WHAT IS A REAL (504) LOAN?

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1 WHAT IS A REAL (504) LOAN? The Real Estate Advantage Loan (also known as a REAL or 504 Loan) is a 10% down, fixed-rate, long-term loan designed to expand capital access, filling a market gap in long-term financing for America s small businesses. Since it is fixed-cost and long-term as well as SBA-backed, the 504 is one of the best financing options available for small business owners today. WHY GET REAL? Own your business, own your life. An entrepreneur paying down a REAL loan, rather than throwing that same money away on rent, means investing in his or her personal and business s financial future. Once the building or machinery is paid off, a business can enjoy the same revenue without paying a monthly property expense or may even rent the space out to other businesses for a profit. VALUE With a REAL loan, an entrepreneur can purchase his or her business s real estate or machinery. He or she then gets the tax benefits and appreciation on the real estate while locking in occupancy costs for 20 years. LOW DOWN PAYMENT As an entrepreneur, you know the importance of liquidity. With financing available for up to 90% of project cost, the REAL loan offers a 10% down payment (compared to 25 or 30% through a traditional bank), enabling the entrepreneur to conserve working capital. GOVERNMENT BACKED The SBA (Small Business Administration) created this program to increase the accessibility of business property loans to entrepreneurs, helping enhance the economic health of local communities. 1

2 LOW FEES We encourage interested small businesses to compare REAL loan fees to fees of other loan options on the market. What you will find is that 504 loan fees are the lowest on the market, and may be reduced further if the interested entrepreneur is a female, veteran or franchise unit owner. Find out more about these strategic initiatives to further reduce fees. LONG TERM FINANCING The REAL loan means 20-year, fully amortized financing. This enables a small business owner to pay for a facility over the long term while avoiding risky loan call provisions typical of traditional lenders. COMPETITIVE INTEREST RATES The 504 loan boasts low interest rates that vary based on market forces. The actual interest rate the borrower pays is calculated based on the debenture rate for the month the loan is funded. REAL loans are funded by monthly bond (debenture) sales to investors on Wall Street. FIXED RATE REAL loan financing allows an entrepreneur to fix his or her business occupancy costs rather than worry about market instability or fluctuating rates. FLEXIBILITY An entrepreneur can purchase and hold title to a building personally, in the name of the business or even set up a holding company for the real estate. This gives the small business owner the flexibility to maximize tax benefits of ownership and minimize liability in the manner best suited for the entrepreneur and his or her company. In some circumstances, two or more small businesses will receive a single REAL loan, if it suits them, to combine to create a real estate holding company. This option works especially well for professionals in the medical, veterinary, legal and accounting fields. 2

3 ELIGIBILITY Unbelievably, given the advantages, most businesses worth under $15 million are eligible for a REAL loan for their property and machinery needs. This includes projects as costly as $5,500,000 of REAL financing, depending on the nature of said project. LOAN STRUCTURE Loan Structure Financing for a typical REAL 504 loan is broken into three parts, with only the 10% provided by the borrower. Borrower REAL 504 Loan Bank Loan An additional 40% is provided by a Certified Development Company (CDC). CDC s are non-profit corporations that provide loans to encourage small business growth in their local communities and are unique to the REAL 504 Loan program. The remaining 50% is provided by a banking (financial institution) partner. 3

4 AM I ELIGIBLE? ELIGIBLE USES Acquisition of vacant land Building construction Acquisition of existing buildings Major renovations and/or additions to existing buildings Marine facility acquisition, including fishing vessels and boats Purchases of capital equipment, including heavy machinery Associated costs such as title and insurance, legal fees, appraisals, environmental reports, architects fees, surveys, equipment installation, points on bridge loans, furniture and fixtures, etc. Note: Loan funds may not be used for working capital, mortgage broker fees, bridge loans during the construction period, business inventory, rolling stock (i.e. trucks) or refinancing of existing debt of the business. ELIGIBLE COMPANIES Franchise businesses are eligible and, if listed in the franchise industry, may qualify for expedited loan approval Legal entity corporation, partnership, sole proprietor, limited liability company Located in the United States Net worth under $15 million and net profits under $5 million. Participation by another lender who finances up to 50% of project costs Economic development goals must be achieved through the project financing Owner-user of the project being financed must occupy at least 51% of the property for an existing building or 60% of a newly constructed building. Two or more unrelated small businesses can receive an SBA 504 loan if they combine to meet occupancy requirements. 4

5 NOT ELIGIBLE Companies consistent with the following criteria are NOT eligible: A not-for-profit (exception for sheltered workshops) Engaged in lending; a passive holder of real estate and/or personal property; a life insurance company (however, an insurance agency is eligible) Located in a foreign country or owned by aliens who do not have legal permanent resident status Has restriction on patronage Is a government-owned entity (exception for Native American tribes) Engaged in promoting religion Consumer and marketing cooperatives (producer cooperatives are eligible) Engaged in loan packaging Owned by persons of poor character Equity interest by lender, CDC or associates in applicant concern Provides prurient sexual material Has previously defaulted on a federal loan Engaged in political or lobbying activities Speculative businesses 5

6 ELIGIBLE PROJECTS PROJECT SIZE Most growing businesses are adding staff as they expand and look for larger facilities. This is when a REAL loan is the perfect choice for financing the new facility! REAL loan size is linked to job creation. A small business owner must create and/or retain jobs to qualify for an SBA 504 loan. In general, an entrepreneur can borrow $65,000 in REAL loan funding for each job created and/or retained within two years. There is no limit to the total project cost; however, a CDC can lend you up to 40% of the project cost with a dollar cap of $5,000,000 depending on the type of project. CDCs can exceed $5,000,000 and go as high as $5,500,000 of REAL financing for eligible manufacturing projects and for projects that incorporate energy-saving technologies for sustainable design. MANUFACTURING & ENERGY EFFICIENT PROJECTS Eligible manufacturing projects Projects incorporating energy-saving technologies for sustainable design Projects that generate renewable energy like solar, wind or geothermal Small businesses wishing to purchase, construct or retro-fit facilities incorporating energy-saving technologies that result in a 10% decrease in energy consumption 6