(850) 374-8884

10 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Business Broker

10 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Business Broker

10 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Business Broker
10 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Business Broker

 

Deciding to sell your business can be fueled by several decisions. You may want to venture into a different niche or retire entirely from the business. To make value or profits from the industry, most owners opt to sell their businesses to a willing buyer who can continue with it or even improve it. Expertise in business does not necessarily give you the insight to make a good deal when you decide to sell your business. 

The process is not easy, and if you are not careful, you can make deals that are way below the value of your business. It is advisable to hire the services of a business broker to help you sell your business and make reasonable value out of it. Getting a good business broker who can make good deals on your behalf is essential. Therefore, before you hire a broker, you should scrutinize them and gauge whether they would be a good fit for the business. 

Here are some questions you can ask when hiring a business broker: 

#1. What Are Your Charges?

It is common for business brokers to take a commission out of the money paid to purchase the business if successful. However, some brokers may need a one-off payment or partial payment finalized after the successful selling of the business. Prior knowledge would enable you to know if you will be financially capable of dealing with the broker. 

#2. Have You Sold a Business of this Kind Before?

A broker with prior experience in selling a business of your kind will be able to make deals faster. If they have sold a business of your kind, they will have contacts and the general knowledge to make the deal faster. 

#3. How Many Years of Experience Do You Have?

Years of experience matter as it speaks on the expertise of the business broker. Additionally, you can ask the broker for references from his previous experiences to gauge the validity of their experiences. 

#4. How Many Deals Have You Brokered?

This question is essential as it enables you to gauge the broker’s activity in the marketplace. A full-time broker engaged in the business will efficiently market and make deals for your business as they have the resources to do so.  

#5. How Do You Prepare a Business for Sale?

Preparation is vital in business sales, a process that follows due diligence. A professional broker should have a strategy to prepare a business for sale. The broker should also be transparent in your involvement in the preparation. 

#6. Do You Have Comparable Sales for my Business?

A good broker should have sufficient data for business sales to show a client so they can analyze their business’s value before listings.  

#7. How Long Does It Take to Sell the Business?

Selling a business can take quite some time before it is successful. However, this question will also enable you to gauge the broker’s expertise. A broker with experience will have several buyers on their database, which will shorten the process.

#8. How Do You Market Businesses?

Strategic marketing will enable your business to get a deal worth its value. A good broker should use reputable marketing strategies to attract synergistic buyers for your business.

#9. How Do You Prepare Sales Contracts?

Professional brokers will involve attorneys to structure proper contracts before you hire them for the business sale.  

#10. How Do You Valuate Businesses?

A good broker should have a professional and strategic valuation procedure for businesses. You should only trust their services if they seem clear on such a crucial question. 

Ready to sell your business for great value? Partner with Murphybusiness today and get value for your business. Selling a business can be hard, but not when you partner with professionals. Contact us today to learn more about getting the right broker for your business.