders, commercial borrowers are likely to avoid many other business financing problems frequently associated with buying a business opportunity. Avoiding problem lenders will be instrumental to the eventual success of both the business loan process and the long-term financial health of the business being acquired.
Copyright 2005-2007 AEX Commercial Financing Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Contact Stephen A. Bush at AEX Commercial Financing - Commercial Real Estate Financing for working capital loan - business loan solutions
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