Glossary · Reading the business
In short
This is a specific value that triggers certain requirements or reviews for an SBA loan. For a buyer, knowing this helps you anticipate additional lender scrutiny or necessary reports.
For SBA 7(a) loans, if the total project costs exceed a certain threshold (currently $250,000 for business acquisitions), an independent business valuation is required. If your deal is near this threshold, factor in the cost and time for this valuation to avoid delays.
13 CFR Part 120 — Business Loans
Office of the Federal Register · Federal regulation
SOP 50 10 — Lender and Development Company Loan Programs
U.S. Small Business Administration · SBA Standard Operating Procedure
Last checked 2026-06-15. Official sources control — verify before relying on any rule for a live deal.
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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