Business Acquisitions
Buy a Business, Not Just a Building.
Real estate and business brokerage on one team, so you can buy the operation, the building, or both, with financing lined up from the start.
Start a Business SearchHow a Business Acquisition Works
Find
We source businesses that fit your budget, skills, and goals, on and off market.
Value
We analyze the numbers to understand what the business is really worth.
LOI
We structure a letter of intent with price, terms, and contingencies that protect you.
Due diligence
We dig into the financials, leases, equipment, and operations before you commit.
Financing
We line up SBA or seller financing to fund the purchase.
Close
We coordinate your attorney and CPA through signing and funding.
Transition
We plan the handoff so the business keeps running after you take over.
How Businesses Are Valued
SDE and EBITDA multiples
Most small businesses are priced as a multiple of seller's discretionary earnings (SDE) or EBITDA, the real profit an owner takes home.
Asset value
Equipment, inventory, and vehicles add value on top of or instead of earnings, especially for asset-heavy businesses.
The real estate
If the building is included, it is valued separately from the business, which also changes how the deal is financed.
Asset Sale vs Stock Sale
In an asset sale you buy the pieces of the business, the equipment, inventory, name, and customer list, usually leaving the seller's old liabilities behind. Most small business purchases are structured this way, and buyers generally prefer it.
In a stock sale you buy the company itself, including its history and obligations. It is less common for small deals and needs careful review. We flag which structure a deal is and bring in your attorney and CPA to protect you either way.
What We Review in Due Diligence
An Example Deal
A mechanic buying the auto shop he already worked in, the business and the building together, so he owns the job and the real estate under it.
Business Buying Questions
How much money do I need to buy a business?
Less than most people think. With SBA 7(a) financing, many business acquisitions can be done with roughly 10 to 15 percent down, sometimes blended with seller financing to lower your cash out of pocket. The exact number depends on the price, the cash flow, and whether real estate is included.
Can I use an SBA loan to buy a business?
Yes. The SBA 7(a) program is one of the most common ways to finance a business purchase, and it can include the real estate, equipment, and working capital in one loan. The business needs to show enough cash flow to cover the payment, which is exactly what we check during due diligence.
What is seller financing?
Seller financing is when the current owner lets you pay part of the price over time instead of all at closing. It lowers your upfront cash, keeps the seller invested in a smooth handoff, and often makes a deal work that a bank alone would not fully fund.
Do I need a lawyer and a CPA to buy a business?
Yes, and we coordinate with yours. A business purchase involves contracts, entity structure, and tax decisions that a real estate broker should not handle alone. We quarterback the deal and work alongside your attorney and CPA so nothing falls through the cracks.
Start a Business Search
Tell us the kind of business you want to own. Vernon Bryant, Qualifying Broker, will help you find it, value it, and fund it.
Prefer a form? It is on the way. For now, grab a time to talk commercial.