| Selling your business is the simplest way to | | | | established businesses that have been trading for |
| convert your years of hard work and investment | | | | longer than 12 months. As a result a business for |
| into cash. The best time to sell your business will | | | | sale that falls into this category will struggle to find |
| vary, but in general you want to avoid any | | | | a buyer. |
| periods where your business is not performing | | | | Obviously the better your business is performing, |
| well. If you are forced to sell during these "bad" | | | | the higher the price you will achieve for the sale. |
| times, your business might be more difficult to sell | | | | It isn't unusual for a business owner whose |
| for the price you want. However, your business | | | | business is suffering due to the economy or for |
| for sale listing will still attract potential buyers. | | | | some other reason, and end up selling their |
| More specifically, entrepreneurs love picking up | | | | business for far less than it is actually worth. |
| struggling businesses for a good price. | | | | Keeping your business at the top of it game will |
| Try to avoid selling a business based on an | | | | ensure you will get the maximum price for your |
| emotional decision. Set yourself a goal and stick to | | | | business for sale. A potential business buyer will be |
| it. Some business owners will sell a business for | | | | expecting a considerable discount if your financial |
| less than it is worth just because they are looking | | | | records are reflecting bad sales figures. |
| for a quick sale. This is perfect for the buyer, but | | | | The best time to sell a business is at its peak. |
| could cost the seller thousands of dollars in profits. | | | | Selling a business before sales start to decline and |
| So don't jump at the first offer you receive. Any | | | | before bad economic times is the smartest |
| potential buyer will always offer you far less than | | | | option. There is no specific number of years a |
| what you are asking. This technique will indicate to | | | | business has to be trading for maximum returns |
| the buyer if the seller is looking for a quick sale or | | | | when selling; however the longer your business |
| not. The seller usually regrets the decision to sell | | | | has been trading the more likely it will generate |
| fast once they realize that they would have | | | | some interest. These are not hard and fast rules |
| made more money buy not taking the first offer | | | | to live by, but they will lead you in the right |
| on the table. | | | | direction. At the end of the day, you are the |
| If your business is under 12 months old it is not | | | | owner of your business and if selling your |
| advised to put it on the business for sale market. | | | | business at all cost helps your achieve your |
| It is common knowledge that new business | | | | personal goals, then go for it! |
| ventures have a higher failure rate than | | | | |