Las Vegas, Nevada – Connected Communications, a Las Vegas-based public relations and marketing agency, recently purchased a 2,000-square-foot property to accommodate their growing firm and stabilize occupancy costs.
By utilizing the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 504 Loan Program, Connected Communications was able to obtain 90 percent financing with a 25-year below-market, fixed-rate loan.
Founder Sarah Thornton developed Connected Communications from a one-person freelance PR agency to a digital marketing powerhouse. The firm offers public relations, marketing, social media management, website development, and many other services clients need to connect with their customers in the online era.
Since its founding in 2007, the firm’s staff tripled, requiring a larger collaborative workspace. After researching leasing opportunities, Thornton quickly learned that renting more space strongly exceeded her budget.
“I was spending $2,500 a month for two 110-square-foot office spaces in an executive suite. Simply put, it was crowded. I knew it would be more economical to purchase property because if I had attempted to lease a third suite, it would have been over $4,000 a month.”
Thornton admitted that within Las Vegas’ competitive real estate market it was difficult to find the ideal property to meet her needs. Fortunately, the perfect space became available and she seized the opportunity.
“We got lucky that this office became available, it’s conveniently located in a vibrant growing area. We actually made an offer the very same day because of its uniqueness. I knew before I even made that offer that the 504 loan was the best way to help us secure the location.”
The SBA 504 Loan Program provides financing to business owners for the purchase, construction, or refinance of commercial real estate. The program features a down payment as low as 10 percent and a below-market rate, fixed and fully amortized over 25 years.
“The SBA 504 loan is one of the soundest financing options for strategic small business expansion,” explains Chris Hunter, TMC Financing’s SVP of business development in Las Vegas. “Many business owners like Sarah use it as a vehicle to switch from leasing to owning. Connected Communications can now take advantage of stable occupancy costs for 25-years without the risk of volatile lease rates.”
The SBA 504 loan’s low down payment requirement was the key to Thornton’s dream of property ownership.
“I’m really proud that I was able to purchase the building and make the down payment without borrowing any additional capital,” Thornton states. “With the money we saved, we decorated the new office as a team, which was fun. We’re a creative agency and we needed a comfortable space to collaborate and create unique strategies and programs for our clients.”
And what does Sarah Thornton have to say to other business owners considering the SBA 504 loan?
“Trust the process. I was so familiar with TMC Financing’s reputation that I had no concerns. Allow them to guide you through the loan process and in the end, it will add such value to your business. It means investing in yourself instead of investing in someone else’s property.”
More about Connected Communications
More about TMC Financing
Founded in 1981, TMC Financing is the leading provider of SBA 504 commercial real estate loans in the nation, funding projects worth over $12 billion across Arizona, California, Nevada, and Oregon. Over 6,000 businesses have benefited from this financing, resulting in the creation of an estimated 60,000 jobs. Learn more.