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Glossary · People and paperwork

Appraiser

In short

An Appraiser is an independent professional who estimates the value of assets like real estate, machinery, or the business itself. Lenders require appraisals to confirm the collateral value and the business's purchase price.

What it means in a deal

For SBA loans, an Appraiser will value any owner-occupied commercial real estate or significant machinery being financed. A business valuation is also typically required for acquisitions over a certain threshold. The appraisal values must support your purchase price and the collateral for the loan.

Official sources

13 CFR Part 120 — Business Loans

Office of the Federal Register · Federal regulation

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.

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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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