Guides on 7(a) vs 504, credit requirements, approval timelines, and how to qualify for SBA financing
Explore our SBA loan guides. Learn about 7(a) vs 504, credit score requirements, approval timelines, and how to improve your approval odds. View SBA loan services or get matched.
Two-year debt test, 12-month payment history, 51% occupancy, and what cash-out is actually allowed to fund.
Read moreEvery 504 has two lenders — a bank for the first and a CDC for the second. How to find both and what each underwrites.
Read moreHow SBA Express compares to standard 7(a), the 36-hour SBA approval window vs 30-45 day real close, and when the rate premium for speed is worth it.
Read moreWhy SBA commitment letters get pulled, what to do in 48 hours, what you can salvage of the existing file, and how to re-shop the deal in 14-30 days.
Read moreRealistic qualification bar, document checklist, 4-stage closing process, and the 6 things that blow up a 60-day timeline on a $1M SBA 7(a).
Read moreCurrent SBA 7(a), 504, and Express rates with the prime + spread math lenders actually use. Caps, fees, and what moves your rate.
Read moreLender backlog, docs, SBA review—what's slowing approval and how to fix it.
Read moreWhat's actually holding up your file—incomplete docs, wrong program, weak narrative—and how to fix it.
Read moreIncomplete tax returns, SBA form gaps, unclear use of funds—what triggers repeated doc requests and how to fix it.
Read moreAppraisal, title, environmental, lender conditions—what delays closing after approval and how to keep it on track.
Read moreEligibility, down payment, experience—barriers to SBA business acquisition and how to get past them.
Read moreCredit, cash flow, DSCR, equity injection, documentation. Qualification checklist for SBA 7(a) and 504 loans.
Read moreFDD timing, SBA Franchise Directory, franchisor approval: avoid franchise-specific mistakes so your SBA or conventional franchise loan closes.
Read moreFranchise-specific rules, SBA Franchise Directory, down payment, approval odds, and typical terms for financing a franchise purchase.
Read more7(a) vs 504 for buying the building: down payment, eligibility, and when each program fits.
Read moreVet-specific terms, equipment, real estate, and typical deal sizes for veterinary practice financing.
Read moreHow to finance buying an existing restaurant with SBA 7(a) or 504. Deal sizes, credit, and approval.
Read moreEquipment financing, term loans, lines of credit, working capital—alternatives when you don’t qualify for SBA 7(a) or 504.
Read moreComplete checklist: personal and business tax returns, bank statements, SBA Form 1919 and 413, financials. Prepare for faster approval.
Read moreKey underwriting factors: cash flow, DSCR, credit, equity injection, and documentation. Improve your SBA approval odds.
Read moreCompare SBA loans vs business lines of credit: terms, flexibility, approval timelines, and when to use both.
Read moreCompare SBA 7(a) vs 504 loans-eligibility, down payment, rates, and best use cases for established U.S. businesses.
Read moreHow the fixed CDC/debenture rate is set, where 20- and 25-year 504 rates sit in 2026, and what moves your number.
Read moreA plain-English guide to the 50/40/10 structure, what you can buy, rates, eligibility, and 504 vs 7(a).
Read moreEstimate your SBA 7(a) or 504 monthly payment, total interest, and the SBA guaranty fee — free, no email.
Read moreLearn the credit score requirements for SBA 7(a) and 504 loans, approval tiers, and how lenders evaluate established businesses.
Read moreLearn how long SBA 7(a) and 504 loans take to approve, typical timelines, and what can speed up or delay SBA funding.
Read moreLearn SBA 7(a) and 504 down payment requirements, what counts as equity injection, and when you may need 10%-20%.
Read moreIncomplete packaging, wrong program, weak narrative, and doc gaps: how to avoid them so your SBA application moves forward.
Read moreFake SBA programs, upfront fees, packaging scams: how to spot red flags and work with legitimate SBA lenders.
Read moreCredit, cash flow, use of funds, eligibility: fix the cause before you reapply for SBA 7(a) or 504.
Read moreAccounting & CPA firm financing in 2026: SBA 7(a) to buy a practice or partner stake, lines of credit for tax-season seasonality, and how lenders value recurring...
Read moreAuto body shop financing in 2026: SBA 7(a)/504 for buying or building, equipment loans for paint booths, frame machines and ADAS calibration, and working capital for slow...
Read moreBakery financing in 2026: SBA 7(a) for build-out or acquisition, equipment loans for ovens, mixers and refrigeration, and working capital for wholesale bakery receivables...
Read moreBoutique & retail store financing in 2026: inventory financing and lines of credit for seasonal buying, SBA 7(a) for build-out or acquisition, and how lenders...
Read moreCar wash financing in 2026: SBA 504 and 7(a) for buying or building (10–15% down), equipment loans for tunnels, vacuums & IBA, plus what lenders check on express vs...
Read moreCoffee shop & café financing in 2026: SBA 7(a) for build-out or acquisition, equipment loans for espresso machines and refrigeration, working capital, and...
Read moreFood truck financing in 2026: equipment and vehicle loans for the truck and build-out, SBA microloans for startups, working capital, and how to qualify as a new or...
Read moreFuneral home financing in 2026: SBA 7(a)/504 for buying or building, how call volume and preneed trust accounts factor into valuation, crematory and coach equipment loans,...
Read moreGas station & convenience store financing in 2026: SBA 7(a)/504 for buying or building, why the Phase I environmental and underground storage tanks drive the deal,...
Read moreLaundromat financing in 2026: SBA 7(a) for buying or building, equipment loans for washers & dryers, why utilities and semi-absentee management drive underwriting, and...
Read moreLaw firm financing in 2026: working capital for case costs, SBA 7(a) for partner buy-ins and acquisitions, AR/WIP lines of credit, and how lenders underwrite a...
Read moreLiquor store financing in 2026: SBA 7(a) for buying a store, how the liquor license transfer and inventory drive the deal, cash-business underwriting, and typical down...
Read morePharmacy financing in 2026: SBA 7(a) to buy, start, or buy into an independent pharmacy, how the prescription file is valued, PBM/DIR margin pressure, insurance AR, and...
Read moreSBA 504 for owner-occupied real estate + equipment at ~6% blended, 25-yr term. SBA 7(a) for working capital, acquisitions, mixed-use up to $5M at ~10%. Side-by-side...
Read moreSBA 504 vs conventional commercial real estate: 90% LTV vs 75%, fixed long-term rate vs variable, two-loan structure vs single. When each fits.
Read moreSBA 7(a) vs SBA Express: 7(a) goes to $5M at prime+2.5–3% but takes 4–10 weeks; Express caps at $500K but closes in 2–4 weeks at prime+4.5–6.5%. Pick by deal size + urgency.
Read moreSBA 7(a) loans for franchise purchases up to $5M: 10-15% buyer equity, ~10% rate, 10-yr term. SBA Franchise Directory eligibility, FDD, top franchise SBA lenders.
Read moreUsing an SBA 7(a) loan to buy out a business partner in 2026: change-of-ownership rules, the 10% equity injection, business valuation, seller standby notes, and what...
Read moreVeterans business loan programs: SBA Veterans Advantage (reduced fees on 7(a)), MREIDL up to $2M for reservists, SBA Express up to $500K. Eligibility, rates, application...
Read moreWhere your SBA loan down payment can come from: savings, gift funds, retirement (ROBS), home equity, seller standby notes, and partner equity — plus which sources lenders...
Read moreWe match you with SBA lenders who offer 7(a) and 504 programs for established businesses.