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Business Financing Alternatives to Buy a Business Opportunity

By: Stephen A. Bush

Buying a business opportunity is likely to be an extremely challenging task when arranging the business loan. This is largely due to the usual lack of commercial property as collateral for the business financing to buy a business opportunity. When buying a business that does not include commercial real estate, business borrowers need to realize that business loan options will be greatly reduced in comparison to a business purchase that can be financed with a commercial mortgage.

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.

Buying a Business Opportunity - Length of Business Financing to Anticipate

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.

Buying a Business Opportunity - Normal Down Payment Requirement

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.

Refinancing Limitations to Anticipate When 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.

Avoiding Problem Lenders When Buying a Business Opportunity

Most commercial borrowers are likely to consider the most important part of the commercial loan process for buying a business to be the choice of a business lender. Not to be overlooked is the importance of avoiding lenders that are not generally successful in finalizing business opportunity financing.

By eliminating such problem lenders, business borrowers will also be in a better position to avoid many other business loan problems typically experienced when buying a business. The proactive approach to avoid problem lenders can have dual benefits because it will contribute to both the long-term financial condition of the business being acquired and the ultimate success of the commercial loan process.

Copyright 2005-2007 AEX Commercial Financing Group, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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Contact Stephen Bush at Church Loan Financing - Business Loan Solutions for unique and straightforward advice about buying a business opportunity
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