1. The 15 Secrets to Choosing a Commercial Lender!Drafted December 2007Executive Summary:1You Have Options2Choose the Best Loan for Your Business3Get Pre-Approved As Soon As Possible4Work With a Specialist Rather Than a Generalist5Work With a Lender Focused On Your Immediate Needs6Its Smarter to Make a Smaller Down Payment7The Longer the Amortization, the Better8Look for a Lender with an Entrepreneurial Mindset9If Construction is Involved, Its a Whole New Ballgame10 Do Not Choose a Lender Based on Interest Rate Alone11 Choose a Lender with National Reach12 Get Referrals13 Ask the Right Questions14 Use Available Resources15 Follow Your Commercial Lender Checklist 2www.TheSmartChoiceLoan.com | www.504Blog.com | 1-866-MCC-4504

2. The 15 Secrets to Choosing a Commercial Lender!Purchasing commercial real estate for your business is a HUGE decision -- one that should not be takenlightly. Before you become a commercial property owner, you will need to find a lender to help financeyour purchase or construction.Even if you already have a healthy relationship with a commercial bank, you will want to evaluate all ofyour options for commercial real estate financing. Choosing the right lender for your project will makea world of difference. You want a lender who understands your needs as a business owner, not just aborrower. You want a partner in the financing process.Before you begin looking for a commercial lender, there are things you can do to make sureyoure teamed up with the best lender for you. In this report, youll learn the 15 secrets tochoosing a commercial lender, including what to look for and what questions to ask. Onceyouve read this information, youll be equipped to make the best commercial financing decisionfor you and your business.1You Have OptionsYou deserve to work with a lender that understands your needs. In other words, you dont have tochoose the first lender you talk to, nor do you have to settle for a lender with a small branch officearound the corner. Purchasing your commercial property is a HUGE step in the life of your business, andthe lender you choose will play a large part in it.Its important that you know exactly what you want in a property and in a lender. You should feelcomfortable with your commercial lender -- you should see him as a trusted partner in the investmentyoure making.2 Choose the Best Loan for Your BusinessA good commercial lender will share several loan options with you. You can help expedite the processby educating yourself on the loan basics ahead of time so that youre well prepared to make thedecision on what kind of loan will be best for you. Proper due diligence on your part will make theprocess much easier.Commercial real estate financing comes in a variety of flavors -- each with its own requirements andnuances. The following are two types of loan programs that youll be able to choose from:Conventional Commercial LoanOrdinary, or conventional, commercial real estate loans have the option of either fixed or variableinterest rates (usually only up to 10 or 15 years) and typically require at least a 20% equity injection fromthe borrower (you). Many business owners find it difficult to come up with the down payment that aconventional loan requires. Keep in mind that additional soft costs and closing costs will likely come out- 3www.TheSmartChoiceLoan.com | www.504Blog.com | 1-866-MCC-4504 3. The 15 Secrets to Choosing a Commercial Lender!About the AuthorChris Hurn is currently CEO, and Cofounder of Mercantile Capital Corporation (MCC) where his firm specializes inproviding the highest cash-on-cash return financing for business owners and entrepreneurs buying commercialproperty. His company was on the 2007 Inc. 500 list of Americas fastest growing companies, ranked # 245 with951% growth over a 3-year period. To date, MCC has closed commercial loans in 33 states for over $370 million intotal project costs -- one business owner at a time, including for numerous franchised concepts -- and has beenvoted Best Place to Work by the Orlando Business Journal for 3 years running.Chris is also the CEO, Cofounder and Chairman of Kennedys All-American Barber Club. Kennedys is a franchisedconcept that offers the finest haircuts for men, the lost art of straight-razor shaves, and a modern selection ofgrooming products all within a membership-based, nostalgic club atmosphere. It is a membership-driven, mass-affluent targeted, recession-resistant business more about a lifestyle experience than just haircuts. Its designedto be a sanctuary for men -- a place to get away from the chop shops and indulge in affordable luxuries just formen. He is currently franchising Kennedys nationwide.Chris is well-known for his innovative marketing achievements and continues to coach and consult nationally withvarious business owners and entrepreneurs. Here a few other notable awards and accolades Chris has received: Readers Choice Award for Most Respected Executive in Central Florida and Best Small Company inCentral Florida. SBA Marketing Guru of the Year. NADCOs Banker of the Year. SBA Financial Services Champion. Top Twenty Most Influential People in Small Business lending. Top Male, 40 Under 40 in Orlando. One of the 100 Most Influential People in Central Florida.Throughout his career, Chris has served in various leadership positions, including his backgroundas a business consultant and financier with GE Capital and as CFO for the NAI RealVest group ofcompanies. He graduated from Loyola University Chicago with two magna cum laude bachelordegrees; earned a masters degree from the University of Pennsylvanias Fels Center (formerly atthe Wharton School of Business); and dropped out of Georgetown University Law Center after oneyear, when he realized the world didnt need any more attorneys.Chris is a frequent speaker and writer for national events and publications, and has been featuredin the Wall Street Journal, Inc. Magazine, BusinessWeek, L.A. Times, Forbes, the Sacramento Bee,the Orlando Sentinel, Scotsman Guide, Franchise Times and many other regional and nationally-recognized trade publications, as well as in six business books to date.He maintains a busy civic calendar as a member of the Orlando Regional Chamber of CommercesSmall Business Board and the Florida Hospital Foundation Board, as well his involvement withmany other esteemed community organizations.Be sure to contact Chris Hurn and his team of Commercial Real EstateFinancing Experts when you or someone you know is interested in owningcommercial property the Smart way. Heres how:Mercantile Capital Corporation 940 Centre Circle, Ste 3006, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714Phone: 407-786-5040 or 1-866-MCC-4504 | Fax: 407-682-1632Email: info@mercantilecc.comWebsite: www.TheSmartChoiceLoan.com | Blog: www.504Blog.com16www.TheSmartChoiceLoan.com | www.504Blog.com | 1-866-MCC-4504