Below you will find several of the questions frequently asked about buying a business.  Please feel free to contact us about other questions you may have.  We will be glad to help!

What happens when I find a business I may want to buy?

When you find a business, we will be able to answer many of your questions immediately or will research them for you. Once you get your preliminary questions answered, we prepare an offer based on the price and terms you feel are appropriate. This offer will generally be subject to your approval of the actual books and records supporting the figures that have been supplied to you. The main purpose of the offer is to see if the seller is willing to accept the price and terms you offered.

There isn't much point in continuing if you and the seller can't get together on price and terms. The offer is then presented to the seller who can approve it, reject it, or counter it with his or her own offer. You, obviously, have the decision of accepting the counter proposal from the seller or rejecting it and going on to consider other businesses.

If you and the seller agree on the price and terms, the next step is for you to do your "due diligence." The burden is on you - the buyer - no one else. You may bring in other outside advisors or do it on your own - the choice is yours. Once you have checked and approved those areas of concern, the closing documents can be prepared, and your purchase of the business can be successfully closed. You will now join many others who, like you, have chosen to become self-employed!

Why should I go to a business broker?

Our professional business brokers can be helpful in many ways. We can provide you with a selection of different and, in many cases, unique businesses, including many that you would not be able to find on your own. Approximately 90 percent of those who buy businesses end up with something completely different from the business that they first inquired about. We can offer you a wide variety of businesses to look at and consider.

We are also an excellent source of information about small business and the business buying process. We are familiar with the market and can advise you about trends, pricing and what is happening locally. We will handle all of the details of the business sale and will do everything possible to guide you in the right direction, including, if necessary, consulting other professionals who may be able to assist you.

You've come to the right place! Our professional business brokers are the best people to talk to about your business needs and requirements.

What is the real reason people go into business for themselves?

There have been many surveys taken in an attempt to answer this question. Most surveys reveal the same responses, in almost the same identical order of priority. Here are the results of a typical survey, listed in order of importance:

• to do my own thing, control my own destiny,
• don't want to work for someone else,
• to better utilize my skills and abilities,
• to make money.

It is interesting to note that money is not at the top of the list, but comes in fourth.

Why should I buy a business rather than start one?

An existing business has a track record. The failure rate in small business is largely in the start-up phase. The existing business has demonstrated that there is a need for that product or service in a particular locale. Financial records are available along with other information on the business. Most sellers will stay and familiarize a new owner and most will also supply some financing. Finding someone who will show you the intricacies of running a business and who is also willing to finance part of the sale can make all the difference.