Posts Tagged ‘business brokerage’
January 30, 2012
Continued from “Buying a Small Business in 2012, Part One”.
You’ve now identified a business opportunity and completed a tour of the business facility. The seller’s answered your initial questions and provided you with business financial information. Once you review the income statements, balance sheets and tax returns, you can decide if you want to make an offer. There are two ways to communicate the offer to purchase the business. You could choose to utilize a contract or binding agreement or you could utilize a Letter of Intent or non-binding agreement. A contract must be written by an attorney and immediately binds you and the seller, and will require submission of earnest money. You’ll include certain contingencies in the contract that must be satisfied and the contract’s highly definitive. (more…)
Tags:atlanta, atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, business, business brokerage, Buyers, Commercial Real Estate, Dan Hinson, georgia, Metro Brokers, Real Estate, real estate agent, success, Tips
Posted in Agents, Buyers | 3 Comments »
January 17, 2012
You may be wondering if 2012 will be a good year to purchase a small business. Can small businesses generate profit in a difficult economy? These are fair concerns and certainly require the small business buyer to move forward with adequate caution. If you’re determined to own a business, you can find what you’re looking for by establishing specific search parameters and purchase criteria.
1. Research Well Performing Businesses
First, complete the necessary research to identify a short list of business types that perform well in a weak economy. Determine if franchise opportunities provide a greater chance of success. Franchises historically have a higher start-up success rate and give you a proven business system, training and name recognition. You’ll have to decide if you want to start a business from the ground up or purchase an established business. The established business will cost more however, you get to avoid the painful start-up period and you can see current and past performance. (more…)
Tags:atlanta, atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, business, business brokerage, business buyer, Buyers, Commercial Real Estate, Dan Hinson, georgia, Metro Brokers, Real Estate, small business, success, Tips
Posted in Agents, Buyers | 3 Comments »
July 11, 2011
Buying a business can seem like a daunting task. I always recommend a professional business broker, since they can help you find exactly what you’re looking for. Here are some checklist items that will be necessary to get the job done:
Get the necessary financial information
Sellers must be able to provide books and records for their business. This includes business income statements, balance sheets and tax returns. All income and expenses must be traceable to original invoices. A lack of books and records makes considering the purchase of a business impossible.
Determine the value of the business
There are numerous ways to calculate business value. One method involves rules-of-thumb specifically related to the business industry. Publications are available for this information as well as online resources. You can also ask your business broker to perform a competitive market analysis. This process requires a professional that has access to nationwide sold data. A competitive market analysis provides significantly greater detail and support of value. (more…)
Tags:atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, business, business brokerage, business valuation, Commercial Real Estate, Dan Hinson, georgia, Metro Brokers, Real Estate, success, Tips
Posted in Agents, Buyers | Comments Off
January 19, 2011
Many of our business brokerage specialists are asked about franchises. Should you purchase one and what are the upsides to this type of acquisition? It’s become a popular option among business buyers, but should you take the leap?
Franchises are significantly different than independent businesses and offer several distinct advantages.
The first advantage involves a structured system of doing business. Whether or not an individual has specific experience in the particular industry, he or she can utilize the business system and succeed. Franchisors provide detailed training that fully explains the business system and how to use it. (more…)
Tags:atlanta, atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, business, business brokerage, Commercial Real Estate, Dan Hinson, franchise, georgia, Metro Brokers, Real Estate, real estate agent
Posted in Agents, Buyers | 1 Comment »
November 29, 2010
Purchasing an existing business usually costs more, but can greatly reduce the odds of failing. If you decide to search for an existing business, you’ll need to prepare for careful analysis. Your decision making process needs to be highly analytical and free of emotions. When properly completed, a business analysis will reveal the truth and make the decision to purchase or walk away clear and straightforward.
You may want to seek the assistance of a qualified Business Broker to assist with the business search and purchase, or you can elect to complete the process on your own. Regardless of how you proceed, it is imperative that you demand sufficient information from the Seller and obtain sound legal and accounting advice prior to making a final purchasing decision.
You want to fully understand what the Seller does each day and be certain that you can achieve the same results. Question whether or not the customer base is tied directly to the Seller and the impact the sale will have on the customers. Refuse to accept information that is not validated by business tax returns. Sellers can manipulate income statements, but not tax returns. (more…)
Tags:atlanta, atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, business, business broker, business brokerage, Buyers, Commercial Real Estate, Dan Hinson, franchise, franchisee, georgia, Metro Brokers, profitability, Real Estate, real estate agent, Realtor, success
Posted in Agents, Buyers | 1 Comment »
November 22, 2010
Owning and operating a business is a great way to take control of your future. Once you have decided to be your own boss, you have to consider whether you want to buy a business that is up and running (a growing concern) or start a business from the ground up (a start-up). Each of the options has advantages and disadvantages. You will also want to consider whether or not you want to own an independent or franchise business.
If you want to build a business from the ground up – otherwise known as a start-up – you’ll need a comprehensive business plan. Your business plan will need to include the means by which you will get customers (a marketing strategy) and how the business will operate on a day-to-day basis. It will estimate the expenses required to build out space and install required furniture, fixtures and equipment. You’ll also want to include sales projections (a Performa) and expenses required to support sales. Here are some other things to include in your business plan: (more…)
Tags:atlanta, atlanta real estate, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, business brokerage, Buyers, Coldwell Banker Commercial Metro Brokers, Commercial Real Estate, Dan Hinson, georgia, Metro Brokers, Real Estate, real estate agent, Realtor, starting a business
Posted in Agents, Buyers | 3 Comments »
August 24, 2009
I speak to real estate agents every day about listing and selling Main Street businesses. By Main Street I mean businesses that sell for less than $1 million. Initial challenges can be found in reaching out to enough business owners each day to generate a sufficient number of listing appointments. Then, you soon discover that scheduling a listing appointment certainly does not assure you of obtaining a good listing. There are three listing obstacles in particular that can be significant and simply block the opportunity to secure a listing.
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Tags:atlanta real estate, business brokerage, business owners, Dan Hinson, listing a business, securing a listing, value of a business
Posted in Agents, Sellers | 3 Comments »
July 8, 2009
Have you heard the latest?
There’s a new kid on the block. Commercial brokerage has a new listing website that was introduced in May at the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) conference. The website is called RealUp (realup.com) and offers a new and innovative approach to commercial listings management. The website provides a variety of services including comparables, research and financial data.
You can join RealUp, which is based out of Raleigh, North Carolina, for free and access comparable data and listings at no charge. You’re charged based on a per click system and guaranteed that no views results in no charges. The website is currently in the Beta phase with about 10,000 listings so far.
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Tags:BizBuySell, BizStats, business brokerage, commercial brokerage, commercial listings, CoStar, Dan Hinson, GABB, LoopNet, Metro Brokers, Real Estate, RealUp, reports, resources
Posted in Agents | 6 Comments »
June 4, 2009
I’m often asked about the best type of business to list or purchase. I’ve met a significant number of business owners over the years and learned that it isn’t for everyone. As an owner, you’re the first one in, the last one out and definitely the last to be paid. But on the other hand, the rewards of business ownership can be great. If you’ve decided that owning and operating a business is what you want to do, then what should you be looking for in a business?
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Tags:business, business brokerage, Dan Hinson, how to purchase a business, Metro Brokers, Real Estate
Posted in Agents, Buyers | 3 Comments »
May 28, 2009
Is it a good time to list and sell a business?
Yes, if you follow a few simple steps. First, you need to have an understanding of the business industry. If you want to list a dry cleaning business, take time to really familiarize yourself with the business culture and language. I’d recommend selecting an industry that you’ve worked in or have an interest in. If it’s an area you don’t know much about, again, do your homework. If you don’t prepare for a listing appointment adequately, you will appear less than confident and have trouble earning the business owner’s respect.
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Tags:bizbuysell.com, business brokerage, Business Reference Guide, businesses, buying, Dan Hinson, listing, Real Estate, selling, Tom West
Posted in Agents | 3 Comments »
You’ve now identified a business opportunity and completed a tour of the business facility. The seller’s answered your initial questions and provided you with business financial information. Once you review the income statements, balance sheets and tax returns, you can decide if you want to make an offer. There are two ways to communicate the offer to purchase the business. You could choose to utilize a contract or binding agreement or you could utilize a Letter of Intent or non-binding agreement. A contract must be written by an attorney and immediately binds you and the seller, and will require submission of earnest money. You’ll include certain contingencies in the contract that must be satisfied and the contract’s highly definitive. (more…)
I sometimes hear from commercial and business brokerage agents about the lack of opportunity or that they are not making as much money as they want to make. It’s not that I’m surprised to hear the complaint but rather the notion that the perceived problem is beyond the agent’s control. 
