Updated October 22, 2026
Guides
SBA loans, commercial debt, and mortgage financing come with dense paperwork, shifting rules, and jargon that changes meaning depending on who you ask. These guides strip away the fluff and give you the factual, step-by-step information you need to prepare, apply, and close with confidence. Every guide is written for people who are doing the work themselves, not for people who are shopping for a broker. None of these pages can approve, quote, or guarantee a loan — but they can help you ask the right questions and avoid the most common delays.
All guides
How to Apply for an SBA 7(a) Loan: A 10-Step Playbook
A complete walkthrough from confirming eligibility through closing — including variant selection, the mandatory SBA forms, and the most common application pitfalls.
Updated October 5, 2026
SBA 504 Loans Explained
How the CDC/SBA three-party capital structure works, eligible uses, loan maximums, terms, and a direct 7(a) vs 504 comparison.
Updated October 5, 2026
Loan Documents: What Lenders Ask For, by Loan Type
A loan-type-by-loan-type breakdown of every document lenders request for SBA 7(a), 504, conventional commercial, microloans, lines of credit, and mortgages.
Updated October 5, 2026
The Loan Document Checklist
An interactive checklist of every document lenders request. Check items off as you collect them, track your progress, and download a personalized list.
Updated October 5, 2026
Choosing a Lender
How to evaluate SBA lenders, what questions to ask about fees and timelines, and where to find the right fit for your loan size and industry.
Updated October 5, 2026
Glossary
Plain-language definitions of SBA, commercial, and mortgage lending terms — from DSCR to guaranty fees to 10-year Treasuries.
Updated October 5, 2026
Calculator Help
How each LoansFlow calculator works, what each input means, and how to interpret DSCR, amortization, and refinancing results.
Updated October 5, 2026
SBA Express, Microloans, and CAPLines
Limits, guarantees, and what each smaller SBA product can fund, and how to decide between them and a standard 7(a).
Updated October 22, 2026
SBA Loan Eligibility: Who Qualifies
Business type, size standards, owner equity, personal guarantees, and the credit-elsewhere test, with a quick self-check.
Updated October 22, 2026
Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) Explained
The formula, what lenders want to see, a worked example with real loan math, and ways to improve your ratio.
Updated October 22, 2026
Term Loan vs. Business Line of Credit
How each charges interest, worked cost examples, collateral, and which fits equipment, expansion, or cash-flow gaps.
Updated October 22, 2026
Is Refinancing Worth It? Break-Even Math
The break-even formula, a worked example, and what a simple calculation misses, from term resets to prepayment penalties.
Updated October 22, 2026
Mortgage Closing Costs Explained
Lender fees, third-party services, prepaids and escrow, the Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure, and ways to cut the total.
Updated October 22, 2026
The Business Plan Lenders Want to See
Required sections, defensible projections, sources and uses of funds, and mistakes that get applications declined.
Updated October 22, 2026
Quick links
How to use these guides
Start with the guide that matches your immediate need. If you are preparing to apply, begin with the 7(a) playbook and keep the document guide open in a second tab. If you are deciding between 7(a) and 504, read the 504 overview and compare the two programs side by side.
Each guide stands on its own, but they cross-reference each other at the points where topics overlap. When a guide links to another, it opens a specific section, not the top of the page, so you can keep your place and follow the chain.
These guides are living documents. SBA rules and fee schedules change, and we update each page when they do. The "Updated" date on every page tells you when the last substantive change was made.
Disclaimer
These guides are for educational purposes only. They are not a loan offer, pre-approval, or guarantee of credit, and do not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. SBA program rules, fees, and loan limits are set by the U.S. Small Business Administration and may change without notice; always confirm current figures directly with an SBA-approved lender. LoansFlow is not a lender, mortgage broker, or SBA-approved lender, and none of these pages submit an application or connect you to a lender on your behalf.