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How much deposit do you actually need to buy a business?

If you're weighing up buying an existing business instead of starting one from scratch, the first question is usually the same: how much cash do I actually need up front?The honest answer is - it depends. But there's a rough range most buyers can plan around....

The hidden costs of buying a business

When working out how much money you need to buy a business, it is easy to focus only on the purchase price and deposit.But there are other costs involved in reviewing, structuring and funding the purchase properly. These are separate from the normal operating costs of the business and need to be included in your acquisition budget....

What is vendor finance when buying a business?

When buying a business, the full purchase price does not always need to be paid to the seller on settlement day.Sometimes, the seller agrees to leave part of their money in the business and allow the buyer to repay it over time. This is known as vendor finance....

Red flags to watch out for when buying a business

A business can look profitable on paper and still be a poor purchase.The financial statements may appear strong, the seller may be confident about future growth, and the asking price may seem reasonable. But once you look deeper, there may be risks that affect the value of the business, its ability to repay debt, or how difficult it will be to operate after settlement.Not every red flag means you should walk away. But it should lead to more questions, better due diligence, or a change in the pri...

How lenders assess finance for a business purchase

Financing the purchase of an existing business is different from applying for a standard business loan.The lender is assessing whether the business can support the proposed debt under new ownership. They will also consider the price being paid, the buyer’s experience, their financial contribution and the security available.While every application is different, these are some of the main factors lenders will consider:...

Three important metric lenders look at for development finance

When a lender reviews a property development finance application, they usually focus on three key metrics (assuming the feasbility is a good representation). If these three numbers look good, your chances of getting funded increase significantly. If they don’t, you will need to find ways to rectify it or not go ahead with the project.  Those three numbers are: LTC, LVR, and Profitability. Let’s break them down in a way&nbs...

The 5 biggest mistakes developers make in their feasibility analysis

Before a property developer builds anything, they should run a feasibility analysis. This is simply a set of numbers that answers one big question: “Does this project actually make money?” Think of it like planning a small business. Unfortunately, many developers make mistakes when they run their feasibility. These mistakes can turn a good project into a very stressful one. Here are the five most common mistake we see....

Why property developers should use a specialist financial broker

Getting finance for a property development is very different from getting a normal home loan. It’s more like building a puzzle with many pieces. You have: Land finance Construction funding GST considerations Contingency buffers Exit strategy Pre-sales A specialist financial broker helps put those pieces together properly. ...

How much equity do you need to get funding for your property development?

If you want to build houses or townhouses, the lender will almost always ask you the same question first:  “How much of your own money are you putting into the project?”...

How to choose the right lender for your property development project

Every lender has a different appetite for risk and a different idea of what a “good project” looks like. If a development is taken to the wrong lender, it may could be declined.This is why choosing the right lender early can make a huge difference....