When your business needs new equipment, leasing can be a powerful tool to acquire the items you need. You can lease nearly anything including medical equipment, furniture & fixtures, HVAC, computers & software, phone systems, audio visual & sound equipment, specialty trucks & construction equipment, printing equipment, dry cleaning equipment, diagnostic equipment, manufacturing equipment, fitness equipment, office equipment, etc. Basically, if it's equipment that is the backbone to your business, you can probably lease it. The list goes on. Upon executing a lease, it is important that you ask the right questions. This is important so that you know exactly what your future holds regarding that equipment and so that you don't encounter any unwelcomed surprises.

First, what type of lease is it? Most small businesses opt for an operating lease. When executing this type of lease the leasing company retains title to the equipment and the user of the equipment (you) can reap the tax benefits. The payment is considered an operating expense instead of a depreciable asset. Another basic type of lease is a capital lease. This is actually very similar to a loan and the user of the equipment retains title to the equipment and it's therefore considered an asset on your balance sheet. The tax advantages are normally better with an operating lease and you also don't need to worry about getting stuck with obsolete equipment. Again, just ask the right questions when executing a lease.

Another excellent question would be, can I terminate the agreement early. If so, at what point can you do so and would there be any kind of penalty? This is important to know if you need to update your equipment or just simply get rid of it.

How long is the lease term? Typical lease terms are for 24, 36, 48 or 60 months (sometimes longer). It should be fairly obvious that payments are lower on the longer lease terms. Keep in mind that while the payments are lower with the longer terms, you end up paying more after all is said and done. Also, when pondering what term works best don't forget to consider your expected equipment usage lifespan. If you think you'll need to upgrade in 3 years, don't opt for the 5 year term without carefully considering the implications.

Also, find out about the buyout option. Some leases are set up so that at the end of the term, you can buy the equipment for one dollar. These are usually referred to as a buck out lease. When you choose this option, satisfy your lease term and execute the one dollar buyout you become the titled owner. Not bad. Normally, the monthly payments are a tad bit higher for a buck out lease than if you select one with a buyout at FMV or fair market value. This is exactly what it sounds like it is. You can buy the equipment for its current market value at the end of the lease term (really similar to a car lease). This will usually yield a lower payment than the buck out option. This is the best option if you know that you won't be keeping the equipment and will need to upgrade.

Leasing can be an excellent way to finance your business equipment needs. When using this approach, it's all about leverage. You have better tax advantages, you usually don't need to tie up as much of your valuable operating cash when you initially acquire the equipment, and you don't need to worry about being stuck with obsolete equipment. Equipment leasing is a fantastic way to finance your business, just be sure to ask the right questions upon executing the lease.

Are you looking to purchase a piece of yellow iron equipment or business equipment?

Obtaining business financing in the current economic climate can be a challenge because most lending institutions have strict lending requirements and only lend to companies that can show a sustained profitability and verified financial records.

So, where does this leave you? When you tried to get that loan, you were turned down. The traditional forms of financing aren't available for you. Ninety percent of small businesses can't get a loan from a bank.

There is a solution that is available to you. Equipment Leasing, it's a form of financing that is used by corporations to acquire equipment. What's the difference between a lease and a loan? When a company executes a lease the title to the equipment remains with funding source. This means that you are renting the equipment and when you finish making the payments you will own the equipment at a pre-determined purchased option. Most of the leases you will see will either be a $1.00 purchase option (buck out) or a fair market value option (FMV) not to exceed 10% of original equipment cost. When a company executes a loan, the title to the equipment remains with the company and the equipment is used as additional collateral for the loan.

WHEN YOU LEASE: There is usually NO down payment (its up to you), NO Blanket Liens, NO Financial Covenants, end user does not bear the risk of obsolete equipment, PAYMENTS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE, off balance sheet transaction and it does not affect your available credit

WHEN YOU OBTAIN A LOAN: There is a down payment required, a Blanket Lien is required, Financial Covenant is required, you bear all the risk of obsolete equipment, only partial tax deduction, shows on your balance sheet and it does affect your available credit.

Generally your money should earn you 30% annually. Let's take a look at how much money your company is losing by making a $50,000 equipment purchase as opposed to leasing.

EXAMPLE:

$50,000 (company money) X 30% = $15,000 income

Now calculate that 30% annual income of $15,000 over a 5 year period = $75,000

So, now you can see if you spent $50,000 on equipment, you would be out of pocket $50,000 and the 30% annual income over a 5 year term which is $75,000, you would be out of pocket a total of $125,000.

If you leased the equipment you would only have to put up one or two payments. These payments are a tax write off, so, which route would you follow?

Would you like to expand your business? Do you need an extra piece of equipment so you can start that new project that you were just awarded? If you could get that new piece of equipment, could you improve your business?

Financing can be arranged for customers that have had bankruptcies, tax liens, slow pays, judgments and repossessions. Assets qualify you, not credit scores.

KEEP IN MIND---each time you submit a deal to a leasing company and they pull your credit, your credit risk score is lowered. Be careful, or you may shop yourself out of any chance of obtaining your lease. Also an excessive amount of inquires will adversely effect you chances of being financed. Don't make a lender ask themselves---Why didn't any of these other companies finance this customer?

Our process is streamlined to facilitate lease approvals within 24 hours of receiving a completed application. Typically funding is done in five days, depending on the program that best fits your situation.