โ† Dashboard
๐ŸŽฏ Loan Readiness
Module 4 of 8 ยท Rate your readiness across key factors
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Health
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BMC
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Lender
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Readiness
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DSCR
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Story
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Docs
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Plan
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Answer the questions below
Score updates as you answer ยท Based on real lender criteria
Tell us about your situation
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Personal credit score range (user selected โ€” we never pull credit)
20 pts
Most lenders require 650+. A score of 680+ opens significantly more options.
๐Ÿ’ก Your credit score has room to grow. These resources can help:
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Credit Karma
Free credit monitoring and score tracking
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Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Free guide to improving your credit score
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SCORE Financial Coaching
Free one-on-one mentoring on financial management
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Time in business
15 pts
Most conventional lenders require 2+ years. Startup programs are available for newer businesses.
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Cash flow โ€” can your business cover loan payments?
25 pts
Can your business revenue cover the monthly loan payments comfortably? The DSCR module will calculate your exact number.
๐Ÿ’ก Improving cash flow is key to loan readiness. These resources can help:
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QuickBooks Simple Start
Affordable bookkeeping to track income and expenses
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SCORE Cash Flow Templates
Free cash flow projection templates
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SBA Cash Flow Guide
Understanding and managing business cash flow
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Collateral available
15 pts
Collateral reduces lender risk. Many CDFI and startup programs are unsecured โ€” personal guaranty alone can qualify.
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Financial documentation ready
15 pts
Tax returns, P&L, bank statements, personal financial statement. The Documents module will guide you through exactly what's needed.
๐Ÿ’ก Getting your documentation together is critical. Start here:
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IRS Get Transcript
Download your tax transcripts instantly
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SCORE Financial Templates
Free P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow templates
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Groundwork. Documents Module
Your personalized document checklist is in Module 6
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Business plan and loan narrative
10 pts
A strong business plan demonstrates you understand your business and have a clear path to repayment. Groundwork. generates one for you in Module 8.
๐Ÿ’ก A strong business plan opens more doors. Here is where to start:
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SCORE Business Plan Templates
Free, lender-ready business plan templates
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SBA Business Plan Guide
Step-by-step business plan guidance
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Groundwork. Business Plan Generator
Generate your plan automatically in Module 8