After consulting (BizBen.com ProBuy Program) with business buyers for over 25 years I highly encourage them to have a "buying a business checklist", an important tool if they are serious about purchasing a company and not wasting a lot of time looking.
Only 20% of all potential business buyers actually end up purchasing a small business (bottomline: use the tips below to be part of the 80% who are successful)!
Successful buyers typically are prepared, have been professionally pre-qualified for business purchase financing, have a reliable team of professionals assisting them, post a comprehensive business wanted to buy posting that attracts the attention of not only serious sellers but also sellers who may be waiting on the sidelines looking for a "vetted" buyer, and buyers who can successfully negotiate a fair price and deal terms that take the transaction to a successful close.
The main items that should go into that checklist to buy a small business are:
1. Getting personally prepared: This includes putting together a buyer profile and personal financial statement, description of what you seeking - types of businesses wanted to buy and geographic areas interested in, and a resume summarizing your work experience in how it relates to businesses you may be interested in purchasing.
These documents demonstrate you are a "real" buyer, deserving of cooperation from owner/sellers, business brokers, and agents. This information is personal, of course, and should only be shown to sellers who have a business you might want, or brokers whom you believe are honest and professional. Willingness to be upfront about your interests and capabilities will immediately separate you from the majority of business buyers searching for businesses being sold (either through published postings or "gray market businesses that my be for sale".
Another preparation strategy is to apply for an SBA-backed loan pre-qualification (or other financing options - bridge financing, non-SBA commercial loans, retirement rollover financing, etc). Buyers who take this step will find out how much capital they will have to work with, and can gain a competitive advantage over buyers who look for a business first, and then look for business purchase financing options after the fact.
2. Organizing a team: The buyer who has a "transactional" lawyer and accountant or CPA (familiar with the process of buying and selling small businesses) listed on his or her buying a business checklist will be in a position to move quickly once an interesting small business is located for possible purchase. This means of course that these professionals are ready to be of service - the transactional attorney helping with language in the contracts and protecting you from problems, the accountant or CPA to help value a business and possible conduct due diligence (consultants can also assist with this along with due-diligence specialists).
While other buyers interested in a particular business are trying to find the professional help they'll need to proceed, the buyer who has taken care of that step will be able to move more quickly than competing buyers on deals.
3. Cast a wide net. The more small businesses you're aware of for sale, the better the chances of encountering just the right offering in a short period of time. This means working with more than one broker or agent (remember the 70% rule of brokers/agents that do not cooperate with each other fully on their listings), following up on for sale postings with a call, email, and text (yes all three), even posting a business wanted to buy request on our website yields really good results for motivated buyers trying to reach sellers and brokers with businesses they may want to sell "if the right buyers comes along".
4. Respect the sellers' request for confidentiality. And be ready to sign a non-disclosure agreement. Showing that you are honest and "above board" will earn the cooperation of sellers and brokers. And without that, it's nearly impossible to buy a business if you get a rep amongst those selling that you can't be trusted with information that shouldn't be shared.
5. Try for a win-win in negotiations with an owner/seller whose business you'd like to buy. The purchaser who wants to beat a seller in the price and terms aspects of a deal, might find he's taken "round one" but then when extra help is needed--a bit longer to pay off the note or advice about some confusing aspect of running the company--the seller will be unwilling to accommodate. Remember 50% of all deals never are completed and one of the biggest reasons is the inability to be flexible with terms and conditions of a purchase.
6. Pay attention to the details when a transaction is in the escrow/bulk sale process. After all the work and excitement as you come to the end of the buying a small business checklist, it's a shame to lose a deal over some issue that might have been avoided had you noticed a developing problem and taken action right away. Make certain the escrow company is competent and is doing everything that was promised when you signed the escrow/bulk sale documents.
Buying a small business is not rocket science, but like anything else if you want to be successful you should pay attention to the details of the entire deal and surround yourself with a dedicated and professional team to assist you in your efforts.
Contributor:
McGovern Escrow Services, Inc., is a leading independent escrow company. We are a trusted partner with our clients, assisting them through the tangled bulk sale & liquor license transfer process. We provide attentive, quality & innovative customer service. Phone Elizabeth McGovern at 415-735-3645.
ServingSan Francisco Bay Area, North Bay, Central Valley
Laundry consulting, due diligence, buyer representation: We preview laundries for you and evaluate them. 28 years laundry industry experience: buying, selling, valuing, retooling, analyzing, consulting services for laundry buyers and entrepreneurs in California. Contact us today about our services.
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Laundry consulting, due diligence, buyer representation: We preview laundries for you and evaluate them. 28 years laundry industry experience: buying, selling, valuing, retooling, analyzing, consulting services for laundry buyers and entrepreneurs in California. Contact us today about our services.
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The Veld Group provides a refreshing approach to Business Brokerage, Mergers & Acquisitions and Business Consulting and Valuations. From Your Street to Wall Street, we cater to Main Street Businesses as well as more complex Strategic Firms and Start-Ups.
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If your business involves alcoholic beverage sales, we can help. Obtaining a liquor license transfer or selling a business with a license in California does not have to be a frustrating and overwhelming process. We have procured thousands of licenses for our clients.
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Cheryl's a restaurant business broker, over 25 years in the bar and restaurant industry coupled with a J.D. Cheryl works tirelessly to create successful strategies and effective negotiations for those who wish to purchase a new or sell an existing bar, restaurant, cafe, or night club. 415-309-2722
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