The SBA 504 Loan Program:
Maximum Leverage for Florida Businesses

The SBA 504 Loan Program: Long-Term Fixed-Rate Financing

The SBA 504 loan program is a powerful economic development tool designed to provide Florida small businesses with long-term, fixed-rate financing for major fixed assets. This program is the premier choice for business owners looking to purchase, construct, or renovate owner-occupied commercial real estate or acquire heavy machinery and equipment.

By partnering with a Certified Development Company (CDC) and a private-sector lender, we help you secure up to 90% financing, allowing you to preserve your working capital for business growth.

The 504 Advantage: Why Florida Owners Choose It

  • Low Down Payment: Retain your cash with equity injections as low as 10%.

  • Fixed Rates for Decades: Lock in a low, predictable interest rate for 10, 20, or 25 years.

  • No Balloon Payments: Unlike many conventional commercial mortgages, the 504 program is fully amortized.

  • Support for Large Projects: Total project costs can often exceed $10 million, with the SBA portion reaching up to $5.5 million.

  • Lower Monthly Payments: Longer amortization periods mean lower monthly debt service, improving your business’s cash flow.

Understanding the 504 Loan Structure

The SBA 504 program uses a unique tiered structure to maximize your leverage:

  • 50% First Trust Deed: Provided by a private-sector lender (Bank or Investor).

  • 40% Second Trust Deed: Provided by a CDC and guaranteed 100% by the SBA.

  • 10% Borrower Contribution: The small business owner's equity injection.

Note: For startups or special-purpose properties (such as hotels or gas stations), the borrower contribution may increase to 15% or 20%.

Eligible Project Costs

The 504 program covers more than just the building price. You can often include:

  • Real Estate Acquisition: Buying land or existing buildings.

  • Construction & Improvements: Building new facilities or renovating existing ones.

  • Machinery & Equipment: Purchasing long-term machinery with a life of at least 10 years.

  • Soft Costs: Professional fees, appraisals, environmental studies, and interest during construction can typically be financed.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for an SBA 504 loan in Florida, your business must meet the following:

  • Owner-Occupancy: You must occupy at least 51% of an existing building or 60% of a newly constructed facility.

  • Business Size: A tangible net worth of less than $15 million and an average net income of less than $5 million after taxes for the previous two years.

  • For-Profit Status: The business must operate as a for-profit entity in the United States.

Experience the FloridaSBALoan.com Difference

Securing a 504 loan requires coordinating between a bank and a CDC. We partner with seasoned investors and SBA experts who specialize in this specific two-loan structure. We understand the Florida market and work to ensure your project is funded efficiently.

Stop renting and start building equity. Contact us today for a free analysis of your commercial real estate project and see how the 504 program can transform your business's future.

Preliminary Review Items for a potential SBA loan

1-Each Personal Guarantor (and/or any individual owning 20% or more of the operating company or the holding company) provide the following Personal Information. Married couples complete jointly.

  • A-Provide a current Personal Financial Statement (aka “PFS”) as of April 1st, 2026. If married, must be completely jointly. Even if your spouse is not a party to the transaction. Attached is a PDF overwrite SBA 413 PFS form. See attached form.

  • B-Statement of Personal History (aka “SBA912”) See attached form that we use in all loan applications.

  • C-RESUME (You may supply your own computer-generated RESUME or Curriculum Vitae) See attached form.

  • D-Schedule of Previous Government Financing. Please list all SBA, EIDL and/or PPP loans) See attached form.

  • E-A current copy of your personal credit report from one of the three credit scoring companies. You have the right to access your personal credit report from all three major credit bureaus - Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion once every 12 months, absolutely free of charge, through AnnualCreditReport.com We will not pull an Experian credit report at a later date.

  • F-Complete copies of your federally filed returns for 2022, 2023 and 2024. Provide a copy of your 2025 returns, when filed. Extension request required after 4.15.2026

2-For the Operating Company known as [company name] the following is required:

Owner of business or Seller of business to provide:

  • A-Complete copies of your federally filed federal returns for 2022, 2023 and 2024. Provide a copy of your 2025 returns, when filed. Extension request required after 3.15.2026

  • B-A copy of your non-audited YE 2023, 2024 and 2025 year-end P&Ls with balance sheets. (Company prepared is okay)

  • C-A current non-audited 2026 YTD P&L (profit and loss) with balance sheet through 3.31.2026

    Borrower/Purchaser to provide –

  • D-Borrower/Purchaser to complete the enclosed Statement of Loan Purpose Form. See attached form.

  • E-Fill in as many lines of the enclosed SBA Project Estimator (preliminary) See attached form

3-For the property(s) being acquired or refinanced at  [subject property] the following information is required:
Owner (if refinance) or Seller (if purchase) to provide -

  • A-Current digital color photographs of the front, rear, street, and interior views of the property

  • B-Copies of all of the current tax bill(s) with assessment(s) for all parcels being financed.

  • C-Copies of any existing EPA Report and/or Survey (Do not order any new reports)

  • D-If this is not a single tenanted property but an income property with other tenants paying rents, then provide a current Rent Roll

  • E-If you intend to make improvements to the property for your owner-occupied, then for now only provide a general list of proposed improvements and your preliminary estimated costs

Contact Us

Expert Tax and Accounting Services

Contact us today to learn how we can help you with your tax and accounting needs.

Our team of experts is dedicated to helping individuals and businesses achieve financial success.

Links

Terms of Use

Privacy Policy

Cookie Policy

Address:

1155 Pasadena Ave S - Suite H, South Pasadena FL 33707

(727) 642-1166

© 2026. Commercial Loans Florida, Inc.. All rights reserved.