5 Effective Ways for Financing a Business Purchase

Financing a Business Purchase

5 Effective Ways

Financing a business purchase can be challenging, but there are some options to help you make this purchase. Keep reading to learn what these options are.

Financing a business purchase

In the third quarter of 2015, the median sales price for a business sold was $185,000. Most people don't have that much cash on hand. 

This means financing a business purchase is the only option. But there are several ways to find finance to buy a business. 

Which one you choose often depends on your current financial situation and the type of business you're looking to buy. We want to help you make the right decision on how to make a successful small business acquisition. 

Keep reading as we list five effective ways to acquire financing to buy a business. 

1. Financing a Business Purchase With a Bank Loan

If you want to buy a business and are thinking of making the purchase with a bank loan, make sure the existing company has substantial assets. Also, you'll need to prove you have good credit and a proven track record in the industry.

Expect that trying to obtain a bank loan to be very difficult and time-consuming. 

2. SBA Loans

The Small Business Administration (SBA) also provides loans. The best option to buy a business is to apply for an SBA 7A loan. 

If approved, you can get a loan of up to $5 million dollars. However, to qualify for the loan you must have the following:

• Good credit

• Provide three years of tax information

• Provide personal finance information

• Show prior experience in the industry

You must also prove you can put 20% down. However, you can also find that extra 20% through seller financing. 

3. Seller Financing

Seller financing is another option. With this option, you ask the seller to provide financing in the form of a loan. 

Typically this loan is amortized of a period of time and you pay the loan back using the proceeds of the business. This is an easier method to obtain than traditional financing methods such as a bank. 

More Transparent

It's more flexible, can often be cheaper, and since the seller wants to be paid back, they will be more inclined to provide you with accurate financial documentation. 

However, don't expect a seller to finance more than anywhere between 30% to 60% of the business unless you come armed with additional assets and can make a large down-payment. 

4. A Leveraged Buyout

A leveraged buyout happens when the buyer acquires a company using a significant amount of borrowed money to buy the company. Often the assets of the company being bought are used as collateral for the loans such as:

• Equipment

• Real estate

• Inventory

The assets of the acquiring company can also be used. 

However, if things don't go as planned, it may have a largely negative impact on your rate of return. Your losses may also be maximized. 

5. Get Financing Online

You have options when it comes to finding an online source to get a loan. You can choose a business loan, personal loan, and even a HELOC (home equity line of credit). 

Shop around for the best interest rates. Also, not all lenders are willing to give money to buy a business. 

We Help With Financing

Financing a business purchase isn't always easy because not every lender wants to deal with the risk. We're different.

We want to help entrepreneurs buy and sell their businesses with as little effort as possible. And we can help you with financing. Click here to learn how. 

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BUSINESS ACQUISITION

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THE BIZNEXUS ROUNDUP

Quick & dirty interviews, war stories & tips from the trenches of business acquisition, growth & sale. We aim for value, efficiency & fun, so you'll walk away with something useful to take with you along the journey of buying, growing & selling a business.

Top Considerations When Buying a Business in Boston

Buying a Business in Boston?

Here are top considerations you don’t want to miss

Many people like the idea of owning their own business, but not everyone is cut out for starting one from the ground up. If this sounds like you, you may want to consider buying an existing business in the Boston area.

There are several perks to this particular option. The business will already have a customer base, you will have actual numbers to work with rather than estimates, and you may be able to obtain certain patents related to the business. Get started by considering the following issues.

Location

Think about whether you want a business that is in your community or if you are willing to move. You could also look into a business that isn't tied down to one specific location. The location where you choose to conduct your business will impact many variables, such as taxes, labor costs, and other financial points that could affect your bottom line.

Size

Would you like to own a large enterprise or would a small family business be more your style? When looking for local businesses for sale in Boston, be realistic. Large companies make more profits, but they also come at a higher cost and involve more stress.

Industry

Don’t choose an industry simply because you like the sound of it. Choose a business that deals with an industry you already have experience with. The industry you choose will determine factors such as how many hours you will work.

Once you know what size business you want, what type of industry you are looking for, and where you want it to be located, it is time to start shopping. A business broker can prescreen possible business options and help you find in Boston that are within your area of interest. Login to BizNexus by visiting its website at https://biznexus.com/ for help finding these local businesses for sale that are just right for you.

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BUSINESS ACQUISITION

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THE BIZNEXUS ROUNDUP

Quick & dirty interviews, war stories & tips from the trenches of business acquisition, growth & sale. We aim for value, efficiency & fun, so you'll walk away with something useful to take with you along the journey of buying, growing & selling a business.

5 Ways on How to Exit/Sell Your Business Quickly

Sell Your Business Quickly

Here are 5 ways to sell or exit your business quickly

Exit or Sell Your Business Quickly

You had a good run with your company and plenty of success. However, it seems that you are not ready to stick around anymore. Here are some of the ways how you can exit your business smoothly, but make sure to leave the company in safe hands.

Find an Interested Buyer

If you set your mind on selling the company, you should start looking for interested buyers. Keep in mind that this process may require a bit of time and patience.

Here are some things that you can do to prepare your company for sale:

• Make sure that the business is profitable as it is easier to sell a company that guarantees a steady profit.

• Call your accountant and review the finances. Make sure that there are no issues, and everything is clean.

• Prepare a report with revenues and expenses over the last year. You can even go and prepare a financial projection for the upcoming period.

You can put up your business for sale in an online marketplace, or spread the word among the people you know in your industry. Depending on the attractiveness of your company, interested buyers should appear soon.

Offer the Business to Existing Staff

An alternative way of selling the company can be offering it to the existing staff. You may have managers, accountants, and other people working for you.

Ask them if they would be interested in taking over the business full-time because you want to exit. If they have the necessary resources and desire to buy you out, they will respond positively to your offer. That is a great way of selling the company, but ensuring that it is in the hands of someone who knows it inside and out.

Pass the Company to a Family Member or a Friend

If you think it is time for the next chapter in your career, how about offering the current company to a family member or friend? Find someone in your surroundings who is capable of doing a good job and maintaining a profitable business. If you believe they are the right choice, go ahead and pass the company to them, or hire them as CEOs while you remain the owner formally.

Find a Business Partner

If you can’t find a buyer to purchase your business, how about finding a partner? That may mean you won’t exit the company completely, but the partner may take over the areas you don’t want to handle anymore.

That is a great way to remain in the business while finding a new dose of motivation. Who knows, that may be the boost you need to take the company to the next level.

Initial Public Offering

While this may be an enticing option, keep in mind your company needs to be attractive enough for the public. Believe it or not, less than 0.01% of US companies are public. If you estimate that this can be the right move, it may be an excellent way to earn a lot of money.

Liquidation and Bankruptcy

Finally, you can also go with liquidation or bankruptcy. However, keep in mind that this means you will not only exit, but also close the business. That is why it is important to assess all your options and use this one as a final resort.

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PREPARING TO EXIT YOUR COMPANY

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Quick & dirty interviews, war stories & tips from the trenches of business acquisition, growth & sale. We aim for value, efficiency & fun, so you'll walk away with something useful to take with you along the journey of buying, growing & selling a business.

How to Buy a Business: Best Practices for Buying a New Franchise Opportunity

How to Buy a Franchise

Best practice guide

How to buy a franchise business: Are you interested in buying into a franchise? With the system and procedures, it seems challenging. Business owners prefer franchising because you are inheriting an established brand. Moreover, a franchise has a proven business model. Like any business, it is important to select a franchise that you are passionate about.

Franchise opportunities under consideration should mesh with your past business experience and acquired skills. It is not cheap to buy a franchise and significant capital is required. This leaves prospective franchise owners searching for financing options. Buying a franchise is not particularly easy and sometimes professional assistance is required. Business owners are able to quickly leverage off the franchise's brand and product line.

Here is how to buy a franchise:

Franchising remains a great business opportunity in 2019. In fact, there are nearly 760,000 franchise establishments in the United States.

Business owners prefer franchising because you are inheriting an established brand. Moreover, a franchise has a proven business model. You can review actual sales and profit data to verify that the concept is growing rapidly.

Read on to learn how to buy a business. Explore this comprehensive guide on buying franchises including topics such as financing, research, and getting a good deal.

Find a Franchise Opportunity You Are Passionate About

The first step in buying a franchise is identifying the right opportunity. Like any business, it is important to select a franchise that you are passionate about.

Start off by considering industries that you are familiar with and understand how they operate. Also, franchise opportunities under consideration should mesh with your past business experience and acquired skills.

Franchise Analysis

Before you invest in a franchise, substantial analysis is required. Of course, you want to look at sales data and what profit margin is realized. There are many other business indicators to evaluate.

What are the startup costs and franchise fee? What type of operating expenses does the franchise have? Are there any additional fees such as royalties or advertising costs?

This all falls into the category of performing a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis. There are other factors to consider in a franchise analysis.

Perhaps one of the most important factors is the location of your prospective franchise. This is so critical because not all locations are considered equal.

Each geographic location comes with its own set of state and local taxes. There are also state wage laws to consider, as well as rent and population density.

Financing Options

It is not cheap to buy a franchise and significant capital is required. On average, initial franchise fees range from $20,000 to $35,000. Depending on the brand, it could cost upwards of $100,000.

Not many entrepreneurs have that type of cash lying around. This leaves prospective franchise owners searching for financing options.

Some opt to apply for a bank or Small Business Administration (SBA) loan. Others use their retirement savings using a mechanism called a rollover for business startups (ROBS).

ROBS allows you to withdraw retirement savings from your 401k, IRA, etc. without penalties or taxes. Lastly, some franchisor offer financing options.

Professional Assistance

At this point, you may be feeling overwhelmed. Buying a franchise is not particularly easy and sometimes professional assistance is required.

There are subject matter experts available for franchising placement and finding the right opportunities. They perform in-depth analysis such as reviewing the franchise’s financial health. Among many other services, they also evaluate the Financial Disclosure Document (FDD) and Franchise Agreement.

A Recap of How to Buy a Business

There are many reasons why entrepreneurs choose to buy a franchise. Business owners are able to quickly leverage off the franchise’s brand and product line.

However, the franchise acquisition process is littered with landmines and complexities. A professional service company can ensure that you make a sound investment. If you want to learn more about how to buy a business, log in today.

The Best Exit Strategies for Your Business

Top 4 Tips To Exit Your Business

Best exit strategies for your business

Is it coming to the time when you can no longer run your business? It's important to have exit strategies planned. Whether you're looking to retire, get out of an industry, split with partners or just don't want to run your business anymore, proper exit strategies are a must. Getting the help of a business mediator can be an incredible value-add if you're looking to exit a business where that may get sticky with existing partners.

Subsequent comprehensive studies can cost you upwards of $35,000 depending on the size of your business and what type of player you intend to sell your business to (private equity or family office, for example). Consider How You're Going to Sell, Transfer, or Liquidate the Business and your Ownership Interest. Many people seek exit strategies not just to get rid of a business, but to start a new professional and personal lifestyle.

Exit strategies are absolutely necessary when you're making a transition with any business.

By finding the strategy to help you in this regard, you'll create a clean transition that is beneficial for whatever your step is. Let's take a look at a few strategies that'll help you out. 

1. Explore Mediation if You Have Partners and Want Out

Getting the help of a business mediator can be an incredible value-add if you're looking to exit a business where that may get sticky with existing partners.

They'll work with you and the other parties in your business to be sure that you're able to leave the company and dissolve your ownership in a way that works. This can include facilitating settlements, scheduling meetings, and conference calls, and helping to maintain privacy and cooperating during mergers and acquisitions. 

By touching base with some third-party mediators, you'll be able to engineer the best agreement for your company's needs.

2. Have Your Business Properly Valued

There are an exponential number of candidates out there who could be ready and willing to buy your business if you can produce accurate historical and financial information. 

You'll need to get a proper valuation as a first step towards this to know where your company stands and how you can ensure a positive return on your investment come selling time.

A proper preliminary analysis of your business should cost you between $3,000 and $10,000 in most cases. Subsequent comprehensive studies can cost you upwards of $35,000 depending on the size of your business and what type of player you intend to sell your business to (private equity or family office, for example).

By starting with this type of professional analysis, you'll learn how much your company is worth, what sort of sales price you can expect in today's marketplace, what strengths and weaknesses your business currently has, and so much more. 

3. Consider How You're Going to Sell, Transfer, or Liquidate the Business and your Ownership Interest.

What's the end result you're shooting for?

When you can answer this, you can reverse engineer and decide your best course of action to take today to start moving towards that.

For instance, if you are just trying to cut your losses and get a nice check for your troubles, selling out might be best. If this is more of retirement and you'd like to pass the business on to your family, it'll involve facilitating a transfer. 

If your business has a lot of assets, liquidation could be best.

Get the advice that'll steer you in the right direction. Above all, be sure you know what your next "pivot" is. 

Many people seek exit strategies not just to get rid of a business, but to start a new professional and personal lifestyle. It's easier to get through to the other side when you are honest about what you want next. 

4. Get the Help of a Business Lawyer

Finally, you'll always need another set of eyes for the legal end of things. 

This way, you're able to protect the sale or transfer and can weigh every potential downstream implication of negotiating points as they come. Research some business attorneys early in the process so you can get the assistance you require. 

Consider These Exit Strategies

Exit strategies are absolutely necessary when you're making a transition with any business. Use these four tips and you'll be taken care of.

If you're looking to sell your business or explore other options, let these points guide you. 

How to Buy a Business | Four Vital Questions to Ask

How To ACQUIRE A Business

Four Important Questions to Ask

It can take a lot of time and effort to develop a business from scratch. This is why people savvy enough to tap into available public and private resources decide to buy an existing business. However, going forward with the purchase is not an easy decision to make. Here are four important questions to ask during the process of buying a business.

Where to Find A Business to Buy?

The initial step is to find a place where you can buy a business. Many people go to brokers seeking help to identify the right business for them. Others check industry publications, newspaper advertisements, or various online business for sale platforms.

Online marketplaces can be a great way to find a business to buy, especially if you’re looking to focus on digital business and e-commerce startups that are increasingly putting themselves up for sale.

Is That Business the Right Fit for Me?

Here are three key questions every entrepreneur like you should ask themselves when vetting an acquisition:

1. What are my skills and interests? – You would be more motivated to succeed with a business in a niche that you are passionate about. Needless to say, you want to make sure you know the industry enough to take over the business effortlessly.

2. What is my budget? – The price tag of the business needs to fit your pro forma budget. Furthermore, the business should generate monthly sales to cover the cost of operations with the potential of making a profit. If you need additional capital, you can consider getting a business loan from a financial institution like your local bank.

3. Do I have time and resources? – There is no point in buying a business if you are going to neglect it. You need to have enough time, effort, and energy to ensure that your business has the right allocated resources to become a profitable investment.

What Will You Get for the Price OF THE BUSINESS?

The chances are you will have some wiggle room when negotiating the purchasing price, but before you do that, ask the business seller exactly what assets will transfer for that price? Yes, you will become the owner of the business & manager of the team in place, but will you also get its inventory, social media accounts, a functioning website, and other relevant items?

Do You Have Accurate Historical Financial Reports?

The general rule of thumb is to stick to buying businesses that generate profits for at least a couple of years. The current business owner needs to be ready to provide financial statements and reports for at least that period. This includes a detailed overview of revenues, expenses, and debts. Also, it would be great if they include a projected financial statement.

Learn More About Business Management

While you should have general knowledge about managing a business, we are talking about the day-to-day operations of the business you are acquiring. For example, you may need permits and licenses to continue operating the business. There may also be operating procedures that you can adopt as that can make you a better manager.

Here are some more general questions related to the business operations:

• If the business that you are buying is digital, the product or service will be sold through a subscription model, or use one-time payments?

• Are there any employees whose salary you are expected to pay?

• Are there any contracts with vendors or other suppliers or providers? How long do they last, and is there an extension option?

Are you an entrepreneur?

An Austrian economist defined entrepreneurship as the “competitive behavior that drives the market process”.Thus it creates value for both market and society. Entrepreneurship is the process of creating something new of value by devoting the necessary time and effort, assuming the accompanying financial, psychological, and social risks, and receiving the resulting rewards of monetary and personal satisfaction and independence.

What problems can small businesses face in terms of entrepreneurship?

America's small business owners' optimism took a modest downturn in June, according to the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index, slipping 1.7 points to 103.3. While optimism remains at historically high levels, the June figure reverses the gain posted in May, with six components falling, three improving, and one unchanged.

Fifty-four percent reported capital outlays, down 10 points.

The net percent of owners reporting inventory increases fell two points to a net-zero percent, indicating no further building in inventory stocks in June.

The net percent of owners expecting higher real sales volumes fell six points to a net 17 percent of owners.

Twenty-seven percent of those reporting weaker profits blamed sales (down three points), 12 percent blamed labor costs (up five points), 11 percent cited materials costs, and nine percent cited lower selling prices (down two points).

Final Take On Buying A Business

As you can see, purchasing a business is both challenging and fun! You want to ensure that you pick the right business, which is why you should carefully evaluate all the details related to the purchase. Take as much time as necessary to ensure you are making the right decision as this can be the difference between success and failure down the road.

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BUSINESS ACQUISITION

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THE BIZNEXUS ROUNDUP

Quick & dirty interviews, war stories & tips from the trenches of business acquisition, growth & sale. We aim for value, efficiency & fun, so you'll walk away with something useful to take with you along the journey of buying, growing & selling a business.

Top 3 questions to ask a business broker in 2019 to sell a business

Business owners often make huge mistakes by attempting to sell their business on their own when not prepared to do so. What’s worse? Choosing the wrong business broker to sell your business because you weren’t prepped to ask her the right questions. Here are our top three questions to ask a business broker before selling your business in 2019:

1) How many businesses have you sold as a lead broker on the sale?

Resumes mean little, completed transactions mean everything. Get a list of completed transactions the broker has led in your industry, in your area, in your approximate deal size… everything.

2) Who is my potential target buyer?

Make sure the broker has a good plan for selling your business, and a reliable list of active buyers she plans to market the business too. Will she market individual buyers? Investment groups? Strategic competitors in your industry who might be actively looking for acquisitions?

3) Do you co-broker?

This is a big one business owners often miss when hiring a business broker. If a business broker will not agree to co-broker you might want to run for the proverbial hills as a potential seller looking to maximize interest and offers within a limited amount of time. A broker who refuses to co-broker (work with and share commission) with another professional representing a buyer who might be interested in your business is essentially limiting your selling opportunities in order to protect their own commission. We believe business brokers have a clear fiduciary responsibility to maximize interest, offers, and speed on behalf of their seller clients, to ensure the highest price and best terms for any business owner who has entrusted them to sell their business.

BizNexus -Learn More From Our YouTube Playlist:

BUSINESS ACQUISITION

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THE BIZNEXUS ROUNDUP

Quick & dirty interviews, war stories & tips from the trenches of business acquisition, growth & sale. We aim for value, efficiency & fun, so you'll walk away with something useful to take with you along the journey of buying, growing & selling a business.

Why 2019 might be the best time in history to buy a new business

Buy A new business

Here is Why 2019 Might Be The Best Time

As we mentioned elsewhere, 2019 looks like it might shake out to be the best year in a decade to buy a business in the United States. There are a few big reasons for this:

• Loans are accessible and still historically dirt-cheap.

• First-time entrepreneurs have access to up to $5 million in SBA loans from the government to help finance a new business acquisition.

• With small business owners set to skyrocket over the next 10 years, there’s rapidly increasing interest out there for buying and established, viable business.

• New technology solutions continue to offer increasingly efficient ways to connect buyers and sellers of businesses and to identify the right professional for you to do so.

So if you’re considering a jump into entrepreneurship, -buying an existing small business is absolutely an option you should consider. In his article for business.com, Looking Ahead: Buying a Business in 2017, Bruce Hakutizwi states:

Depending on your business strategy, industry, location, and other factors, there are more reliable and willing funding opportunities available to entrepreneurs right now than ever before. Between low-interest traditional business loans, government grants and loans, and a striking volume of venture capital available from individual angel investors, large corporations, and established VC funds, it’s easier and faster than ever before to fund a promising new startup or the expansion of an existing business.

As opposed to the relative risk of a brand new startup, obtaining funds to purchase an already established and successful business is even easier. This is doubly true if you’re purchasing another business that naturally extends or expands your own existing company or expertise since you can likely prove to the lender you’re up to the task of making the acquisition profitable. -Bruce Hakutizwi.

Buying a new business can be an exciting, rewarding, and potentially life-changing experience for you and your family. Do your research before you choose any professional to help you with the process, and make sure you’re clear on expectations and compensation from the outset. And as always, we recommend you check the BizNexus Marketplace to help vet financial services professionals, and for any helpful reviews, ratings, or relevant content to help guide your way.

A few useful links if you’d like to dig deeper on the topic:

1. Buying Existing Businesses. -SBA

2. How to Buy an Existing Website: A Step-by-Step Guide. -Will Lipovsky

3. How to Find a Business Broker. -Entrepreneur

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Business Acquisition

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The BizNexus Roundup

Quick & dirty interviews, war stories & tips from the trenches of business acquisition, growth & sale. We aim for value, efficiency & fun, so you'll walk away with something useful to take with you along the journey of buying, growing & selling a business.