Generally, business owners should look to sell because they want to make a lifestyle or professional change. Don't sell when the market is in a downturn: The value of your business is correlated to the market within which it operates – therefore, you should look to sell when business is good, not bad.
As we mentioned before, the best time to sell your business is when it's doing well; the financials are trending upwards, sales are booming, the team is strong and demand is high. It can be difficult to walk away when the business is doing so well but that's the exact time we recommend planning your exit.
With COVID-19 vaccines being distributed and projections showing that 70% of the nation could be vaccinated at some point in the third quarter, the economy could be roaring back by the end of that quarter, if not before. That is good news for those business owners wanting to sell their businesses in 2021.
According to Fit Small Business, a thriving industry is a clear indication of a good time to sell: If your business' industry is thriving, it's a good time to sell your business and move on to your next project. A business in a thriving industry will likely sell more than if your business' industry is struggling.
18 Key Considerations to Make When Selling a Business
9 Steps To Get Your Business Ready For A Quick Sale
Selling your business yourself. Selling through a third party advisor.
...
For a small business, the three most common options are:
Ideally, this is a process that is considered at the earliest stages of the business – at start up, even; or when the current owner buys it – but in no event less than three years before the owner begins looking for a buyer. But even if you don't plan, you should always think of selling before closing your business.
The seven steps to sell your business fast:
Here are 10 ways to do this:
The upfront fees required to value, market and sell the business range form $1,000 – $2,500. For a larger middle market company. The upfront fees for the required services can range from $2,500 – $25,000+. The broker's commission can range from 3% to 10% of the total sale price.
Small business owners often exhibit a great sense of urgency to close a deal once they've made the decision to sell. But as the BizBuySell data points out, the process of selling a business typically takes at least six months - a timeline that most owners don't anticipate.
It takes an average of two to four years to sell a small business. Therefore, long-term planning is key to any successful business sale. By keeping updated records, a detailed business history and sales portfolio on hand at all times, it will make your planning pay off.
Yet No Comments