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Compare business equity loans

Potentially lower your interest rate by using the equity in your property as security for a loan.

As a business owner, you’re likely always searching for ways to leverage your liquid assets to expand your business. If you have a piece of property, you may be able to use its equity as security for a loan. You don’t have to own the property outright, and you could qualify for much lower rates than you would with an unsecured loan. Just be aware that this means added risk — should you default, you may lose your property.

How do business equity loans work?

Business equity loans work similarly to home equity loans — you leverage the amount of equity you have in a piece of property you own to act as security for a loan. Because of this security, you can generally expect lower interest rates and better terms, especially if the property has a good deal of equity.

Lenders will require you to submit a business proposal when you apply for a loan and to have your property evaluated. This allows lenders to determine if lending to your business is a good investment, and if so, the terms your business qualifies for. You should be able to find loans with variable and fixed rates and interest-only repayment periods. However, terms can be quite diverse, so you’ll want to take your time looking for a lender that matches your business’s needs.

Compare top business loan lenders

1 – 6 of 6
Name Product USFBL Filter Values Min. Amount Max. Amount APR Requirements
Olympus Business Capital
Finder Score: 4.4 / 5: ★★★★★
Olympus Business Capital
$500
$250,000
Not stated
Been in business for 6 months registered with the state, active and open bank account in business name, have $10,000 of revenue each month
No credit needed. Funding up to $250,000 with a variety of finance options to best fit your business needs.
Go to site
Lendio business loans
Finder Score: 4.8 / 5: ★★★★★
Lendio business loans
$1,000
$10,000,000
Varies by lender
Operate business in US or Canada for 6 months or more, have a business bank account, minimum 520 personal credit score, at least $8,000 in monthly revenue.
Submit one simple application to potentially get offers from a network of over 75 legit business lenders.
Fundera business loans
Finder Score: 4.9 / 5: ★★★★★
Fundera business loans
$2,500
$5,000,000
Varies based on lenders
$60,000+ of annual revenue, 550+ personal credit score, in business for 6+ months
Get connected with short-term funding, SBA loans, lines of credit and more.
Fora Financial business loans
Finder Score: 4.5 / 5: ★★★★★
Fora Financial business loans
$5,000
$1,500,000
Varies
6+ months in business, $25,000+ gross monthly sales, no open bankruptcies
Get qualified for funding in minutes for up to $750,000 without affecting your credit score. Best for companies with at least six figures in annual revenue.
National Funding business loans
Finder Score: 4.6 / 5: ★★★★★
National Funding business loans
$5,000
$500,000
Undisclosed
In business 6+ months and make at least $250,000 in annual sales. Other loan types have additional requirements.
Working capital loans and equipment financing, some high-risk industries may be eligible.
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American Express® Business Line of Credit
Finder Score: 4.4 / 5: ★★★★★
American Express® Business Line of Credit
$2,000
$250,000
N/A
Minimum FICO score of at least 660 at the time of application, have started your business at least a year ago, and an average monthly revenue of at least $3,000
Access lines of credit for your small business even if you aren’t currently an Amex customer.
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How can a business equity loan benefit my business?

  • Discounted rates. Because you’re using your property as security, the lender faces less of a risk in the event that you default on your loan. This often results in lower rates and better terms for you.
  • Available to all business sizes. As long as you have equity you can use, some lenders may be willing to overlook new businesses or those with a less-than-perfect track record.
  • Variable loan amounts. Lenders may be able to finance quite a bit of your equity, which means you’ll be able to borrow more than your business might otherwise qualify for.

What are the drawbacks of a business equity loan?

  • Greater risk. Using your residential or commercial property as security comes with inherent risks, especially with a business loan. If you default on the loan, your property may be taken by the lender to recoup its losses.
  • Requires property. While you don’t have to own the property outright, you still need to have a property to use as an investment. If your business doesn’t have a physical location or is renting a unit, you won’t qualify for a loan.

How to determine your property’s equity

Because business equity loans are similar to home equity loans, you can use the same type of equity calculation for each. For example, if your business owns a $350,000 property and has $100,000 left on the mortgage loan, your business has $200,000 of equity.

This doesn’t mean you’ll be able to borrow $200,000. Most lenders will only allow you to borrow 80% of the total equity in your property. Depending on the equity your business has and the amount you have left on your loan, it may be worthwhile to compare other secured business loans to see if there’s another way to borrow the amount you need.

How do I compare business equity loans?

  • Property type. Some lenders may only let you use either a residential or commercial property as security, although some may let you use either.
  • Loan-to-value of equity. Lenders will allow you to borrow up to a certain amount of the value of equity in your property, usually up to 80%, though it may depend on if it is a commercial or residential property.
  • Interest rate. Business equity loans may have higher interest rates than home loans due to the higher risk the lender takes on with business loans, but it will generally be lower than an unsecured business loan of equal value.
  • Loan amount and terms. The loan amount and terms you are approved for will depend on the business proposal you put forward, the financial position you’re in and the amount of security you’re able to offer.
  • Additional features. Some lenders may offer additional features with business equity loans, such as a split loan option, interest-only repayments and other features that you may want to take advantage of.

Bottom line

A business equity loan can provide funding for a business that already has a property. Many lenders offer lower rates because of the lower risk, but remember: less risk for the lender results in more risk for you. Your property will be on the line, whether you choose to use a commercial or residential property. Compare your other business loan options to find more secured and unsecured loans that can be used to fund your next business project.

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Aliyyah Camp is a SEO content strategist and former publisher at Finder, specializing in consumer and business lending. Her writing and analysis has been featured in CentSai, the Dough Roller and the Chicago Tribune. She holds a BA in communication from the University of Pennsylvania. See full bio

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