Commercial Loan Qualification Checker
Check where you stand as a commercial loan borrower. Get a general qualification assessment based on credit, revenue, and business history.
Want real loan options based on these numbers?
How the Qualification Checker Works
This tool gives you a fast, no obligation read on where you stand as a commercial loan borrower. It scores four of the variables commercial lenders generally weigh first: personal credit score, annual business revenue, time in business, and the size of the loan you are requesting relative to your revenue. Each input is weighted independently, then combined into a general assessment of strong, moderate, or early stage candidate.
The result is a directional indicator, not a credit decision. Real underwriting digs deeper into tax returns, debt schedules, the property or project itself, industry risk, and the borrower's experience. A moderate or early stage result does not mean financing is unavailable. It usually means a more specialized program, more equity, or more documentation will be required.
What Lenders Actually Evaluate
Credit profile comes first. Most conventional commercial programs generally look for a personal FICO of 680 or higher, while SBA and bridge programs can have flexibility into the 640s with compensating factors. For property loans, lenders calculate the debt service coverage ratio, and most want roughly 1.20x to 1.30x at minimum. Our DSCR calculator shows where your deal lands.
Time in business matters next. Two or more years generally opens up SBA 7(a), conventional, and most bank programs, while under two years usually points toward bridge, hard money, or revenue based options. Typical CRE loans cap leverage at 70 to 80 percent LTV, though SBA 504 can reach 90 percent for owner occupied real estate. Lenders also weigh industry risk, since hospitality, restaurants, and special use properties carry tighter underwriting than multifamily or industrial, and most commercial loans under $5 million require a personal guarantee from owners holding 20 percent or more of the business.
Why Borrowers Get Declined, and What to Do
The most common decline reasons are not always the obvious ones. Beyond credit and revenue, lenders frequently pass on deals because of incomplete financial documentation, an unclear use of funds, weak property condition, or a borrower experience gap on the asset class. No single bank or fund covers every scenario, which is why a deal one community bank declines can still find a home with a debt fund or private lender.
The right next step depends on your assessment. Strong candidates generally benefit from comparing term sheets across multiple lender categories before signing. Moderate candidates benefit most from packaging help so the deal is presented well. Early stage borrowers often need a bridge solution or a smaller starter facility to build the operating history that conventional financing requires.