Sell a Business for the Best Price
Selling a Pub
No one said selling your business in a depressed economy would be easy. But selling your pub doesn't have to be as daunting as it sounds.
You need to get a good price for your pub. To get there, you'll need to set realistic expectations and follow a deliberate selling strategy.
The good news is that ambitious entrepreneurs continue to see pubs as a smart business investment -- and the market is rewarding owners who are willing to invest time and energy in their sale.
Identifying Serious Buyers
Unfortunately, many of the prospects you will encounter aren't serious buyers. Even though tire kickers are a fact of life in any sale scenario, they sap valuable time and energy that could be spent identifying more serious prospects. Your business broker can offer insights about how to quickly spot tire kickers. Never provide detailed information about your pub until the prospect has been qualified as a serious buyer.
Current Market Conditions
At first glance, today's market would seem to be a hostile place for pub sellers. So far, government intervention and promises that the economy is slowly recovering haven't been enough to alleviate many entrepreneur's fears. However, many business sellers don't realize that a full economic rebound can have devastating consequences, particularly if sellers who have waited to list their businesses suddenly create a glut in the business-for-sale marketplace. So what's our point? The economy isn't the most important factor in the sale of your business. Instead, you should be focusing on making your pub as attractive as possible so to buyers right now.
Handling Unexpected Outcomes
Every business seller dreams of a fast sale and a fat payday. But it's highly unlikely that the sale will meet all of your expectations, especially if your initial estimates were created without the benefit of a solid appraisal or market knowledge. Surprises are inevitable, so to minimize the disappointment you will need to prioritize the outcomes you require from the sale. If buyers don't seem to be willing to meet your expectations, consult with your broker to modify your strategy and market approach.
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