Financing Guides

SBA & business loan guides

If you're financing or buying a business, start here. Learn how to apply for an SBA loan and what documents you'll need, compare SBA 7(a) vs. 504 to see which program fits, understand the SBA loan down payment you should expect, and if you're just getting going, read SBA loans for startups and new businesses. Buying an existing company? See how to finance buying a business and how much down payment you need to buy a business. Then explore our SBA loan program.

Fix-and-flip & hard money guides

For real estate investors, we cover how to get a fix-and-flip loan step by step, a beginner-friendly look at fix-and-flip loans for beginners — including your options if your credit isn't perfect — and hard money loans explained. Deciding between short-term options? Compare a bridge loan vs. hard money loan. See our fix-and-flip and hard money programs.

Commercial real estate guides

Buying, refinancing, or building? Start with commercial real estate loans explained, then learn how bridge loans solve timing and value-add situations, and how commercial construction loans fund ground-up projects. See our commercial real estate, bridge, and construction programs.

Multifamily & rental investment guides

Buying apartments or rentals? Learn how to finance a multifamily property and get DSCR loans explained — how investors qualify on the property's income instead of their own. Financing a stabilized apartment deal? Learn about non-recourse multifamily loans. See our multifamily financing and DSCR / rental programs.

Requirements & getting approved

Wondering if you'll qualify — or what to do after a "no"? Start with commercial loan requirements (credit score, down payment, collateral), see how to get commercial loans without tax returns, what to do after a bank denial, and how to get fast commercial financing when a property is under contract. Need cash quickly? Compare emergency working capital options.

Comparisons & choosing a lender

Weighing your options? Compare SBA vs. conventional loans, SBA 7(a) vs. 504, and DSCR vs. a conventional mortgage. And not sure whether to go to a bank or a broker? Commercial loan broker vs. bank explains the real differences — and why business owners the bank turned down often get funded through a broker. When you're ready to pick a lender, read how to choose the best commercial real estate lender, and if you're buying a hotel, see the hotel loan down payment guide.

When you're ready, start your application or browse all loan programs.