In this episode of My SBA Loan Pro Podcast, the host sits down with Ryan Smith, founder of ThinkSBA, to discuss the current and future landscape of SBA lending, real estate financing, and business acquisition funding.
Ryan shares what he’s seeing across SBA 7(a), SBA 504, national banks, community lenders, and SBA-only lenders — including where interest rates are headed, when it makes sense to buy versus wait, and why certainty to close often matters more than chasing the lowest rate.
The conversation also dives into business acquisition trends driven by the “silver tsunami,” increasing private equity competition, franchise startup financing, collateral requirements, and what serious buyers should be doing now to prepare for 2026.
Whether you’re a business owner, acquisition entrepreneur, or franchise buyer, this episode offers practical, real-world insight into navigating today’s lending environment and positioning yourself for long-term success.
Key Chapters:
00:00 – 2026 Owner Occupied Real Estate Financing Outlook
02:05 – Owner Occupied Real Estate Interest Rates
04:03 – Real Estate SBA 7(a), 504 & Conventional Lender Appetite
07:30 – SBA 7(a) Variable High Interest Owner Occupied Real Estate Rate Financing
11:20 – Current Lender Prepayment Penalty Strategies
12:52 – Owner Occupied Real Estate Client Case Studies
16:26 – Owner Occupied Real Estate Purchase Timing
16:58 – How To Prepare To Buy Owner Occupied Real Estate in 2026
18:11 – Business Acquisition Outlook And Opportunities
20:08 – Weighing Business Acquisition Financing Interest Rates Vs. Certainty To Close
24:25 – Why Key Employees Need To Be Ready When Opportunity Strikes
28:10 – 2026 Business Acquisition Financing Outlook
30:03 – Current SBA Franchise Financing Landscape
30:50 – Franchise Start Up Collateral Vs. Liquidity
33:08 – Lendable Real Estate Equity Defined
34:21 – Franchise Start Up Lender Appetite
36:45 – Is Now The Time To Start a New Franchise Location
38:30 – 2026 Franchise Financing Outlook
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More ThinkSBA Resources
https://calendly.com/thinksba – Schedule Call
https://g.page/thinksba – Google Business Page & Reviews
https://thinksba.com/faq – Frequently Asked Questions
https://mysbaloanpro.com – My SBA Loan Pro Podcast
http://youtube.com/@thinksba – YouTube Channel
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