Small business owners review possible outcomes when they are informed of an impending foreclosure. This legal action allows their lender to take possession of their property. Once the lender acquires the property, it is sold to the highest bidder. This presents the borrower with the outstanding balance. However, an SBA Offer in Compromise may prevent these circumstances.
The adverse impact of the foreclosure starts with a negative listing on the owner's credit. Foreclosure prevents them from acquiring a more beneficial loan for a new business location. It also leads to an outstanding balance listed on all three credit reports. This leads to more difficulties for the business owner. The offer in compromise reduces the impact of foreclosure.
An SBA loan foreclosure begins when the government lender issues the SBA demand letter. These loans are backed by the government and require the borrow to pay at specific value to settle the loan. This value is based on the percentage listed in the loan contract.
Tax liens present more issues and could lead to further seizure of assets. The attorney helps the business owner through a Tax Offset Program. The program provides the owner with a reduced value acquired through a settlement. The value is under fifty percent of the total value owed in most cases. Select circumstances may provide a payment plan for these tax requirements.
Owners that avoid traditional foreclosure eliminate credit issues. This helps them acquire further funding in the future when their venture becomes profitable. They may also start a new company in a new location after the settlement is paid in full. The attorney provides them with advice for restructuring their credit.
Small business owners avoid negative outcomes when they are facing foreclosure. Owners who acquire government-secured loans identify benefits of these programs through an attorney. This helps them to avoid severe damage to their credit. Small business owners who need help after an SBA loan default should contact an attorney to schedule a consultation now.
Millions of Dollars in SBA Debts Resolved via Offer in Compromise and Negotiated Repayment Agreements without our Clients filing for Bankruptcy or Facing Home Foreclosure
Millions of Dollars in Treasury Debts Defended Against via AWG Hearings, Treasury Offset Program Resolution, Cross-servicing Disputes, Private Collection Agency Representation, Compromise Offers and Negotiated Repayment Agreements
Our Attorneys are Authorized by the Agency Practice Act to Represent Federal Debtors Nationwide before the SBA, The SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals, the Treasury Department, and the Bureau of Fiscal Service.
Our firm successfully resolved an SBA 7(a) loan default in the amount of $140,000 on behalf of a husband-and-wife guarantor pair. The business had closed following a prolonged decline in revenue, leaving the borrowers personally liable for the remaining balance.
After conducting a comprehensive financial analysis and preparing a detailed SBA Offer in Compromise (SBA OIC) package, we negotiated directly with the SBA and the lender to achieve a settlement for $70,000 — just 50% of the outstanding balance. This settlement released the borrowers from further personal liability and allowed them to move forward without the threat of enforced collection.
Clients obtained an SBA 7(a) loan for $324,000 to buy a small business and its facility. The business and real estate had an appraisal value of $318,000 at the time of purchase. The business ultimately failed but the participating lender abandoned the business equipment and real estate collateral even though it had valid security liens. As a result, the lender recouped nearly nothing from the pledged collateral, leaving the business owners liable for the deficiency balance. The SBA paid the lender the 7(a) guaranty money and was assigned ownership of the debt, including the right to collect. However, the clients never received the SBA Official 60-Day Notice and were denied the opportunity to negotiate an Offer in Compromise (OIC) or a Workout directly with the SBA before being transferred to Treasury's Bureau of Fiscal Service, which added an additional $80,000 in collection fees. Treasury garnished and offset the clients' wages, federal salary and social security benefits. When the clients tried to negotiate with Treasury by themselves, they were offered an unaffordable repayment plan which would have caused severe financial hardship. Clients subsequently hired the Firm to litigate an Appeals Petition before the SBA Office & Hearings Appeals (OHA) challenging the legal enforceability and amount of the debt. The Firm successfully negotiated a term OIC that was approved by the SBA Office of General Counsel, saving the clients approximately $205,000.
Our firm successfully assisted a client in closing an SBA Disaster Loan tied to a COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). The borrower obtained an EIDL loan of $153,800, but due to the prolonged economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the business was unable to recover and ultimately closed.
As part of the business closure review and audit, we worked closely with the SBA to negotiate a resolution. The borrower was required to pay only $1,625 to release the remaining collateral, effectively closing the matter without further financial liability for the owner/officer.
This case highlights the importance of strategic negotiations when dealing with SBA settlements, particularly for businesses that have shut down due to unforeseen economic challenges. If you or your business are struggling with SBA loan debt, we focus on SBA Offer in Compromise (SBA OIC) solutions to help settle outstanding obligations efficiently.
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