Summary
- Real estate agencies can utilize business loans to manage cash flow gaps between sales and commissions.
- Financing options like lines of credit and working capital loans support marketing efforts and operational expenses.
- Assessing loan terms and aligning them with business needs is essential for financial stability.
Editorial note: Our top priority is to give you the best financial information for your business. Nav may receive compensation from our partners, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions or recommendations. Our partners cannot pay for favorable reviews. All content is accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted.
There are a lot of upfront expenses to running a real estate business, including heavy marketing and advertising expenses. But agents and brokers don’t get paid until a sale closes and funds, which means there can be a sometimes significant gap between when the business spends money and when it earns money.
Additionally, interest rates have been rising, and will likely continue to do so. Higher interest rates mean higher mortgage rates, which make it more difficult for both prospective homeowners and commercial real estate buyers to qualify.
Learn about the types of small business loans and financing your real estate business can use to survive the ups and downs of often unpredictable cash flow.
Can real estate brokerages get business loans?
Real estate brokerages may be eligible for a variety of small business loans depending on qualifications. These may include:
- Business lines of credit
- Business term loans
- Business credit cards
- Small Business Administration (SBA) guaranteed loans
- Commercial vehicle loans
We’ll explain each type of loan in more detail in a moment.
Can real estate agents get business loans?
Real estate agents are typically independent contractors and also may face significant expenses, including the cost of certifications and licensing, along with marketing and advertising.
They too may be eligible for financing. The same types of financing available to brokerages may be available to agents, if they meet lender qualifications. New real estate agents, though, will probably face significant hurdles to getting financing as do most startups.
Most real estate agents operate as sole proprietors. Consider setting up a business entity such as an LLC or Corporation. This can provide asset protection, tax savings and open up a wider range of financing options as some lenders will not lend to sole proprietorships.
Can real estate agents use personal loans for business expansion?
Real estate agents and brokers (including REALTORS) who don’t qualify for financing may find they need to turn to personal savings or personal loans to finance their businesses.
Using personal loans to finance a business is always risky. If the business can’t pay back the loan, the borrower will be on the hook for the entire loan amount. In addition, a personal loan affects your personal credit.
If you need short-term financing, you may want to consider a small business credit card. We’ll explain the advantages in a moment.
How do I get financing to expand my real estate sales company?
Small business lenders often review three main factors when considering a business loan application:
- Revenues/cash flow
- Credit
- Time in business
Most small business lenders will review income and cash flow to determine loan eligibility. Very often they will require the business owner to share business bank statements, or link a business bank account, to analyze revenues when underwriting the loan. Traditional bank loans or SBA loans may also require copies of business tax returns if available.
Warning: If business revenues have been consistently dropping it may be harder to qualify for financing. If that’s the case, you may need to consider alternatives like business credit cards.
Some lenders may require a personal credit check on the owner (or multiple owners, if the business is owned by more than one person). They may also require a personal guarantee so if the loan can’t be repaid by the business, the lender can try to collect from the borrower’s personal assets. It’s a good idea to monitor your personal credit scores so you know where you stand.
Lenders may also check business credit, so make sure you check and monitor your business credit as well. If you don’t have a business credit history, you’ll want to start to build business credit as it can provide more financing options in the future.
Lenders prefer to lend to businesses that have been in business for at least two years, though some may be more lenient if the business is making enough money to meet their minimum annual revenue requirements.
Startups and newer real estate brokerages may have more of a challenge getting financing. However, if you are a successful agent with a solid track record and you’re now opening your own brokerage, your previous experience may be helpful in terms of qualifying for some loans.
What are the best loans for real estate sales companies?
Here are five types of small business financing for real estate agents and brokers to consider:
1. Business Credit Cards
We’ve mentioned business credit cards several times for a reason. They can offer many benefits to business owners.
They are one of the easiest types of financing to get. Credit approval is usually made based on the owner’s personal credit scores, not the business.
Most issuers don’t require documented business revenues, though you do have to meet minimum income requirements that can come from sources besides the business.
Repayment terms are flexible as you can make the minimum payment or pay the debt in full.
You may be able to get a 0% APR introductory rate you can use to refinance more expensive existing debt or simply to provide working capital for several months.
Finally, most small business credit cards do not report to personal credit (unless you default) which means you can avoid impacting your personal credit scores when you’re carrying a balance.
2. Business line of credit
Every established business should consider a line of credit. It provides access to credit for short-term needs, no questions asked. You only pay interest on the amount you borrow, and repayment terms are often flexible.
Line of Credit by Fundbox
Nav recommends this product as a great solution for newer small businesses looking for a fast application process and access to a flexible LOC product. Bonus: When you click 'Apply now," we'll securely pass over your info, making applying with Fundbox a breeze. Only answer a few additional questions on their end and you're good to go.
Pros
- 625 minimum personal credit score
- No impact to credit score to apply (soft pull only)
- No draw fees
- Fast approval and funding, with funds available as soon as the next business day
- Use as much as you need, only pay interest on what you use
- Fundbox reports payment activity to all the major commercial credit bureaus via the Small Business Financial Exchange (SBFE), which can help strengthen a business's credit profile.
Cons
- Must have a business checking account with a minimum balance of $500
- May require large weekly payments (0.4% - 0.7% of the original draw amount per week) due to the short repayment duration.
Funding Amount
Cost
Repayment Terms
Funding Speed
Line of Credit by OnDeck
Monthly Payments and extended repayment terms (18 and 24 month terms) available. A line of credit can be a great asset to businesses who need capital on hand- fast. It allows you the flexibility to draw funds when you need it, and you only pay interest on what you use. Once approved, you can draw available funds quickly and easily without having to provide additional documentation.
Pros
- No monthly maintenance fees
- Monthly Payments available and Extended Repayment Terms (12, 18 and 24 months) Minimal paperwork
- As soon as same-day approval and funding sent by next business day
- Transparent pricing
- Use as much as you need, only pay interest on what you use
- Access available funds with one click.
Cons
- Not available in all states.
Funding Amount
Cost
Repayment Terms
Funding Speed
3. Business term loans
Business term loans are great for specific projects where you know how much you need to borrow and for how long. They provide a lump sum of money the business can repay over several months or years.
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Short-Term Loan by Kapitus
Kapitus offers short term loans up to $5,000,000 in as little as 24 hours. The process is quick and easy with limited documentation and offers the best prepayment discounts in the industry.
Pros
- Repayment options ranging 6-18 months with fixed rates options
- Competitive discounts for those who payoff early
- Extremely competitive product for higher revenue businesses - retains a higher average funding amount
- Your offers can improve as repayment history continues
Cons
- Longer industry restriction list
- Comes with a wide range of rates and terms.
Funding Amount
Cost
Repayment Terms
Funding Speed
Short-Term Loan by Rapid Finance
Fast access to funding amounts up to $3,000,000
Pros
- Reputable funder with 20 years’ experience in the industry Loan approval within 24 hours Repayment terms up to 84 months*
Cons
- Not ideal for startup or low monthly revenue businesses Requires an established business bank account
Funding Amount
Cost
Repayment Terms
Funding Speed
4. SBA loans
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) doesn’t directly make loans (except disaster loans, including pandemic relief loans). Instead it guarantees a portion of loans made by approved lenders. Certain real estate businesses may be eligible for one of several SBA loan programs and the terms are usually quite attractive. However these aren’t quick loans; expect the origination and funding process to take at least one to three months.
SBA Loan by SmartBiz
For high cost projects with long repayment. No immediate funds needed.
Pros
- APR as low as 11.25% with monthly repayment plans up to 10 years
- Ability to be pre-approved and review terms and conditions before needing to provide a full list of financial documents.
Cons
- Lengthy application process (30-60 days) with lower approval odds
- Requires more documents than other Bank Loan products.
Funding Amount
Cost
Repayment Terms
Funding Speed
5. Commercial vehicle loans
Real estate agents often need a well-maintained attractive car if they will be showing properties to clients. A commercial vehicle loan may be an advantageous way to finance that vehicle.
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Gerri Detweiler
Education Consultant, Nav
Gerri Detweiler has spent more than 30 years helping people make sense of credit and financing, with a special focus on helping small business owners. As an Education Consultant for Nav, she guides entrepreneurs in building strong business credit and understanding how it can open doors for growth.
Gerri has answered thousands of credit questions online, written or coauthored six books — including Finance Your Own Business: Get on the Financing Fast Track — and has been interviewed in thousands of media stories as a trusted credit expert. Through her widely syndicated articles, webinars for organizations like SCORE and Small Business Development Centers, as well as educational videos, she makes complex financial topics clear and practical, empowering business owners to take control of their credit and grow healthier companies.