SBA (504/7a): low down for owner-occupied, longer terms. Conventional/bank: competitive for strong deals, shorter fixed periods. Portfolio: flexible for unique properties or investors.
Matching structure to deal
Occupying the space? SBA often wins on down payment. Strong, standard investment deal? Conventional/bank pricing. Unusual property or story? Portfolio flexibility. We compare across all three.
Choosing
The best structure balances down payment, rate, term, and prepayment for your property and plan. As a broker we shop multiple commercial lenders to optimize the full package.
| Factor | SBA / Conventional / Portfolio |
|---|---|
| Down payment | Low (owner-occ) / 20–35% / Varies |
| Term | Longer / Shorter+balloon / Flexible |
| Best for | Owner-occupants / Standard deals / Unique/investor |
| Docs | Extensive / Standard / Flexible |
Frequently asked questions
Is SBA only for small businesses?
SBA serves qualifying small businesses occupying the property — many California businesses qualify.
Which has the lowest down payment?
SBA for owner-occupied properties, often well below conventional commercial requirements.
Can investors use SBA?
SBA is for owner-occupants; pure investors use conventional or portfolio commercial loans.
Save Financial is a California-licensed mortgage brokerage (NMLS #377740, DRE #01875766). Figures are illustrative for 2026 and not an offer of credit.