Tag Archives: SBA

Santa Rosa New Mexico downtown

New Mexico Return Clients Close Loan

Our GRP Capital Team has closed a fourth hotel loan for a treasured group of return clients.

These return clients were ready to purchase another New Mexico hotel. They had tried to source financing on their own, but came to us when they were dissatisfied with the results. Our team was able to work with a Community Development Corporation (CDC). This CDC was crucial in obtaining an SBA 504 loan. The terms of the loan were better than the terms from the various banks that the different partners had been trying to obtain in the marketplace.

GRP Capital Managing Director Krishan Patel led the team in sourcing and closing the loan. Our work benefited the borrowing group, whom we know well. This borrowing group had many partners, so sometimes that creates a cumbersome document collection process. GRP Capital’s involvement definitely saved the clients time and money. In addition, the team was able to step in to make last minute plans when one of the partners had to leave the country unexpectedly and needed to sign early and remotely.

Benefits to Return Clients:

• We Know You: Return clients’ files are archived in our systems. We know about your other businesses and retain documents that can be provided for new lenders, if appropriate.

•You Know Us: We think we are pretty easy to get to know. However, we recognize that clients have to learn who we are and the GRP Capital Way. The learning curve is very smooth and future transactions are even smoother.

• We Know Which Lenders Will Appreciate Your Business Vision: When we’ve already closed a loan for you, we have also learned about you and your businesses. We know what aspects of your business need explaining and we also know about the strengths of the owners and managers. With this knowledge in our back pocket, it is easier for us to source appropriate lenders, who will want to loan money to our return clients.

Our GRP Capital team specializes in finding the right lender for each project. We save our clients time and money, as we research the best choices for their funding sources. Our experience allows our clients to find funding that is project-appropriate and will allow for sufficient cash flow. Whether you are looking to refinance or purchase or engage in construction, we would love to discuss your business plans with you. If you are considering becoming a first-time (or second or third time!) buyer, we can assist you.

Helen Georgia hiking trail mountains

New Georgia Hotel Loan

Senior Associate Ryan Dumas has helped his client close a Georgia hotel loan, using the SBA 7a program. The loan has fixed rates, which were very competitive in today’s marketplace.

Our Georgia hotel client was ready to take on a new business. To be sure, she has a great deal of experience in hospitality ownership and management. Therefore, this Georgia hotel loan was important to her and her family.

Ryan and our in-house underwriting and credit analysis team recommended an SBA 7a loan for a number of reasons. Firstly, the loan fit many of the 7a parameters. In addition, lenders are more willing to make hospitality loans when they come with an SBA guaranty.

Ryan was very pleased with the process. He stated, “We really are the leaders in the marketplace in closing SBA 7a loans. Our GRP team knows which lenders are interested in lending for hotels (not all banks are). This saves our clients a lot of time, not to mention money. I’m pleased to be part of the solution for these wonderful clients.” As for our client, she is busy working on improving the operations of her new hotel and said in an email, “Thank you for all your help obtaining the property. You were all great!”

Basic SBA 7a Information:

• What can a SBA 7a Loan used for? Limited to $5,000,000, borrowers can use this type of loan for purchases of businesses including equipment, renovation/construction and refinancing, too. Borrowers can even take out an SBA 7a loan for changes of ownership.

•How does an SBA 7a differ from an SBA 504? In order to apply for an SBA 504 loan, borrowers must work with both a CDC (Community Development Corporation) and a senior lender. The CDC has to officially submit the loan to the SBA for approval. In addition, the CDC also approves the lender. Typically the CDC and the lender each have their own underwriting processes, which happen simultaneously. These extra steps typically lead to a lengthier closing. GRP Capital advises 504 loans when borrowers have sufficient time in their purchase sale agreement and for larger loans, too.

• Why do lenders like SBA loans? It’s all about risk! Lenders are by nature risk-averse. The SBA guarantees the majority of the SBA loan, which removes a great deal of the risk from the lender. So it’s a win-win for them. They get to have a loan on their books without the full amount of the risk they incur with conventional loans. GRP Capital is continuing to dialogue with our network of lenders. We think it’s important that lenders understand the many stable, profitable hospitality businesses that are out there.

Our GRP Capital team specializes in finding the right lender for each project. We save our clients time and money, as we research the best choices for their funding sources. Our experience allows our clients to find funding that is project-appropriate and will allow for sufficient cash flow. Whether you are looking to refinance or purchase or engage in construction, we would love to discuss your business plans with you. If you are considering becoming a first-time (or second or third time!) buyer, we can assist you.

Graphic of electric vehicle charging station

New Spending Bill and Electric Vehicles

Electric Vehicles are in the news right now. The new spending bill that just passed through Congress affects the purchase of these vehicles and charging stations. In addition, the bill may have an impact on your future business decisions.

How can electric vehicle charging stations benefit you? What legislative decisions will also affect you?

Electric Vehicles (EV) and the New Spending Bill:

• Expiration of Tax Credit for EV Purchases : Currently, individuals who purchase an electric vehicle receive a $7,500 tax credit for new vehicles and a $4,000 tax credit for used vehicles. These tax credits will expire on September 30, 2025.

• Possible Effects of Expiration: EV owners are loyal and largely happy with their purchases. There is likely to be a surge of demand and purchases of EV’s up to the expiration date. There may also be interest and inquiries regarding nearby charging stations.

• Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: There was also a tax credit through the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Tax Credit. This tax credit, limited to $100,000, offered incentives to businesses that installed charging stations. Many business owners took advantage of this credit. This included gas station and convenience store owners, retail and commercial office space owners, multi-family housing owners and hospitality owners.

• When is the EV Charging Station tax credit expiring? This tax credit is due to expire on June 30, 2026.

• Should I Install an EV Charging Station? Our lenders are aware that business owners may be keen to take on this business upgrade with some urgency. In addition, if you are in the market to purchase or refinance commercial real estate, you may want to include a charging station installation in your business plan. While it is difficult to predict the cost-benefit of a charging station, it is certainly advantageous to install the station before the tax credit expires. t

Our GRP Capital team specializes in finding the right lender for each project. We save our clients time and money, as we research the best choices for their funding sources. Our experience allows our clients to find funding that is project-appropriate and will allow for sufficient cash flow. Whether you are looking to refinance or purchase or engage in construction, we would love to discuss your business plans with you. If you are considering becoming a first-time (or second or third time!) buyer, we can assist you.

Meeting from above

SBA Launches Working Capital Loan

The Small Business Administration has just announced a brand new working capital loan program. This program will be administered as a 7a loan. Although the SBA has not announced a start date, the official launch of the loan could occur as early as third quarter 2024.

The name of the pilot program is the Working Capital Pilot Program (WCP). The goal is to provide lines of credit to small business owners. The SBA particularly wanted to create this financing option during the current extended high rate environment.

According to the SBA’s press release, “This pilot program represents a significant expansion of the SBA’s loan programs by adding a line of credit product with an innovative fee structure engineered to increase flexibility for small businesses and lenders, providing more options when structuring a line of credit to meet businesses’ specific needs.”

What we Know about the Working Capital Loan Program:

• Competitive Rates for a Line of Credit: This loan can be utilized for short-term capital injections. As a result, the loan should help increase profitability or jump start a new aspect of a business. The shorter team loans and flexible designs should be enticing to many entrepreneurs.

• Flexibility: The WCP offers greater flexibility than other SBA 7a offerings in terms of maturity date and loan terms.

• Asset Based Financing : The WCP will offer a line of credit, based upon the assets of the small business. This should enable business owners to manage cash flow and to also deal with any snags in supply chains.

• More guidelines are forthcoming: The SBA is offering one-on-one consulting to lenders to help educate their personnel first about the advantages and details of the WCP. GRP Capital expects to be able to recommend these loans after a short study period with our lending partners.

• Using Valued Lender Partners: In order to access this working capital loan, we will need to engage with experienced lenders in the SBA marketplace. These lenders are already in contact with our GRP Capital team. Together we are determining the best usage of this new financing option.

• Annual Guaranty The loan will include an upfront SBA guaranty. Borrowers can pay this guaranty annually.

Our GRP Capital team specializes in finding the right lender for each project. We save our clients time and money, as we research the best choices for their funding sources. Our experience allows our clients to find funding that is project-appropriate and will allow for sufficient cash flow. Whether you are looking to refinance or purchase or engage in construction, we would love to discuss your business plans with you. If you are considering becoming a first-time (or second or third time!) buyer, we can assist you.

Florida Hotel Closes with SBA 504

Our Florida client was able to purchase a new Gulf Coast hotel, taking advantage of an SBA 504 loan.

As experienced multi-family owners, our clients had their eyes on a South Florida property.

However, the lending space has changed recently for hospitality loans. Consequently, lenders and borrowers are interested in the guaranty that the SBA loans provide. The benefit of an SBA 504 loan is that it is fixed interest and competitively priced.

GRP Capital President Rick Patel and the whole team worked closely on this loan. He noted, “The SBA 504 loan process is a little more rigorous. Sometimes this can scare clients. But our team worked closely with all of the various personnel to get this loan closed. I want everybody to consider SBA financing when it is appropriate. We know we have the systems in place to make the detailed underwriting much easier for our clients so they can take advantage of the SBA products.”

Fast FAQ’s on SBA 504 loans:

• What’s a CDC? A CDC is a Certified Development Company. These are community-based partners who underwrite the loan and create the package. They are the first step in getting a loan closed. Most importantly, they know their way around the SBA and the best paths to secure SBA approval.

• Tell me the difference between the SBA 504 and the SBA 7a: The 7a loan is typically (although not always) for smaller loans and for businesses that might have more trouble obtaining conventional financing. Currently SBA 504 loans hold fixed rate loan structures, while many SBA 7a loans are structured with a variable rate. Both loan products can be used for purchases and construction, while 504 loans may have restrictions regarding refinanced debt.

• Is the equity requirement affordable in an SBA 504 loan? Typically, yes, but every project is different. In the case of this closing, the equity contribution met the budgetary needs of the borrowers.

Our GRP Capital team specializes in finding the right lender for each project. We save our clients time and money, as we research the best choices for their funding sources. Our experience allows our clients to find funding that is project-appropriate and will allow for sufficient cash flow. Whether you are looking to refinance or purchase, we would love to discuss your business plans with you. If you are considering becoming a first-time (or second or third time!) buyer, we can assist you.

Options For a Maturing Note

If you have a maturing note, you have the following options:

  • Pay off the remainder of the loan
  • Extend the loan
  • Renew the loan
  • Secure new financing

Choosing the Best Option for your Maturing Note:

• Paying off a maturing note: If you have had a conventional or even SBA mortgage which has been paying down your debt over a long number of years, making your final payment might not be too cumbersome. Do you have a bridge loan or a construction loan? If this is the case, full payoff may not be feasible. Be aware that you will no longer have tax credits for mortgage interest, which will change your taxable income.

• Extending the Loan: This option allows you to get some extra time before making that final payment. Extension is most common when facing balloon payments. Your lender must agree to an extension; in fact, this is not automatically granted. There will likely be some additional interest charges should you choose this option.

• Loan Renewal:  Have you had a good relationship with your lender? Were your payments on time for the most part (with perhaps some pauses during COVID 19 lockdowns)? Your lender MAY be amenable to creating a new loan. This will allow you to continue to pay down debt, reducing your taxable income, while staying with a familiar lending partner. Unfortunately, there are certain industries that are coming up against lender hesitancy to renew loans, including hospitality loans.

Securing a New Loan:  If you cannot go back to your current lender, you must secure new financing. Because of higher interest rates, this is the time to seek advice and figure out the best options.

GRP Capital can be of assistance. We will examine restructuring and reach out to lenders to determine what financing options are likely to be approved. Our team will consider if you should refinance existing debt, retire part of it or even restructure it. In addition, we can help evaluate your financing and cash flow needs. You will have a better sense of what type of financing options exist and choose the best one for your business.

If you would like to discuss your maturing note or any other business issues, feel free to contact our team.  An initial business evaluation is complimentary.

Is It Time to Refinance Your SBA 7a Loan?

Do you have a Small Business Administration SBA 7a loan that is at least three years old?

Have you been meeting your business plan goals and objectives?

Now is a good time to examine what the options are for refinancing your SBA 7a loan.

Timing an SBA 7a Refinance

• Three years: SBA 7a loans have prepayment penalties for the first three years. Therefore, we advise most borrowers to wait until the three years have elapsed before seeking refinances. There are a few select cases, however, where the prepayment penalties are worth it.

• Do you have evidence of meeting profit targets? If you are looking to refinance a loan, lenders need evidence that your business is largely on target. We find that lenders are willing to overlook the market disruptions of COVID, especially during mandatory lockdowns. Other than that, your financial statements should demonstrate sustained profitability. In addition to financial statements, lenders and appraisers typically require evidence from third parties. These can include STR reports or sales tax bills based upon revenue receipts.

• Debt Coverage:  The most important factor in finding affordable, reasonable loans is your current debt coverage. Lenders are not impressed just with the value of your property. In this somewhat volatile economic milieu, demonstrating the ability to pay back loans and having capital reserves is key.

Debt Refinance Possibilities and Other Structures:  We can help you determine the best next steps. It might be to refinance existing debt, retire part of it or even restructure it. We can help evaluate your financing and cash flow needs. You will have a better sense of what type of financing options exist and choose the best one for your business.

If you would like to discuss your SBA 7a loan or any other business plans, feel free to contact our team.  We can conduct a business evaluation, reach out to our lenders, offer advice on bidding and secure financing for you. An initial business evaluation is complimentary.

What about your EIDL Loan?

If you have an EIDL loan (Economic Injury Disaster Loans offered by the Small Business Association), what do you need to know about future loan transactions?

  • What about buying a new business?
  • What about refinancing a current business?
  • What about selling my business?

Many of our clients have an EIDL loan. We encouraged our clients to obtain these during the most restrictive part of the COVID pandemic. These low interest loans gave needed relief to some of the hardest hit industries, including hospitality.

Selling a Business with an EIDL Loan:

• EIDL Loans Mostly Have to Be Paid off poor to sale: Any lender who is funding the purchase of a business with real estate will require that buyers own the property “free and clear”. This means that there cannot be any liens (claims from lenders) on the property or the business. So, sellers must pay off previous EIDL loans prior to or at closing.

• Perhaps One Exception:  Sellers may have multiple businesses or properties. Some sellers, especially larger corporate sellers, may have an EIDL for the parent company but not the smaller component business being sold. If the EIDL is for the parent business, the new lender may find a way to make an exception.

Paying off an EIDL at or before closing:  Be aware that the SBA does not accept payoff via wire. At closing the title or escrow company will have to make out a physical check for the balance of the EIDL. The borrower can find the balance on their SBA portal. The SBA website also has clear instructions for paying off the loan via mail.

I Have an EIDL and I want to Refinance

• Size matters!  If your EIDL loan is small, then the lender may agree to pay it off. They will roll the remainder of the EIDL into the total loan value. If the loan is larger, there are a few possibilities.

• Paying off an EIDL: You may be holding on to the proceeds of the loan (and therefore have cash on hand). But new lenders will not consider the proceeds of the EIDL as an asset without also considering your EIDL loan as a liability. Therefore, a large EIDL may negatively impact your debt to income ratio. The lender may consider that you have too much debt and require you to pay off or pay down the loan.

• Subordinating an EIDL: Often lenders will agree to subordinate an EIDL. This means that they will request permission from the SBA to delay receiving payments for the EIDL until the mortgage has been paid off. Borrowers have to officially request subordination and the SBA has to grant it. This process is not automatic. In addition, requesting subordination can take some time. We have found that subordination happens most easily when we work with our network of SBA preferred lending partners.

I Have Other Businesses with EIDL loans and I’m Getting a New Loan:

The lender will underwrite your entire file and look at your affiliate businesses. If your other businesses are cash flowing and covering your debts, there are no issues with other EIDL loans. We are happy to help you do a self-evaluation of your cash position for all of your businesses. This will help you if you need to make your portfolio stronger prior to looking for financing.

If you are considering a loan for purchase or refinance and would like to discuss your plans,  feel free to contact our team.  We have a network of lenders and can find the best match for your funding needs, saving you time and money, so you can focus on running your business.