The SBA's most flexible loan, start to close.
From owner-occupied real estate to business acquisition, partner buyouts, and working capital — the 7(a) does more than any other SBA program. We structure the file, fund what fits our own capital, and place the rest with the SBA lender most likely to approve it.
SBA 7(a) at a glance
- Up to $10M for real estate, acquisition, or working capital
- As little as 10% down — preserve cash to operate
- Up to 25-year amortization on real estate, fully amortizing
- One loan for purchase, renovation, and working capital
- SBA guaranty widens the pool of lenders that can say yes
Ideal for: owner-occupants buying their building, business buyers, partners funding a buyout, and growing companies that need working capital under one facility.
What the 7(a) can actually finance
The 7(a) is the SBA's workhorse because it bends to the deal. The same program funds owner-occupied commercial real estate, the purchase of an existing business, a partner buyout, equipment, leasehold improvements, qualifying debt refinance, and working capital — often combined into a single loan with one payment.
Because the SBA guarantees a portion of the balance, lenders approve files a conventional desk would decline: thinner collateral, a younger business, a buyer stepping into ownership for the first time. We structure the request so the strengths of your deal carry it, and bring it to the desk most likely to fund it — or fund it ourselves where it fits.
Down payment, term, and what it costs
Most 7(a) purchases close with a 10% equity injection, and real-estate-heavy deals stretch to a 25-year fully amortizing term — no balloon, no refinance risk halfway through. Rates are typically variable, tied to Prime plus a spread the SBA caps, so you're protected from open-ended pricing.
There's an SBA guaranty fee on most loans, financeable into the balance, and the offsetting benefit is real: lower down payment, longer term, and approval odds a conventional loan can't match for the same borrower. We'll model the all-in payment before you commit so there are no surprises at closing.
SBA 7(a) questions, answered.
What can an SBA 7(a) loan be used for?
Owner-occupied commercial real estate, buying an existing business, partner buyouts, equipment, leasehold improvements, refinancing qualifying business debt, and working capital — frequently bundled into one loan with a single monthly payment.
How much do I need to put down on a 7(a) loan?
Typically a 10% equity injection on an acquisition or owner-occupied purchase, though stronger deals and certain structures can go lower. A portion of the injection can sometimes come from a seller note on standby.
How long does an SBA 7(a) loan take to close?
A clean file generally closes in 45–75 days. Business acquisitions with third-party valuations and real estate with appraisals sit at the longer end; we manage the SBA checklist in parallel to keep it moving.
Do I have to occupy the property to use a 7(a)?
For real estate, yes — SBA programs require the business to occupy at least 51% of an existing building (60% for new construction). Pure investment property isn't 7(a)-eligible; a DSCR or conventional commercial loan is the route there.
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