Business Buying & Selling Guides
Expert guides on every step of buying, selling, valuing, and financing a business.
50 guides
Understanding Bulk Sale Laws
Bulk sale laws protect a business's creditors during asset sales. Learn whether these laws apply to your transaction and what compliance requires.
How to Buy a Food Truck Business
Food trucks offer lower entry costs than restaurants with the flexibility to go where the customers are. Learn how to evaluate a food truck business.
Transferring Licenses and Permits When Buying a Business
Many businesses require specific licenses and permits to operate. Learn which ones transfer with the sale, which require new applications, and how to avoid costly gaps in coverage.
How to Buy a Vending Machine or ATM Business
Vending and ATM businesses offer passive income with flexible schedules. Learn how to evaluate routes, locations, and profitability.
Non-Disclosure Agreements in Business Sales
NDAs protect your confidential business information during the sale process. Learn what to include, when to require them, and how to enforce them.
How to Buy a Moving Company or Storage Facility
Moving and storage businesses serve a perpetual need with diverse revenue streams. Learn what to evaluate in these related industries.
Understanding Escrow in Business Sales
Escrow protects both buyer and seller during a business transaction. Learn how the escrow process works and why it's essential for a safe closing.
How to Buy a Pest Control Business
Pest control is one of the most attractive service businesses to acquire, with high recurring revenue and strong retention. Here's what you need to know.
Business Purchase Agreement: Key Terms Explained
The purchase agreement is the most important document in a business sale. Learn the key terms and clauses that protect your interests.
What to Expect During the Business Sale Process
The business sale process typically takes 6-12 months from listing to closing. This guide walks you through each phase so you know exactly what to expect.
How to Buy a Roofing Company
Roofing companies benefit from perpetual demand driven by weather and aging housing stock. Learn the key factors in acquiring a roofing business.
How to Screen Potential Buyers for Your Business
Not every interested buyer is qualified or serious. Learn how to screen buyers effectively to protect your confidentiality and avoid wasting time on unqualified prospects.
How to Buy a Plumbing or Electrical Business
Licensed trade businesses command premium valuations due to licensing requirements and steady demand. Learn the specifics of acquiring a plumbing or electrical company.
Creating a Confidential Information Memorandum
A CIM is the most important marketing document for your business sale. Learn how to create a professional CIM that attracts qualified buyers and drives competitive offers.
How to Create a Business Acquisition Financial Plan
A solid financial plan is essential for securing financing and making smart acquisition decisions. Learn how to build a comprehensive acquisition financial plan.
How to Determine the Right Time to Sell Your Business
Timing your business sale correctly can mean the difference between getting top dollar and leaving money on the table. Learn the financial, personal, and market signals that indicate it's time.
How to Buy a Landscaping Business
Landscaping businesses combine outdoor work with recurring maintenance contracts. Learn what drives value in this seasonal industry.
What is a Non-Compete Agreement in a Business Sale
Non-compete agreements protect the buyer's investment by preventing you from starting a competing business. Learn what's typical, what's enforceable, and how to negotiate fair terms.
Understanding Earnouts in Business Acquisitions
An earnout ties a portion of the purchase price to future business performance. Learn how earnouts work, when they make sense, and how to structure them fairly.
How to Buy a Cleaning Company
Commercial cleaning companies offer recurring contract revenue with straightforward operations. Learn how to evaluate and acquire a cleaning business.
Tax Implications of Selling a Business
Understanding the tax consequences of selling your business is critical for maximizing your after-tax proceeds. Learn about capital gains, ordinary income, and tax planning strategies.
How to Buy a Salon or Barbershop
Salons and barbershops provide personal services with loyal client bases. Learn how to evaluate these client-dependent businesses.
How to Finance a Business Purchase
Most business acquisitions involve multiple financing sources. Learn about all your options and how to combine them for the best deal structure.
How to Prepare Your Business for Sale
Preparation is the key to getting top dollar for your business. Start preparing 1-2 years before you plan to sell for the best results.
How to Sell Your Business Without a Broker
Selling without a broker saves you the commission but requires more work. Learn how to price, market, and close the sale of your business on your own.
How to Buy a Gas Station or Convenience Store
Gas stations and convenience stores combine fuel sales with high-margin retail revenue. Learn the unique aspects of this industry.
What is an SBA Loan for Business Acquisition
SBA loans are the most popular financing tool for buying a business. Learn about SBA 7(a) loans, qualification requirements, and how to apply.
How to Evaluate a Business Opportunity
Learn a systematic framework for evaluating any business opportunity. This guide covers financial analysis, market assessment, operational review, and risk evaluation.
How to Buy a Car Wash
Car washes combine real estate with recurring membership revenue. Learn the different car wash models and what makes them good investments.
What is Seller Financing in a Business Sale
Seller financing is when the seller acts as the lender, allowing the buyer to pay a portion of the purchase price over time. Learn how it works, typical terms, and when it makes sense.
First-Time Business Buyer Mistakes to Avoid
First-time buyers make predictable mistakes that cost them thousands. Learn the 10 most common errors and how to avoid them before you sign on the dotted line.
How to Buy a Gym or Fitness Center
The fitness industry offers membership-based recurring revenue with passionate customers. Learn how to evaluate and acquire a gym.
How Goodwill Affects Business Valuation
Goodwill is often the largest component of a business sale price. Learn what goodwill is, how it's calculated, and why it matters for taxes and negotiation.
10 Most Profitable Small Businesses to Buy
Not all businesses are created equal when it comes to profitability. Discover the 10 most profitable small business categories for acquisition, with typical margins and price ranges.
What is Seller's Discretionary Earnings (SDE)
SDE is the most important number in small business valuation. Learn how to calculate it correctly and why it matters for both buyers and sellers.
How to Buy a Daycare Center
Daycare centers provide essential childcare services with strong recurring revenue. Learn the unique considerations for buying a childcare business.
How to Write a Letter of Intent to Buy a Business
A Letter of Intent (LOI) sets the foundation for your business purchase. Learn what to include, how to structure it, and common mistakes to avoid.
Asset Sale vs Stock Sale: What's the Difference
The structure of your business sale — asset sale or stock sale — has major implications for taxes, liability, and deal complexity. Learn the differences and which is right for your situation.
How to Buy an Auto Body Shop
Auto body shops provide essential collision repair services with stable demand. Learn the key factors to evaluate when buying a body shop.
How to Find Businesses for Sale in Your Area
Finding the right business to buy starts with knowing where to look. This guide covers online marketplaces, brokers, off-market deals, and creative strategies for finding opportunities.
How to Buy an HVAC Business
HVAC businesses offer recession-resistant revenue with strong margins. Learn what to look for when buying an HVAC company.
What is Due Diligence When Buying a Business
Due diligence is your opportunity to verify everything the seller has told you before you commit. Learn what to investigate, what documents to request, and red flags to watch for.
How Much is a Laundromat Worth
Laundromat valuations are based on cash flow, equipment condition, and lease terms. Learn the specific formulas and factors that determine a laundromat's value.
How to Negotiate the Purchase of a Business
Negotiation is where deals are made or broken. Learn proven strategies for negotiating a fair purchase price, favorable terms, and protections that set you up for success.
How Much is a Restaurant Worth
Restaurant valuations depend on concept, location, revenue, and profitability. Learn the specific metrics and multiples used to value restaurants.
How to Buy a Franchise: What You Need to Know
Franchising offers a proven business model with built-in brand recognition. Learn how to evaluate franchise opportunities, understand the FDD, and make a smart investment.
Understanding Business Valuation Multiples
Valuation multiples are the shorthand of business pricing. Learn what drives multiples up or down and how to use them to evaluate a business.
How to Buy a Restaurant: Step-by-Step
Buying a restaurant is exciting but complex. This step-by-step guide covers finding the right opportunity, evaluating financials, negotiating the deal, and avoiding common pitfalls.
How to Value a Small Business: 5 Methods
There's no single formula for valuing a business. Learn the 5 most common valuation methods and when to use each one.
How to Buy a Laundromat: Complete Guide
Buying a laundromat can be one of the most reliable small business investments available. This guide covers everything from evaluating locations and equipment to negotiating the purchase price and closing the deal.