What You Need to Know About Long Term Business Loans

There are many options available if you are seeking funding for your business. From short term loans to long term loans, there are dozens of funding options that are out there that all differ from each other. In this article, we will discuss what long term business loans are and how to obtain one.

What Is a Long-Term Loan?

Long term business loans can provide you with financing that you can repay over several years. They start at about two years or more and can go up to 20 years with amounts from $25,000 to $200,000. They are popular among business owners because they have a longer time to repay their debt and have decent terms than other types of loans available.

Pros and Cons of Long-Term Loans

Pros

• Lower payments will be made which is appealing to many small business owners.
• Lower rates compared to other types of financing.
• Fixed payment terms.
• Monthly payments.

Cons

• Interest is going to be paid for a long period of time than other financing types.
• Collateral is required to ensure that the lender is repaid in the end.
• Credit score of at least 650 is needed to be approved.
• A long application process.
• More documentation is required.

Should You Apply for a Long-Term Business Loan?

It is important to consider if a long-term business loan is right for you and your current situation.

Lenders favor businesses that are established and have been generating lots of revenue for a few years. To qualify for a loan, you will need to submit profits, annual revenues, and other financial metrics over the course of a few years.

Lenders also need to confident in the businesses they invest in so a high credit will increase your chances even more of getting approved. They will pay close attention to your credit score and business history. They might even ask for a detailed plan of how you are going to use the funds for your business.

When you apply for a long-term business loan, you must be aware that you are making a decision to sign a long-term contract that will impact the finances of your company. By making the payments on your loan, you will have less spending money available. Although this loan has low interest rates, they can add up over a long period of time.

If you get a business loan now, you could have less credit available in the future. Lenders are less likely to lend to businesses that have outstanding debt.

Types of Long-Term Business Loans

• Long-Term Bank Loans: banks offer financing for real estate, construction, working capital, and more.
• Long-Term SBA Loans: SBA loans are used for business acquisitions, commercial real estate purchases, consolidating debt and general working capital purposes.
• Long-Term Lines of Credit: this is offered by traditional lenders, SBA lenders, and asset-based lenders.
• Long-Term Alternative Loans: these are provided by private lenders for companies who are looking for working capital or other types of capital for up to 5 years.
• Long-Term Merchant Cash Advances: there are cash advances available for long terms between 12 and 24 months and have payback periods that are either weekly or monthly.

Conclusion

There are plenty of options available to small businesses seeking long-term financing. Make sure to understand the benefits and drawbacks of obtaining a business loan to make the right decision for your small business.