Saturday, January 7, 2012

How to Buy a Business Using a Home Equity Loan

How to Finance your Dream Business
Business buyers are always on the lookout for ways to acquire financing than can help them start a business or purchase an already existing one. If you intend to buy a business, your options may be limited depending on the value of your assets, your credit history and the incentives the seller is willing to offer. As a smart business buyer, you should thoroughly assess every business opportunity and go for one that is worth your investment. There are some cases when the best financing option is right in front of you, such as a home equity loan. This type of business loan is definitely worth considering.
Home Equity
Home equity is a banking term defined as "the market value of a homeowner's unencumbered interest in the property." To make it simpler, it is the value of your home minus the amount you owe on it. For instance, if your home is worth $450,000 and your mortgage balance is $200,000, your home equity is 55.6 percent of $250,000. Most lending institutions and banks provide home equity loans.
Rules in Home Equity Loans
Before you risk the equity of your house on business financing, it is best to take a closer look at some factors. After all, buying a business is a risky endeavor. There are factors that you need to consider including loan rates, the amount of money you need to buy the business, and the current value of your home. The interest rate fluctuates with the current mortgage market but it also depends on the loan size and your credit rating. The first thing you need to do is to determine if a home equity loan is the right option for you. First, get a current appraisal of your property. From that figure deduct all debts and outstanding mortgages, and divide the sum by the appraised value of your property. If this number is 50 percent or more, it means that a home equity loan is a suitable financing option. Business advisors like an accountant, a business attorney, and a business broker can give you an estimate on the amount of money you'll need to buy a business. Once the cash payout of the loan is determined, the lender will give you a quote on interest rates and calculate a monthly payment.
Cash Flow Forecasting
When the banker has given you a monthly payment scheme, the next thing to do is business forecasting. By researching ahead of time, you will have a good idea on the amount of money your business will earn on a monthly basis. To determine your net profit, you have to subtract your monthly expenses. In some cases, you will pay off a home equity loan from a pre-tax operating profit. Your tax advisor or CPA can give recommendations on the best methods to make payments. There are also situations when you have to draw a salary equal to the monthly dues or get a personal loan for the business. Interest payments offer tax savings to the borrower and the company. These laws can be complex, but situations differ depending on the type of network you will form as you start the business and the way the loan is written. Expert advice is definitely worth the investment.
Other Ways to Obtain a Home Equity Loan
There are alternative ways for you to obtain a home equity loan if you want to buy an existing business. The seller may offer financing to cover a part of his asking price or in some cases, even the entire purchase price. The US Small Business Administration or SBA loan is also a good option, where the federal government gives a guarantee on the business loan. Overall, the best way to secure financing is to have multiple options available.

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