Business Sales

Business Seller Tip — Best Time to Sell a Business The best time to sell your business is when it is right for you. Top reasons to sell include retirement, burn-out, career change, moving, divorce, family issues and partnership issues. No one really knows whether the next month or year will be better, the same, [...]

Seller Financing is an important ingredient in selling a business . . .

Can I sell my business by myself? Can a surgeon operate on himself? Can a homeowner sell his own home? Can an attorney defend himself in court? These questions could all be answered in the same way. It can be done, but that does not mean that it should be done. We hire professionals for very good [...]

Sale Begins with an Offer Most business sales begin with an offer from a Buyer to the Seller. In all but the largest and most complex deals, it is best to avoid a “Non-Binding Letter of Intent,” and go straight to a Purchase Offer, accompanied by a Deposit Check. This saves time and demonstrates that [...]

Showing Process An effective marketing and advertising program should make the telephone ring. If the Seller has chosen to handle the inquiries himself, then maintaining confidentiality and smooth business operations will be a constant challenge. Hopefully, the Seller has hired a business advisor to handle buyers and the sale process. Buyers must be led politely [...]

Marketing Brings the Buyers Advertising and marketing are critical to selling a business for the best price and terms within a reasonable period of time. The business must be attractively packaged and exposed to a broad range of potential buyers, while keeping the sale confidential. Confidentiality Preserves Value Confidentiality is one of the main differences [...]

Buyers want Businesses that Make Money The typical buyer of a small business is looking to “buy a job” that will support his family, pay off his debt, and provide a return on his investment. Most buyers are considered “Financial Buyers,” because they are chiefly concerned with profitability. Less common are the “Strategic Buyers,” who [...]

In the sale of a business, collecting business information is one of the first and most important steps. The business advisor keeps this information as confidential as possible throughout the entire process. Better information usually yields better results; while “garbage in” often leads to “garbage out.” This information enables other activities, such as the price [...]

For many business owners, the thought of selling their business can seem quite daunting. But it need not be — not if you have an experienced business broker to guide you through the process. To give you an idea of what to expect when you are ready to sell, here is a step-by-step summary of [...]

Stable Market Every owner wants to sell when the time is right. In selling a small business, the right time depends more on the owner and the business than on external events. Unlike stocks, bonds and real estate—which rise and fall with interest rates and other factors—the market for small businesses tends to remain stable. [...]