You’ve come to the right place! We have years of experience in assisting prospective business buyers to find and buy the right business.
Some of the essential functions we provide to business buyers include:
- Intensive Search Campaign
- Initial Screening
- Data Gathering and Review
- Negotiation Support
- Financial Analysis Coordination
- Reference to Financing Sources
- Due-Diligence Guidance
Here is a breakdown of what these points may entail
Intensive Search Campaign
When we conduct a search for a business buyer, we access a wide variety of sources. Some of them, such as business-for-sale websites, are accessible to the public. Other areas include private broker sessions, associations, and individual broker listings that are not publicized.
Initial Screening
It is not uncommon to view hundreds of businesses for sale. We look for high-value offerings that appear to meet your criteria, quickly discarding the many that don’t. When we find a possible candidate we discuss it with you to see if you want us to conduct an initial screening analysis.
Data Gathering and Review
When an acquisition candidate passes the initial screening, we obtain more data from the seller’s broker and coordinate a more detailed financial analysis with your CPA and other professionals as appropriate. This is also the time to start inquiring about “value drivers”- those aspects of the business that are critical to producing future profits (e.g., contracts, equipment, skilled employees.)
Negotiation Support
When a candidate rises to the level of being an acquisition target, it’s time for the buyer to prepare either a letter of intent to purchase, or an actual offer to purchase (with appropriate conditions to protect you if the business turns out to be not as represented or if further investigation shows that it doesn’t meet all of your criteria. We work with you and your other professionals to make sure that you can safely go forward, while providing for a safe exit if your conditions are not met.
Financial Analysis Coordination
Getting the offer accepted may take several rounds of offer and counter-offer. We are accustomed to that, and can serve as a valuable buffer to make the negotiation more effective.
Reference to Financing Sources
Once the buyer’s offer is accepted, we go into high gear to open escrow with a title company experienced in the special area of business sales, and we provide you with references to several business finance lenders. Collaborating with the buyer’s CPA and other financial professionals, we assist in the preparation of the loan application package.
Due-Diligence Guidance
Concurrently, we assist you and your team in conducting an intensive on-site due-diligence review.
Once all of this is done, we schedule the closing and attend the closing meeting with you. As a business buyer, you can have an experienced professional on your side, and if done properly it can cost you nothing.
There are many more details than described here. We are happy to answer any questions you may have about buying a business in Oregon.
Contact Gary today by calling (503) 991-5601