Archive for April, 2010

Commercial Loans and How to Avoid Malpractice Problems

Small business funding malpractice is a concern when there is a serious failure of professional duty. When commercial borrowers are seeking commercial loans, malpractice can occur with both lenders and brokers for business loans and commercial mortgages.

Avoiding malpractice with lenders and brokers for business loans is becoming more difficult as well as increasingly important. The time, cost and effort required to accomplish this are certainly justified in light of the potentially devastating costs of ignoring the issue when obtaining commercial loans.

During the opening segment of the television series Hill Street Blues, Sergeant Phil Esterhaus usually ended with a suggestion (let’s be careful out there) that will also be helpful in avoiding malpractice situations involving working capital financing. Although that is a worthy goal, the actual practice of avoiding problems with business loans is somewhat difficult and complex. One of our most effective solutions for this dilemma has been to openly acknowledge that such difficulties exist and simultaneously provide detailed advice and strategies.

We published a special report addressing one of the biggest recent causes of malpractice involving business financing and commercial real estate loans.

Most commercial borrowers are probably aware that chaotic conditions started impacting residential real estate beginning about a year ago. This has produced problems for commercial borrowers since it has resulted in numerous former residential lenders and brokers now attempting to execute business loans because their previous residential lending activities have all but dried up.

Inexperience involving commercial loans is never a good thing when you are describing a commercial lender or broker. What borrowers need to be acutely aware of is that inexperience coupled with the complexity of business loans is likely to result in a recipe for malpractice in almost all cases.

Even though a broker or lender was superb at executing residential mortgage financing, please do not assume that they will also be good or even marginally capable when it comes to commercial mortgages, working capital financing or small business loans. We have prepared a series of reports which focus on over twenty critical differences between residential financing and business financing. In reality it takes years to master commercial loans.

Another example of malpractice exposure involves SBA loans and specialized forms of commercial real estate loans.

Although many commercial lenders seem to suggest that they can do SBA financing, in reality very few do what they claim. One major business financing lender ceased most business operations during the past year because of apparently fraudulent SBA loan activities.

Specialized commercial property such as funeral homes, gas stations, bowling alleys and golf courses have always been recognized as problematic for commercial loans. For example, one prominent provider of funeral home financing is the subject of multiple lawsuits regarding their irresponsible commercial funding activities.

A third example of malpractice with working capital funding is currently seen with many agents for business cash advance programs.

Most of these agents represent only providers for credit card receivables financing and simply do not understand business loans in general. They are focused on only the narrow but important service that they provide and are not capable of assisting with other forms of business financing.

Although it might not be obvious to most business owners, the malpractice potential with business cash advances is also directly related to the first example described above involving inexperienced brokers and lenders. In many cases throughout the United States, call centers that previously focused on residential real estate loans have simply switched their focus to merchant cash advance programs. Once again inexperience is never a good thing when complicated working capital management services are involved.

As serious as the three examples of malpractice described above are, they are truly just the tip of the iceberg when analyzing potential obstacles for business loans and working capital loans. Our advice is meant to reinforce the importance and value of being prudent in pursuing commercial loans.

Commercial borrowers should rightfully conclude that an important step in avoiding potential malpractice circumstances might simply be to avoid certain lenders and brokers. We would agree wholeheartedly and in fact published a special report some time ago dealing with the need to avoid problem brokers and commercial lenders.|||Working Capital ManagementStrategies for improving credit card processing and business cash advances.

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Small Business Loan: Starting Your Own Empire

An entrepreneur is not the type of person you find everywhere because not everyone has got the guts and determination to turn a startup business into a prosperous one. This type of person not only needs endurance and intelligence, but money as well; that is when a small business loan comes in.

- Small Business Loan -

There are always two parties in any business. Two sides of the counter: “You”, the provider and “they”, the consumers. It might not be easy to digest, but the way to get the best results is to identify an unsatisfied need in “them”, the public. Then, “you” create or choose a product to satisfy that need. Although it may sound simple, it is not. The market will show you that people make decisions based on emotions and not on knowledge. Why is this important? It is simple: today’s topic is small business loan, and how to prepare yourself to get one to start up the business of your dreams. Business owners sometimes stop being entrepreneurs and become regular people; taking on a small business loan for something they want and not what the company needs.

- Tips for Getting that Small Business Loan -

One of the first things is to accumulate information. Look into statistics, general response from the public and marketing strategies. Try also to sketch a budget plan as backup in case of an eventuality that will show the lenders you are prepared for everything, and that you are also a well organized, somebody to trust with money, and who will certainly end up paying on the scheduled time.
When the time comes to apply for your small business loan, make your presentation as neat and clear as possible. Act as if you were the CEO of your Corporation, even before it is a reality. Write down your presentation and learn it by heart. Use notes, graphs, pie-charts and anything that can help you make your points even clearer as to what your intention is. The main message with this approach is making it clear you are a confident and reliable; that you have the ability to put the small business loan to good use and succeed along the way.
Lenders worry about one thing: if you, as the owner of the business, will be able to pay them on the specified time, and that you will not have obstacles along the way.

- Sell your idea as a profitable business to get the small business loan -

The one thing you should never do is ask for “help”. That small word is a no-no. Offer the lenders of the small business loan a partnership. It may have the format of a loan when you get down to the paperwork, but in essence, is a partnership. Make sure to keep the greater percentage of the business for yourself. The decision-making must be all yours. The capital can come from anywhere, but the business should always be yours as it is your idea and creation.
You have the know-how and you have to show the small business loan lender that is the case. The more you know about the trade, the better and easier it will be for you to get the small business loan and the higher your chances of succeeding will be.

- Feel great and let the lenders notice it -

Organize your business plan and have some copies printed. Present them in a neat folder to the banker or the lender when you finally start searching for the loan. The fact that you have gone into all the trouble of drawing up a business plan will make you feel confident, positive and eventually great. Giving a good impression to your lenders and short-term business “partners” will increase your confidence even more. It will also corroborate to the small business loan lender that you are on the right track and that can make the difference.

Remember to ask yourself all sorts of questions you can come up with and answer them. This is a great way to feel prepare for any unexpected situation when talking to the lenders.

We have different articles on interesting topics and current and former clients’ experiences with our programs. Take a look at the different situations on Small Business Loans and related topics that people can fall into and how to keep yourself a debt free person.

Check these links to learn more:
http://www.commercialdebtcounseling.com/debt/debt-united-states-government-small-business-loans.shtml
http://www.commercialdebtcounseling.com/testimonials.shtml

James Banks is a contributing writer to http://www.commercialdebtcounseling.com and is currently writing some special articles to guide business on how to manage debt and avoid bankruptcy. For Free Information on Small Business Loan and Debt Help Consultation, call toll-free 1-877-850-3328

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Small Business Loan - Small Business Loans Are a Real Business Boon

If you want to start a business or keep a somewhat faltering business afloat, a small business loan may be just the business help that you need. You may want to seek out business management counselling firm on the internet to explore all of the options such as business debt consolidation or business debt settlement that are tools often used to deal with business debt that is rapidly becoming overwhelming. However, another option may to obtain a small business loan at a good rate, that will allow the payoff of other existing business debts that may be at a higher interest rate, or, worse yet, becoming delinquent.

There are many lenders who offer small business loans and lines of credit up to $175,000.00 to qualified businesses with good credit ratings. Another very strong small business loan lender is the U.S. Small Business Administration, which specializes in providing small business loans to stimulate the business community. This independent agency has been servicing the business community since 1953, and it is dedicated to stimulating business growth in America.

It offers a number of products that are designed to aid small businesses but the most frequently used is the loan guarantee, wherein the agency is not the actual lender but it offers a guarantee to the lender which enables the business to obtain the loan it needs. The SBA programs specifically try to aid woman and minority entrepreneurs in establishing businesses.

The SBA offers small business loans and also offers small business grants that are awarded in response to a grant proposal written by the small business operator. These products are awarded without a requirement for repayment. However, if the business does not qualify for one of these grants, there are plenty of small business loan packages that will fit the needs. To apply for a small business loan you will need to have E.I.N. or Employee Identification Number and a Certificate of Limited Partnership. You will need a copy of the business plan and you will need to list each and every existing creditor, in addition to the accounts receivable. For a small business loan you will have to demonstrate that the business is basically solvent and that the incoming cash flow is sufficient to repay to loan without tapping the business assets, For example, if your own the retail space in which the business is located, it cannot be sold in order to raise the necessary funds to repay the loan.

A small business loan may be an alternative to a form of debt consolidation or other debt management product. It can be used to pay off existing debts or at least pay down the debts to reduce the amount of interest owed and ultimately paid. However, taking out a small business loan will mean that the business is assuming a new debt. It will be to the benefit of any business person to confer with a debt management consultant prior to taking out a small business loan. Speaking with a trained business debt management consultant about the business debts can allow the business owner to put them into perspective. Additionally, the business debt consultant will be able to educate the business owner regarding the many various options to deal with business debt. This will make the individual aware of all of the options and in a good place to make an informed decision regarding taking out a small business loan or making use of any other business debt remedy.

Once all of the options are explored with a business debt management consultant, it may be that a small business loan is the best product to cure the existing business debt or to allow the business to grow.

Check these links to learn more:

http://www.curadebt.com/about.asp
http://www.curadebt.com/settlement/business-debt-negotiation/business-debt-settlement-negotiation.asp

Debbie White is a contributing writer to http://www.curadebt.com/and is currently writing some special articles to guide businesses on how to manage debt and avoid bankruptcy. For Business Debt Information and Debt Help Consultation, call toll-free 1-877-850-3328.

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Bad credit small business loan - Does a Bad Credit Small Business Loan Make Sense?

Your enterprise has been your dream, your livelihood and even your obsession for years but due to recent events, the accounts receivable have taken a downturn and you are beginning to accrue a hefty debt. Due to new competition or just a slowdown in consumer spending, or for any reason, the monthly bills dwarf the cash flow each month, and payments are falling behind schedule. The delinquent payments are resulting in substantial late charges being levied and the interest continues to accrue and adds to a growing, rather than decreasing, principal. It seems to you that the financial obligations you are facing are spiralling out of control. The farther behind you get, the more damage is being done to the venture’s credit rating.

You think it may be possible to save the venture by taking out another business loan to bring the payments current, but then you get quite a shock. The lender you have always used will no longer grant a loan due to your bad credit rating. You still entertain the idea of taking out another loan to make accounts current. Is it time to consider a bad credit small business loan? What kind of terms can you expect with a bad credit small business loan?

A bad credit small business loan is one of several types of alternative style loans that lenders offer to enterprises that no longer qualify for conventional loans due to a poor credit rating. These alternative loans may include a hard money loan that will hold collateral like real estate or other tangible goods to guarantee repayment. A hard money loan is a secured loan, whereas a bad credit small business loan is unsecured, but often has very stringent terms that make it a doubtful advantage. For example, the interest rates are generally quite high and may have balloon payment, or very large payments that come due within a few years. There are usually very stiff penalties for missing a payment and an infraction such as this often can negate the contract and the creditor may be able to demand payment in full immediately. But when an owner is struggling to keep his or her enterprise, a bad credit small business loan may look like the only alternative.

The are other alternatives and a professional debt counsellor should be consulted before taking out a bad credit small business loan and sounding the death knell to an already struggling venture.

A good consultant will explain the debt management options to a bad credit small business loan such as debt consolidation or even debt settlement. Both of these options depend upon the skilled negotiation that the consultant will undergo with the creditors on the behalf of your enterprise. A settlement or consolidation will result in being able to make reduced payments, by consolidating the debt and by reducing the interest, therefore allowing more of the payment to address the principal. Often a settlement will result in the financial obligation being paid off much more quickly.

Another advantage of debt reorganization to a bad credit small business loan is that it actually improves your credit score. Just by entering into a reorganization plan, an owner sends a signal to creditors that he or she is serious about curing the financial situation and the credit rating begins to improve, rather than continuing to sink. Speak to a debt relief consultant to find the solutions that are preferable to a bad credit small business loan, which is, after all, yet another financial obligation to add to the problems that are already in place.

Check these links to learn more:
http://www.commercialdebtcounseling.com/
http://www.commercialdebtcounseling.com/business/business-y/business-index.shtml

James Banks is a contributing writer to http://www.commercialdebtcounseling.com/and is currently writing some special articles to guide business owners on how to manage debt and avoid bankruptcy. For Free Information on KEYWORD and Debt Help Consultation, call toll-free 1-877-324-1218.

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Hard money business loan - The Facts About a Hard Money Business Loan

The cost of starting up an enterprise is high; most advisers recommend that you have at least $50,000 capital on hand “just in case” when you begin your own venture. This is meant to be for unknown problems and glitches, not the actual equipment and running costs. You really need that buffer to create a comfort zone to allow your venture to operate until it takes off on its own. But cheer up. If starting an enterprise is costly, you can usually get all the advice you will ever need or want for free.

But when this nest egg begins to decrease and your venture just hasn’t taken off, how do you remain current on all of the financial obligations? Do you consider obtaining additional financing or is debt relief counseling a better solution?

First of all, it is time to review what types of loans are being offered and which type you may already have. Every bank, savings and loan and credit union has a somewhat bewildering package of small business loans. Most of the loans offered are straightforward, unsecured loans that are based upon the overall credit picture of all of the partners, the overall plan, and the determination of the lender that you prospectus is sound. This sounds as though you will be facing quite a bit of scrutiny. Is there an alternative if you don’t get the money you need in this way? There are always alternatives, but it is important to determine if they are valid for your purpose.

One alternative that may be offered is a hard money business loan. In opposition to an unsecured small business loan, a hard money business loan is secured against collateral that you put up. It is usually in the form of real property, such as an apartment building or office space that you already own. Some people offer their homes as collateral, a very bad idea since it mixes business and personal finances and it opens the door to real problems on all levels if the enterprise does not do well and prosper as planned. In some cases, a hard money business loan will be issued against an expensive vehicle or equipment, but the value of the property put up as collateral will have to be in excess of the value of the small business loan that you are seeking.

A hard money business loan is always a risky venture, and it is nearly always preferable to obtain the debt relief that can be negotiated by a qualified consultant. Seeking a hard money business loan to try to settle existing financial problems just digs a deeper hole for your enterprise. It is better to get the advice of a skilled financial counselor who will advise you regarding the real options available to reorganize your financial obligations.

Another thing to remember if you are tempted to take out a hard money business loan is that this type of business debt will not be eligible for debt consolidation, debt settlement or even Chapter 11 bankruptcy relief. The programs that are offered by debt relief consultants and lawyers can only address unsecured business debt. The only recourse available to an enterprise that is in financial trouble with repayment of a hard money business loan is loss of the collateral to the lender, which may satisfy the debt but does not erase the damage that have already been done to the credit rating.

Check these links to learn more:

http://www.commercialdebtcounseling.com

http://www.commercialdebtcounseling.com/business/business-y/business-index.shtml

James Banks is a contributing writer to http://www.commercialdebtcounseling.com and is currently writing some special articles to guidebusiness owners on how to manage debt and avoid bankruptcy. For FreeInformation on Business Debt and Debt Help Consultation, call toll-free1-877-324-1218.

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