{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/narrative-appraisal","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/narrative-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":"narrative-appraisal","term":"Narrative appraisal","group":"Reading the business","definition":"This is a comprehensive valuation report that details the appraiser's methodology, assumptions, and conclusion of a business's fair market value. As a buyer, you care because it provides an independent assessment of what you're paying for the business.","what_it_means":"For larger SBA 7(a) deals, a full narrative business appraisal is often required, particularly when there's significant goodwill or complex assets. This report justifies the purchase price to the lender and helps ensure that the value being financed is supported by market data and accepted valuation principles. Review it carefully to understand the valuation rationale.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/narrative-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":"appraisal","term":"Appraisal","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/appraisal"},{"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":"goodwill","term":"Goodwill","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/goodwill"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"What are the consequences if the NAICS code entered into E-Tran differs from the primary business activity in the loan narrative?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-are-the-consequences-if-the-naics-code-entered-into-e-tran-differs-from-the-primary-b"},{"question":"What is the specific impact if the NAICS code entered into E-Tran differs from the primary business activity described in the loan narrative?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-is-the-specific-impact-if-the-naics-code-entered-into-e-tran-differs-from-the-primary"},{"question":"Is an independent appraisal always required when an acquisition includes significant goodwill?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/is-an-independent-appraisal-always-required-when-an-acquisition-includes-significant-goodw"},{"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":"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":"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"}]},"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 — Narrative appraisal","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/narrative-appraisal","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}