Acquisition financing pays for the purchase price of an operating business, including inventory, equipment, customer lists, intellectual property, and goodwill. The loan can cover up to 90% of the transaction value when structured through SBA channels, while conventional acquisition loans typically fund 70-80%. We broker both paths and handle the documentation assembly so you can focus on due diligence and transition planning. Common scenarios include purchasing a retiring owner's auto-repair shop on Mission Street, acquiring a second Westlake location for an established café, or buying franchise rights for a quick-service concept near the Serramonte Center.
Lenders evaluate both the buyer's financial strength and the target business's performance history. You'll need a credit score above 680, industry experience (or a strong management team), and typically 10-20% cash injection for the down payment and working capital reserve. The business being acquired must show consistent revenue, preferably two years of tax returns and profit-and-loss statements. We work with clients purchasing everything from HVAC contractors serving the Broadmoor hillside homes to medical-supply distributors in the industrial corridor near Bayshore Boulevard. Our documentation process organizes your personal financials, the seller's records, and the purchase agreement into lender-ready packages.
How it works
Start by calling (650) 659-4959 or visiting our office at 323 89th St, Daly City, CA 94015. We'll discuss the target business, review preliminary financials, and identify which lenders match your acquisition profile. Once you provide tax returns, bank statements, and the letter of intent, we compile everything into standardized submission formats. Turnaround from application to term sheet typically runs four to six weeks for SBA acquisition loans, faster for conventional bridge financing. We coordinate with escrow, attorneys, and the seller's advisors to keep the documentation timeline on track.
A Brisbane entrepreneur contacted us to purchase a print-and-sign shop whose owner was retiring after 18 years on San Bruno Avenue. The buyer had marketing experience but needed 80% financing. We structured an SBA 7(a) loan in Daly City that covered the purchase price and first-quarter working capital, then guided him through the SBA's business-valuation and environmental questionnaires. Documentation included three years of the seller's financials, a commercial lease assignment, and the buyer's résumé. The loan closed in five weeks, and the new owner retained the existing staff.
SBA 7(a) Acquisition Loans offer the longest terms and lowest down payments, ideal for Main Street businesses with strong cash flow. Conventional Acquisition Term Loans close faster but require larger equity stakes. Franchise Acquisition Financing is tailored for branded concepts with Item 19 earnings disclosures. We also arrange equipment financing when machinery represents the bulk of the purchase, commercial real estate loans if you're buying the building alongside the business, and working capital lines to fund post-close inventory replenishment. Every structure demands different documentation, and we know exactly what each lender needs before you submit.
Acquisition deals involve more moving parts than typical business loans in Daly City: seller financing clauses, earn-outs, non-compete agreements, and lease assignments. Lenders scrutinize both parties' financials and the industry outlook. A broker pre-qualifies your scenario, matches you with acquisition-friendly lenders, and translates dense purchase agreements into the exhibits banks require. We've closed deals for buyers in Colma, South San Francisco, Pacifica, and Millbrae, always keeping the documentation process transparent and the timeline predictable. Our local presence means we understand Daly City's mix of family-owned retail, light industrial operators near the Cow Palace, and service businesses along El Camino Real.
Serving the Daly City area

We know which lenders fund which kinds of Daly City businesses, and we position your file where it fits.
One local broker, many lenders, and no cost to apply.
Common questions
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Why Daly City owners trust Hazelcrest Financial