It definitely helps to sell your business if you carry a note for the buyer. In articles below I've previously discussed how to secure your business note.
What about selling your note after the close of escrow? Do you want to effectively "cash out" of the sale? There are Companies and Investors who specialize in purchasing Business Notes (of course at a discount). You can sell all or part of your note. Most of the Companies/Investors will offer to buy year to year of the note. In other words buy the first two or three years of payments. After collecting for the agreed upon amount of time, the note and its payments would revert back to the seller of the business. Of course the seller can sell the entire note too (and most end up doing that).
The note buyers will purchase the note at a discounted amount of the face value. Discounts vary according to several factors. Interest rate, length of note amortization, buyer's down payment, buyer's strength both financially and experience wise, type of business, note position (1st, 2nd) and note seasoning. Below are a few of the most important guide lines.
Down Payment: The higher the down payment on the business sale the lower the discount of your note will be. Down payments should be at least 30% of the purchase price. Bringing the down payment up to 40-50% of the purchase price will greatly help reduce your note discount.
Note Positioning: The note should be in the 1st position as a lien on the business. 2nd's are harder to sell and if you do find a buyer for a 2nd it will get heavily discounted.
Rate and Term: Interest rate should be 7% or higher and the term shouldn't be beyond 60 months in order to maximize your buy out.
Seasoning: Note buyers like to see that the business buyer has made a few payments before they buy the note. I used to sell these straight out of escrow, but today note buyers like the note "seasoned" for a minimum of 2 months. The longer the seasoning, the less your note will get discounted.
Discounting: Discounts usually range from 10% to 30% of the face value of the note. All of the factors discussed above will come into play in determining the discount rate.
Contributor:
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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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.
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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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I am the Founder Of BizBen.com. I consult daily with intermediaries, business buyers, owner/sellers & advisors daily about buying and selling California small to mid-sized businesses. Contact me today about joining & utilizing BizBen, consultations, & advisory services.
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I am an experienced entrepreneur, attorney, & business professor. I & my EvergreenGold® team offer business owners sound advice & expertise to build business value & achieve profitable sales. Call me today for a business evaluation & SWOT analysis for your business anywhere in the USA.
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For over 25 years Peter Siegel, MBA has been providing niche business purchase financial advisory and loan placement services with SBA Loans, Non SBA Financing, Retirement Plan Conversions, Note Restructures, etc. Call me regarding business purchase financing and to get pre-qualified: 925-785-3118.
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ABC license specialist and owner of ABC Licensing Services, Elaine Olshanetsky, has 25 + years of experience obtaining and transferring liquor licenses for clients. assisted new buyers as well as seasoned professionals.
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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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