FAQ - What Real Estate Loan Is Best For Small Businesses?
Didier Malagies • March 16, 2022
For small business owners, there are three main types of commercial real estate loans: conventional commercial loans, SBA 7(a) loans and SBA 504 loans.
The best commercial real estate loan for your business will depend on the specific type of financing you need and the property you intend to finance. Let's look at the pros and cons of each, to help you make the best decision for your needs.
Conventional Commercial Real Estate Loans
If you're looking for traditional financing for your real estate purchase, a conventional business loan is probably the best option for you.
Conventional commercial loans tend to be the most straight forward type of commercial loan. They are what you would expect-a commercial mortgage backed by commercial property. The lender is typically a bank, credit union, or other type of investment institution.
SBA 7(a) Loan Program
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers an array of loan programs for very small businesses — those with fewer than 500 employees. The most popular is the SBA 7(a) loan program, which can be used for working capital, to buy equipment or to buy commercial real estate (among other things).
Two big advantages of this program are that it allows borrowers with lower credit and/or a low cash injection to qualify, and it's typically easier to obtain than other types of financing. However, it can take a lot longer to close an SBA loan than a conventional one, so plan ahead!
SBA 504 Loan Program
Other options under the SBA umbrella include the SBA 504 loan program, which is a common SBA loan and is your best option for fixed-rate and long-term financing for fixed assets such as buildings, facilities, and land.
504 Loans allow borrowers long-term, fixed rate financing of up to $5 million for fixed assets (land, buildings, facilities, machinery and more) that promote business growth and job creation.
504 loans are available through partnerships with the SBA and cannot be used for nonprofit, passive, or speculative activities.
For detailed information about each loan type, visit our commercial programs page.
For more information about what loan is best for you, talk to our commercial experts. Call (727) 784-5555. Or ask a question using the form below.
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Use the form below and we will give your our expert answers! Or scroll down for more FAQs and Answers.
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If you need working capital for your business, you’ve come to the right place. We can get you up to $150,000 in financing in as little as 2 weeks. And unlike traditional banks and other lenders, we are here to help you throughout the process to make sure you get funded. Our program is designed to give businesses like yours access to cash when they need it most. The best part? There is no cash flow analysis, no debt refi, no equipment requirement - just working capital. You can get 30% of your top line, gross revenue from your last tax returns. To qualify for the loan you will need: To be self-employed for 2 years. Have a 680 FICO score or higher. Have a 155 biz score or higher. Access to working capital can help your business in many ways: Working capital loans can help with covering payroll. Some businesses have cash flow problems because they have to pay their employees before they get paid. This can be a problem for startups, especially if the business owner is also an employee. Working capital loans can help you cover payroll and other expenses until you receive payment from clients. Working capital loans can help with buying inventory. The cost of inventory is one of the biggest expenses for most businesses. Working capital loans can help you buy inventory quickly and easily so that you don't have to wait for your customers to pay their bills before they can receive it. Working capital loans can help with rent and building expenses. Rent and building expenses are ongoing costs that must be paid every month regardless of whether or not there have been any sales in that month. Working capital loans help businesses pay these bills on time so that they don't fall behind. There is no obligation to start the lending processes. Just an obligation to yourself to figure out what's best for you. Find out more about how much you can borrow to help you finance your working capital! Complete the form below and one of our advisors will reach out to you. Or, give us a call at (727) 784-5555 and we will be happy to answer all of your questions.
The process of seeking a commercial loan in Florida can be overwhelming.
For doggy daycare owners and buyers, there are two main types of Government Subsidized Loans that can help you buy or grow your business .
The Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loan is a long-term financing tool for growing small businesses.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 loan is a long-term financing tool for growing small businesses.
Tax season is a great time to take stock of your company's financial situation and look ahead to the next year.
As a business owner, you need to know why commercial loans are important, how it works, and what is available to you.
Commercial real estate loans are similar to residential mortgages, but they usually require a shorter repayment period and a higher down payment.
Commercial real estate loans are a lot like a residential mortgage. However, the programs, terms, and types vary.
Check out our other helpful videos to learn more about credit and residential mortgages.
Excited to share a major update that will make the homebuying process more secure and less stressful. President Donald Trump recently signed the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act of 2025 into law. This bill is a significant victory for the real estate industry, as it directly addresses the problem of unwanted calls, texts, and emails that often flood clients upon mortgage application. What's Changing? For years, many borrowers have experienced a barrage of unsolicited contact from different lenders immediately after their mortgage application. This happens because of "trigger leads"—a process where credit reporting agencies sell information to other companies once a credit inquiry is made. Effective March 5, 2026, this new law will put a stop to this practice. It will severely limit who can receive client contact information, ensuring client privacy is protected. A credit reporting agency will only be able to share trigger lead information with a third party if: • Clients explicitly consent to the solicitations. • The third party has an existing business relationship. This change means a more efficient, respectful, and responsible homebuying journey. We are committed to a seamless process and will keep you informed of any further developments as the effective date approaches. In the meantime, you can use the information below to inform clients how to proactively protect themselves from unwanted solicitations. Opting Out: • OptOutPrescreen.com: You can opt out of trigger leads through the official opt-out service, OptOutPrescreen.com. • Do Not Call Registry: You can also register your phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry to reduce unsolicited calls. • DMA.choice.org: For mail solicitations, you can register with DMA.choice.org to reduce promotional mail. tune in and learn https://www.ddamortgage.com/blog didier malagies nmls#212566 dda mortgage nmls#324329
We're excited to share a major update that will make the homebuying process more secure and less stressful. President Donald Trump recently signed the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act of 2025 into law. This bill is a significant victory for the real estate industry, as it directly addresses the problem of unwanted calls, texts, and emails that often flood clients upon mortgage application. What's Changing? For years, many borrowers have experienced a barrage of unsolicited contact from different lenders immediately after their mortgage application. This happens because of "trigger leads"—a process where credit reporting agencies sell information to other companies once a credit inquiry is made. Effective March 5, 2026, this new law will put a stop to this practice. It will severely limit who can receive client contact information, ensuring client privacy is protected. A credit reporting agency will only be able to share trigger lead information with a third party if: • Clients explicitly consent to the solicitations. • The third party has an existing business relationship. This change means a more efficient, respectful, and responsible homebuying journey. We are committed to a seamless process and will keep you informed of any further developments as the effective date approaches. In the meantime, you can use the information below to inform clients how to proactively protect themselves from unwanted solicitations. Opting Out: • OptOutPrescreen.com: You can opt out of trigger leads through the official opt-out service, OptOutPrescreen.com. • Do Not Call Registry: You can also register your phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry to reduce unsolicited calls. • DMA.choice.org: For mail solicitations, you can register with DMA.choice.org to reduce promotional mail. Didier Malagies nmls212566 DDA Mortgage nmls324329
Good question — refinancing can be a smart move, but the timing really matters. The "right time" to refinance your mortgage depends on a mix of personal and market factors. Here are the main ones to weigh: 1. Interest Rates If current mortgage rates are at least 2% lower than your existing rate, refinancing could save you money. Example: Dropping from 7% to 6% on a $300,000 loan can save hundreds per month. 2. Loan Term Goals Switching from a 30-year to a 15-year mortgage can help you pay off your home faster (though monthly payments are higher). Extending your term may lower your monthly payment but increase total interest paid. 3. Equity in Your Home Lenders usually want you to have at least 20% equity for the best rates and to avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI). If your home’s value has increased, refinancing can help eliminate PMI. 4. Credit Score If your credit score has improved since you got your mortgage, you may now qualify for much better rates. 5. Life Situation Planning to stay in the home at least 3–5 years? That’s often how long it takes to “break even” on refinance closing costs. If you might sell sooner, refinancing may not make sense. 6. Debt or Cash Needs A cash-out refinance can help if you want to consolidate higher-interest debt, fund renovations, or free up cash — but it raises your loan balance. ✅ Rule of Thumb: Refinance if you can lower your rate, shorten your term, or eliminate PMI, and you’ll stay in the home long enough to recover the costs. tune in and learn https://www.ddamortgage.com/blog didier malagies nmls#212566 dda mortgage nmls#324329
