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Selling a Lawn and Garden Furnishings Business

It's a misconception that no one is buying lawn and garden furnishings businesses these days. Savvy entrepreneurs see lawn and garden furnishings business opportunities as a path to short-term profits and long-term growth. There aren't any guarantees, but if you adhere to fundamental business sale concepts, you can likely get a good price for your business.

The economy isn't the only thing that is uncertain these days. So are lawn and garden furnishings business buyers, many of whom are waiting to pull the trigger on their next acquisition.

More than a few lawn and garden furnishings business owners fail to receive fair market value for their businesses. With the right strategy, your sale doesn't have to end that way.

When to End Negotiations

Negotiations have a way of dragging on forever. But sooner or later, someone needs to bring negotiations to a close. Unfortunately, that responsibility often falls on the seller. A lull in negotiations may be part of the buyer's strategy. Then again, it may be a sign that the search for common ground is a lost cause. At this point in the process, an awareness of negotiation parameters really pays off. If the buyer is unwilling to accept your minimum demands, it's time to end negotiations and move on to the next prospect.

Pre-Sale Checklist

The pre-sale checklist for a lawn and garden furnishings business is long and is full of critical tasks that will likely determine the success (or failure) of your sale. The first item on your checklist should be a reality check -- if you plan to sell your business for top dollar in just a few short months, you need to adjust your expectations%However, your first priority should be to set realistic expectations for the selling process and its eventual outcome. Once your expectations are in the ballpark, you can move on to making your business presentable to prospective buyers.

Working with Accountants

Professional accountants lend credibility to the financial preparation of a lawn and garden furnishings business sale. From a seller perspective, an accountant can offer personal financial assistance, especially when it comes to handling the disposition of sale proceeds. Brokers often advise their clients to have an accountant perform an audit of the business prior to sale. With seller financing becoming common, professional accountants are playing a more central role in negotiations and buyer qualification.

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