SBA Loan Questions

searcher profile

February 10, 2022

by a searcher from Columbia University - Columbia Business School in New York, NY, USA

Have a few questions related to SBA loans that I don't think I've seen answered directly before (apologies for length - TLDR at bottom):

1. A few have mentioned in passing to "get your personal mortgage debt in order" (ie. draw on HELOC) before taking on SBA debt for an acquisition. I understand the requirement to pledge your home as collateral if >20% ownership and the importance of W2 income on mortgage underwriting.

My question is: As a searcher that rents currently with a spouse with strong w2 income, we have been debating buying a property while I search, funded with <20% down (essentially under my spouse's name/credit). The market is such that we would save on rental expense and could flip to an investment property if / when we would need to relocate for an acquisition. Would this impact my ability to receive SBA funds down the road (assume down payment / liquidity not an issue)? If we wait to purchase until after acquisition, would our ability to receive a mortgage be negatively impacted by the SBA debt (again, assuming spouse's strong W2, not a direct owner in the biz, no PG for spouse)?

2. While not modeled in my base case, part of my thesis for upside is growth via acquisition. I'd likely want to take >6-9 months to get processes in place but some of my outreach is yielding potential bolt-ons sooner. I understand SBA lenders don't typically want to upsize for acquisition until 9-12 months post acquisition due to requirement of financial / operating history as a new owner.

Are there any actions that could be taken as part of your initial SBA loan application / cap structure alternatives to provide for potential funding for smaller acquisitions if a time sensitive opp arises early (ie contribute more equity, bigger LOC, fund excess NWC, fund acquisition with mezz, etc.)? Seems like its more of a constraint on financial history than leverage but curious if those with roll up plans have considered this under SBA constraints.

3. The lease requirement of 5 year with 5 year option: Is that specific to existing business location. Could you have another lease prepared at a different location with a different landlord, relocate the business and still receive SBA funding? Alternatively, could you have another property under contract to purchase, utilize the more favorable SBA amort schedule and relocate the business (assume the math pencils)? What are the constraints / requirements on relocating a business at acquisition with SBA funds?

TL/DR:

1. Should I take out a high LTV mortgage before I buy a business with SBA debt?
2. What is best way to structure a deal with SBA debt if you want to do add-ons early?
3. Can you relocate a business at acquisition with SBA? If so, what are the requirements? Can you purchase a different piece of RE to relocate the business funded in part by SBA debt at acquisition?


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commentor profile
Reply by an admin
from Stanford University in Honolulu, HI, USA
We’ve done a few live stream sessions with lenders but I don’t recall these specific questions being asked.I am including these live streams here in case they are of interest to searchers who are starting out.I am also tagging the bankers so they can respond.

Common Misconceptions in Lending with ^redacted‌: https://www.searchfunder.com/event/view/465


Factors in Lending for Healthcare Businesses with ^redacted‌:https://www.searchfunder.com/event/view/459

Searchfunder Session: Common Hurdles in SBA Search Fund Deals with ^redacted‌: https://www.searchfunder.com/event/view/414


Searchfunder Session: Most Asked Lending Questions for Search Funds: with ^redactedhttps://www.searchfunder.com/event/view/612

Searchfunder Session: Landing the Whale?With^redacted‌ and ^redacted‌:https://www.searchfunder.com/event/view/239

Searchfunder Session: SBA War Stories & Lessons Learned with ^redacted‌: https://www.searchfunder.com/event/view/264


Searchfunder Sessions: SBA 7A Lending for Acquisitions With ^redacted
https://www.searchfunder.com/event/view/232
commentor profile
Reply by a lender
in Yorba Linda, CA, USA
1.If you're levered >75% LTV on your personal real estate at the time of the SBA loan application, it will not have to be pledged (but be sure you are working with a cash flow lender which is collateral agnostic if you do not have RE to pledge....some banks want the RE or they won't lend)2.Best thing here is to choose your lender wisely, and make sure that the credit team is aware of and supportive of your add-on strategy.Also, get a feel for the cadence they'd be comfortable with.Sometimes, a bank will want you to wait at least a year from the 1st deal.That will vary.Have plenty of robust discussion around this before you pick a bank for your 1st SBA loan.You cannot refi an SBA with an SBA, so you'll be somewhat "stuck" with that bank for a while3.Provided the business is not somehow location dependent, you will have the flexibility to relocate the facilities.Make sure you have plenty of conversation around your desire for this flexibility and that the bank is on board before you choose a lender.
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