Small businesses are finding success in creative ways…

Read about it at HuffingtonPost.com and FoxBusiness.com…

One thing I love about my job is hearing the stories from small business owners all over the country. Last year, we helped 97 small business owners in 27 states purchase, construct, renovate, or refinance their commercial property. When you work with that many business owners, you’re bound to hear some wonderful stories about overcoming adversity, going the extra mile, and finding creative ways to solve problems.

The SBA Proposes Four Changes to the 504 Loan Program…

Changes to the 504 loan program may help many small business owners…

I’ve been on record saying that the SBA will likely see a 20 to 30 percent decrease in 504 loan volume in fiscal year 2013. Despite the fact that the SBA is coming off back-to-back record-breaking years, I expect this drop-off in 504 loans due in large part to the 504 refinance and secondary market (FMLP) programs not being extended past September of 2012. Well, I may have to eat my words (and I’ll gladly do so), because the Agency recently announced some changes that may curtail my forecasted decrease. Specifically, there are four things that I think will make a big difference for small business owners, and I explain them in the video I just posted at www.504blog.com/four-changes.

Dedicated to Your Continued Success,

Chris

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Christopher G. Hurn,
CEO & Cofounder
Mercantile Capital Corporation

P.S. If you have any questions about how we can help you or someone you know purchase, construct, or renovate commercial real estate with our smarter financing, call me at 1-866-622-4504 or email me at ChrisHurn@MercantileCC.com.

April Fools’ Day 2013 Video Roundup…

If you’re like me, you’ve been on the lookout for April Fools’ gags all day. Then again, maybe you’ve been busy and haven’t had a chance to check out Google Nose, Google Treasure Maps, or the announcement from the White House earlier today. In that case, you’ll find the best April Fools’ video hoaxes from 2013 on my blog at www.504blog.com/april-fools-roundup-2013. I’m really impressed with the ideas and the execution of these pranks — kudos to the brilliant minds behind them.

I hope you had a safe and somewhat-productive April Fools’ Day!

Dedicated to Your Continued Success,

Chris

P.S. All joking aside, we’re working extremely hard on behalf of our small business clients to get their commercial real estate loans to the closing table. Last year was a record-shattering year for us — our loan volume was up 143.2% over our previous all-time high. If we can help you or someone you know purchase, construct, or renovate commercial real estate for a small business, call me at 1-866-622-4504 or email me at ChrisHurn@MercantileCC.com.