How To Secure A Loan For Your Business Idea

A  loan is a debt provided by one entity (organization or individual) to another entity at an interest rate, and evidenced by a note which specifies, among other things, the principal amount, interest rate, and date of repayment. A loan entails the reallocation of the subject asset(s) for a period of time, between the lender and the borrower. In a loan, the borrower initially receives or borrows an amount of money, called the principal, from the lender, and is obligated to pay back or repay an equal amount of money to the lender at a later time. The loan is generally provided at a cost, referred to as interest on the debt, which provides an incentive for the lender to engage in the loan.

In a legal loan, each of these obligations and restrictions is enforced by contract, which can also place the borrower under additional restrictions known as loan covenants. Collateral assets come in many forms.Most commonly, collateral is real property (i.e. an owner-occupied home), but it can also be represented by your business's inventory, cash savings or deposits, and equipment. In order to structure a loan that benefits both you and your business, you'll need to make the right decision about what you offer up as collateral to the bank. It's also important to be realistic when considering the risks of defaulting on a loan, which could have harsh consequences for not only your business, but for your personal life, too.

Here's a fundamental truth of any organization: you need cash to help grow your business. Whether you're a start-up, a sole proprietorship, or a limited liability corporation, getting a small business loan will be one of your top priorities if you're looking to expand your company's potential. But before you receive funds from a bank, a lender will scrutinize both you and your business to see if you're a viable borrower. A bank will look at your company's history, business credit, revenues, balance sheet, and your equity contributions. If you pass a credit check and you operate a healthy business, most banks will also require an additional, and tangible, guarantee that their loan will be repaid: collateral.

Tips on getting loan.
1. Keep Detailed Records of your Asset's Worth
Banks are notoriously conservative about valuing a borrower's assets for collateral. After all, if the borrower does default, the lender must expend resources to take the asset, find a buyer, and sell it.  If you're not sure of what your assets might be worth, it could be worthwhile to find an independent appraiser to give you an idea of how the bank will value your property.Besides for simply knowing your asset's worth, it's critical to keep detailed records of your assets on your balance sheet. When a bank is reviewing your business documents, they'll want to see that you're paying careful attention to all of the relevant factors. This is usually simpler than you think. "In keeping records, businesses tend to overcomplicated," says Allen. "They think there's some magical solution that the big boys use. The bottom line is that an Excel spreadsheet with a couple of line items is all you need."

2. Know What You Can Use as Collateral
Essentially, there are two different types of collateral: assets that you own, and assets that you still have a loan against. If you still have a loan on the asset, (e.g. a mortgage for a house) the bank will be able to recoup the loan by refinancing your loan from the institution you have the loan against, and claim the title. A viable asset to use as collateral will have a title of ownership, and banks will only lend if they can get a title back, says Allen. Homes and cars are the most common forms of collateral, but you can also use watercraft, motorcycles, as well as pieces of equipment that have a title of ownership.
3. Understanding the Risks
Taking a loan using personal assets as collateral presents the risks of losing the assets in the event that you default on the loan. Therefore, it's important to discuss the risks of using certain assets as collateral with a financial advisor, as well as people that could be affected by the loss of that asset. Be realistic about your company's needs, and how the company will be using the funds. A financial advisor will help you assess the risks involved, as well as the odds of the loan being successful.
4. Negotiate When—And If—You Can
If you're a qualified borrower with a demonstrable history of good business credit, you should be able to secure a loan with commitments you are comfortable with. Remember, a business can always reject a lender's offer and seek a loan from a different lending institution. Since banks tend to be exceptionally conservative when it comes to valuing your assets, it could be worthwhile to request an appraisal review, which is a report that comments on the accuracy of an appraisal. Similarly, a bank that does not require any collateral requirement will often charge extremely high interest rates. Be wary of predatory lending practices that could end up being expensive and harmful to your business.

5. Consider Peer-to-Peer Lending
If an asset-based loan isn't ideal for your business. Peer-to-peer lending is becoming an effective way for small businesses to drum up cash in the short run because of the extreme difficulty getting a loan based on colateral.