When considering whether or not to buy a building for your business, your banker can be a wealth of knowledge and information, and I encourage you to reach out to him/her. I can assure you they’ll be glad to hear from you. Once you make the choice to work with a lender on financing a building for your business, expect to provide him/her with quite a bit of information during the application and approval phase.
The following is a list of the most commonly requested information, but don’t be surprised if he/she asks for additional items.
Your Company’s Financials and Tax Returns:
You can be certain your lender will want to feel comfortable that the building’s main, or only, rent-paying occupant (i.e. your company) is capable of paying enough rent to keep the building maintained, up-to-date, and in compliance with all loan requirements. Expect the lender to require at least three years of complete financial statements and tax returns, which will give him/her the ability to assess your company’s health, whether it is growing or shrinking, as well as its ability to weather any potential storms in the future.
Your Personal Financial Statement and Tax Returns:
Your lender will also want to make sure you (and any other owners of the building) are able to support yourself, pay your mortgage and that you don’t live beyond your means. Expect to provide a PFS (Personal Financial Statement) with detailed information on your assets, liabilities and income, as well as every single page (not just the first few) of your tax returns for the past few years. You can be sure your lender will need any and all Schedule K-1s if applicable, so be prepared to provide those, too. Your lender will also pull your personal credit report, so make sure you sign and date your PFS and any accompanying addenda, which is what gives him/her the authorization needed to do that.
The Building’s “Pro Forma” Financial Statement:
This is basically a projection of the anticipated income and expenses of the building. It should show all rents received (income), plus all costs to maintain, operate and complete any necessary repairs or updates to the building (expenses), as well as service the loan for which you’re applying. Be accurate and reasonable with your assumptions in this document, as your lender is sure to challenge anything that seems unlikely or underestimated. Being way off on your pro forma is a quick way to sour your loan application with the lender, as he/she will question whether or not you understand what it truly costs to own and operate a building.
Other Important Information:
Depending on the nature of the building, and whether or not you have tenants, your lender may also request copies of the leases currently in force, a detailed rent roll, historical financials on the building, and even a history of major repairs and maintenance.
While it may seem like your banker is asking you for a lot of information, it’s important to remember that he/she isn’t just looking out for the financial institution’s interests, but yours as well. When it comes to something significant like financing a building, you and your banker are on the same team, and the banker is there to help you succeed. Be open to giving your lender the information he/she requests, and knowing that doing so allows him/her to help you. It’s a great way to start things off on the right foot.
To find out more lending requirements or to schedule an appointment with one of our Business Lending Team Members, contact us today.
Have you thought about owning an investment property? The return can be lucrative, but it’s important to understand the financial Read more
How well do you understand your company’s balance sheet? What about your cash conversion cycle? Could you quantify, in real Read more
