Businesses For Sale Newsletters by Broker Service Network Inc.

  

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Courtesy of the fine BSN business brokers in our national network
Business Brokering Newsletters Courtesy of Broker Service Network Inc. II Index

Understand how the business brokers price their businesses for sale.

GUESS WHAT: "It's what you want" IS NOT a viable explanation to business brokers to how your businesses for sale are priced. Ask the business broker for a detailed explanation on how they price their businesses for sale. If business brokers decline your request on their explanation of pricing businesses for sale THEN GET AWAY! Too many business brokers do not do ANY due diligence in pricing their businesses for sale and most sellers do not have any concept on pricing a business to sell. IN ADDITION, "my accountant told me" is also not a valid reason because an accountant places a hard value on a business NOT a market value as is needed when selling a business.

There are many models used by business brokers in placing a market value on businesses for sale. In some form of the analysis, a cash flow (true profit) and true gross sales figure needs to be determined. If real estate is involved, it should be added in as a separate figure 

The following independent pricing models are widely used by business brokers and accepted throughout the industry - it is also easily verified (not including real estate)...

  • Cash Flow x Industry Multiplier usually 2 - 4 ( cash flow is the bottom line + all unnecessary expenses added back into the bottom line) depending on industry and growth.
  • Cash Flow x 1.5 -  3 + all equipment and inventory (depends on industry & growth)
  • 70-80% of gross sales for retail or manufacturing related businesses (depends on cash flow)
  • 60-80% of gross sales for food related businesses (depends on cash flow)
  • 50-60% of gross sales for service related businesses (depends on cash flow)

If you encounter a detailed and confusing market value formula from business brokers then we suggest stepping back because an old ploy by some business brokers is to complicate a formula to where a seller gives up and trusts the business broker. If a business broker can't determine the cash flow and gross sales values then move on - they are uneducated or unethical business brokers.

Don't let business brokers take your listing if they have not given you a complete market value analysis - an old ploy by business brokers is to take all listings and charge an up front fee - this is how some business brokers make their money.

NOW, if you are given a cash flow figure - ASK the business brokers to show you how the cash flow was determined. Basically take the net profit/loss from financial statements then add to this figure various discretionary expenses.  Here is a basic guideline to use...

  1. Take the net profit/loss
  2. Add depreciation, amortization and interest
  3. Add owner's compensation and/or salary
  4. Add any expenses that were personal in nature (ask them)
  5. Add any expenses that are not necessary to do business (ask them)

Lastly, ask the business brokers for comps on an average of what other similar type of businesses are selling for - including the source where he/she is getting this average. While a seller might not have this, a business broker most certainly should. Knowing the comps will allow you to determine your own basic market value of a certain business or industry.

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