A financing process built around the deal
Every deal is different, but the process is straightforward: understand the business and buyer, determine what the acquisition can support, build the financing structure, take it to the right lenders and manage the financing through funding.
The four steps
Assess the deal
We start with the target’s financials, purchase price, proposed terms and buyer profile and identify the issues lenders are likely to care about early.
What we needThe target’s financial statements, the proposed price and terms, and a summary of the buyer’s available capital.
Build the financing structure
Determine how much debt the business can support, how much equity the buyer needs and whether seller financing or another source needs to fill the gap.
What we needThe assessment, and agreement on the structure the offer will carry.
Take it to the right lenders
Approach lenders and capital providers that fit the deal’s size, industry and underwriting profile.
What we needA signed LOI and the financing package built from the target’s records.
Drive the financing through closing
Stay involved through underwriting, lender questions, diligence, approvals, documentation and funding.
What we needLender diligence, third-party reports and the seller’s answers to information requests. The closing schedule depends on those items and on the lender’s approval and documentation requirements.
Test the financing assumptions before the LOI
Start the review while price, funding sources and seller terms can still be discussed.The initial work identifies assumptions to test; a lender commitment requires the actual transaction, supporting evidence and underwriting. Counsel should address the LOI’s legal effect and financing conditions.
Next: see the financing solutions, model a deal in the DSCR calculator, or read about the firm and how it is paid. Advisors and brokers can read how we work alongside them.
What should you bring to the first conversation?
Share the business type and location, asking price, earnings figures with their periods, available buyer capital, operating experience and proposed seller involvement. Mark estimates and missing information clearly. An initial inquiry can begin with this nonconfidential summary; agree the private process before sending personal or business financial records.
Prepare assets and liabilities with the personal financial statement template and organize business obligations with the debt schedule template. Lenders may require their own forms and additional documents.
What does the review establish—and who decides?
Duneland’s preliminary review develops a working funding structure and identifies information gaps and routes to investigate. Its depth depends on the evidence available and the scope agreed. Lenders and capital providers make their own credit or investment decisions and may require changes to price, equity, terms or documentation.
A proposal or conditional approval can still leave valuation, diligence, source-of-funds or closing conditions outstanding. Track each item, its owner and the evidence needed to clear it. The financing timeline guide explains these dependencies; a target date alone does not establish a funding commitment.
SBA’s application guidance confirms that borrowers apply through lenders and that documents vary by loan and processing method. Conventional and private-capital processes follow the provider’s requirements.
How are scope and fees agreed?
Fees are transaction-specific and are outlined upfront, before an engagement begins. The engagement agreement explains the advisory fees, when they are earned and any third-party costs.
Lender fees, appraisals, legal expenses and other third-party costs are separate and are not Duneland fees.
If you are a broker, identify whether you need a buyer for a listing or a financing review for an existing transaction. Send the opportunity to Duneland; we manage the buyer conversation and any introduction.
Arrive with the numbers already modeled
The first call goes further when the target's earnings and the intended structure are already on paper.
- Valuation and SDEWhat are the earnings, and what is the business worth on them?
- Capital stackHow does the whole purchase get funded?
- DSCRCan the target’s cash flow cover the debt?
What each step asks you for
Three articles on the documents these steps depend on, and why we ask for them when we do.
- Why Acquisition Lenders Ask for Credit Reports and Personal Financial StatementsWhat credit reports and personal financial statements show, which SBA timing rules apply, and how to prepare records for a private acquisition financing review.
- Acquisition Financing Document Checklist: What Lenders Need and WhyPrepare buyer, business and transaction documents for acquisition financing. Understand what each supports, the SBA timing tests and private follow-up.
- Proof of Funds for Buying a Business: What Actually Impresses Sellers and LendersHow to document acquisition funds: account evidence, accessible equity, borrowed sources and the difference between a buyer budget and lender approval.
Prepare before the first call
What to have ready, what to settle before an LOI, and which dependencies actually move a closing date.
- Acquisition Financing Readiness: What Buyers Should PreparePrepare your acquisition financing profile with a practical checklist covering liquidity, experience, target financials, deal structure, and next steps.
- What to Resolve About Acquisition Financing Before Signing an LOICheck financing fit, buyer cash, seller terms, and diligence needs before an acquisition LOI sets expectations that the funding structure cannot support.
- Business Acquisition Financing Timeline: Stages and Common DelaysUnderstand the stages from financing preparation to closing and the documents, diligence dependencies, and decisions that can affect your timeline.
Have a deal in front of you?
Whether you have a signed LOI, are preparing an offer or are still evaluating the opportunity, send us the basic numbers and where you are in the process. We’ll look at the business, buyer and proposed structure and determine what the financing path may look like. No deal yet? Tell us what you are exploring, and we’ll show you the financing paths that may fit.