ServicesSell a Business
Sell a Business in Liberty Hill
We help business owners sell on their own timeline. That means recast financials, a price buyers and lenders can verify, confidential marketing to screened buyers, and close management of due diligence until the funds transfer. Listing costs you nothing at the start, because our commission comes out of the sale proceeds.
What selling with us actually involves
Most small business sales fail for predictable reasons. The tax returns don't support the asking price, the lease can't be assigned, or the owner is so central to daily operations that a lender won't finance the deal. We look for those problems early, while there is still time to fix them, instead of finding them in the middle of due diligence.
Our work starts with your last three years of tax returns and profit and loss statements. From those we calculate seller's discretionary earnings, the number most buyers of owner-operated businesses use to judge value. We then build the listing, screen buyers and manage the deal to closing. We Only Get Paid When The Seller Does, so our time goes into deals that can actually close.
Many owners call us a year or two before they plan to sell. That lead time lets you clean up the books, document your processes and hand off key relationships, and each of those affects what a buyer will pay.
What's included when we sell your business
- 01
Financial recasting
We adjust your reported net income for add-backs such as owner salary, personal vehicle costs, one-time expenses and depreciation. Each add-back is documented so a buyer's accountant or an SBA lender can trace it to a source record.
- 02
Pricing based on market data
We set the asking price from your earnings, the multiples comparable businesses have sold for, and the value of equipment and inventory. If the number won't appraise for a lender, we tell you before the listing goes out.
- 03
Confidential marketing
Buyers first see a blind profile with no name, address or other identifying details. Only buyers who sign a nondisclosure agreement and show proof of funds receive the full offering memorandum. New listings go to registered buyers first.
- 04
Buyer screening
We check each buyer's liquid capital, industry experience and financing readiness before any meeting with you. That keeps your staff and customers from noticing a stream of curious visitors.
- 05
Deal management to closing
We help structure the letter of intent, keep due diligence requests organized and coordinate with the attorneys, accountants, lender and landlord. Lease assignments and franchise transfers often hold up closing, so we start on them early.
Questions about Sell a Business?
Call(512) 982-9404Signs it's time to start planning a sale
You want out within three years
Buyers and lenders look at a multi-year earnings trend. Starting now gives you time to show clean, rising numbers instead of a single good year.
Your lease is nearing renewal
A buyer's lender usually wants lease terms that cover the loan period. Negotiating an assignable lease with renewal options before you list removes a common reason deals fall apart.
The business depends on you personally
If customers, vendors or key licenses run through you alone, buyers discount the price or ask for a long earnout. Documenting systems and delegating relationships takes months, not weeks.
Unsolicited offers are arriving
A competitor or private buyer reaching out is a good sign, but an offer without a valuation behind it is hard to judge. A free, confidential valuation tells you whether the number is fair.
Your books mix personal and business spending
Commingled expenses can be recast, but only when there are records to support them. Separating accounts now strengthens every add-back you claim later.
How a sale moves from first call to closing
- 1
Consultation and document review
We talk through your goals, timeline and the net proceeds you need. Then we review your tax returns, financial statements, lease and equipment list, by phone, by video or at our office.
- 2
Valuation and preparation
We recast your earnings, set a supportable price and list anything that could stall a deal, such as missing contracts or a lease without assignment rights. You decide what to address before going to market.
- 3
Confidential marketing
The blind profile goes to registered buyers and our marketing channels. Interested buyers sign an NDA and are screened before they receive the offering memorandum.
- 4
Offers and letter of intent
We compare offers on more than price, including how much cash comes at closing, seller financing, the length of the transition period, non-compete terms and asset versus stock structure.
- 5
Due diligence and closing
The buyer verifies your records, the lender orders its appraisal, and the attorneys draft the purchase agreement. We keep requests moving and help settle the purchase price allocation and inventory count so closing day has no surprises.
What drives your sale price and our fee
There are no retainers and no hidden fees. Our commission comes from the sale proceeds at closing, and we lay out the terms in writing before you list. What you net depends mostly on how a buyer and lender judge the business, and these are the factors that move that judgment.
- Quality and trend of earnings
- Steady or rising seller's discretionary earnings, backed by tax returns, support a higher multiple. A declining year or unsupported add-backs pull the price down.
- Owner dependence
- A business with a manager in place and written procedures can be financed and handed off more easily, and buyers pay for that.
- Deal structure
- An all-cash offer, an SBA-financed deal and one with seller financing each produce different after-tax proceeds. How the price is allocated among equipment, goodwill and a non-compete also changes your tax result, so involve your CPA.
- Lease, real estate and transferability
- Assignable leases, transferable permits and clean equipment titles make a business easier to sell. If you also own the building, see our Business and Property Sales page.
Questions about selling your business
What slows a sale down, and how much time should I plan for?
The calendar is shaped by your industry, your asking price and the condition of your records. Finding an interested buyer is rarely the slow part. Lender underwriting, landlord approval of a lease assignment and the buyer's due diligence take most of the time. Clean financials and an assignable lease shorten every stage once an offer is accepted.
Will my employees or customers find out?
Not from our marketing. Buyers see a blind profile first and must sign an NDA and pass screening before learning your name. We set up site visits after hours or off-site, and you decide when to tell your staff.
Is there any fee while my business is on the market?
There isn't. Signing the listing agreement carries no upfront charge, and we never ask for a retainer. Our commission is paid from the sale proceeds on closing day, so if the business doesn't sell, you owe us nothing.
What documents should I gather first?
Start with three years of business tax returns, year-to-date profit and loss statements, your lease, an equipment list and any key contracts. If your books need cleanup, we can work with what you have and show you what to fix.
Should I agree to seller financing?
Many deals include some, and it can raise both the price and the pool of buyers who qualify. The trade-off is risk if the buyer struggles after closing. We cover the terms, security and how seller notes fit with an SBA loan, and our Acquisition Financing Guidance page has more detail.
Start planning your sale before you need to
A first conversation costs nothing and stays confidential. We'll review where your business stands and what would help it sell for a better price.