What are business brokers and what can they do?

Great question! Business brokers are professionals that will facilitate the successful sale of your business.  However, there are certain things business brokers can and cannot do.  For example, they can help you price your business and structure the sale.  They can also assist you to find the right buyer and negotiate effectively with that party.  Business brokers can also help buyers to successfully purchase a business. Keep in mind that business brokers are not magicians, and this means that they can't sell overpriced businesses.  If your business is structured and priced accurately, chances are that it can and will sell.  However, only the market will determine what a business will sell for in the end.  There are a variety of factors that can influence a sale including the amount of the down payment you'll accept as well as the terms of the seller financing. … [Read more...]

How long should I expect it to take to sell my business?

In short, the answer to this question depends on many factors.  In general, 80% of businesses close within 12-14 months of listing.  Keep in mind that this figure is just an average.  However, if you get together the information needed to begin the marketing process, the overall time period will decrease.  Pricing your business properly from the start can also make a big difference. While some sellers want to overprice their businesses with the idea that they can always come down in price, this strategy usually backfires.  Many buyers won't even look at overpriced businesses.   Another aspect that can be a key ingredient to a quick sale is the down payment.  When a down payment is lower, the time to a successful sale is typically shorter.  When there is a reasonable down payment it also tells a buyer that the seller has confidence in the business’s ability to make the payments. … [Read more...]