Posts Tagged ‘present value’
SBA Starts Waiting List for Small Businesses Seeking Loan Breaks
On Friday, the Small Business Administration announced that it had just about run out of money for the small business loan incentives – 7(a) and loan fee reductions – enacted last year by the economic stimulus package, and that a waiting list will be established for those small businesses seeking credit should more money become available.
These incentives were designed to reduce the fees on loans to small businesses and offer a 90% guarantee to banks that make SBA loans, making loans less expensive for borrowers and less risky for lenders. The normal guarantee for the average 7(a) loan is 75%.
The original $375 million in funding set aside last year for these two measures initially ran out in November, so the SBA set up a waiting list. In December, when another $125 million was put toward keeping the programs running through February 2010, there were more than 1,000 businesses on the waiting list.
The Senate voted to advance a $15 billion job-creation package Monday, but the funds for another extension of the SBA loan incentives were stripped from the package prior to the vote. So as of now, it remains to be seen if those businesses on the SBA waiting list will receive their loans.
These SBA loan breaks revived SBA lending, and enabled small businesses to get access to capital that they had previously been unable to get. Because of the breaks, 7(a) lending is up by 90% since the stimulus plan was enacted despite the fact that other loan activity has declined. Small business groups and many lenders believe these incentives are key to economic recovery and are urging Congress to appropriate the funds to keep the program alive.
Present Value LLC is a certified appraisal company and provider of business valuation services.
By: Present Value
Buying a Business? Make Sure to Do Your Homework
It may seem easier to purchase an established business than to start one from the ground up. While this may be true in some cases, there could be problems with an existing business that may not be clear upon first look. However, oftentimes purchasing a business can end up being just as costly and labor intensive as a startup. Sometimes there are inherent flaws in a business, which is why it is up for sale. As when starting a new business, you need to conduct the proper research and due diligence on any company that you may be thinking about purchasing, which includes getting an unbiased business appraisal of that company.
We’ve written multiple posts on why it’s important for a business owner to know the value of his or her business. It’s equally important for a potential buyer to understand the value of a business that he or she is considering for purchase and to know what he or she is getting in the deal.
Of course there are many things to take into account when contemplating buying a business, such as your own strengths and weaknesses, your understanding of business fundamentals, and your understanding of the potential market in which the business operates. Obtaining a professional business valuation can help you better understand the ins and outs of a particular business, like a business’s cash flow, the value of its assets and/or equipment, how the company acquires customers, and the market in which it operates.
If you’re thinking about buying an established business, get an appraisal. You need to know what you’re getting into.
By: Present Value
Got a Startup? Get a Business Valuation
Most people generally only think about having the value of their business appraised at the time of a potential sale or acquisition. As we have talked about in previous blogs, there are numerous situations in which a business owner must think about getting a business valuation, including when selling a business, for estate planning purposes, and when planning exit strategies. However, something that most people don’t realize is that startup businesses can benefit greatly from undergoing the process of a business valuation.
For a startup company, a valuation can be used as a business performance indicator, reflecting the company’s direction. It can help business owners figure out what’s working and what’s not, and where resources should directed or re-directed. A valuation can also give a deeper, more complete understanding about the competitive forces and drivers in the business’s market.
For any company, a business valuation can provide a snapshot of the business within the context of the market and industry in which it operates, in addition to evaluating the health of the market itself. This can help business owners at any level determine if the initial opportunity is still present and/or whether or not an exit from the business and the market is warranted.
It may be a wise decision for startup business owners to incorporate business valuations on a somewhat regular basis to determine if the company is achieving its desired trajectory.
By: Present Value
To Sell or Not to Sell?
In previous posts, we have discussed that if a business owner is looking to sell equipment or machinery, he/she needs to know three separate types of value that their assets could bring in the market – orderly liquidation value, forced liquidation value, and fair market value. The differences among these types of machinery and equipment asset valuations are dependent upon the situation of the business and the time frame in which the assets need to be liquidated. Recently, however, we have seen that in certain markets, like California, there may be almost no difference between orderly liquidation value and fair market value due to sluggish market conditions.
Because there is such a large amount of equipment and machinery available in the market, buyers have more options than they normally would. Of course, there are other circumstances that determine the current value of equipment, such as in the case of custom machinery. And for that reason, potential sellers need to know what it’s all worth.
Some sellers, like those whose businesses are in dire circumstances, may be forced to sell and get the best price for the equipment as quickly as possible. However, for others who may not be in such a rush to sell, understanding the current types of equipment value can help them make better informed decisions about whether to sell now or not.
As we have mentioned often in other posts, it is essential for business owners to know the value of their equipment, especially if they are looking to sell so that they can receive the best possible price in the current market.
By: Present Value
Professional Business Valuation and Selling Your Business
Last week, there was an interesting article, “How to Sell Your Business,” in The New York Times. As the title suggests, the article covers the numerous things a business owner needs to think about when considering selling his or her business. We will focus on one of the author’s tips, which we have discussed in previous blog posts (you can read them here): make sure you know what your business is worth.
The article highlights the fact that most business owners have no idea how much their businesses are worth. The writer points out that it is necessary for a business owner to know the value of his or her business in order to set realistic expectations for both the seller and potential buyers. Many sellers may be setting themselves up for disappointment if they don’t understand the potential market price of their business. And if an asking price is too high, it could jeopardize the attractiveness of a business to potential buyers.
Here are all the quick tips from the article for anyone who may be thinking about selling a business:
- Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes.
- Don’t go it alone. Assemble a team of professionals, most importantly an attorney and an accountant that you trust.
- Get a professional valuation of your business.
- Make sure your financial house is in order prior to sale.
- Familiarize yourself with the entire selling process, from start to finish.
If you are thinking about selling a business in the near future, contact Present Value LLC for all your appraisal and business valuation needs.
By: Present Value
New Year, New Planning
This year, 2009, has been a tumultuous one. While there is no way of knowing what the future will hold, you can plan for the future. Planning for the future of your business is always a sound move. You need to know the value of your assets and the value of your business.
Over the past year, we have covered a number of issues that can affect your business. Today, more than ever, it is important to know what it’s all worth. As a business owner, it is important to know the true market value of your machinery, equipment, and business, for things such as business planning, succession planning, business insurance, and business valuation.
In the new year, it makes good financial sense to obtain a credible certified equipment appraisal report that will hold up under scrutiny with financial institutions, government agencies, buyers, sellers, shareholders, or partners. Make sure you know what it’s all worth.
By: Present Value
New USPAP Changes Effective January 1, 2010
As we discussed in a post in June, The Appraisal Foundation, a congressionally authorized non-profit organization that fosters professionalism among appraisers by setting qualifications and standards, announced that its Appraisal Standards Board (ASB) adopted revisions for the 2010-2011 edition of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). USPAP are the generally accepted performance and ethical standards for the appraisal profession in the United States. Standards are included for real estate, personal property, business, and mass appraisal. And, these changes go into effect on January 1, 2010.
The Appraisal Foundation has issued a question and answer document that is designed to help answer any questions that might arise. You can visit their website to learn more about all of the changes.
In particular, they have highlighted one revision to USPAP that will affect each assignment starting in 2010. Appraisers will be required to disclose to their client, prior to engagement and in the certification of appraisal reports, “any services regarding the subject property performed by the appraiser within the prior three years, as an appraiser or in any other capacity.”
As always, Present Value is USPAP compliant.
By: Present Value
Present Value: More than an Appraisal Firm
Following up on our press release that went out on Tuesday, December 8, 2009, we’d like to focus a little bit more on some of the characteristics that make Present Value a unique full-service appraisal firm.
While lenders and business owners have many choices when it comes to finding an appraisal company, at Present Value, we pride ourselves on being more than just a company that provides appraisals: we act as a trusted resource for lenders and business owners. We can act as consultants to help guide our clients as they make crucial business decisions, whether it be a lender, looking to conduct pre-loan due diligence or auction assets from a loan default, or a business owner, looking to obtain financing or make an acquisition.
In addition to providing appraisal services, Present Value has the expertise and experience to orchestrate other aspects of these deals. The strength of our services comes from the partnerships that we have developed all across the country. We have the capabilities to bring the right people to the table for whatever our clients’ needs may be, such as auctioneer services or brokerage services. We aim to be problem-solvers for each and every one of our clients, helping them make well-informed business decisions.
Present Value prides itself on its turnkey service offerings, and Present Value is happy to act as a resource for its clients as they cope with past mistakes and look toward improving their processes. Our network of professionals will always deliver the highest quality products, backed by a team of experts in their individual market segments.
By: Present Value
Expansion Financing in a Down Economy
While the economy is showing signs of improvement, many small businesses are still finding it difficult to stay afloat. However, there are a number of businesses that have been able to not only survive, but succeed despite this economy. For companies like this, a down economy can be seen as a time for growth.
A period of growth, for some companies, might require expansion financing to obtain capital to grow their business. Such financing could be used to support the business’s growth through endeavors such as hiring additional staff, purchasing equipment, acquiring real estate, or ramping up marketing efforts.
Businesses need to demonstrate the clear value of their growth in order to justify financing. While the sources of financing can vary greatly – from banks to friends and family members – for the most part, lenders will require detailed, complete business and operating plans. As we discussed in our last post, lenders are conducting more vigorous due diligence than in the past. So, in addition to the traditional business information, lenders are requiring third-party appraisals to provide greater protection for themselves and their investments.
An appraiser must be able to take into consideration all aspects of a business, including operating costs, assets, equipment, revenue, etc. in order to establish a complete picture of the value of a business. Business potential, economic growth, and market growth are other factors that need to be taken into account for this type of appraisal.
In addition to providing clarity to a potential lender, an appraisal can also help business owners make crucial decisions in a time of economic uncertainty.
By: Present Value
Working with HVCC Regulations
A recent article in Banker & Tradesman suggests that consumer confidence in the real estate market is coming back. Coming out of the 2009 Realtors Conference & Expo in San Diego, the article indicates that in spite of the decline of the market, buyers are still looking for vacation and recreational properties.
Industry experts, however, still appear to be concerned about issues surrounding real estate appraisals and the unintended consequences of the implementation of the Home Valuation Code of Conduct (HVCC). As we have discussed in other blog posts, the perceived problem is that appraisers, working for appraisal management companies, are often working outside areas with which they are familiar and may not have access to information about specific markets. Realtors argue that as a result of valuations that sometimes are too low, sales have been delayed and even cancelled.
This Banker & Tradesman article provides some interesting suggestions by realty agents of ways to work with the HVCC changes, including providing appraisers with detailed property comparison information and background materials to help appraisers achieve the most accurate appraisals.
As always, Present Value LLC is both an appraiser and an appraisal management company, which means that it can play the role of the third party required by the HVCC changes and save you the step of having to seek out a separate appraisal management company.
By: Present Value
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