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Why Now is the Time to Get SBA Funding for an Assisted Living Facility
There's a growing need for assisted living facilities in the U.S. If you're looking at opening or expanding an adult care facility, an SBA 7(a) loan is the perfect way to make your business goals come to life.
- Assisted Living Facility Financing: What’s Available?
- Conventional Loan
- Seller Carry Finance
- The Difference Between the SBA 7(a) Loan and Other Government Loans
- How to Get an SBA 7(a) Loan for Adult Care Facilities
- More Information on the SBA 7(a) Loan
- Using an SBA 7(a) Loan for Start-Ups
- How to Qualify and Apply for an SBA 7(a) Loan
- SBA 7(a) Loan Terms
- Want Personalized Guidance?
- Related Questions
- Get Financing
Opening an assisted living facility (ALF) is both a noble endeavor and a smart move as a business owner. You’re likely already aware that life expectancy is increasing in the U.S., and the market demand for elder care increases as the massive Baby Boomer generation is transitioning into retirement.
Here’s a snapshot of what the retirement home industry looks like in 2017:
As of 2016, 15.5% of the population is aged 65 or older.
Nearly one million Americans live in a senior living community, and that number’s expected to double by 2030.
Seven out of ten people over age 65 will need some kind of long-term care.
There were 15,876 assisted living facilities in the U.S in 2015.
Memory care is becoming increasingly important. In 2016, up to 82% of nursing home residents had significant cognitive impairment comparable to dementia or Alzheimer’s.
operate as a for-profit company;
have equity to invest;
not be incarcerated or on parole;
be doing business in the U.S. or its territories; and
have used any alternative financial resources first.
Your proposal or your business plan. This document should provide details on your business, the state of the ALF market, why you’re qualified (if you’re starting a new business), and a detailed financial plan.
Your credit history. Get a credit report in advance to ensure there aren’t any surprises that might prevent you from getting the loan.
Other business paperwork. Depending on your situation, you may need to bring along your commercial lease, franchise agreement, business licenses, contracts, or other supporting documentation.
What are the benefits of SBA funding for an assisted living facility?
The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers a variety of loan products that can help you finance an assisted living facility. The SBA 7(a) loan program is the most popular loan product for small businesses, and it offers a number of benefits for assisted living facility owners.
The SBA 7(a) loan program offers competitive interest rates, long repayment terms, and low down payments. This makes it easier for assisted living facility owners to get the financing they need to purchase or expand their business. Additionally, the SBA 7(a) loan program offers flexible terms, so you can tailor the loan to your specific needs.
The SBA 7(a) loan program also offers access to capital that may not be available through traditional lenders. This can be especially helpful for assisted living facility owners who may not have the credit score or collateral to qualify for a conventional loan.
Finally, the SBA 7(a) loan program offers access to technical assistance and counseling. This can be invaluable for assisted living facility owners who need help navigating the loan process or understanding the terms of their loan.
Overall, the SBA 7(a) loan program offers a number of benefits for assisted living facility owners. With competitive interest rates, long repayment terms, and access to capital, the SBA 7(a) loan program can be a great option for financing your assisted living facility.
What are the eligibility requirements for SBA funding for an assisted living facility?
To use an SBA 7(a) loan for an assisted living facility, you must:
- operate as a for-profit company;
- have equity to invest;
- not be incarcerated or on parole;
- be doing business in the U.S. or its territories; and
- have used any alternative financial resources first.
For more information on the SBA 7(a) loan, including how to qualify and apply, please visit https://www.sba7a.loans/sba-7a-loans-small-business-blog/assisted-living-facility-loan.
What are the advantages of SBA funding for an assisted living facility compared to other financing options?
The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers several advantages for financing an assisted living facility compared to other financing options. The SBA 504 program provides long-term, fixed-rate loans, and requires only a 10% down payment. Additionally, the SBA 504 Green Program offers additional funding for those who wish to become more environmentally friendly by cutting their facility’s energy use by 10% through green options such as wind, solar or geothermal power, or investing in a new property that uses 10% less energy.
In comparison, unsecured loans are given to business owners based on only their creditworthiness and business expertise, and do not require collateral. Secured loans are backed by collateral, but may have higher interest rates and shorter repayment terms than SBA loans.
What are the steps to apply for SBA funding for an assisted living facility?
To apply for SBA funding for an assisted living facility, you must:
- Operate as a for-profit company
- Have equity to invest
- Not be incarcerated or on parole
- Be doing business in the U.S. or its territories
- Have used any alternative financial resources first
To increase your chances of securing an SBA 7(a) loan, have the following items prepared before you meet with a lender:
- Your proposal or your business plan
- Your credit history
- Other business paperwork (commercial lease, franchise agreement, business licenses, contracts, etc.)
You may also want to familiarize yourself with the SBA 7(a) application and other paperwork. To learn more about eligibility and qualifications for the SBA 7(a) loan, please visit https://www.sba7a.loans/eligibility-and-qualifications-for-the-sba-7a-loan/.
What are the potential risks of SBA funding for an assisted living facility?
The potential risks of SBA funding for an assisted living facility include the possibility of defaulting on the loan, the potential for increased costs due to inflation, and the potential for changes in the industry that could affect the facility's profitability. Additionally, there is the risk of not being able to meet the loan requirements, such as having to provide collateral or having to pay a higher interest rate. Finally, there is the risk of not being able to find a lender willing to provide the loan.
For more information on SBA 7(a) loans for assisted living facilities, please visit https://www.sba7a.loans/sba-7a-loans-small-business-blog/assisted-living-facility-loan.
- Assisted Living Facility Financing: What’s Available?
- Conventional Loan
- Seller Carry Finance
- The Difference Between the SBA 7(a) Loan and Other Government Loans
- How to Get an SBA 7(a) Loan for Adult Care Facilities
- More Information on the SBA 7(a) Loan
- Using an SBA 7(a) Loan for Start-Ups
- How to Qualify and Apply for an SBA 7(a) Loan
- SBA 7(a) Loan Terms
- Want Personalized Guidance?
- Related Questions
- Get Financing
It’s clear that whether you’re planning on specializing in Alzheimer’s care, opening an adult day care center, or building a complete skilled nursing facility, now is a very important time to be involved in this industry.
What you might not know is that you don’t need massive amounts of capital on hand to get started with your business. You can use a government-backed SBA 7(a) loan to finance the opening or expansion of a senior housing facility, and use those funds for real estate, land, or working capital. In fact, the SBA 7(a) loan is one of the best options for business owners who don’t have a personal line of credit to draw from, or who simply need a one-time loan to grow or improve an existing facility.
Before we get into the details of the SBA 7(a) loan, here’s a look at your range of options when it comes to financing your assisted living facility.
Assisted Living Facility Financing: What’s Available?
Financing your ALF can feel like a major hurdle, but there are multiple options available. There are two main types of business loans: secured and unsecured. A secured loan is one that’s backed by collateral, while an unsecured loan (no collateral required) is given to business owners based on only their creditworthiness and business expertise. Both the government and private lenders provide options for financing, listed below.
Conventional Loan
If you have excellent credit, a long history or background in managing assisted living facilities, or significant equity (like an ALF already in operation), you may qualify for a conventional business loan. The amounts and rates of these vary by lender, so check with lenders in your area for more information.
Seller Carry Finance
Are you trying to buy an existing ALF business? If so, check with the current owner if they offer a “seller carry finance” option. This means the current business owner will serve as your lender, requiring a down payment and charging interest for the purchase of the business.
The Difference Between the SBA 7(a) Loan and Other Government Loans
The federal government backs a number of loans for small business owners. Note that the government doesn’t directly provide funding to businesses. Instead, private lenders and other organizations provide the loan, while the government insures a certain amount in case the borrower defaults.
Below are the main types of government loans you can receive for your ALF:
Section 232 Loan Program
The Section 232 loan program is an FHA/HUD loan for assisted living facilities. This program provides mortgage insurance for the owners of residential care facilities. The FHA itself doesn’t offer the loan; instead, a bank or lending institution offers the loan and is backed by the FHA. The borrower can use this loan for real estate or land: to purchase, refinance, construct, or rehabilitate a nursing home facility.
SBA 504 Loan Program
The SBA 504 loan is an economic development loan meant to help qualified small businesses expand, or to renovate existing businesses. To get a 504 loan, an ALF would have to reach out to a Certified Development Company (CDC), which is an organization that partners with the SBA to provide the loan. This loan can be used for buying a building to use for your facility, financing assisted living construction or machinery, or refinancing debt (but the debt must involve the expansion of an existing business).
Learn More: What is the SBA 504 Loan Program?
SBA 7(a) Loan
The SBA 7(a) loan offers up to $5 million in funds for small businesses. Banks and credit unions across the country offer SBA 7(a) loans to qualified businesses. You can use this type of loan for real estate, working capital, or equipment. The main difference between the SBA 7(a) loan and the 504 loan program is how the loan’s obtained: for the 7(a), you can find a lender at major financial institutions; for the 504, you must work with a CDC. Read more about SBA 7(a) loan terms on our page here.
How to Get an SBA 7(a) Loan for Adult Care Facilities
If you’ve decided that an SBA 7(a) loan is right for your business, use the following checklist to ensure you qualify before finding a lender and compiling your paperwork. To use an SBA 7(a) loan for an assisted living facility, you must:
If this sounds like you, you’re ready to start preparing to meet with a lender! To increase your chances of securing an SBA 7(a) loan, have all of the following items prepared before you meet.
You may also want to familiarize yourself with the SBA 7(a) application and other paperwork.
More Information on the SBA 7(a) Loan
Using an SBA 7(a) Loan for Start-Ups
Find more information about how the SBA 7(a) loan can be used for common startup costs in all industries.
How to Qualify and Apply for an SBA 7(a) Loan
Good bookkeeping, understanding your creditworthiness, and a solid business plan can all help you when applying for your loan. But, as with any loan, a borrower must meet certain standards to qualify.
SBA 7(a) Loan Terms
See how much you can borrow, loan maturity, fees, and more.
Want Personalized Guidance?
At SBA7a.Loans, we live and breathe the SBA 7(a) loan process. We match business owners like you with the best lender for your situation, even if it means that we have to look outside of the SBA 7(a) platform. We serve our customers by 1) offering a free educational portal, and 2) leveraging our lender-matching service to help you on your way to success. We have a deep love of American small businesses, and we believe it shows in our customer-first attitude.