The Market for Dental Practice Financing Through Commercial Mortgages
There is a huge demand for dentistry, both through NHS practices and private surgeries.
You will need a business case to demonstrate your forecast revenue and profits.
Still, commercial mortgages tend to be readily available for dentists as a medical sector business that attracts low-risk levels.
Questions to Consider Before Applying for Finance to Buy Dental Practice Businesses
Before you start applying for finance to buy a dental practice, we'd suggest taking a moment to think about what you'd like to achieve and your priorities from your financing deal:
- What is the financing for? Are you setting up a new branch, buying a business from a retiring dentist, or want to purchase a new property for an existing practice?
- Are you established as a dentist, and is the financing being used for a new enterprise or to grow your current company?
- Will the new property or newly acquired business be ready to go, or do you need to finance renovations or improvement works?
There are multiple lending products available, including a range of commercial mortgage structures, so getting to grips with exactly what you're trying to accomplish can help highlight those products that are best suited.
Choosing Dental Practice Financing Options
It's essential to have a firm plan about how much you need to borrow and what you'll use it for - any lender will want to see your business plan as a minimum requirement.
But, it's also important because, as we've mentioned, a commercial mortgage is just one potential borrowing option.
Whether you need to invest in assets, consolidate debts, improve your equipment, renovate a property, acquire an entire business or use your mortgage brokers for another reason, an independent broker can run through the alternatives.
There are also choices between high street commercial lenders, niche specialist mortgage providers and brokerage-only exclusive deals, so there are many variables to work through!
What is Dental Practice Acquisition Financing?
Acquisition financing is similar to a commercial mortgage but provides the funding required to buy a business as a going concern.
Much depends on whether you're buying a franchise, share ownership or a business as a whole, but you'll need to think about:
- The risks inherent with buying a business - assessing trading history, financials and values, including factors such as reputation, which are hard to quantify.
- Values of all assets, customer lists, equipment, vehicles, medical machinery, staffing, property and other items included in the acquisition.
- Existing business liabilities, obligations and debts that are expected to pass to the new owner.
Launching a new business can be highly risky, so buying out an established practice may be a favourable option and secure more competitive lending terms.
Comparing the Best Dental Practice Purchase Financing Options
Dentists are an integral element of the UK medical sector, relied on for NHS treatments, routine check-ups, emergency appointments and private dental work.
The demand and skill involved with dentistry make this sector low risk for mortgage lenders.
However, the market can change depending on public sector funding, NHS contracts, additional services (e.g. aesthetic work) and dispensing services.
Commercial lending is assessed on a case-by-case basis, depending on how much you want to borrow, the various elements we've explored here, and the lender's policies and appetite for dental practice loans.
How to Choose Dental Practice Financing Options
The right dental practice financing for your business depends on what you hope to achieve and how that fits in with your business aims.
Business mortgages can run for 20 years as a standard but are available on significantly longer or shorter terms, so it's essential to consult a seasoned mortgage expert to crunch the numbers and make informed decisions.
Revolution Brokers has years of experience supporting dental practice mortgage applicants of all sizes and can help determine:
- Which mortgage or borrowing products are best suited to your needs?
- Which lenders will offer the lowest rates and most appealing terms?
- How long should your loan term be?
- How much can you afford to repay per month?
- Would a repayment or interest-only product be preferable?
We can also guide you in unusual circumstances, such as quickly securing financing to purchase a dental practice business against competing bids or taking out mortgage finance to progress with ambitious dental practice business plans.
Auction finance, as one example, usually means putting down a 10% deposit and paying the full balance within 28 days to avoid losing the property.
If you wish to buy a commercial premise at auction to develop into a dental practice, please get in touch for more information.
General Terms on Dental Practice Acquisition Financing
It isn't easy to give precise terms against standard dental practice acquisition financing since each lender is different and will amend their offer following the initial assessment phase.
However, as a rough guide, we've listed below the typical terms available on most dental practice financing applications, without any complex requirements.
- LTV, or Loan to Value, indicates the loan value as a proportion of the property or dental practice business value. Lenders tend to offer up to 80% LTV (requiring a 20% deposit), but you can borrow up to 100% if you meet other eligibility criteria and have sufficient security.
- Mortgage terms can run from a few years up to 40, so it's essential to consider your cash flow and other obligations to structure your mortgage to match those outgoings.
We'd reiterate that these are only estimates, and we’d be happy to provide more accurate pricing and information following a consultation about your financing requirements.
Expert Support With Dental Practice Purchase Financing
If you need competitive commercial financing for a dental practice, an experienced broker with decades of experience is undoubtedly the best option to secure an advantageous deal.
Revolution Brokers supports hundreds of businesses, providing independent guidance and information about any commercial mortgage product from any lender we think will be to your advantage.
Please get in touch on 0330 304 3040 or email our team at [email protected] for more information about dental practice financing or to get your application started.
