Glossary · Doing the deal
Asset sale
In short
In an asset sale, you buy specific assets (equipment, inventory, goodwill) of a business, not the legal entity itself. This is the most common structure for small business acquisitions.
What it means in a deal
With an SBA 7(a) loan, nearly all small business acquisitions are structured as asset sales. This protects you from inheriting the seller's past liabilities, as you're not buying their legal entity. You'll specify exactly which assets you're acquiring in the purchase agreement.
Related terms
Common questions about Asset sale
- What specific documentation is required for a lender to verify equity injection from the sale of a personal asset?
- What if my equity injection funds are from the sale of a personal asset like a boat or RV?
- What is the difference between an asset and stock purchase in a buyout?
- How does a recent significant personal asset purchase affect my SBA 7(a) loan application?
- What if the business for sale uses proprietary software or a unique technology?
- How does a lender verify equity injection from the sale of a cryptocurrency portfolio?
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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