What does it actually cost — and what does it take — to finance a property management business acquisition in today's market? And what just changed that every buyer needs to know before they sign anything?

In Episode 2 of Manage to Exit, Aaron McElhiney and Hunter Goodall are joined by Jordan Coleman, SBA Lending Specialist at Live Oak Bank — the number one SBA preferred lender in the country — for a candid conversation about how PM business acquisitions are actually financed, what lenders are really looking for, and how the SBA's June 1, 2025 rule changes are reshaping the buyer landscape right now.

They cover the mechanics of SBA loans in plain language (the SBA doesn't lend money — here's who does and why that matters), the new 5% cash equity requirement for first-time buyers and how sellers can structure notes around it, why Live Oak looks at door count trends and add-backs the same way PMIA does, why 95% of PMIA's closed deals are off-market and what that means for your financing timeline, and the $5M SBA runway misconception that is quietly limiting buyers who could be doing more deals.

If you are a property management executive thinking about your next acquisition — whether it is your first or your fifth — this episode gives you the financing framework to walk into any bank conversation prepared.

Chapters:

00:00:20 — Introductions and how PMI found Live Oak Bank

00:02:52 — What makes Live Oak different: industry focus over geography

00:05:11 — How SBA loans actually work (demystifying the guarantee)

00:08:06 — Deal trends: multiples rising, buyers outnumber sellers

00:11:30 — June 1, 2025 SBA rule changes: what first-time buyers must know

00:17:50 — Why franchisees make better SBA borrowers

00:22:30 — Off-market vs. on-market deals: why 95% of PMIA closings are off-market

00:30:00 — Add-backs, red flags, and financial due diligence

00:37:20 — Seller-owned properties, earnouts, and creative deal structures

00:40:29 — Including commercial real estate in SBA deals: terms, rates, and structure

00:46:30 — SBA runway, multi-deal buyers, and the 'stay in your market' rule

01:08:00 — What sellers need to know — and when buyers should call the bank

Ready to know what your business is worth?

Book a free, confidential valuation call with Hunter ➔

No broker fees. NDA-protected. Only you, Aaron, and Hunter until you decide to move forward.