sales@deal-studio.com
(800) 239-5085
Schedule a Demo
  • Home
  • Platform
    • Industry Websites
    • Professional Content
    • Lead Capture Tools
    • Sales CRM
    • Deal Management
    • Integrated Workflows
  • Marketing
    • Branding & Design
    • Digital Marketing
    • CBR Design
    • Social Media Graphics
    • Company Newsletters
    • Email Campaigns
  • Insights
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Our Story
    • Our Team
    • Testimonials
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Platform
    • Industry Websites
    • Professional Content
    • Lead Capture Tools
    • Sales CRM
    • Deal Management
    • Integrated Workflows
  • Marketing
    • Branding & Design
    • Digital Marketing
    • CBR Design
    • Social Media Graphics
    • Company Newsletters
    • Email Campaigns
  • Insights
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Our Story
    • Our Team
    • Testimonials
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Platform
    • Industry Websites
    • Professional Content
    • Lead Capture Tools
    • Sales CRM
    • Deal Management
    • Integrated Workflows
  • Marketing
    • Branding & Design
    • Digital Marketing
    • CBR Design
    • Social Media Graphics
    • Company Newsletters
    • Email Campaigns
  • Insights
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Our Story
    • Our Team
    • Testimonials
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Platform
    • Industry Websites
    • Professional Content
    • Lead Capture Tools
    • Sales CRM
    • Deal Management
    • Integrated Workflows
  • Marketing
    • Branding & Design
    • Digital Marketing
    • CBR Design
    • Social Media Graphics
    • Company Newsletters
    • Email Campaigns
  • Insights
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Our Story
    • Our Team
    • Testimonials
  • Contact Us
Blog
Home Seller Articles How Can You Identify a Serious Buyer?
Seller Articles

How Can You Identify a Serious Buyer?

Deal Studio March 17, 2023 0 Comments
Focused Entrepreneur, Lost In His Thoughts At The Office, Checki

No one wants to waste their time and energy trying to sell their business to someone who isn’t actually planning to buy. That’s why it’s so important for you and your business broker or M&A advisor to focus on the most qualified and serious buyers. But how can you really make these kinds of assessments about a buyer’s viability until they sign on the dotted line? Let’s take a look at some signs that will help you figure out your buyer well in advance. 

Do they have a history of ownership?

When someone has owned a business in the past, they have a firm understanding of what is involved. As a result, they are more likely to be a serious buyer. It also means they are more likely to move forward. You will also find that they have the ability to make a substantial down payment and financing options. While they might want you to help them with financing, you should still be looking to ensure they will put their own capital at risk as well. 

Are they seeking information about your cash flow?

If a buyer is serious, it goes without saying that they will want to make sure the business is profitable. They should be asking a lot of questions about not only your cash flow, but also your inventory.  If you have unusable inventory this could be of concern to a buyer. Be sure to disclose this information upfront, as it will likely be discovered in the due diligence process regardless.  

Are they asking about the health of your staff?

Any real buyer would want a dedicated and reliable staff. If your buyer is asking about salaries, it is a good sign that they are serious. After all, if you’re only paying minimum wage, chances are that your staff will not have a lot of staying power. These days, many companies are suffering due to staffing issues, and it’s something that should be front and center in any serious buyer’s mind.

Do they have an interest in the industry?

If your prospective buyer is asking questions about the industry, that is another good sign. After all, who would really want to buy a business without detailed knowledge about the industry they are about to enter? Along the same lines, if you know your buyer has experience in a given industry, it means they are more likely to go through with a purchase. If they lack experience in your industry, do they at least seem passionate about the industry? If they seem like they are not asking probing questions, this might mean they are wasting your time.

Are they asking about capital expenditures?

Your prospective buyer will want to know how money is being spent. You can expect them to make sure that major expenses have already been paid for as they will want to make sure they won’t be caught off guard by large pending purchases.

Do you have professional assistance? 

The bottom line is that the more in-depth questions a person is asking, the more serious they are likely to be. Your business broker’s job is to screen prospective buyers. Years of experience doing so helps them know the warning signs that pop up when buyers profess to be interested, but are not likely to go through with the sale. 

When you are trying to sell your business, it is critical that you focus your time wisely. Your brokerage professional will help ensure that you do not waste time working with people who are just kicking the tires. 

Copyright: Business Brokerage Press, Inc.

Moon Safari/BigStock.com

8
389 Views
Are You Cut Out to Own a Business?PrevAre You Cut Out to Own a Business?March 8, 2023
How Leases Factor into Business SalesMarch 29, 2023How Leases Factor into Business SalesNext

Related Posts

Seller Articles

“Red Flags” in the Sunset

Unlike that poetic title of an old-time standard song, Red Sails in the Sunset, red...

Deal Studio March 22, 2016
Seller Articles

10 Tips for a Successful Sale

1.Sellers should find out the loan value of the fixtures, equipment and machinery...

Deal Studio February 17, 2016

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts
  • How Leases Factor into Business Sales March 29, 2023
  • How Can You Identify a Serious Buyer? March 17, 2023
  • Are You Cut Out to Own a Business? March 8, 2023
  • Can You Buy a Business Without Collateral? March 1, 2023
  • What is a Partnership Agreement? February 22, 2023
Categories
  • Blog 22
  • Buyer Articles 106
  • Buyer FAQ 15
  • Buying a Business 34
  • Content 1
  • Financing the Deal 7
  • General Business Brokerage 9
  • Marketing 6
  • Marketing for Business Brokers 1
  • Promotion 1
  • Seller Articles 296
  • Seller FAQ 35
  • Selling a Business 195
  • Uncategorized 2
  • Using a Professional 6
  • Valuation 14
  • Workflows 1

Automate, accelerate and elevate your deal making
Email sales@deal-studio.com
Phone (800) 239-5085
Request Media Kit
Platform
» Industry Websites
» Professional Content
» Lead Capture Tools
» Sales CRM
» Deal Management
» Integrated Workflows
Recent News
  • How Leases Factor into Business Sales
    March 29, 2023
  • How Can You Identify a Serious Buyer?
    March 17, 2023
  • Are You Cut Out to Own a Business?
    March 8, 2023
Newsletter

Terms of use | Privacy Policy

© Copyright 2022 Business Brokerage Press, Inc. All Rights Reserved.