Sell a Business in Leander

What selling with us looks like

Selling a business is not like selling a car. Buyers want to see three years of numbers, know why you are leaving and trust that the customers will stay after you go. Our job is to get those answers ready, put a realistic price on the business and bring you buyers who can actually close.

We work with owners of small and mid-sized private businesses: service companies, shops, restaurants, trades and professional firms. We meet you at our office or talk things through on a phone or video call. That way you stay at the counter or on the job while we carry the sale.

Listing with us costs you nothing at the start. You sign no retainer, and nothing is tucked into the fine print. Our fee comes out of the sale at closing, so if you never get paid, neither do we. That keeps us after the same thing you want: a deal that actually closes.

What the work includes

A price you can defend

We start with a free, confidential valuation based on your real earnings, not a rule of thumb. We show you how we got the number so you can push back on it.

Getting the books buyer-ready

We go through your tax returns and profit and loss statements and help you recast them. That means adding back owner perks and one-time costs so a buyer sees what the business really earns.

A confidential listing

Your listing describes the business without naming it. Buyers sign a nondisclosure agreement before they see your name, location or financials.

Screening buyers

We ask buyers about their cash, their financing and their experience before they get serious information. New listings go to registered buyers first, so good candidates often see your business before it goes wide.

Handling offers and terms

We help you compare offers on more than price. Down payment, seller financing, your transition period and closing date all matter.

Seeing it through to closing

We keep due diligence, lender requests and attorney paperwork moving. You stay focused on the business so the numbers hold up until the day it changes hands.

Signs it is time to talk about selling

• You are thinking about retirement

  If you want out in the next few years, start now. Good sales take planning, and a business with clean books sells better. Our Exit Planning page covers the longer runway.

• The business needs more than you want to give

  Growth needs new hires, new equipment or a second location, and you are tired. A buyer with fresh energy and capital may pay well for that upside.

• You have had an unsolicited offer

  Someone asked if you would sell. Before you answer, find out what the business is worth so you are not guessing.

• A partner wants out

  When partners disagree on the future, a sale or a buyout can settle it. See Partner Buyouts and Succession if one of you wants to stay.

• Your health or family needs come first

  Life changes. A planned sale protects the value you built far better than a rushed one.

How the sale moves, step by step

1. 1

   First call and valuation

   We talk about your business, your goals and your timeline. Then we review your numbers and give you a confidential valuation at no cost.

2. 2

   Written scope and fee

   Before we list, you get a written agreement that spells out what we will do, how our fee is figured and when it is paid. No surprise charges show up later.

3. 3

   Prepare and market

   We build a confidential profile of the business and present it to registered buyers first, then to a wider pool. Every inquiry gets screened before anything sensitive goes out.

4. 4

   Offers and due diligence

   You meet serious buyers, review letters of intent with us and pick the best fit. Then the buyer checks the books, leases and contracts while we keep the deal on schedule.

5. 5

   Closing and handoff

   Attorneys draft the final documents, financing is funded and the business transfers. Most sellers stay on for a short training period so customers and staff see a smooth change.

What affects the cost of selling

Our fee is a success fee paid at closing, and we put the exact terms in writing before we list your business. You pay nothing up front. A few things shape the overall cost and the effort a sale takes.

Size and complexity of the business

A single-location business with steady earnings is simpler to sell than one with several locations, inventory or many contracts. More moving parts means more work in due diligence.

Condition of your records

Clean, consistent books make for a faster sale. If your records need cleanup, your accountant may have extra work before we can market the business.

Real estate in the deal

If you own the building, selling it with the business adds appraisals and title work. Our Business and Property Sales page explains how that works.

Buyer financing

Many buyers use bank or SBA loans, which bring lender requirements and timelines. Our Acquisition Financing Guidance helps buyers get ready so the deal does not stall.