Qualifying Potential Business Buyers: 15 Key Questions

Asking potential buyers questions before releasing information (determining level of commitment and interest) is important for any seller (and broker or agent). Below is a list of questions to ask potential buyers and items to consider before releasing information to potential business buyers when selling a small business:

1. What is the buyer’s business background?

2. What drove the buyer to be interested in my business?

3. How much money down does the buyer have? Are they SBA pre-qualified?

4.  How much working capital will the buyer need to have over 1,3,6 months?

5. How soon does the buyer wants to buy the business?

6. What kind of weekly work schedule will the commit to the newly acquire business?

7. What is the FICO (credit) score?

8. How long has the buyer benn looking into buying a business?

9. Where does the buyer live now and will he relocate if he has to?

10. If the seller’s business requires traveling, will the buyer have problems with such?

11. If the buyer is not fluent or skilled in communicating with the employees, will this hampered the business in anyway?

12. Does the buyer has investment partner or mentor who can make a difference in the business buying decisions?

13. What expectation does the buyer have on the R.O.I. etc, on the new business?

14. What does the buyer need from me (the seller), during due-diligence in order for him to make a decision on the purchase?

15. Is there anything else that will either make or break the sale of my business before going ahead with the due-diligence?

About The Author:  KC Choi offers business brokerage services to both buyers and sellers in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas. 25+ professionals (multi-lingual) assist buyers and sellers with business brokerage transactions. KC can be reached by phone at 888-848-8528.

Watch for more blog posts / articles from me in the future!

Categories: BizBen Blog Contributor, Selling A Business