Are you considering a business loan, but aren’t quite sure if the timing is right loan for your business? If so then you’ve come to the right place to help you figure it out.
The hard truth is that if you are a large business, in many ways, the world of lending is your oyster. However, if you are a small business not only do you have fewer lending options you probably do not have a clue of where to begin or in this case when to begin. Well, that’s okay. Statistically speaking, most small businesses (newer businesses) or rather more like only half of small/ newer businesses in the US apply for financing. So as you can see you are not alone in be wary or fully apprised when it comes to applying or securing a business loan.
Moreover, you are not alone in your uncertain quest for the right business loan because when asked most small business owners admitted to believing that financing was just too hard to find due to the mainstream or traditional lending options available. Well, the truth is they are not completely wrong. Small business owners do, in fact, have a harder time of securing financing generally if they do not explore non-traditional lending options or if they do not truly take the time to understand what’s required of them since they are small business borrowers.
In other words, if alternative lending options are not your thing per se and you are still looking for additional financing then it’s time to understand your eligibility as a small business. In general, you should also decide what are your top priorities are i.e. money today or better terms and a lower interest rate. By simply doing these two things, you can put your small business in the best position in the short-term as well as the long-term. With that being said, let’s go over what it means to be eligible for additional financing as a small business.
Understanding Your Eligibility
Unsurprisingly, most traditional lenders and alternative lenders look for specific factors when approving a business applicant such as your revenue, the age of the business, your personal FICO score, how you plan to use the additional financing as well as the amount you are requesting i.e. the size of the proposed loan. One factor, in particular, that many small business owners tend to not give too much weight to is the age of the business. But, in reality, this factor matters and it matters a lot. Generally, most lending institution will offer you better options if your business has been operational for more than two years.
Thus, it almost goes without saying that the best for securing additional financing is when your business has been successfully operating for at least two years. Are you curious as to why two years is the lucky number? Well, you shouldn’t be. It is because a significant number of small/newer businesses fail in the first two years and even more fail in the first three. Thus, you can see not only is it your best interest, in general, to getting your footing as a business it is also advantageous when it comes to additional financing.
Dennis Dahlberg Broker/RI/CEO/MLO
Level 4 Funding LLC Private Hard Money Lender
Arizona Tel: (623) 582-4444
Texas Tel: (512) 516-1177
Dennis@level4funding.com NMLS 1057378 | AZMB 0923961 | MLO 1057378
22601 N 19th Ave Suite 112 | Phoenix | AZ | 85027
111 Congress Ave |Austin | Texas | 78701 
About the Author: Dennis has been working in the real estate industry in some capacity for the last 40 years. He purchased his first property when he was just 18 years old. He quickly learned about the amazing investment opportunities provided by trust deed investing and hard money loans. His desire to help others make money in real estate investing led him to specialize in alternative funding for real estate investors who may have trouble getting a traditional bank loan. Dennis is passionate about alternative funding sources and sharing his knowledge with others to help make their dreams come true. Dennis has been married to his wonderful wife for 42 years. They have 2 beautiful daughters 5 amazing grandchildren. Dennis has been an Arizona resident for the past 40 years. 
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