You Found the Business. Now You Need to Fund It Without Losing the Deal.
Business acquisition financing isn't one product — it's a capital stack decision. SBA for sub-$5M deals. Conventional and mezzanine above that. Seller note structures that can reduce your cash at closing to near zero. PeerSense identifies which source fits your specific deal and gets you in front of them directly.
Why Buyers Lose Deals They Should Have Won
The Bank Said No — Or Took Too Long
The business has solid cash flow. But your tax returns show depreciation, write-offs, or Schedule C complexity that makes the bank uncomfortable. Or they're running a 90-day process and your seller needs 45 days. The deal dies — not because it wasn't financeable, but because you were at the wrong source.
You've Hit the SBA $5M Ceiling
The business is worth $6–10M. SBA alone won't cover it. You need a combination structure — SBA plus conventional — or a non-bank lender who operates above the SBA cap. Most advisors only know SBA.
The Seller Wants Cash You Don't Need to Part With
A full-standby seller note can cover up to 50% of your required equity injection under current SBA guidelines. Structured correctly, some buyers close with as little as 5% of the purchase price out of pocket. Most buyers write the full 10% check because nobody told them there was another option.
You're Buying a Competitor — And That Changes Everything
If your existing business operates in the same industry as the business you're acquiring, you may qualify for 0% down on SBA financing. This isn't a loophole — it's how the program was designed. But most banks don't volunteer this information.
Business Acquisition Financing — By Deal Size and Structure
SBA 7(a): Up to $5M (or up to ~$10M with combination structure)
Best for: First-time buyers, owner-operator acquisitions, businesses where goodwill and intangibles make up most of the value \u2014 financial advisory practices, dental offices, service businesses, professional services.
Current Terms (February 2026)
6.75%–9.25% (WSJ Prime 6.75% + SBA-capped lender spread)
Up to 10 years, fully amortizing, no balloon payments. Up to 25 years if real estate is included.
10% minimum. With a full-standby seller note, cash at closing can be as low as 5%.
Potential for 0% down — subject to deal structure and lender approval.
Can be bundled into the loan, so you don’t start the business on empty.
30–60 days with a Preferred Lender and clean file.
Seller Note Callout
Under current SBA guidelines (SOP 50 10 8), a seller note on full standby \u2014 no principal or interest payments during the life of the SBA loan \u2014 can count toward up to 50% of the required equity injection. That means a deal requiring 10% down can often close with 5% cash from the buyer. PeerSense advises on seller note structuring before you submit to any lender.
Why Going Direct to a Bank Usually Costs You the Deal
The Bank
One Lens. One Answer.A bank has one set of products. Their underwriters see your deal through one lens. If it doesn’t fit, you get a no — or a 45‑day process that outlasts your LOI window. They won’t advise on seller note structures, same‑industry exceptions, or which lenders are moving fastest on your deal type. That’s not their job.
The Aggregator
Responses, Not Strategy.An aggregator submits your file to a list of lenders and waits. No deal structuring. No guidance on DSCR modeling, seller note optimization, or whether your equity injection strategy is leaving money on the table. You get responses — not a strategy.
PeerSense
Structure First. Then Source.PeerSense reviews the deal before you apply anywhere. Ed evaluates the capital structure, identifies which source fits your profile by deal size, industry, seller note structure, timeline, and credit — and tells you what you need to know before you spend 60 days at a lender who was never going to approve it. Then he makes the direct introduction and stays in the process through close.
How PeerSense Gets Paid — And Why It Matters
PeerSense earns a referral fee at closing — paid by the lender, the applicant, or both depending on how the deal is structured. Nothing collected before your deal is approved and funded. No application fees. No retainers. No exclusivity required.
When PeerSense introduces you to a capital source, that relationship is tagged to us for three years. Ed is financially invested in making the right introduction, not just the fastest one.
Is Your Deal a Fit?
Strong Fit
- Buying an established, cash-flowing business — not a startup, not pre-revenue
- Deal size: $500K–$50M+
- 640+ personal credit (below that — tell us, we can still look)
- Industry: manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, food processing, construction, professional services, business services, distribution, franchise operations — broadly eligible
- Under LOI or close to one
- Seller open to a seller note (even partial standby helps the structure)
- Same-industry buyer who may qualify for reduced or zero equity injection
May Need a Different Path
- Startup with no operating history to underwrite
- Business with negative or unpredictable cash flow
- Deal based entirely on future projections with no trailing performance
- Personal credit below 580 without significant compensating factors
"If you're not sure which column you fall into — that's exactly why you start with a call."
Model Your Acquisition Deal
See how SBA injection, seller notes, and equity stack up for your target purchase price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Want to model your deal before reading? Try the Business Acquisition Calculator