Down Payment

A down payment is a lump sum payment made at the onset of the purchase of an expensive item or service, often relating to real estate and vehicles but also applicable in business transactions, notably Small-Medium Businesses (SMBs).

In the context of SMBs, a down payment often refers to the initial payment made by the buyer to the seller in a business sale transaction. It's typically a percentage of the total purchase price and serves as an upfront commitment to the transaction.

Imagine a business worth USD 500,000. The buyer may provide, say, 20% (USD 100,000) as a down payment, with the remainder financed through other means such as a loan.

In many instances, the down payment:

• Demonstrates the buyer's commitment and financial capability
• Provides a measure of safety to the seller since they receive a portion of the payment upfront
• Dictates the size of the remaining finance or loan the buyer needs to secure
• Often affects the interest rate offered by lending institutions, with a higher down payment usually attracting lower interest rates

A down payment should not be confused with earnest money, although both show a buyer's commitment to a purchase.

The Down Payment is a direct contribution to the purchase price. In contrast, Earnest Money is a deposit put into escrow to demonstrate a buyer's good faith and is usually applied to closing costs or credited toward the down payment.

The primary differences then are:

• Use: A down payment is towards the purchase price, earnest money looks to demonstrate commitment but is often used for closing costs or added to the down payment
• Refundability: If a deal breaks down, earnest money may be refunded based on the terms of the agreement, in contrast down payments are typically non-refundable
• Size: Down payments are usually much larger, a significant portion of the purchase price, while earnest money is often a smaller amount.

Calculating a down payment depends on the agreed percentage of the total purchase price.

Here's how you do it:

• Determine the total purchase price of the business.
• Identify the agreed down payment percentage.
• Calculate the down payment by multiplying the total price by the down payment percentage.

For example, if a business is sold for USD 500,000 and the agreed down payment is 20%, the down payment will be USD 500,000 * 20/100 = USD 100,000

The importance of a down payment in a business sale transaction can't be understated. It is essential for several reasons:

1. It signifies a commitment from the buyer, reducing the seller's risk of the buyer pulling out of the deal.
2. It can influence the terms of any loans required for the transaction, with a higher down payment often leading to more favorable loan terms.
3. A larger down payment can signify financial strength on the part of the buyer, which positively impacts the seller's perception.
4. It ensures an immediate return for the seller at the start of the transaction.

In simple terms, a down payment is a part of the purchase price paid upfront when buying a SMB. It shows the buyer is committed and has the financial strength for such a purchase. It isn't the same as earnest money, which is a deposit made in good faith and usually goes towards the closing costs or the down payment. Calculating it is easy, you simply multiply the agreed percentage by the purchase price. The down payment's importance lies in displaying commitment, influencing loan terms, and providing the seller with an immediate return.

• Team, CFI. (2023e, November 21). Down payment. Corporate Finance Institute.
• Liberto, D. (2023, August 14). Small and midsize Enterprise (SME) defined: types around the world. Investopedia.
• A complete guide to the earnest money deposit. (n.d.). Morgan & Westfield.
• Earnest Money vs Down Payment: What’s the Difference? - Capital Bank. (2022, May 19). Capital Bank.