How to Sell a Niche Market Business
Selling an Education Law attorney firm
A lot can go wrong during the sale of an education law attorney firm even if the seller has previous business sales experience. More than ever before, it's important for sellers to know the tactics and techniques that are being used to maximize sales price and achieve desired sale outcomes.
Business sellers are notorious for second-guessing themselves about the right time to put their companies up for sale.
The business-for-sale market is extremely dynamic. Knowledgeable entrepreneurs understand that market timing isn't nearly as important as other factors in a education law attorney firm sale. You just need to know your buyers and structure the deal accordingly.
Laying the Groundwork
A successful education law attorney firm sale begins with careful planning. Although you are convinced your business has value in the marketplace, the planning process establishes a framework for communicating its value to prospective buyers. A first-rate business broker can give your business an edge by facilitating the preparation process and orienting your presentation toward today's buyers. Specifically, brokers can advise you about the preparation of financial statements and other documents buyers expect to see in a premium education law attorney firm opportunity.
Signs You're in Over Your Head
The education law attorney firm-for-sale marketplace is a mixed bag of brokered sales and solo efforts. Although there are exceptions, solo sales typically take longer and are less productive than brokered sales. If you decide to go solo and your business has been on the market for more than six months without a single buyer inquiry, it's time to hire a professional business broker. Lack of buyer enthusiasm or persistence indicates that something is wrong. The remedy is professional brokerage or a consultation with more experienced sellers.
Seller Financing
Capital is hard to come by these days. Banks and other lending institutions aren't eager to lend to unproven and undercapitalized education law attorney firm buyers regardless of the business's potential. Rather than abandon their plans entirely, many buyers are pursuing finance concessions from sellers. It's common for sellers to finance as much as 70% of the purchase price with a payoff period of four or five years, sometimes in the form of a balloon payment at the end of the repayment period.
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