Are you thinking about starting a new business or expanding an existing one? Funding your start-up or expansion plans can require a significant amount of capital. If you want to take your company to new heights but need more financial resources, securing a commercial loan may be the best solution.
In this case, you will need to approach a lender to apply for a loan. Acquiring a business loan can help you launch your business initiatives even if you don’t have immediate funds available. In fact, they are intended to give businesses access to competitive rates to help them grow. Therefore, you can secure your company’s future by availing of a commercial loan and learning more about how to get one.
Things To Determine Before You Take Out a Loan
Before applying for a loan, it is essential to determine whether your company requires funding. Apart from that, there are many other factors to consider, including the following:
- How much capital will you need to borrow?
- What kind of loan is best suited to your needs?
- What is the loan term?
- Will you be able to repay the loan, including interest, and any one-time or ongoing fees?
- What kind of collateral do you have to provide the lender, and how would that affect the interest rate?
When you apply for a commercial loan in Australia, you will be asked for detailed information about your company’s financial history. Hence, you should be ready to prepare a clear and detailed business plan that includes a profit and loss budget and a cash flow forecast. This will also help the lender evaluate your project, including past and future plans for your company, its employees, and the market. Importantly, the success of your application is heavily influenced by how well your proposal is researched and presented.
Five Things to Know Before Applying for a Loan
- Consider the Lender’s Perspective
Before applying for a loan, it is essential to take a step back and consider your profile from the point of view of the lender. Although lender requirements can vary, they all consider some common factors when determining whether you present a loan risk and your loan eligibility.
Lenders consider factors such as your ability to repay the loan, whether your business generates enough cash flow for repayments, and whether you have some form of security to hold against the loan if you cannot repay it.
- Consider Your Options
According to data reported by the CPA Australia’s Asia-Pacific small business survey, 30% of businesses use loans. With so many businesses investing in loans and borrowing options, it is critical to make sure you’re approaching the right lender.
To get the best deal and make a commercial loan work for you, it is essential to compare lenders when looking for the right financing. Lenders offer different types of loans, including secured and unsecured business loans, and fixed or variable interest rates.
Sometimes, some lenders may not be well-positioned for the type of loan you’re looking for, so they may charge higher interest rates and fees.
- Check Your Credit Report
If you want to make sure your commercial loan is approved, the best place to start is by checking your credit score. This is because most lenders will examine your credit history report to determine your reliability when it comes to making loan payments.
To ensure a smooth loan application process, it is important to ascertain that everything on your credit report is in good standing, such as payments on other loans, and an absence of errors.
- Make a Business Plan
When it comes to managing loan payments, it is essential to create a detailed business plan. Specifically, a business plan indicates how much money your company will make and how much it will spend. When you approach a lender, they will examine your business plan to decide how much you can borrow. In addition, your business plan will show if you are taking on more than you can handle regarding loan repayment.
- Have a Back-Up Plan
When starting or expanding your business, it may take some time to generate significant income. Hence it is essential to select a loan payment with flexible repayment options. In addition, some lenders will ask you to provide collateral, which can be used to repay the loan if required.
Finally, it is crucial to exercise caution when using personal assets as collateral, particularly your home. Therefore, we recommend seeking advice from a commercial loan broker who can guide you through identifying the best business loan for your business and your peace of mind.
The Last Word
Whether you need funding for an office space or an industrial property, securing a commercial loan can be the best option. Follow our tips to make an informed decision while securing a loan and reach out to Simplicity Loans to learn more.
