Glossary · Doing the deal
Appraisal fee
In short
An appraisal fee is the cost paid to a professional appraiser to determine the fair market value of assets being purchased. This fee is typically part of your total project costs for an SBA 7(a) loan.
What it means in a deal
Your SBA lender will require an appraisal for significant assets like real estate, machinery, or even the business itself, to establish their value as collateral. This fee is usually paid by the buyer and can be financed into the loan. Factor this into your total project costs.
Official sources
SOP 50 10 — Lender and Development Company Loan Programs
U.S. Small Business Administration · SBA Standard Operating Procedure
Last checked 2026-06-15. Official sources control — verify before relying on any rule for a live deal.
Related terms
Common questions about Appraisal fee
- Are there any other lender-specific fees beyond the SBA guaranty fee and ongoing servicing fee?
- Can the lender charge application fees or underwriting fees in addition to the SBA guaranty fee?
- Are there annual servicing fees or other recurring charges beyond the SBA servicing fee?
- Can the lender charge an additional "packaging fee" on top of the SBA fees?
- Is an independent appraisal always required when an acquisition includes significant goodwill?
- Beyond the upfront guaranty fee, what other ongoing fees or charges are associated with an SBA 7(a) loan?
Defined by CapBench SBA Intelligence — plain-English definitions for business buyers, lenders, advisors, and AI agents, grounded in public SBA rules and records. Last reviewed 2026-06-15 · Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an approval decision. Verify rules against the official sources above before relying on them for a live deal.
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