Business Lending
Sydney Brokers are proud to be the lending specialists you need to assist your business.
We make the process easier for our clients, helping them to spend more time on running their company while we do the legwork of finding lenders.
You started your business because you love what you do — whether this is plumbing, demolition or building websites — and we help you gain access to funds and finance options so you can keep on doing just that. Business finance can be complicated and complex, which is why you need us. We take the time to understand you and your business, as we optimise your prospects with lenders.
Commercial Property Finance
Buying commercial property is a great way to grow your business. You may need new business premises to give your company increased scope and capability, or you may simply want to purchase a property to add to your investment profile.
Types of Commercial Building
Any building that is classified for business use is considered a commercial property. With commercial property finance supporting this purchase, you can gain access to:
- Retail premises
- Office buildings
- Showrooms
- Warehouses
- Manufacturing facilities
- Vehicle depots
- Or any other property that has a commercial purpose
How does commercial property finance work?
Commercial property finance is largely the same as a mortgage or home loan on a residential property. However, there are some crucial differences between the two types of borrowing.
The first difference lies in the deposit. You will need to put down between 20% and 30% to acquire a commercial property loan. This may be significantly higher than the typical deposit for a residential home loan.
This reduces your loan-to-value ratio, or LVR, as you will have to pay more of the property’s appraised value upfront. In turn, this reduces the percentage you need to borrow.
Remember that this is just a rough guide, and different lenders will apply different criteria to the loan. Different types of property may also carry different criteria. For example, an office building may be considered easier to sell — in the unlikely event that you cannot service your loan! — than something more specialised like a workshop or a healthcare clinic. The lender may consider specialised properties to be higher risk.
Don’t worry too much if you can’t make this deposit for your small business finance loan. You may be able to utilise another property or asset that you own, gaining security in this way.
Business Lending FAQs
A secured business loan is a type of loan that is taken out against a physical asset. This asset will be owned by the business or by one of its directors, and lenders must be able to appraise its value. The presence of this collateral asset is the key point of difference between a secured and an unsecured business loan.
Existing commercial or residential properties are commonly used to secure your loan, although vehicles, equipment or other items of value can also be utilised. The lender will take possession of this asset if you cannot pay off the loan.
There are many reasons why you might require a secured business loan.
- Replacing vehicles or equipment
- Upgrading or refurbishing your facility
- Launching new products to market
- Growing your workforce
- Covering shortfalls from unpaid invoices
- Any other expenses your business encounters in the future
There are, of course, terms and conditions attached to a secured business loan. Let’s look at a few things to think about before you opt for this kind of loan.
- Which asset will you use as collateral? How much is it worth?
- Can you afford to lose this asset in the event of a default?
- Does your credit score enable you to apply for a different loan without putting the asset at risk?
- Does your business have enough cash flow to keep up payments? Is your business plan robust enough to support this?
- A secured loan can land you a higher amount of funds, but do you currently require this level of funding?
A business line of credit is another option that is right at your fingertips. This can give you the increased flexibility and breathing space you need to start your journey towards growth.
When you apply for lines of credit, you are effectively applying for a business loan. The difference is, you won’t receive your funds all at once. Instead, you will have a set amount of credit that you can draw upon over a set period of time. In this way, the line of credit is similar to a credit card facility. Fees and charges are applied to the amount you choose to draw.
You may require a line of credit for a number of reasons:
- You aren’t sure how much credit you will need in the future.
- You don’t want to risk bad credit by borrowing too much.
- You want to augment short-term cash flow.
- You have a flexible project in mind and need flexible funding.
As you weigh up whether or not to apply for a line of credit, you need to consider a number of different factors, including:
- Are you aware that there is still some risk involved in taking out a line of credit?
- Do you qualify? Criteria may be tougher compared to other types of loans.
- Will the line of credit cover your needs?
- Are you aware of all the fees and charges involved?
Business overdrafts are another option you have at your disposal. This effectively allows your business to go overdrawn and pay back the money at a later date.
Overdrafts are popular among business owners due to their flexibility, which can make overdrafts a great option in assisting with your business needs. However, we recommend discussing other lending alternatives as well to ensure you’re getting more ‘bang for buck’, especially if you are using your home or other assets to secure the facility.
Unpaid invoices can be frustrating, but they can also work to your advantage. With invoice financing, the lender effectively takes on the debt from these invoices, allowing you to leverage the funds.
You will lose some of the money you would have received, but you gain flexibility and efficiency in your funding. You will be able to pay your staff, your suppliers and your bills without having to take out a traditional loan. As your business grows, your leverage potential grows too.
Types of Commercial Property Loans
FULL-DOC COMMERCIAL PROPERTY LOANS
Full-doc simply means full documentation. You will need to provide a full set of financial documents, tax returns and bank statements to prove your income and demonstrate your level of liability. As the proof is more concrete, you may be able to get better rates on your loan, although more work will be required to get everything in order.
LOW-DOC COMMERCIAL PROPERTY LOANS
With a low-doc loan, you will have to provide some proof of income, but at a lower level than with a full-doc. This may be suitable for you if your profit margins are narrow, helping business owners gain access to funds, albeit with a slightly higher loan interest rate.
NO-DOC
With a no-doc loan, no documentation is required. This makes for a much more streamlined application process. Bear in mind that you will need a robust exit strategy to access this type of loan. And, your interest rates will be higher, although this could be the best business loan for some sets of circumstances — for instance, if you do not have a solid credit history.
SECURED BUSINESS LOANS
You may need a small business loan for another purpose, other than for purchasing commercial property. This is where secured business loans can help.
Why Work with Sydney Brokers?
We are able to assist you to find the best option to meet your personal or business requirements. We have considerable experience finding a wide range of lending products for our clients. What’s more, team members have backgrounds in a number of different industries, including the construction industry, real estate and technology fields. This provides us with the sound knowledge required to find the right solution for your needs.
We have access to the best technology in the industry to compare and evaluate your financing and get you growing your business faster!