Question 1

Does a Rockwall County building qualify for SBA 504 if I only occupy part of it?

Accepted Answer

For an existing building, your business must occupy at least 51% of the space. New construction has a higher floor: at least 60% owner-occupied, and no more than 20% of the total may ever be permanently leased to tenants, with the remaining space carrying a 3-year or 10-year absorption plan. This is a federal SBA rule (13 CFR 120.131), so it applies the same way to a light-industrial building on the I-30 corridor as anywhere else.

Question 2

How much can a 504 loan cover on a Rockwall County commercial building?

Accepted Answer

The 504 loan itself is capped at $5 million for most projects, or $5.5 million only for small manufacturers or a qualifying energy project (13 CFR 120.931). The manufacturing and packaging base along I-30 that the Rockwall economic development corporation names (L3Harris, Pratt Industries, Graham Packaging, Bimbo Bakeries, Pegasus Foods) is the kind of supply chain a qualifying small manufacturer sits in, but the standard $5 million ceiling applies to most other owner-occupied purchases, and whether your business meets the small-manufacturer definition is a lender and SBA determination.

Question 3

How much cash do I need to put into a Rockwall County SBA 504 deal?

Accepted Answer

Plan on a 10% borrower contribution as the baseline, but it steps up to 15% if the business has been operating less than two years or the building is a single-purpose property, and to 20% if both apply. A new commercial building purpose-built for one use, common in a fast-growing county like Rockwall where a lot of construction is recent, is the case most likely to land at the higher contribution.

Question 4

Are SBA loan fees waived right now for a Rockwall County purchase?

Accepted Answer

No. SBA fees were reinstated for FY2026 (loans approved between October 1, 2025 and September 30, 2026), after being waived in FY2025. Any claim that SBA fees are currently waived is out of date, unless the borrower is a small manufacturer, which still qualifies for reduced or waived fees under the current schedule.

Question 5

Can I use an SBA loan to buy a building for my McLendon-Chisholm or Fate business?

Accepted Answer

Yes, as long as the property is owner-occupied under the SBA's rules above. McLendon-Chisholm's construction has run toward larger, higher-value buildings, and Fate has been one of the county's most active new-construction cities, so both areas see genuine demand for owner-occupied commercial space that an SBA 504 or 7(a) loan can finance. Talk to your CPA about how the purchase affects your business's tax position.

Question 6

What is the difference between an SBA 7(a) and a 504 loan?

Accepted Answer

The 7(a) is the flexible, all-purpose SBA loan: owner-occupied real estate, business acquisition, partner buyouts, equipment, and working capital under one note. The 504 is purpose-built for owner-occupied commercial real estate and heavy equipment, with a long-term fixed rate and a low down payment. We place both and match your scenario to the right one.

Question 7

How much can I borrow, and how much do I put down?

Accepted Answer

SBA loans go up to $5M, with larger total project sizes possible on the 504 since a bank funds part of the deal. Down payments are low, often around 10%, rising to 15% to 20% for startups or special-purpose properties. On the right deal we finance up to 90%.

Question 8

What are the terms and rates?

Accepted Answer

Terms run up to 25 years for real estate, which keeps payments low. 7(a) rates are usually variable and tied to the Prime rate, while the 504 carries a long-term fixed rate on the CDC portion. Because we place your file across 20+ SBA lenders, we shop your scenario for the strongest terms.

Question 9

Do I have to occupy the property?

Accepted Answer

Yes. SBA real estate loans require owner-occupancy, at least 51% of an existing building or 60% of new construction. That requirement is what separates SBA-eligible deals from pure investment property, which fits our other programs.

Question 10

Do I have to personally guarantee an SBA loan?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The SBA requires a personal guarantee from anyone who owns 20% or more of the business, and on real-estate deals the loan is also secured by the property. This is standard on every SBA loan, not a sign of a weak file, and it is part of why SBA financing offers low down payments and long terms. We will walk you through exactly what you are signing before you commit.

Question 11

How long does an SBA loan take to close?

Accepted Answer

SBA loans are slower than our bridge products, typically 30 to 90 days, because of the documentation and approval process. The tradeoff is a much lower long-term cost. If you need speed now, we can bridge the deal and refinance into SBA later.

Question 12

What do you need to get started?

Accepted Answer

Generally two to three years of business and personal tax returns, business financials, a personal financial statement, and details on the property or business. We will tell you exactly what is needed and place your file with the best-fit lender in our network.

SBA Financing in Rockwall

How it works

Run your SBA Financing numbers.

SBA Financing in Rockwall, answered.

SBA Financing questions, answered.

Guides for SBA Financing

SBA Financing vs. other options

Other programs in Rockwall

Funding Rockwall deals fast.