How Long Does It Take to Sell a Business in St. Louis?
Imagine working on your dream business for years, but retirement is finally upon you. Or maybe you’re ready to move on to your next venture.
No matter your reason, you should know how long it might take to sell a business in St. Louis. Then, you can sell it at the right time for you.
Keep reading to learn what goes into the timeline for selling a company.
Type of Business
One of the biggest factors that can affect the time it will take to sell a business is the type of business you have. Overall, you can expect to spend about 30 to 90 days from when your first list the business for sale before the sale closes.
But some businesses may sell faster or not nearly as fast. You should consider the demand for a business like yours. Take a look at other businesses for sale in St. Louis.
Then, you can figure out how long the listings have been up and compare that to the industry and type of each business. Knowing that can help set yourself apart, such as in the pricing or marketing of your St. Louis business.
Business Structure
Another thing that can affect the timeline for selling a business is the business structure. Some buyers may be okay with taking over a sole proprietorship or partnership where they have to work in the business.
However, other buyers may prefer an LLC or corporation that has a team to conduct the daily tasks. Think about how much time you spend in the business right now.
You may still be able to get a quick sale of a business that involves the owner. But you should prepare to find the right buyer to make sure that they’ll want to run the business successfully.
When You List
As you think about your industry and business structure, you can determine the best time to list your business. For example, a landscaping company may not sell fast if you list it in the winter.
On the other hand, a business with college students as its main customer base may sell well then. But you’d struggle to sell that type of business in June when college students are out of town for the summer.
Consider when you might want to buy the type of business you’re looking to sell. Then, you can make sure to list it early enough to beat your competitors but late enough that you can still get some interest.
Marketing the Sale
You should also figure out how to market your business for sale. Of course, you can market the business on your personal and professional social media accounts.
But you may want to work with business brokers to help get your business in front of potential buyers. The more places you can promote your listing and the more times you can share it, the easier it will be to find the right buyer.
Even if you need to sell a business in the off-season, you may still get some interest if you promote it enough. You might even get the amount of money you want as well.
The Buyer
The timeline for selling a company can also depend on the buyer you select. They may need to get a loan or other funding before you can close on the sale, so you might need to wait a while.
Of course, you can ask a buyer about their funding source for the purchase. Then, you will be able to decide if you want to wait for them to get a loan before you can sell the business.
If you don’t want to wait for a loan, you can find another buyer. But at some point, waiting for a loan may take less time than searching for a buyer who can afford to pay for the business in cash.
Your Documents
You’ll also have control over the timeline of the sale based on how well you prepare your documents. When you sell a business, you will need to give your broker and buyer information on the business’s finances.
Documents should also cover any lease for the store or office space and a list of utilities. You should also prepare a document that covers the operating procedures and prepare to hand over the social media accounts.
The more you can prepare these documents, the less time you’ll have to spend on them when a buyer expresses interest. Then, you may be able to move on with that sale.
Asking Price
You may also want to get a business valuation before you even list your business. Then, you’ll be able to list your business for a reasonable selling price to help attract more buyers.
If you list your business for too much, you may put off people who would otherwise want to purchase it. On the other hand, if the list price is too low, people may wonder what is wrong with your business.
When you sell a business, you may need to negotiate on the selling price. But having a ballpark price to list can make a huge difference in how quickly you get an offer.
Location
You should also consider where in St. Louis your business is. For example, if you have a coffee shop or bar, it might sell faster if it’s near Washington University or UMSL.
On the other hand, a business with an office space may sell better if it’s downtown. Think about where you might want to operate the type of business you’re selling.
Then, you can think like a buyer, and you can understand why your business may not sell quickly. If that’s the case, you can work on marketing the sale to get offers.
How Will You Sell a Business?
If you want to sell a business, you may wonder how long it will take. Sadly, you can’t always predict how long it will take to close on the sale.
But you can think about a few factors to help narrow the timeline. Then, you can be sure to list and promote your business so that it can get an offer in no time.
Do you want to sell your business now? Register as a seller and list your business today.
Read MoreTop Ways to Ensure Your Business Sells Fast
Every business owner has different reasons for selling their company. Some want to retire, some want to get out of the industry, and others need cash flow.
You might be selling your business for any number of reasons, but the primary goal is always to get that money into your hands as fast as possible. So how can you ensure a quick sale?
Here are ways to sell your business that can be fast and efficient:
Tips for Selling a Business: Be Flexible in Your Pricing
You want to sell your business, but you also need to ensure that the price is right.
Price too high, and nobody will be interested in buying it; sell for too low of a price, and you might end up giving away your company.
Finding the sweet spot means striking a balance between what’s best for both parties involved. Be willing to negotiate, and you might find a buyer quicker.
Don’t be too stubborn when it comes to negotiating terms for your company’s sale.
You might think you know exactly how much money it’s worth, but the buyer has a different valuation in mind. And they’ll pay what they feel is fair market value.
More importantly, being willing to negotiate shows that you’re flexible about selling your business which will ultimately help speed up its sale. It can also lead you toward getting top dollar if done correctly.
If you find yourself not wanting or able to negotiate with potential buyers, this could slow down the process significantly.
Clean up Financial Documents
If you sell your business, be ready to hand it over in pristine condition.
This means providing a clear and complete financial picture of the company’s sales history and current standing. And that includes all documentation for taxes owed, outstanding bills, loans taken out against the company bank account, etc.
It’s only right to be honest and straightforward about your business’s financial records. Don’t sell yourself short by lying or skimping on details that could cost you a sale in the long run.
Be sure to keep good records of all transactions, including invoices sent out and received payments for said bills/invoices.
You want the business’s financial history to be in tip-top shape for whoever is buying it. Take some time to go through all of your company’s records if need be before offering up its sale.
You also might consider hiring a CPA to help give your financials a once-over. This can be helpful in showing you where any errors or problems might lie, offering clarity on the company’s records and financial standing.
Sell to a Broker
Selling your business can be a long and arduous process.
The best way to sell it fast is through the assistance of a professional broker who knows how to get you the highest price in the least amount of time.
A good broker can sell your business at a price that’s higher than what you could ever hope to sell it for on your own. And they can do this in much less time too!
A broker will work with multiple potential buyers, narrowing down the search until only one is left standing as the highest bidder. They’ll also handle all negotiations and paperwork involved in the sale of your business, saving you time and stress in the process.
Let a broker sell your business for you so that all you have to do is agree on terms before receiving payment.
Don’t underestimate just how important working with an experienced brokerage firm is when selling your business: It’s one thing that could determine whether you sell quickly.
Be Prepared To Show Off Your Business
Be open and ready to sell your business.
This means preparing for any questions that a potential buyer might ask about the company. You don’t want them wondering why it only made $100,000 last month or asking how old some of its equipment is: The more they know upfront about your company, the faster you’ll sell.
To sell quickly, sell confidently.
You sell your business by pitching it to potential buyers, proving that you know everything about what makes it such a great buy and how much money can be made with the right owner at the helm. Show them why they want to make an offer as soon as possible.
Do Not Hesitate
There is no one perfect time to sell a business.
The best way to sell your company fast and for the most amount of money possible? Sell it when you’re ready. There’s never going to be a better time than now, so don’t hesitate!
Don’t wait until your business fails or starts making less money because that could cost you in terms of both speed and price. Be willing to sell at any point regardless if things are going well or not.
Be open about wanting/needing to sell your company as soon as possible to anyone interested in buying it. Don’t play games by stringing them along or dragging your feet.
The sooner you sell, the more money you’ll likely get out of it. Make that a priority from day one, and find buyers who are willing to pay top dollar for your company as soon as they know about its availability.
Streamline Operations
To sell a business quickly and for top dollar, you need to make it as attractive as possible.
Take the time to streamline operations so that your startup can be sold in its most appealing state.
This means focusing on profitability by reducing expenses and increasing revenue wherever possible. The more money your company makes per month/quarter, the higher potential buyers will value it. And they’ll pay accordingly!
This is one of the best ways to ensure you get a fast sale when ready to sell.
Selling Your Business Made Easy
Selling your business can be challenging and time-consuming.
However, with this guide to selling your business, you’ll increase the chances of selling your company fast at the best possible price. Sell it now to be on your way to a new chapter.
Are you looking to sell your business? Contact Fusion Business Services today to find out how we can guide you through the process of selling your company fast.
Read MoreHow to Find the Best Buyer for Your Business
According to a survey on business sales, only 30-40% of businesses listed for sale will actually sell. One reason why people are unable to sell their business is that they cannot find a reliable buyer.
Are you looking for a guide to selling your business and want to learn how to attract the best buyers? Keep reading this article to learn how to sell your business and for tips on finding the best buyers for your business.
Start the Search
One of the first and most important steps of finding the right buyer for your business is to start the search! If you wait for buyers to come to you, you will be waiting for a long time.
Rather than simply posting your business for sale, you need to start a process to find the best buyers in order to get the best deal possible.
One thing that you can do is make a list of potential buyers. Your buyers may come from current employees, customers, or even your competitors. You never want to rule anyone out, as anyone can be a prospect when buying a business.
You can also utilize platforms that allow you to create listings for your business sale. This way, people who are already interested in buying a business in your industry will be able to have your information.
By starting the search and being proactive, you will be able to find the best buyer.
Pre-Screen Candidates
Next, it is important to pre-screen each of your potential candidates when you are selling your business. This is an easy way to weed out people who are not qualified to buy your company and to find the best buyer possible.
A simple way to screen your candidates is by hiring a broker. This way you can be confident that someone is financially qualified to buy your company.
When you screen your candidates, you will want to gather important documents like confidentiality agreements, financial background information, and past experience.
If you have interested buyers that have owned or managed a business in the past, they will be a more experienced option.
Meet With Multiple Buyers
Something else that can help you find the best buyer for your business is to meet with multiple buyers. Just as people test drive several cars before settling on the best option, you should do the same with buyers.
Make sure you meet with each of your qualified candidates so you can learn more about how they would run your business.
Meeting with several buyers is also an easy way to get a better deal on the sale of your business. Rather than choosing the first offer you get, you can wait for someone who is more interested in your business and will be willing to pay a higher price.
Identify Your Company’s Strengths
One of the best tips for selling a business is to get your business in good shape and highlight your company’s strengths. When you are selling a home, you will often get it staged to show buyers its potential.
When you are selling a business, you also should highlight features that make your business attractive and valuable.
Highlighting your strengths will show potential buyers what your business has to offer and will help you find the best buyer possible.
Don’t Hide Your Weaknesses
While you want to showcase the strengths of your business, you do not want to hide your weaknesses. Even if you can hide them temporarily, the truth will eventually come out and may lead to problems with your buyers.
Instead of hiding your weaknesses, it is best to disclose any issues with your business upfront. This way, you can work to improve any problems and your potential buyers will be completely up to speed with your business.
Know What You Are Looking For
Finally, it is important that you know what you are looking for in a buyer. While your main goal may be to sell your business and make a profit, you also want to make sure they align with your business goals as well.
For example, you wouldn’t want to sell your company to someone who would immediately hire all-new employees or who would take your business in a completely different direction.
Make sure you understand the objectives of potential buyers and know what characteristics you are looking for in a new business owner.
Hire a Professional Business Broker
Finally, you should hire a professional business broker to help you find the best solution for your business.
As was mentioned before, brokers can help you screen your buyers. However, they can also help you understand each of your options when you are selling your business.
This way, you will be completely prepared to sell your business and will be able to get the best deal possible for the sale of your business. Hiring a business broker is one of the easiest ways to sell your business.
Start Selling Your Business Today
When you are selling your business, it can be difficult to find the right buyers to take over. By following each of these tips, you’ll find that you can sell your business faster to the right person.
Do you need help selling your business? Fusion can help!
We help our clients understand each of their options when buying or selling a business. With our in-depth planning, you will be fully prepared to make the best decision possible when you are learning how to sell your business.
Contact our team today to learn more about our services or to schedule a call with our expert brokers.
Read MoreHow to Sell Your Business With a Business Broker
Out of all the businesses listed for sale, only about 30% to 40% ever sell. There are many reasons why your business sale may fail to go through. It could be that your business is bleeding cash, you have overpriced it, you have irreconcilable flaws, or you lack a professional business broker.
Now, if you’re trying to figure out how to sell your business for its maximum price, we have a guide for you. Read on to find out what goes into selling a business and how a business broker can help the process.
Start by Finding a Professional Business Broker
When selling a business, you basically have two options to consider. Sell your business on your own or use the services of a professional business broker. Selling on your own would be a great option if you were to sell it to a family member or a trustworthy person.
However, if you’re putting your business on the market, hiring a professional broker would be your best bet.
A business broker will bring a wealth of experience in selling businesses and will know all the secrets of how to sell a business successfully. They’ll come armed with the skills, expertise, and competence necessary to cover all areas of the sale.
One of the best things about hiring a business broker is the fact that they’ll maintain confidentiality. During a business sale, keeping your business information confidential is essential. It could potentially ruin your company’s future if released to the public.
A professional business broker will only release sensitive information to buyers who are ready.
A broker could also keep your company’s name from potential buyers, protecting you and your business in the process. Having a broker take care of the business sale means that you’ll have time to maintain internal focus and prevent disrupting the business.
Even better, a broker will have an extensive contact base and a vast network, so finding potential buyers will be easier and will take less time. Finally, a business broker has experience in negotiations. They’ll scrutinize business contracts, and you’ll be assured of a smooth sale and transfer of ownership.
Determine Your Business Valuation
You may think that you have an idea of how much your business is worth. However, a lot of entrepreneurs have found that the number in their minds is way off the mark of the actual value. This makes a business valuation process imperative before listing a business for sale.
You see, overpricing means it could stay in the market too long, and underpricing means that you could go at a loss. The valuation process involves hiring a valuation expert to calculate a realistic estimate.
They’ll offer you a detailed report and documents showing you approximately how much you should sell your online business for. One good thing about a business valuation is that it will help you give credibility to your asking price.
Now, a business valuation is not something you wish to go through yourself. However, if you do, there are three valuation methods. You can use the market value approach, asset-based approach, or earnings value approach.
Still, there are many other factors to consider. Things like business debts, industry trends, and similar companies for sale. If you decide to hire an appraiser, your business broker will help you find a professional within their network.
Get Your Finances in Order
Now that you have already determined the value of your business, it’s time to get your finances in order.
When you decide to sell your business, understand that it will put a lot of prying eyes on your financial records. Get ready to accommodate not just potential buyers but lawyers, accountants, and valuation firms.
To ensure that your business sale goes through seamlessly, make sure that your bookkeeping is immaculate in advance. Most potential buyers will ask to see accurate financial statements and tax returns from at least three years.
Financial statements will include anything from cash flow statements, income statements, balance sheets, and the like.
Understand that if your finances are disorganized, it’ll be a potential red flag for potential buyers. Any inconsistencies will also raise a plethora of questions. Bring in a professional bookkeeper if you don’t have one already and make sure that everything is in order.
Look for Pre-Qualified Buyers
One of the best things about having a business broker when selling a business is that they’ll help you get pre-qualified buyers.
It’s essential for you to find multiple buyers who are already pre-qualified for several reasons. One of the most significant reasons is that you’ll be disclosing sensitive business information.
Such information could be worth a fortune if it got out to your competitors. It’s possible that one of your competitors or someone acting on their behalf will make an offer just to check out your finances. Beyond that, most business transactions rely on third-party loans.
If the loan is denied, the sale will not push through, and you’ll be back to square one.
On average, it takes about six to eight months for a business to sell though it could be easier with a professional broker. In the meantime, keep increasing your business value for better offers.
The length of time it takes could also depend on whether you’re selling to an individual buyer, a strategic buyer, or a private equity group. Individual buyers may need a loan while private equity groups could fund the purchase themselves
A professional broker will also leverage multiple buyers to get the maximum value for your business.
Finalize the Process
When you finally find a qualified buyer, finalizing the process will involve signing contracts and getting legal documents in order. This is where your business broker really comes in handy because the process can be confusing, if not messy.
It’s also advisable to have your business lawyer present. They’ll handle all documents associated with the sale. These include asset listings, the non-compete agreement, bill of sale, security agreement, and purchase agreement.
Once they have everything in order, all you’ll have to do is sign the agreement, and your business sale will be complete.
A Detailed Overview of How to Sell Your Business
Now that you have some basic understanding of how to sell your business, go ahead and search for the best broker in your area. That said, if you’re looking for professional brokers to sell your business, get in touch with us, and we’ll embark on this journey together.
Read MoreWhat Can a Business Broker Do for You?
Are you thinking about selling your business? Wondering what a business broker can do to help?
If you’re thinking about selling your business, you may be tempted to go through the process alone. However, working with a business sale broker can be a great help and can make the entire process much easier overall.
If you want to learn more about how they can help you sell your business, read on. Here’s what a broker can do for you.
1. Valuate Your Business
One of the main things that a business broker can do for you is that they can evaluate your business and determine how much it’s worth.
Valuating a business is easier said than done because a lot of things go into determining its value. A broker will take all necessary factors into account including cash flow, business location, competition, and a business’ unique value proposition.
As a seller, a business broker can help you determine the highest amount that you’ll be able to get for your business and can then help you do everything you can to find a buyer who will pay that price.
2. Help Sell a Business With Confidentiality
When working with a broker, it’s important to remember that confidentiality will be taken very seriously.
When customers, employees, and competitors learn that your business is being sold, it could cause problems and lead to a reduction in profitability. A broker can work to help you sell your business but they can do it in a covert and confidential way that won’t affect its operation.
If you’re not using a broker, maintaining this confidentiality while attempting to find buyers can be much more difficult.
3. Market Your Business For Sale
One of the best things about working with a broker is that they’ll have a strong network and will know how to help market your business listing effectively.
A broker will have a strong network and will have access to a wide range of potential buyers. They can market your business sale to this network and to a variety of people who could be interested in your business.
A great broker will understand the market for your business and will know where to look to find potential buyers. They can help you to find more buyers than you would be able to find on your own and can make it more likely that you’ll find a buyer who will pay a high price.
4. Qualify Buyers
Another thing that a business broker can do is qualify buyers.
When selling a business, not just any buyer will do. Many people who show interest in buying a business aren’t serious about it or can’t get the necessary funds to complete the purchase.
Fortunately, a broker can help qualify a business buyer based on their professional experience as well as on their finances. A broker will help make sure that any buyers who show interest in your business are serious and realistic about what owning the business will entail.
A broker can help find a great buyer by ensuring that they have a true desire to buy a business, understand the ins and outs of business ownership, and are motivated.
5. Provide Expert Guidance
One of the best things that a broker brings to the table when working with a seller is years of experience and expertise. A business broker will have been through the process of helping buyers sell a business many times and have explored many strategies for finding a suitable buyer.
The experience that a broker has can be very helpful, especially since many people who sell businesses will be doing it for the very first time. By relying on this extensive knowledge and expertise of a broker, you’ll have an easier time selling your business than you would have otherwise.
6. Help Buyers Finance a Purchase
Another thing that brokers do is help buyers secure financing. A broker can help ensure that the buyer has everything they need to buy a business successfully.
This can benefit sellers as well since it will make it more likely that a buyer will be found who will be able to successfully purchase your business. It can also help a business to sell more quickly.
If seller financing is offered, the broker can help to sort out the details with the buyer and seller. Setting up seller financing and working out the specifics can be tricky, so working with a broker can be useful.
7. Help With Legal Requirements
One of the best things that a business broker can do for you is that they can help you to navigate all of the legal requirements of selling a business. They can also help you collect any necessary documents you’ll need during the sales process.
A broker can help you price your business and negotiate with buyers and structure a deal. They can also help you to take care of all the necessary paperwork and ensure that you don’t miss anything important.
Dealing with all of the legal ins and outs of turning over a business to a new owner can be complicated and can be frustrating to deal with on your own. Working with a business broker can help reduce your stress and can help you to sell your business with minimal headaches.
Making the Decision to Work With a Business Broker
If you’re thinking about selling your business, you should consider working with a business broker. They can help you sell your business effectively and will give you the best chance of getting a great price for it.
Are you ready to sell your business? Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.
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