{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/business-appraisal","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/business-appraisal","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"business-appraisal","term":"Business Appraisal","group":"Reading the business","definition":"An objective, professional assessment of a business's fair market value. Lenders typically require this for SBA loans to justify the purchase price.","what_it_means":"For SBA 7(a) loans over $250,000 (and sometimes for smaller amounts if collateral is a concern), your lender will mandate an independent business appraisal. This appraisal must validate the purchase price and confirm the business's value, which is crucial for the underwriting process. If the appraisal comes in lower than the agreed price, you may need to renegotiate or increase your equity injection.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/business-appraisal","official_sources":[{"slug":"sop-50-10","title":"SOP 50 10 — Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","official_url":"https://www.sba.gov/document/sop-50-10-lender-development-company-loan-programs","official_label":"View on SBA.gov","authority_tier":2,"publisher":"U.S. Small Business Administration","source_guide_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/sources/sop-50-10"}],"related":[{"slug":"business-valuation","term":"Business valuation","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/business-valuation"},{"slug":"fair-market-value","term":"Fair market value","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/fair-market-value"},{"slug":"equity-injection","term":"Equity injection","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/equity-injection"},{"slug":"collateral","term":"Collateral","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/collateral"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"Does the SBA require an independent business appraisal for a business acquisition costing $400,000?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/does-the-sba-require-an-independent-business-appraisal-for-a-business-acquisition-costing-"},{"question":"When is an independent appraisal required for non-real estate business assets being acquired?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/when-is-an-independent-appraisal-required-for-non-real-estate-business-assets-being-acquir"},{"question":"Can an SBA 7(a) loan cover the cost of a business valuation or appraisal?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-an-sba-7-a-loan-cover-the-cost-of-a-business-valuation-or-appraisal"},{"question":"When is a business appraisal required for a change of ownership transaction exceeding $500,000?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-is-a-business-appraisal-required-for-a-change-of-ownership-transaction-exceeding-500-"},{"question":"When is a separate goodwill appraisal necessary for a business acquisition loan exceeding $1,000,000?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/when-is-a-separate-goodwill-appraisal-necessary-for-a-business-acquisition-loan-exceeding-"},{"question":"When is an independent business appraisal required for a change of ownership transaction exceeding $500,000?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/when-is-an-independent-business-appraisal-required-for-a-change-of-ownership-transaction-e"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — Business Appraisal","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/business-appraisal","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}