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Commercial Loan and Business Financing - Unusual
Problems
There are a surprising number of problems which should
be anticipated when arranging a commercial loan. Several
of these potential business financing difficulties are
relatively unknown by most borrowers. These issues are
relevant for commercial real estate financing, business
opportunity investment loans and business cash advance
circumstances, although not all factors will apply to
each situation.
Commercial Loan Advisory Reports -
We have published separate commercial loan advisory
reports which provide a comprehensive discussion of
the major problems likely to be encountered in typical
business financing and commercial real estate loan circumstances.
For example, one report focuses on common business opportunity
investment financing difficulties. In another report,
we discussed the obstacles usually experienced with
SBA loan refinancing.
The Black Ice Analogy: Unseen Business Financing
Problems -
The focus in this article is to highlight several of
the more obscure commercial loan problems. We consider
these often hidden business financing difficulties to
be of critical importance to a commercial borrower.
Drivers familiar with an extremely hazardous road condition
known as black ice (in which ice is largely invisible
on the road) will readily appreciate that unknown and
unseen business finance problems can be particularly
hazardous to the financial health of a business.
Online Business Finance Applications -
The first relatively unknown business financing problem
involves the increasing use of internet technology by
commercial lenders. Many commercial loan sites encourage
borrowers to submit an online application. This is not
a prudent way for a business owner to proceed with their
commercial financing.
It is important that business owners understand that
it is not in their best interest to submit an online
business financing application. For a more detailed
understanding of why an online commercial loan application
is inadvisable and how to proceed in a search for viable
financing, borrowers should review the report entitled
How and Why to Avoid the Online Business Loan Application
Trap.
Recall Provisions for a Commercial Mortgage -
The next obscure but nevertheless serious business
financing problem to anticipate involves the use of
loan recall terms by a lender. Commercial loan recall
covenants mean that the lender can force the borrower
to repay early by calling the loan before it would normally
expire. Many traditional commercial lenders routinely
place recall clauses in their commercial mortgage conditions,
but this potential concern is not applicable to all
borrowers since some financing agreements will not allow
a loan recall possibility.
The circumstances which can cause a recall will vary
but can commonly include periodic lender review of financial
statements, tax returns and credit history. If prescribed
levels of income, credit scores or other benchmarks
are not present, then the lender will typically notify
the commercial borrower that they must pay off the loan
within a 30-90 day period.
With a commercial loan recall, borrowers will need
to refinance quickly. Prudent borrowers will exclude
lenders that require recall agreements when evaluating
business financing options. For commercial borrowers
who have recall provisions in their current business
loan agreement, it will be equally wise to consider
refinancing their commercial mortgage before a recall
occurs so that refinancing is accomplished according
to the preferred timetable of the business owner.
Balloon Payments and Short-term Business Loans -
Another often overlooked commercial financing problem
is the increasing emphasis on short-term financing by
many commercial lenders. How long is a long-term commercial
loan? Most business financing experts will advise a
minimum loan period varying from 10 years to 30 years
depending on the specific circumstances of the borrower.
Unfortunately many business lenders often consider three
years as the maximum period before a balloon payment
will be due for a commercial mortgage.
With a balloon payment condition, a business owner
will be required to either pay the remaining loan balance
or refinance. This kind of loan is a short-term commercial
loan instead of long-term and should be avoided whenever
feasible. Longer-term business financing will often
be the critical difference that facilitates a successful
business investment because new financing will not be
required for many years and business loan payments will
usually be reduced.
Inexperienced Commercial Real Estate Loan Lenders
and Advisors -
The final example of a problem that is not obvious
to most commercial borrowers involves a shortage of
business loan experts providing candid advice to business
owners. The process of business investing and business
financing has become more specialized during the past
few years. There have been some recent real estate and
business investment developments that have made this
process even more complicated. The current turmoil in
residential real estate investment property has resulted
in an increasing number of residential lenders and advisors
attempting to become active in commercial loan activities.
This is an almost impossible transition for most residential
lenders and advisors. There are over 25 critical differences
between residential and commercial property investing.
As a result, these new and inexperienced commercial
financing advisors frequently provide woefully inadequate
advice and potentially disastrous business financing
for their clients.
How to Avoid These and Other Commercial Financing
Problems -
What can commercial borrowers do to avoid a similar
fate? A pragmatic approach is to explore additional
resources that will facilitate a better understanding
of complex business finance issues. The Commercial Real
Estate Investment Property Loan and Business Finance
Guide is one example of business financing resources
that will provide strategies and solutions for many
problematic commercial loan circumstances.
Author: Stephen Bush
Stephen Bush and AEX Commercial Financing Group provide
business finance - commercial real estate loan help
and AEX Investment Commercial Loan - Commercial Mortgage
Reports: http://www.real-estate-investment-property.com
Keywords : commercial loan, business financing,
real estate, investment, mortgage, business, finance,
loan, investing
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