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Benefits of Using a Business Broker

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Using a Sunbelt Business Broker and M&A Specialist to sell your business can save you time and money. The time-consuming process of selling a business involves many facets, from setting the right price, preparing the right marketing materials, screening prospective buyers and negotiating a deal. Using a Sunbelt Business Broker during the sale of your business frees you from many of these obligations, adding value to the process, and allowing the owner to focus on the daily operations of the business.

Listed below are some of the most critical areas where a business broker can add value:

Planning: Sunbelt Brokers work with business owners to understand the process of selling the business (usually the first time they’ve sold a business). On the strategic side, this includes having a valuation prepared, getting tax advice to understand the net/net of a deal, investment advice from a wealth management professional to make sure the net proceeds are enough to launch the owner into the next stage of his/her life. If there is a gap between the amount needed and the net proceeds, a plan can be put in place to focus on critical value drivers to increase the overall value of the business.

Valuation: The true value of a business is seldom what the guy down at the club says it will be or to use the same multiples as deals written up in the Wall Street Journal. Understanding the true value of a business takes an in-depth review of all financial information, as well as, a deep understanding of the business’s operations, market conditions and other factors. Sunbelt Brokers assist with this analysis and can either provide a Broker Opinion of Value or suggest a certified, independent, third-party valuation firm.

Confidentiality: Business owners don’t want staff, customer or suppliers to know they are considering selling. Sunbelt helps maintain confidentiality when marketing the business and handles screening all potential buyers before releasing information at appropriate stages in the process.

Marketing: Sunbelt Brokers have marketing channels available that are out of reach of business owners. Businesses listed for sale with us are marketed in a wide variety of ways – online, utilizing multiple websites, including the worldwide Sunbelt Network site; through contact with strategic and private equity buyers; and to our database of qualified buyers.

Negotiation & Financing: Coming to an agreement between buyer and seller on purchase price is a critical phase in the process. Business Brokers are trained to navigate the complexities of negotiations and arrive at a purchase price agreeable to both parties. In addition, we have relationships with many financial institutions and can point buyers in the direction of traditional and non-traditional financing, such as, using retirement accounts without penalty.

Due Diligence: Our assistance after an offer has been accepted is critical during the due diligence phase. Buyers will dig into your financials and we will assist in setting meetings, acquiring documents and keeping this phase moving towards closing.

Time, Time, Time: Selling your business can quickly become a second job and take away from the time needed to run your business at the level to which you are accustomed. It’s important for the health of a business that the owner continues to run it as if the business were not for sale.

Deciding to work with a Sunbelt Business Broker saves you both time and money. Our experience and expertise in this area takes out the confusion and make the process as quick and smooth as possible. Our ultimate goal is to ensure a successful transition for both parties.