Is Earnest Money required when selling a business?
Is earnest money or a breakup fee required when selling or buying a small business? The answer to this question may surprise you depending on who you are. If you talk to a business seller or a business buyer, they may answer you the same, however as you dig in a little more into their answer you will see a glaring difference in the answer. A business seller will have a very different perspective from the business buyer.
Sometimes these terms are used interchangeably; however, there is actually a significant difference between an earnest money deposit and a breakup fee, and a good understanding of both and why they are used will help answer the question posed in the title of this article.
First, let us define these terms.
Earnest Money
Is a deposit made to a seller showing the buyer’s good faith in a transaction. Earnest money is typically held jointly by the seller and buyer in a trust or escrow account, and has its origins in the real estate world. An earnest money deposit shows the seller that a buyer is serious about purchasing the business. When the transaction is finalized, the funds are put toward the buyer’s down payment. If the deal falls through, the buyer may not be able to reclaim the deposit. Typically, if the seller terminates the deal, the earnest money will be returned to the buyer. When the buyer is responsible for retracting the offer, the seller will usually be awarded the money.* (more…)
Read MoreWhen is the Right Time to Sell My Business?
A key question many business owners struggle with is…when is the right time to sell my business for its maximum value? This is often a very personal decision with several aspects to consider. There are 5 key questions to ask yourself.
-
Is my business growing, remaining flat or declining?
For business with sales and profitability that are growing at rates of 10% or greater, they provide an outstanding opportunity to capture a premium. The business trends over the last 3 to 5 years is a key factor prospective buyers look for and greatly influence what they are willing to pay. Businesses which have remained relatively flat do not necessarily generate the same level of interest as high growth businesses. However, they are generally good businesses for a buyer to consider if they provide market potential and represent an opportunity for a new buyer who is willing to explore new avenues to grow the business. Businesses which are trending down are often passed on by most buyers due to the risks involved unless the problems are easily identified and the path for turning things around is clear. If this is the case, you should either spend the time and energy to get things back on track or be prepared to accept less for your business.
-
Am I still motivated to operate my business?
I have represented many business owners who own a strong business and have developed a reliable business model, but lack the energy or motivation to continue to operate at maximum (more…)
Read More