Is an SBA 7(a) Loan Right for Your Business

Is an SBA 7(a) Loan Right for Your Business? (2026 Guide)

Did you know that the United States Government, through the Small Business Administration, approves and insures over $30 billion in 7(a) loans annually? The SBA doesn’t lend a dime, it merely guarantees 50% to 85% of the loan made by the bank, credit union or other SBA approved lender. Since the SBA stands behind most of the loan, lenders are willing to approve weaker loans and thus approve a larger percentage of applications. If your business needs a loan of up to $5 million to buy a location, refinance debt, buy equipment or buy inventory, the 7(a) program might be your ticket. Let’s look at what it takes.

Can I qualify for a SBA 7(a) loan?

  • For-profit entity in the US that meets the SBA’s definition of small business (lending business is ineligible)
  • As the owner you must be active in the business
  • The business must be established for a “sufficient time”
  • You must demonstrate the need for the loan
  • You cannot be in default on any government debt
  • You and all 20% or more owners must be willing to guaranty the loan
  • You will need a business plan with 3 years of projections, good credit (620+ FICO) and the financial wherewithal to repay the loan (typically a debt coverage ratio of 1.15 or higher)

What can I borrow the money for?

You can use a 7(a) loan to buy or refinance real estate, acquire a business, buy out a partner, working capital, or purchase equipment.

What are typical terms?

  • 25 years on real estate loans, 10 years for other loans
  • Interest rates are variable based on Wall Street Journal Prime, and subject to negotiation with the lender with these caps (negotiated rates are lower)
    • $50K or less, Prime plus 6.5%
    • $51K to $250K, Prime plus 6%
    • $251K to $350K, Prime plus 4.5%
    • $351K+, Prime plus 3%
    • Prepayment Penalty applies on prepayments of more than 25% for 3 years on loans over 15 years, typically
    • 1st year 5% of the loan
    • 2nd year 3% of the loan
    • 3rd year 1% of the loan
    • SBA Guaranty Fee
    • Under $150K 2% of guaranteed portion
    • $150K – $700K 3% of guaranteed portion
    • $700K – $5M 3.5% of first $1M and 3.75% on portion over $1M of guaranteed portion
  • Other Fees: appraisals, environmental reports, business valuations, legal fees (lender may not charge origination fees but can charge a “packaging fee”), title, escrow, recording, UCC searches, broker fee if a broker is used
  • Default Interest is not allowed

What are the Collateral Requirements?

Can I use a Broker to Help Me?

Yes, but the broker will need to be licensed if you are located in California, New York, Texas (registration), Florida and Illinois. In addition, if the loan is secured by real estate, other states that require broker licensing are Arizona, Idaho, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah and Vermont.

Do I need a Lawyer?

The lender is likely to use legal counsel. You are not required to have one but, on the other hand having good counsel will make the process smoother. Some terms of these loans are negotiable and your lawyer can advise you where to push back on the lender’s proposals.

What is the SBA Express Loan?

If you need $500,000 or less quickly, the SBA Express Loan may be good for you. The SBA will issue approvals within 36 hours. Because the SBA only guarantees 50% of the loan, your lender will impose higher standards in terms of credit score (650+) and in business for at least 2 years.

SBA 7(a) loan docs - Do I need a Lawyer

[1] Dennis H. Doss, is the founder of Doss Law, LLP and DossDocs, LLC, a 48-year veteran in mortgage law. He is a frequent expert witness in mortgage cases, a frequent speaker at industry events and the creator of DossDocs.com, a nationwide loan document company.

Got a loan that needs docs?

Get 50-state, attorney-quality, compliant documents in minutes.

No contract. No subscription or upfront cost. One simple click for instant access.

These new wildfire risk and other natural disaster provisions are available immediately. If you’re already using Doss Docs, you are all set. If not, it’s time to make a change.

Protect your loans today with DossDocs. Instant access, no subscription, 50-state compliant.

Get started.

We care about your lending success.

Prudent legal advice comes from experience. We have over 60 years of it.

  • 50-state coverage
  • Full lender and broker disclosure coverage
  • Fixed or variable rate support
  • Ability to take a mortgage in any two places in the U.S.
  • Real estate or personal property security, or both
  • Limited and full SBA guaranties
  • Optional LLC member pledge
  • Support for up to 4 guarantors
  • Support for up to 4 SBA fee disclosures
  • Full SBA Settlement Statement
  • Impound support
  • In-house or third-party escrow instructions included
  • Lender and broker exit fee support
  • Net funding support
  • Multiple lender, broker, third-party fee, and payoff options
  • Includes SNDA, Business Purpose Certificate, Junior Lienholder Authorization, Holdback Agreement, Non-Owner Occupancy Certificate, Trust Certificate, Environmental Indemnity, ACH Authorization, W-9, Fair Lending Disclosures, Compliance Agreement, AML Declaration, First Payment Letter, Arbitration Option, and more.
  • Updates first payment date and maturity date
  • Requires mutual agreement by borrower, lender, and guarantor
  • 50 states
  • 1 or 2 borrowers
  • 1 or 2 properties in the same county
  • Residential or commercial real estate
  • Borrowers can be individuals, entities, or trusts
  • Up to 4 guarantors
  • Updates first payment date and maturity date
  • Requires mutual agreement by borrower, lender, and guarantor
  • Can be used post-closing to correct loan timelines
  • Full signature blocks
  • 50 states
  • Unlimited, free redraws on the same transaction
  • Borrowers can be natural persons, entities, trusts or any combination
  • Can be used by broker or lender, CFL, DRE, CRMLA, state licensed or exempt
  • Establishes lien priority and payment subordination for senior and subordinate liens
  • Automatic subordination adjustments for most modifications
  • Defines enforcement and cure rights
  • 50 states
  • Unlimited, free redraws on the same transaction
  • Borrowers can be natural persons, entities, trusts or any combination
  • Can be used by broker or lender, CFL, DRE, CRMLA, state licensed or exempt
  • Establishes lien priority and payment subordination for senior and subordinate liens
  • Automatic subordination adjustments for most modifications
  • Defines enforcement and cure rights
  • 50 states
  • 1 or 2 borrowers
  • 1 or 2 properties in same county, residential or commercial
  • Borrowers can be natural persons, entities, trusts or any combination
  • Full signature blocks
  • Can be used by broker or lender, CFL, DRE, CRMLA, state licensed or exempt
  • Cover Letter that can be moved onto Your Letterhead
  • Comprehensive Pre-Negotiation Agreement
  • With or Without a General Release
  • 50 states
  • 1 or 2 borrowers
  • 1 or 2 properties in same county, residential or commercial
  • Borrowers can be natural persons, entities, trusts or any combination
  • Can be used by broker or lender, CFL, DRE, CRMLA, state licensed or exempt
  • Cover Letter that can be moved onto Your Letterhead
  • Lists Events of Default
  • Confirms Cure Period
  • Computes total amount owed
  • Lists Remedies unless Defaults are cured
  • 50 states
  • 1 or 2 borrowers
  • 1 or 2 properties in same county, residential or commercial
  • Borrowers can be natural persons, entities, trusts or any combination
  • Full signature blocks
  • Can be used by broker or lender, CFL, DRE, CRMLA, state licensed or exempt
  • Up to 4 guarantors
  • Exhibit “A” for Amounts Owed Itemized and Total
  • Exhibit “B” for Other Fees
  • Exhibit “C” for Other Conditions to Effectiveness
  • Exhibit “D” for Lender Listing
  • Updates first payment date and maturity date
  • Requires mutual agreement by borrower, lender, and guarantor
  • 50 states
  • 1 or 2 borrowers
  • 1 or 2 properties in the same county
  • Residential or commercial real estate
  • Borrowers can be individuals, entities, or trusts
  • Up to 4 guarantors
  • Updates first payment date and maturity date
  • Requires mutual agreement by borrower, lender, and guarantor
  • Can be used post-closing to correct loan timelines
  • Full signature blocks
  • 50 states
  • 1 or 2 borrowers
  • 1 or 2 properties in same county, residential or commercial
  • Borrowers can be natural persons, entities, trusts or any combination
  • Full signature blocks
  • Can be used by broker or lender, CFL, DRE, CRMLA, state licensed or exempt
  • Up to 4 guarantors
  • Notary for state where the borrowers and/or guarantors will sign
  • Keeps terms private by generating a recordable memorandum
  • Available in all 50 states
  • Fannie Mae based mortgage
  • Seller financing document set designed for residential or non-owner-occupied property
  • Full All-Inclusive Deed of Trust (AITD) functionality built-in, includes custom-drafted AITD Rider for Note and Security Instrument
  • Two-part output for the e-signable disclosures and final wet-sign promissory note and security instrument
  • Includes Promissory Note, Security Instrument with embedded riders, and full closing instructions
  • Condo and PUD Rider options embedded into the Security Instrument
  • Allows guarantors
  • Clear lien priority tracking with existing senior loans
  • Interest-only or amortized monthly payment options
  • Balloon payment support with final payoff summary
  • Prepayment penalty option with customizable terms
  • Customizable terms including interest, payment structure, grace period, and late charges
  • Seller Financing Instructions with title/escrow checklist
  • Hazard Insurance Disclosure and mortgagee endorsement setup
  • Customizable fee entries (doc prep, tax service, flood cert, etc.)
  • E-signable where permitted
  • Full TRID compliant docs – including the LE and CD
  • DocuSign active on the Consumer Bridge Loan Estimate
  • 11-month max term (11 months plus per diem interest period)
  • All federal and state disclosures for DRE and CFL licensees
  • Flexibility to put a lien on the existing home, new home or both
  • HOEPA compliance
  • 3 Day Right to Cancel if placing a lien on the existing residence
  • All calculations performed – including APR and TIP
  • Special customizable escrow instructions to the purchase escrow
  • NMLS endorsement required
  • Ability to repay & credit not relevant
  • No prepayment penalties or guaranteed interest
  • Most are Section 32 = HUD counseling & no financing of soft fees
  • 4%, 15-day late charge
  • No limitation on rates or points

Business Purpose
Construction Loan Docs Features

  • Business purpose residential or commercial real estate
  • 1 or 2 borrowers
  • 1 or 2 properties in the same county
  • 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th lien priority for each property
  • Borrowers can be natural persons, entities, trusts or any combination
  • Full signature blocks
  • Full closing instructions
  • Can be used by broker or lender, CFL, DRE, CRMLA, state licensed or exempt
  • Referral fee and co-broker options
  • Up to 4 guarantors
  • Fixed or adjustable rate provisions
  • Default rate option
  • Impounds option
  • Extension option with choice of conditions
  • Line of credit option
  • Mortgage Loan Disclosure Statement for every state
  • DocuSign active on all early disclosure documents
  • CFL disclosure for CFL lenders
  • Comprehensive loan agreement
  • Comprehensive guaranty
  • Comprehensive environmental indemnity for commercial loans
  • Holdback option
  • DSCR option
  • Capital reserve option
  • Debt service reserve option
  • Interest reserve option
  • Guaranteed interest option
  • Prepayment penalty option
  • Amortized or interest only
  • Business purpose certificate
  • Non-owner occupancy declaration
  • Choice of title endorsements
  • Ability to add custom clauses or addenda to closing instructions, note, security instrument and loan agreement
  • Up to 6 payoffs
  • Many, many varieties of lender and broker fees
  • Cannabis clauses
  • PACE and HERO clauses
  • Multi-lender or single lender friendly
  • Comprehensive entity consent, LLC, GP, Corp.
  • Certification of trust for trust borrowers

Broker Investor Package Features

  • 50 States
  • Complete set of investor docs and disclosures for brokers
  • Lender/Purchaser Disclosure Statement (up to 10 investors)
  • Investor Questionnaire
  • Loan Sale and Servicing Agreement
  • IRS W-9.
  • The application generates a separate set for each investor

Business Purpose Loan Docs Features

  • Instant loan docs with unlimited, free redraws on the same transaction
  • 50 state coverage (lender state governs choice of law except security instrument)
  • Secured by residential, multi-family or commercial real estate
  • Up to 2 borrowers of ANY type (full signature blocks, not blanks)
  • Up to 2 properties cross-collateralized within any state or between any two states
  • Up to 4 guarantors
  • 1st or junior liens
  • Pre-Maturity Default Compensation Options
  • Reports Feature to save all of your data for any year end reports to regulators or for internal use
  • Balloon or amortized, up to 3 payment sequences
  • Fixed or adjustable (multiple benchmarks to choose from)
  • Closed-end or Line of Credit
  • Guaranteed Interest feature
  • Multiple prepay options such as 5-4-3-2-1 etc.
  • Full closing instructions with choice of endorsements, exceptions and title insurance amounts
  • Mortgage Loan Disclosure Statement, including new multi-state form (picks the right form and does all the math)
  • Interest reserves and holdback
  • Co-Broker and Referral Fees
  • Grace Period and Late Charge Percentages
  • Exit Fee feature
  • Appraisal Rebalance Option
  • “Bad Boy” Guaranty option
  • Special Purpose Entity (“SPE”) option
  • Non-Borrower Security Instrument Signer
  • Multitude of fees plus custom fees can be input
  • Ability to add custom clauses to note, security instrument, loan agreement and closing instructions
  • PACE and HERO clauses
  • Entity Authorization (Minutes)
  • Cannabis clauses
  • Extension options
  • Letter to senior lender for junior loans
  • Debt Service Coverage Ratio, Capital Reserve, Debt Service Reserve options
  • Full disclosures and common forms such as Loan Agreement, CFL, Fair Lending, Compliance Agreement, ECOA, Balloon Notice, Declaration of Non-Owner Occupancy, Business Purpose Declaration, Patriot Act, Arbitration, Environmental Indemnity (commercial), Trust Certification for trust loans
  • DocuSign active on all early disclosure documents
  • ACH option
  • W-9