If you’ve been reading national headlines or listening to general market commentary over the past year, you might think the small business M&A market has completely stalled. With SBA loan interest rates hovering in double-digit territory and capital costs significantly elevated compared to the sub-5% borrowing era, many business owners assume that selling right now […]
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The Buyer Liquidity Trap: Why 10% Down is Never Enough to Buy a Business
f you’ve spent any time on social media or taken an online course on buying small businesses, you’ve almost certainly heard the pitch: “Buy a cash-flowing business for zero down, or put just 10% down using an SBA 7(a) loan.” It sounds clean, simple, and incredibly accessible. If a stable trade service or local main-street […]
How Private Equity Looks Beyond EBITDA: The Importance of Free Cash Flow and Financial Consistency
One of the most common misconceptions among business owners preparing for a sale is that EBITDA alone determines valuation. While EBITDA is an important metric, sophisticated private equity investors and lenders view it as only the starting point in evaluating an acquisition opportunity. EBITDA is often described as a measure of operating profitability, but […]
The Hidden Demand Niches: Where Buyer Interest Outpaces Listing Supply
Categories like machine shops or engineering-related businesses tend to attract buyers with specific technical backgrounds who are actively searching within a narrow niche, rather than casual browsers — which concentrates inquiry activity when a listing does appear.
What Should You Actually Expect to Get Below Asking? Close Price vs. List Price, By the Numbers
Buyers in this segment are also highly price-sensitive. They often compare numerous opportunities at once and aggressively negotiate terms, creating greater pressure on sellers to reduce their expectations.