Exit Planning Techniques By Market

Selling a Fire Departments Business

You've heard the naysayers - now isn't the time to sell a fire departments business. But what they don't know is that many entrepreneurs see fire departments businesses as a smart business investment.

The economy isn't the only thing that is uncertain these days. So are fire departments business buyers, many of whom are waiting to pull the trigger on their next acquisition.

If you're ready to move on, now is the right time to sell your fire departments business.

Average Timeframes

Hoping for a quick fire departments business sale? You may be disappointed. Unfortunately, there are no hard and fast rules about the length of time your business will be on the market. Pricing plays a role in sale length, but there are no guarantees that a fairly priced business will sell quickly. Before you can list your fire departments business, you'll need to invest as much as a year in preparing it for prospective buyers. Even though it's conceivable that an attractive opportunity could sell in weeks, an immediate flood of offers could indicate that the business is underpriced.

Finding Fire Departments Business Buyers

It's difficult to predict where the buyer of your fire departments business will come from. Avoid pigeon-holing your search to a single buyer category. Many sellers achieve success by listing their fire departments businesses in multiple channels. Sellers should also recognize the value of promoting their sale in trusted business networks, carefully balancing the need for confidentiality with the promotional potential of their contact base.

The Best Person to Sell Your Fire Departments Business

There are benefits and drawbacks to handling the sale of your fire departments business on your own. Without a doubt, you have the most at stake in the outcome of your sale. That makes you the most passionate advocate for your fire departments business in the business-for-sale marketplace. But your knowledge and personal insights about the fire departments business are also the problem. You see your company's potential. But buyers don't pay for potential - they pay for current market value. So in many cases, the introduction of third-party opinions regarding value and negotiation parameters is a fundamental requirement for a successful fire departments business sale.

Share this article


Additional Resources for Entrepreneurs

Lists of Venture Capital and Private Equity Firms

Franchise Opportunities

Contributors

Business Glossary