Prepare for a sale. Find the right fit for a purchase. Start with the details that matter.
Give buyers a clear picture of the business you have built.
Gather tax returns, profit and loss statements, and balance sheets for at least the last 3 years. Support any proposed earnings adjustments with records. Send a copy of the lease agreement if you lease.
Outline your daily work, key relationships, and the training a successor would need. Please detail any special licensing needed.
Clarify the equipment, inventory, contracts, exclusive agreements, and other assets included.
Agree on valuation, confidentiality, and a disclosure process before sharing sensitive information with potential buyers.
Consider the business you will operate after closing.
Define your preferred industry, location (county or city), and budget. Leave room for working capital.
Compare financial results with supporting records. Review the details and set up a showing or video call with the seller.
Check leases, contracts, suppliers, exclusivity, and licensing. Identify approvals or consents the purchase may require. Use legal and accounting support for due diligence if desired.
Plan training from the seller, access, applications for licenses, and any other transition items needed after closing.
Verify the business entity, industry licensing, premises approvals, and county or city requirements for the exact business and transaction.
Explore our Broward County, Miami-Dade County, and Palm Beach County guides for buying and selling across industries.
Pricing needs financial records, an understanding of the operation, and relevant market context. One multiple does not fit every business.
Preparation, buyer demand, financing, and diligence all affect timing. Discuss the business before relying on a closing date.
Buyers are asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before receiving the business name, financials, or other sensitive details. Information is shared in stages as a buyer shows serious, qualified interest.
Many business acquisitions are financed with SBA-backed loans through participating lenders. Eligibility depends on the business, the buyer, and the lender, so buyers should speak with a lender early. Seller financing and cash purchases are also common.
Plan on at least 3 years of tax returns, profit and loss statements, and balance sheets, plus the lease, a list of equipment and inventory, key contracts, and any licenses or permits the business needs.
Fees depend on the business and the scope of the engagement, and are discussed in consultation.
Each county, and often each city, has its own requirements when a business changes hands. Local Business Tax Receipts are issued separately by the county and by many cities. Certificates of use and zoning, state licenses through the Florida DBPR, Florida Department of Revenue sales tax clearance, landlord approval of the lease assignment, and health or fire inspections for restaurants can all be part of the process.
See the details for Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach. Every transfer should be confirmed with the specific city and county where the business operates.
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