Real Asset Finance – Independent Commercial Finance Broker

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  • 🦷 5 Ways to Finance a Dental Chair in NZ — And Why a Broker Beats the Bank

    🦷 5 Ways to Finance a Dental Chair in NZ — And Why a Broker Beats the Bank

    Upgrading to a new dental chair is a big investment. With costs often running into the tens of thousands, the way you finance it can have a huge impact on your clinic’s cashflow and growth.

    Most dentists assume the only option is to walk into their bank or use the vendors finance solution. But banks and vendors aren’t always the best fit — they can be slow, rigid, and focused on their own lending products. That’s where a finance broker changes the game.

    Here are five smart ways to finance a dental chair in New Zealand, and why working with a broker gives you more choice, flexibility, and negotiating power.

    1. ✅ Specialist Equipment Finance
      • Broker advantage: Brokers have access to multiple lenders who specialise in medical and dental equipment.
      • Benefit: You get tailored terms, often with 100% finance and no deposit — something banks rarely offer.
    2. 💳 Business Loans (Beyond the Bank)
      • Broker advantage: Instead of being tied to one bank’s criteria, a broker can compare unsecured and secured business loans across the market.
      • Benefit: Faster approvals, competitive rates, and structures that suit your practice’s cashflow — not the bank’s balance sheet.
    3. 🔄 Supplier Finance — Negotiated Smarter
      • Broker advantage: Brokers can review supplier-offered finance and benchmark it against independent lenders.
      • Benefit: You avoid being locked into one supplier’s terms and can negotiate better repayment structures. While keeping your financial position private.
    4. 💼 Leasing & Rental Options
      • Broker advantage: Brokers can source operating leases that keep the chair off your balance sheet and allow easy upgrades.
      • Benefit: Flexibility to stay current with technology without being tied to ownership debt.
    5. 🏦 Refinancing & Cashflow Release
      • Broker advantage: A broker can restructure existing loans, consolidate debt, or unlock equity in your practice assets.
      • Benefit: You free up working capital without increasing your reliance on a single bank.
    6. 🚀 Why Choose a Broker Over a Bank?
      • Choice: Banks only sell their own products. Brokers compare multiple lenders and structures.
      • Speed: Brokers know which lenders move quickly for medical professionals.
      • Negotiating Power: Brokers can leverage competition between lenders to secure better rates and terms.
      • Reduced Bank Dependence: By diversifying finance sources, you avoid being overexposed to one bank’s policies or appetite for lending.
      • Tailored Advice: Brokers understand the unique needs of healthcare practices — from tax treatment to cashflow cycles.
    • 📊 The Bottom Line Financing a dental chair isn’t just about getting the lowest rate — it’s about structuring repayments to protect your cashflow, reduce risk, and support your growth.
    • 👉 Working with a finance broker gives you more options, less bank influence, and a partner who’s on your side — not the lender’s.
    • Talk to Real Asset Finance today for a free assessment and see how we can help you finance your next dental chair the smart way.

  • Repaying Business Debt Quickly: Smart Strategy or Outdated Notion?

    Is repaying business debt quickly a sign of smart financial management, or is it an old-fashioned approach that could be straining your cash flow for little benefit?

    The Modern Business Challenge

    Today’s business environment is tougher than ever. Margins are tightening, costs are rising—especially when it comes to replacing assets, retaining staff, and investing in technology to stay competitive. Many business owners are feeling the pinch and searching for ways to conserve cash and contain costs.

    Is repaying debt quickly the smart idea?
    What is the right option for you?

    Traditionally, banks and finance companies have encouraged rapid repayment of debt on long-life assets and equipment. This approach made sense for lenders, as it reduced their risk and simplified credit decisions. But is acelerated business debt repaymnet still the best move for your business?

    Why Preserving Cash Matters

    In challenging times, preserving cash is crucial. If your business uses assets over a 15- to 20-year period, paying off debt over a much shorter term can create significant cash flow challenges—especially if your lender won’t let you borrow against the equity you’ve built up when you need it most.

    There are exceptions for cashflow management. If you’re preparing your business for sale and want to maximize its value, building equity quickly can make sense. But finding a funder willing to support this strategy is increasingly difficult. Many banks see requests for equity release as a warning sign, and online finance companies may offer convenience but lack the expertise and flexibility needed for larger purchases or complex funding needs.

    Five Key Questions Before You Finance

    Before committing to any finance structure—whether acquiring new assets or restructuring debt—ask yourself these five important questions:

    1. What is the asset being used for?
      Consider its real expected life and the useful life for depreciation purposes.
    2. What is the cash position of the business?
      Assess your earnings before interest, tax, and depreciation. This must cover debt repayments and provide flexibility for other outgoings.
    3. What funding options exist?
      Choose the most appropriate finance structure for the asset type, intended use, and lifecycle.
    4. Are you managing your funding risk?
      Avoid having a single funder control all your assets. Diversification reduces risk if a lender gets nervous.
    5. How can funding be structured to maximize cash flow?
      Consider equity release or using existing assets as security to minimize cash outflows and aim for assets to be cash flow positive from day one.

    Choosing the Right Funding Partner

    Given the pressures facing businesses today, selecting funding partners who offer meaningful advice and flexible solutions is more important than ever. Don’t limit yourself to a single bank or online lender. An Independent commercial broker, like Real Asset Finance, have access to a wider range of funding solutions and can tailor finance structures to your unique needs. This helps preserve cash flow and maximize business flexibility.

    Final Thoughts

    Making wise decisions about how you finance and structure debt will help build a sustainable, profitable business that can weather uncertainty and seize opportunities for growth. Partnering with an independent broker with deep market knowledge ensures your business gets strategic support and the best possible funding outcomes. Choose Real Asset Finance, lets talk.

    It’s time to move beyond old-fashioned notions and adopt funding strategies that prioritize cash flow, flexibility, and long-term sustainability.