Buying a Business Opportunity - Business Loan Options

Attempts to buy a business opportunity will be viewed by most commercial borrowers as complex and confusing when seeking to arrange the working capital business loan. This is usually especially difficult if there is no commercial real estate as collateral for buying a business opportunity. Commercial borrowers should anticipate that business financing choices will be substantially different in comparison to a business acquisition that can be financed with a commercial real estate loan when buying a business opportunity that does not involve commercial property.

The guidelines and comments in this article are based upon business loan terms that are typically available from respected lenders willing to provide business financing for buying a business opportunity throughout the United States. There will always be occasional situations in which the seller is willing to privately finance the purchase of a business opportunity, and it is not practical to discuss those business financing possibilities in this article.

Business Loan to Buy a Business Opportunity - Length of Loan

Business financing conditions to buy a business opportunity will frequently involve a reduced amortization period compared to commercial mortgage financing. A maximum term of ten years is typical, and the business loan is likely to require a commercial lease equal to the length of the loan.

Expected Interest Rate Costs for Buying a Business Opportunity

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

Although there will be variations based on the type of business and several other factors, a common down payment requirement for a commercial loan to buy a small business opportunity is 20-25 percent. The presence of seller financing might lessen the down payment needed to acquire a small business opportunity.

Buying a Business Opportunity - Refinancing Options

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.

Avoiding Problem Lenders When Buying 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.

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