How do I know if I am ready to apply for an SBA loan?

A lender's first pass reads a handful of gauges: debt service coverage (DSCR, commonly discussed against a 1.25 line), a seasoned injection with a clean source, three years of filed returns, a debt schedule that reconciles with them, current entity documents, and personal credit. The free SBA Loan Readiness Check reads those same gauges in about five minutes, with no signup required to see your result, and explains in plain language what closes each gap.

Free SBA Loan Readiness Check: Your Read in 5 Minutes

THE LOAN-READY KIT · FREE READINESS CHECK

Twelve questions, five minutes, and a plain-language read on how a lender's first pass will see you. Your answers never leave this page: nothing is stored, nothing is sent, and there is no signup to see your read.

1. Which program are you looking at?

SBA 7(a) SBA 504 Both, or combining them Not sure yet

2. How long has the business been operating?

Not open yet: this is a start-up Under 2 years 2 to 5 years More than 5 years

3. What does the money buy?

Real estate my business will occupy at least 51% of Real estate my business will occupy less than 51% of Equipment Buying a business Working capital, or a mix

4. Annual net operating income

Revenue minus operating expenses, before loan payments. Your CPA's number beats your memory.

5. Total annual debt payments, including the loan you are planning

Enter both numbers above and your DSCR computes here, live.

7. Your injection (down payment), as a share of total project cost

20% or more, sitting in my account 3+ months 10% to 19%, sitting in my account 3+ months I have it, but it arrived recently (not yet seasoned) Less than 10%

8. Where does the injection come from?

My own funds A gift Borrowed A mix

9. Tax returns: filed and clean for the last three years?

Yes, filed and clean Filed, but with amendments or open issues Start-up: no business returns yet Behind on filing

10. Does your debt schedule reconcile with the interest expense on your returns?

Yes, I have checked Not yet checked No business debt

11. Entity documents current? (formation, amendments, ownership)

Yes, current Not sure They need updates Sole proprietor

12. Is your bench lined up: CPA and attorney?

Both CPA only Attorney only Neither yet

Educational and informational only. This is not a lending decision, not an offer of credit, and no lender is named or scored here. We are independent: not affiliated with the SBA, any lender, CDC, broker, or packager. Confirm current requirements with your CDC, your lender, and qualified counsel.

The SBA Loan Readiness Check