Own the real estate.
Keep your working capital.
Stop paying rent. Secure an SBA 504 loan to acquire commercial real estate or heavy machinery with only 10% down. Lock in below-market, fixed rates for up to 25 years.
- Drastically lower down payment (10% vs conventional 25%).
- True fixed interest rates for 10, 20, or 25-year terms.
- Finance project costs up to $5M, $10M, or more.
Below-Market Fixed Rates
Unlike conventional bank loans that adjust every 3-5 years, the CDC portion of a 504 loan locks in your interest rate for the entire life of the loan.
Preserve Working Capital
By only requiring a 10% down payment instead of the standard 20-30%, you keep massive amounts of liquid cash in your business to fund operations and inventory.
Predictable Overhead
Protect your business from sudden landlord rent hikes. Owning your building stabilizes your largest monthly expense for decades.
Check 504 Eligibility
See if your commercial real estate project qualifies for SBA 504 funding. Zero obligation.
Built for Heavy Acquisition & Expansion
The SBA 504 program is specifically designed to help growing businesses acquire the heavy, fixed assets they need to scale operations and stimulate economic growth.
Commercial Real Estate
Purchase an existing building to house your operations. The business must occupy at least 51% of the property to qualify.
Ground-Up Construction
Buy land and build a custom facility from scratch. For new construction, the business must plan to occupy at least 60% of the space.
Facility Modernization
Use funds to dramatically renovate an existing facility, upgrade streets, utilities, parking lots, and landscaping.
Heavy Machinery
Finance long-term machinery or equipment with a useful life of 10+ years, such as printing presses, medical equipment, or manufacturing lines.
Capital Preservation Estimator
Conventional commercial loans strip your business of liquidity by demanding 25% to 30% down. See exactly how much cash you keep in your bank account by utilizing the 504 program's 10% down requirement.
Asset Parameters
What a traditional bank requires without SBA backing.
Initial Cash Required
Conventional Bank
$375,000
25% Down
SBA 504 Structure
$150,000
Only 10% Down
Working Capital Preserved
Liquid CashBy utilizing the SBA 504 program, you secure the property while keeping a massive $225k inside your business to hire talent, fund operations, and scale.
*Educational tool assuming standard 10% SBA 504 down payment. Special purpose properties (like hotels or gas stations) or startup businesses may require 15% to 20% down under SBA 504 guidelines.
Stop Renting. Start Earning Equity.
Renting leaves you vulnerable to lease hikes and landlord control. Conventional loans drain your liquid cash. See why the 504 program is the ultimate wealth-building tool.
| Feature | SBA 504 Loan | Conventional CRE | Commercial Lease |
|---|---|---|---|
| Down Payment | 10% (Preserves Cash) | 20% - 30% | Security Deposit |
| Interest Rate Type | Fixed up to 25 Years | Resets every 3-5 Years | N/A |
| Equity Built | Yes (100% Yours) | Yes | Zero |
| Monthly Cost Stability | Highly Stable | Subject to Rate Hikes | Subject to Rent Hikes |
The 504 Structure
The 504 loan is a unique partnership. It is funded by three entities to reduce risk and deliver exceptional terms.
50% Bank Portion
A conventional lender (bank or credit union) covers 50% of the total project costs, taking a first lien position on the asset.
40% CDC Portion (SBA)
A Certified Development Company (CDC) provides up to 40% of the cost, backed by an SBA debenture. This is the portion that secures the low, fixed rate.
10% Borrower Down Payment
You (the borrower) inject just 10% of the total cost, drastically lowering your barrier to entry into commercial real estate ownership.
SBA 504 FAQs
Executive answers for businesses looking to acquire heavy assets.
What is a CDC?
A Certified Development Company (CDC) is a nonprofit corporation set up to contribute to the economic development of its community. CDCs work alongside the SBA and private lenders to provide 504 financing to small businesses.
What does "owner-occupied" mean?
To qualify for a 504 loan for real estate, your operating business must occupy at least 51% of an existing building, or 60% of a newly constructed building. You cannot use a 504 loan purely for real estate investment or passive income properties (like apartment complexes).
Are there prepayment penalties?
Yes. Because the CDC portion of the loan is funded by selling bonds on the secondary market to investors expecting a long-term return, there is a prepayment penalty. It typically lasts for the first half of the loan term (e.g., 10 years on a 20-year loan) and declines each year until it disappears.