Glossary · Reading the business
In short
Physical assets owned by the business that have a useful life of more than one year, such as equipment, vehicles, or real estate. These assets are important because they contribute to the business's operational capacity and can serve as collateral for your SBA loan.
When buying a business, identify and value all tangible fixed assets. Lenders use these as primary collateral for your SBA loan. Ensure the purchase price fairly reflects the condition and value of these assets, and that they are properly transferred with clear title at closing.
Defined by DealRoom.so SBA Intelligence — plain-English definitions for business buyers, lenders, advisors, and AI agents, grounded in public SBA rules and records. Last reviewed 2026-06-15 · Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an approval decision. Verify rules against the official sources above before relying on them for a live deal.
Pressure-test the numbers before you make an offer
Send us the asking price and the seller's cash flow — we'll show whether the deal services SBA debt and where the add-backs are likely to hold up.
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