Here's What You Qualify For — and What Each Program Actually Solves.
Every SBA program is a tool. The wrong one stretches the timeline, costs more, or gets declined. We'll tell you which one fits — and structure it so it actually closes.
If This Sounds Like You — You're in the Right Place.
We work with operators who:
- Are buying owner-occupied commercial real estate ($500K-$10M+)
- Are buying a business or buying out a partner
- Need working capital for a real growth plan, not just runway
- Are refinancing high-cost debt (expensive lines, balloon notes)
- Were turned down elsewhere and want a fresh review from an advisor who knows how to position it for approval
- Are buying heavy equipment and want long-term fixed financing
Next up — the program breakdown.
Programs We Cover
Every program below comes with the same end-to-end packaging, lender matching, and closing coordination. The numbers are typical ranges — your actual terms depend on the deal, the lender, and current SBA pricing.
SBA 504
Owner-occupied real estate & major equipment
- Up to $5.5M (manufacturing/green: higher)
- 10/20/25-year fixed CDC portion
- Bank first lien + CDC second lien structure
- Best blended rate of any SBA program
- Building must be ≥51% owner-occupied
SBA 7(a)
Acquisitions, partner buyouts, working capital, equipment, debt refi
- Up to $5M total exposure
- 10-yr (working capital/acq.) to 25-yr (real estate)
- Variable rate: prime + spread (typically 2.25-2.75%)
- Most flexible use of funds in the SBA toolkit
- Personal guaranty required (20%+ owners)
- Acquisitions: minimum 10% equity injection, at least half from non-borrowed sources
Conventional & Bridge
When SBA isn't the right tool
- Faster close (2-4 weeks vs 60-90 days)
- No SBA fees or guaranty
- Equipment finance, commercial RE, lines of credit
- Bridge for time-sensitive acquisitions
- For credit profiles SBA can't underwrite
504 or 7(a)? The 30-Second Test
Most deals fall cleanly on one side or the other. Here's the fastest way to know.
Use 504 when…
- ≥51% of the loan is for real estate or large fixed equipment
- You want the lowest fixed long-term rate available
- You can wait 60-90 days to close
- The building is owner-occupied (not pure investment)
- Project is $500K+ (below that, fee structure hurts)
Use 7(a) when…
- You're buying a business (with or without real estate)
- You need working capital, not just an asset
- You're doing a partner buyout
- You're refinancing expensive non-SBA debt
- You need the broadest collateral flexibility
Deals Above the SBA Cap
SBA caps at $5M (7(a)) and ~$5.5M (504, higher with manufacturing/green). For larger projects we split structures — SBA stacked with conventional, or pure conventional/CMBS where it pencils better. We'll tell you when each plays.
- Pari-passu and pari-passu-with-mezz structures
- USDA B&I for rural deals up to $25M
- Conventional commercial up to lender appetite