Is EVERY Business For Sale at “Right Price”

As a Business Broker based in Florida I spend ample amount of time prospecting/marketing for prospective business sellers and prospective business buyers.  I use various marketing methods to market to both buyers and sellers.  While in the process of  prospecting for business owners considering the exit or sale of their business it is not uncommon to hear “I would be interested in selling my business  if I can get the right price”.

Business For Sale – The Right Price

Recently I engaged in such a discussion- the owner told me he would very much like to sell his business and start a new somewhat unrelated business if the could get the right price for his business.  I then asked what he felt may be the right price and he followed up with “I don’t know”.

The “right price”  may not equal to the business value, or the price a qualified interested buyer is willing to pay.

For an actual transaction to be consummated,  the right price needs to resemble actual business value.  If the “right price”  is actually 2-3 times what estimated value of the business is, it is probably best for all parties involved to spend their time elsewhere.

But is every business for sale?  What if a “sweetheart deal” is presented to  a small business owner in Florida?  If you had a business that is not “For Sale” , and you know it to have an approximate value of $500k  and someone walked in and made you a cash offer of $800k cash is your business now for sale to that party?

Is now the time to Sell My Business?

From my personal experience of business ownership, I think yes most businesses are for sale if the “price is right”.  But not all businesses.  While owning my previous business in the 10th year  I had gotten a significant offer for the business, but I had long terms plans and  aspirations for the business.  At that point in time I had made several acquisitions and made several other offers on other related businesses and was comfortable with valuations, synergy calculations,  and felt I knew what the value of  my business was.

There was a lot of merger and acquisition activity that was occurring in my industry at that point in time and I was presented with a cash offer from a  very strong company, and was at about a 25% premium to what I and my CPA viewed as current value.  So I had a very strong cash offer from a well qualified business- do you take the money and move on.?

Business For Sale – The Value

In my opinion business values are affected by both  macro and micro economics.  What is the state of the economy, what is the state of the merger acqusition economy and what is the state of your industry/your business?  These elements effect what sort of multiple of cash flow your business may be worth.  If the economy is such that valuations were/are  running high do you look to exit your business because valuations, and or those high multiples may not come around again?

In my situation I consulted with my “trusted advisers” around me my CPA, my attorney, my wife.  Yet ultimately the decision was mine.    My CPA did tell me something that strongly influenced that decision.  He had told me “You,ll know when you are ready”.  It was a great price great offer, but I wasn’t ready and ultimately sold my business 10 years later and got fair value for the business. So is every business for sale if the “right price” comes along.  I think that most businesses are for sale if the right price comes along, but not all businesses.

 

 

 

Florida Business For Sale Florida Businesses Sold Activity 2011

Florida Business For Sale  Florida Businesses Sold Activity 2011

I am a Florida Business broker working with business owners selling their Florida  businesses, and business owners and individuals looking for acquisitions.  Prospective business buyers I work with are located in Florida, US., and Business buyers in Europe and throughout the world.

As a  member of Business Brokers of Florida, which is the largest state Association of Business Brokers in the United States we have access to significant data regarding businesses being bought and sold .   Thousands of businesses for sale are represented by over 1000 business brokers that are members of this Association.  These business brokers list their respective businesses for sale and prospective business buyers on a centralized listing site and buyers and sellers of businesses are brought together. Several thousand businesses for sale are listed, modified, and advertised thru this website.  Valuable information regarding Florida business for Sales and Florida Businesses Sold help me as a Business Broker Professional  keep track of the ebb and flow of the Florida Business Acquisition Market.  Understanding a business to assist in selling that business requires an understanding of the numbers behind  that business.  And understanding the marketplace in which this business may be sold is furthered by a review of the data surrounding businesses being bought and sold in Florida. The below are a few statistics, totals, and items of note surrounding the business acquisition and sales market in the State of Florida. Other businesses are bought and sold without the assistance of members Business Brokers of Florida, and that info is not included in this analysis.

Businesses Sold in Florida Activity for 2011

Businesses Sold in Florida through Business Brokers of Florida  in  2011  – 859  vs 931  in 2010.  About a 7% drop.

Averages of all businesses sold in 2011:

Average Sales – $541,000   Average Price Sold For- $243,000   Average Adjusted Net- $96,000   Days on Market  224 (note all DOM (days on market) numbers DO NOT include those taken off the for sale market)

Florida businesses sold in 2011  Items of note:

  • Restaurants sold in Florida – Number sold- 199   Avg Sales-$326k  Avg  Sold Avg.Price-$140k     Adj Net-$67k  DOM 211

over 20% of all businesses sold in 2011 were restaurants!  Currently 670 are for sale

  • Dry Cleaners/Laundry Business sold in Florida-39  Avg. Sales-$174k Avg.  Sold Avg. Price-$119k   Avg. Adj Net-$64k

fairly active sector- fairly low business entry point, and fairly easy learning curve.

  • Manufacturing businesses sold in Florida- 15   Avg. Sales $1.3M   Avg.Sold price-$713k Avg. Adj Net-$148k DOM-275

Florida is a very service oriented business community, not a lot of manufacturing activity, relatively.

  • Lawn Service Businesses Sold in Florida-33 Avg. Sales-$190k   Avg. Sold Price- $ 115k  Avg. Adj Net- $73k  DOM-186

lots of lawn service business sold and for sale in Florida but almost exclusively “smaller” with average sales of $190k

  • Insurance related businesses Sold in Florida-15  Avg. Sales- $226k    Avg. Sold Price-$335k  Avg. Adj.Net- $110k  DOM -166

I took note of insurance because they received a very good multiple when compared to most other industries 3+ times adjusted Net. and the average days on market less than 6 months- a fairly fast sell time.

As of December 28,2011…

Businesses Currently For Sale through Business Brokers of Florida – 3392 vs. 3373   in last 30 day period.  about same.

  • Number of Business Currently for Sale in Jacksonville Florida Area (Duval County and St.Johns County) – 209
  • Number of Business Sold in Jacksonville Florida Area in2011- 48
  • Number of Restaurants for Sale in Jacksonville Fl Area-56 (about 25% of all Jacksonville businesses for sale)

Current Business Interest and Activity Observations: as of  December 28,2011

Is there a pent up supply being created.?  Every year business owners get closer to exiting their businesses.  Another year has gone by.  How many business owners planned or intended to sell their business in 2010 or 2011 and have decided to delay that action?

Will this “supply” of businesses for sale affect the price that a business may realize due to a potential increase in supply?  If demand stays consistent and supply increases, prices by market forces tend to move down.  So how does one balance the strategy to wait until company performance improves vs selling into a potentially lower valued market?  I always like to think tomorrow will be better as I am a fairly optimistic person- things will get better, just not sure how many tomorrows its going to take.

 

  • *All above info compiled from data available via the bbfmls website. And addresses information about businesses being bought and sold and reported thru this Professional organization of Business Brokers of Florida.

For more info or questions regarding the Florida Business Acquisition Market or Florida Businesses for sale please contact

Scott M Messinger

Scott@Sellabusinessflorida.com

239.770.2421


 

Florida Business For Sale Florida Businesses Sold Activity (Nov.22, 2011)

Florida Business For Sale  Florida Businesses Sold Activity (Oct.12, 2011)

I am a Florida Business broker working with business owners selling their Florida  businesses, and business owners looking for acquisitions.  Prospective business buyers I work with are located in Florida, US., and Business buyers in Europe and throughout the world.

As a  member of Business Brokers of Florida, which is the largest state Association of Business Brokers in the United States we have access to significant data regarding businesses being bought and sold .   Thousands of businesses for sale are represented by over 1000 business brokers that are members of this Association.

These business brokers list their respective businesses for sale and prospective business buyers on a centralized listing site and buyers and sellers of businesses are brought together. Several thousand businesses for sale are listed, modified, and advertised thru this website.  Valuable information regarding Florida business for Sales and Florida Businesses Sold help me as a Business Broker Professional  keep track of the ebb and flow of the Florida Business Acquisition Market.

Understanding a business to assist in selling that business requires an understanding of the numbers behind  that business.  And understanding the marketplace in which this business may be sold is furthered by a review of the data surrounding businesses being bought and sold in Florida. The below are a few statistics, totals, and items of note surrounding the business acquisition and sales market in the State of Florida. Other businesses are bought and sold without the assistance of members Business Brokers of Florida, and that info is not included in this analysis.

Recent Businesses Sold in Florida Activity (as of  Nov 22. 12, 2011)

  • Businesses Sold in Florida through Business Brokers of Florida  in last 30 days  – 42 vs 28 in prior 30 day (Oct.12,2011) documented  period
  • Top  industry of  Businesses Sold in Florida through Business Brokers of Florida in  last 30 days:   Restaurants   (as usual…) other most active- Lawn Service, Contractor, Retail
  • Avg Days it took to sell Florida Businesses Sold in last 30 days  – 235 (about 8 months vs. –  (5 months)- in last documented 30 day period (Oct 2011), doesnt include businesses that were removed from market without selling (One Florida  business sold in 1341 days)

As of Nov 22, 2011…

Businesses Currently For Sale through Business Brokers of Florida – 3373 vs. 3301   in last 30 day period.  up about 2%

  • Number of Business Currently for Sale in Jacksonville Florida Area (Duval County and St.Johns County) – 217
  • Number of Business Sold in Jacksonville Florida Area in last year- 46

Current Business Interest and Activity Obseravtions: as of  Nov 22, 2011

My profession has me involved with speaking to many business owners in Florida and many “prospective business buyers”. Recent discussions continue to enforce consistent facts about todays business acquisition and sales market in Florida:

  • People are actively  looking to buy good businesses.  
  • Business Owners are hesitant to put their business up for sale because the business is down from peak or higher levels. 
  • A business offering Seller financing both attract more buyers and increases the likelihood of the business sale.

*All above info compiled from data available via the bbfmls website. And addresses information about businesses being bought and sold and reported thru this Professional organization of Business Brokers of Florida.

For more info or questions regarding the Florida Business Acquisition Market or Florida Businesses for sale please contact

Scott M Messinger

Scott@Sellabusinessflorida.com

239.770.2421


 

What Business Would a Business Broker Buy?

Many Business Owners will utilize a professional business broker to help sell their business.  Many prospective business buyers may hire a business broker to help them in their quest to find and buy the right business.  The perspective of a business broker will be different from the perspectives of both the buyer and seller.

The business broker has the perspective of being involved with reviewing many businesses and speaking with many prospective buyers and sellers.  A “normal” business buyer or business seller may only buy or sell a business one time in their business life.  But what sort of business would a business broker buy if he/she were buying a business?

  • What Business would a business broker buy?
  • Would  a business broker buy a franchise
  • Would  a business broker choose to start a business
  • Would a business broker  decide due to current market conditions to wait and defer the decision to buy a business until the economy improves

Just as every business buyer will have their own set of criteria for evaluating and making a business acquisition, every business broker will have their own criteria they deem as important.  As a business broker based in Florida,  and former business owner ,I always look at businesses for sale from the perspective as a prospective business buyer and ask myself “Would I buy this business at this price if I was buying it?”.   And if I ran across a terrific business opportunity that is a great value,  that met my lifestyle and financial requirements, I may be a business buyer again.

Business Broker`s Criteria For Buying A Business

What are the few basic conditions I would most look for in today`s business environment.

  1. Motivated Seller– I recognize the Seller really needs to want to sell.  Not that the Seller needs to sell, but rather WANTS to sell for what ever reason it may be.  Selling ones business is a process.  Many business owners have  been doing a certain thing for a long time, and continuing to run a business vs selling may be “ the path of least resistance’’,  Attempting to sell a business on a whim or buying a business from someone “kind of interested” in selling can be arduous .   For me, there needs to be a strong “want” when selling a business.
  2. Seller Financing– I want to buy a business that offers Seller Financing.   When Seller Owner holds a note on the business  he has a vested interest in your success.  To avoid not going thru a bank or other lender holds a high value to me and would be my first choice.
  3. A Good value relative to asking  price as a multiple of adjusted cash flow. A higher multiple may be ok but must be quantifiable.
  4. I  would be willing to buy a business that has poor financial  records yet feel numbers can be substantiated. I recognize different small businesses handle their “accounting” in so many different ways, and if I can find good value does exist within a  a company with poor records ,  I would have further interest. Some business buyers may be less comfortable  when records on the surface dont make sense.
  5. Recurring Income- Strong recurring revenue would be important to me.     Am I walking into ongoing sales or am I going to have to go out and get new sales each and every month.  And what is the cost to get that new business.
Acquiring A Business

Photo (c) tampabusinessbroker.com

“A Rising Tide Raises all Ships. ” Now is a good time to buy a business. As the economy improves, I feel  value will be realized.   The process of buying and selling a small business requires certain individual criteria to be met.  My criteria will be different than the next persons.   What is important to others may be similar to the above criteria.  But if you are looking to buy a business you need to outline what is important to you.

 

 

Florida Businesses For Sale-

Florida Business For Sale  Florida Businesses Sold Activity (June 6.8.2011)

I am a Florida Business broker working with business owners selling their Florida  business, and business owners looking for acquisitions.  Prospective business buyers I work with are located in Florida, US., and Business buyers in Europe and throughout the world.

As a  member of Business Brokers of Florida, which is the largest state Association of Business Brokers in the United States we have access to significant data regarding businesses being bought and sold .   Thousands of businesses for sale are represented by over 1000 business brokers that are members of this Association.  These business brokers list their respective businesses for sale and prospective business buyers on a centralized listing site and buyers and sellers of businesses are brought together.

Several thousand businesses for sale are listed, modified, and advertised thru this website.  Valuable information regarding Florida business for Sales and Florida Businesses Sold help me as a Business Broker Professional  keep track of the ebb and flow of the Florida Business Acquisition Market.  Understanding a business to assist in selling that business requires an understanding of the numbers behind  that business.  And understanding the marketplace in which this business may be sold is furthered by a review of the data surrounding businesses being bought and sold in Florida. The below are a few statistics, totals, and items of note surrounding the business acquisition and sales market in the State of Florida.

 

Recent Businesses Sold in Florida Activity

  • Businesses Sold in Florida through Business Brokers of Florida  in last 30 days  – 48
  • Top 2 industries of  Businesses Sold in Florida through Business Brokers of Florida in  last 30 days:  9 Florida Restaurants Sold in Florida     4 Lawn Service Business sold in Florida
  • Avg Days it took to sell Florida Businesses Sold in last 30 days  – 270 days-  (9 months)

Businesses Currently For Sale through Business Brokers of Florida – 3213

Businesses Sold in Florida through Business Brokers of Florida over last year –  872

  1. Businesses For Sale through Business Brokers of Florida with Net Income Less than $100k – 1196
  2. Businesses For Sale through Business Brokers of Florida with Net Income More  than $100k –  1117
  3. Businesses For Sale through Business Brokers of Florida with Net Income More  than $200k  – 484
  4. Businesses For Sale through Business Brokers of Florida with Net Income More  than $300k –   223
  5. Businesses For Sale through Business Brokers of Florida with Net Income More  than $400k –   112
  6. Businesses For Sale through Business Brokers of Florida with Net Income More  than $500k –  66
  7. Businesses For Sale through Business Brokers of Florida with Net Income More  than $1M        -19

Highlighted Industry:     Automotive  Business For Sale in Florida                      Automotive businesses for sale include Auto Repair businesses for sale,Towing Businesses For Sale in Florida, Auto Car Washes for Sale in Florida, Auto Car Sales Businesses for Sale in Florida, Auto Body Shops for Sale in Florida, and other Auto related businesses .

  • Number of Automotive Businesses  Sold in Florida in last 2 years -54`
  • Average Days it took to sell –  282
  • Number of Automotive Businesses  Currently For Sale in Florida- 186

Currently I represent a Towing Business For Sale in Jacksonville Florida. This business for sale is available with or without Realestate and relizes revenue streams from towing, service, storage and resales. Looking to Buy a business in Florida?

All above info compiled from data available via the bbfmls website.


For more info or questions regarding the Florida Business Acquisition Market or Florida Businesses for sale please contact

Scott M Messinger

Scott@Sellabusinessflorida.com

239.770.2421