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Outgrowing Your Space?
SBA financing may help you buy a larger location, expand into your own space, and make room for what’s next.
Financing for Dental Professionals Buying, Starting, or Growing a Practice
Combine expert guidance with a streamlined process built specifically for dental practice ownership.
Bigger Space
Bigger Plans
Bigger Possibilities
As demand increases, many business owners reach a point where their current location no longer fits the business they are building.
Today’s growing businesses need room for more staff, more customers, more equipment, more inventory, and more opportunity.
SBA financing may help qualified business owners buy a larger owner-occupied property, move into a better location, or expand into space built for what comes next.
For many owners, buying the right building is more than a real estate decision. It is a way to gain control, create stability, and give the business room to grow.
The dental industry combines meaningful work with strong business fundamentals.
See If Your Real Estate Project Fits Our SBA Lending Program
These guidelines show the types of owner-occupied real estate projects First Bank of the Lake typically considers for SBA financing.
You're In The Right Place
Your personal credit score is 700+
Your project is roughly $750K–$5.5M
You’ll occupy at least 51% of an existing building
You’ll occupy at least 60% of new construction
Not The Right Fit
You’re buying apartments or multifamily rentals
You’re buying real estate to hold, lease, or resell
Your business will not occupy the building
The property is mainly for third-party tenants
How SBA Financing Can Help You Own, Expand, or Improve
As your business grows, the right property can create more room, more control, and more stability. SBA real estate financing may help qualified business owners buy, expand, or improve owner-occupied property built around the next stage of growth.
Buy a Larger Building
SBA financing may help you purchase a larger location when your current space no longer supports the business you are building.
- Move into more room for staff, customers, or equipment
- Support higher demand with a larger operating footprint
- Buy property your business will occupy
- Create space for the next stage of growth
Buy Instead of Renewing a Lease
A lease renewal can be the moment to ask whether renting still makes sense. SBA financing may help you explore buying a building instead of signing another long-term lease.
- Compare leasing versus owning
- Turn a rent decision into an ownership opportunity
- Explore SBA financing before renewing your lease
- Buy space your business will actually use
Add Capacity For Growth
Growth can create pressure on your current location. More inventory, production, equipment, bays, rooms, or staff may require a building that can keep up.
- Add room for equipment, inventory, or production
- Create space for more employees or customer volume
- Support operational growth without constant workarounds
- Make the building part of the growth plans
Expand Into Your Own Space
If you are ready to stop adapting around a leased space, SBA financing may help you buy property your business can grow into and control.
- Own the space your business uses
- Add room for future growth
- Reduce dependence on landlord decisions
- Build around your operations, not someone else’s rules
Move to a Better Location
The right location can make growth easier. SBA financing may help you purchase owner-occupied property that better fits your customers, team, and operations.
- Improve visibility, access, or parking
- Move closer to customers, vendors, or employees
- Upgrade from a space that no longer fits your brand
- Buy a location built around how your business actually operates
SBA Real Estate Projects Built Around Real Businesses
A larger building, a new location, or more room to operate can change what is possible for a growing business. These real examples show how First Bank of the Lake has helped owners finance property moves built around growth, capacity, and control.
Expansion & Renovation
$1,840,000
An assisted living operator secured financing to renovate resident areas, modernize common spaces, and increase facility capacity to meet rising demand for senior housing and long-term care services.
New Location Construction
$1,100,000
A childcare operator developed a new location in a high-demand market, building a purpose-designed center to increase capacity and serve more families. Financing supported construction, site development, and initial operating capital to ensure a successful launch.
Purchase Building to Stop Renting
$2,670,000
A practice owner purchased the building for their existing dental office, securing long-term stability and control over their space. Financing also positioned the practice for future expansion and enhancements.
CRE Purchase & Value-Add Improvements
$3,329,000
A borrower purchased the underlying real estate of an operating self storage facility and completed upgrades to reposition the asset. Financing supported both the acquisition and improvements, increasing long-term control and enhancing property value.
Dental Industry Insights & Resources
Understanding dental practice finances is key to building a thriving clinic. Our articles cover acquisitions, startups, equipment investments, and long-term growth strategies for dentists.
Why Businesses Choose First Bank of the Lake
Our team specializes in financing real estate. We help business owners acquire buildings, build new locations, expand facilities, and invest in their future growth.
$2 Billion+
In SBA business funding provided since 2020 — helping entrepreneurs across the country grow and thrive.
Top 3
SBA franchise lender Recognized nationally for helping franchise owners open and expand with confidence. ^
2,000+
SBA loans funded since 2020, supporting business owners at every stage of their journey.
Approved to offer SBA loan products under SBA's Preferred lenders Program.
^Ranked 3rd most active SBA Franchise lender since 2023, (by lending volume) by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Estimate What Financing Real Estate Could Look Like
Buying a larger building is a big move. Use this tool to get a rough monthly payment estimate for an owner-occupied business property project.
SBA Real Estate Calculator
Estimate Your SBA Property Payment
Adjust the project cost, down payment, term, and interest rate to estimate payments for owner-occupied business property financing.
$1,500,000
$150,000
25 Years
6.50%
Your Estimate
Monthly Payment
$0
Estimated Total Project Cost
$0
Total Loan Amount
$0
Down Payment
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Total Interest Paid
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Total Payments
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This calculator is for estimate purposes only. It does not represent a loan offer, approval, or final terms. Actual payments, rates, fees, down payment, and eligibility depend on underwriting, SBA program requirements, collateral, occupancy, and project details.
How Our Process Works
Tell Us About Your Project
Share a few details about the building, location, project cost, occupancy plans, and how your business will use the space.
Speak With a SBA Lending Specialist
We’ll talk through your goals, SBA fit, estimated financing need, and whether the project lines up with First Bank of the Lake’s lending focus.
See If You Qualify for the Next Steps
If the project looks like a fit, we’ll walk you through what comes next, including documents, timing, and SBA financing options.
Our Approach to Evaluating Real Estate Projects
For SBA real estate financing, the property matters — but so does the business using it. We evaluate how your project supports your cash flow, operations, occupancy requirements, and long-term growth plans.
Cash Flow & Payment Strength
We look at whether the business can support the proposed real estate payment while continuing to operate and grow. This helps us understand if the project fits both your current financial picture and your long-term plans.
How Your Business Will Use the Space
Owner-occupied property is the key for SBA real estate financing. We review how much of the building your business will occupy and how the space supports your operations.
The Growth Plan Behind the Move
We want to understand why this building matters to your business. That could mean more room, a better location, added capacity, or more control over the space where your business operates.
Eligibility & Property Fit
The property itself has to fit SBA lending requirements. We review whether the project is owner-occupied, business-use real estate and not passive rental, multifamily, or investment property.
Talk With an SBA Real Estate Specialist
Whether you’re buying a larger building, replacing rent with ownership, adding capacity, or expanding into your own space, our SBA lending team can help you understand whether your project fits First Bank of the Lake’s real estate financing focus. Complete the short form, and we’ll follow up to learn more about your plans.
Common Questions About SBA Real Estate Financing
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Can I use an SBA loan to buy a building for my business?
Open or Close
Yes. SBA financing may be used to purchase owner-occupied business property when the project meets SBA eligibility requirements and First Bank of the Lake’s lending guidelines. The key is that your operating business must use the property, not simply own it as an investment.
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Does my business have to occupy the building?
Open or Close
Yes. For an existing building, SBA generally requires the business to occupy at least 51% of the rentable property. For new construction, SBA generally requires the business to occupy at least 60% of the rentable property.
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Can I use SBA financing to buy an apartment building?
Open or Close
No. Apartment buildings and mobile home parks are not eligible under SBA guidance. This page is focused on owner-occupied business property, not multifamily rentals or passive real estate investments.
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Can I buy a building and lease part of it to tenants?
Open or Close
Possibly, as long as your business meets SBA occupancy requirements. For an existing building, the applicant may lease up to 49% to a third party if the business occupies at least 51% of the rentable property.
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Is this for rental or investment property?
Open or Close
No. SBA loan proceeds generally cannot be used for investments in real or personal property held primarily for future development, sale, lease, or investment. This program is built for operating businesses buying property they will actually use.
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Can SBA financing help if I’m outgrowing my current space?
Open or Close
Yes, if the property will be used by your operating business and the project fits SBA and First Bank of the Lake guidelines. SBA financing may help qualified business owners buy a larger building, move to a better location, add capacity, or expand into their own space.
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What project sizes does First Bank of the Lake typically consider?
Open or Close
For this real estate financing program, First Bank of the Lake is focused on larger SBA property projects, generally around $750K–$5.5M. Final eligibility depends on underwriting, SBA program requirements, collateral, occupancy, credit, and project details.
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Can I use SBA financing for construction or renovations?
Open or Close
Yes, SBA financing may support eligible construction, renovation, or property improvement projects when the property will be used by the operating business and SBA requirements are met. For new construction, occupancy requirements are different than for existing buildings, so it is worth talking through the project early.
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What should I know before applying?
Open or Close
Start with the basics: project cost, property type, how much space your business will occupy, whether any tenants are involved, your estimated down payment, and your credit profile. From there, First Bank of the Lake can help you understand whether the project appears to fit its SBA real estate lending focus.
Still have questions about SBA real estate financing?
All loans are subject to credit approval. Restrictions and limitations may apply. First Bank of the Lake does not provide tax, legal or investment advice. All decisions concerning these matters should be made in conjunction with your professional advisors.
