Smart Exit Planning Strategies for Niche Markets

Selling a Geological Services Business

Is the economy still a little shaky for a business sale? Sure it is. Yet geological services businesses continue to sell at a brisk pace, regardless of the economy.

Personal and professional concerns surround the sale of a geological services business. In addition to the personal enjoyment you received from the business, you probably have concerns about what will happen to the people who made your geological services business a success.

At Gaebler, we think that's a mistake because with adequate preparation and the right sale strategy, this might be the best time to put your geological services business on the market.

Working with Accountants

Accountants lay the financial groundwork for a business sale. From a seller perspective, an accountant can offer personal financial assistance, especially when it comes to handling the disposition of sale proceeds. A professional audit can ease buyer concerns and amp up the value of your financial presentation. With seller financing becoming common, professional accountants are playing a more central role in negotiations and buyer qualification.

Average Timeframes

It's rarely possible to sell a geological services business in a month or two. Although asking price and other factors contribute to sale time, it's difficult to predict how long your business will be on the market before you locate the right buyer. On average, it takes a minimum of six months to prepare a geological services business for sale and many sellers spend a year or more positioning their business to command a higher price. 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.

How to Skillfully Address Buyer Concerns

Buyers can present challenges, especially during the due diligence stage. Due diligence preparation can mitigate the irritation factor, but you should still expect to field numerous buyer concerns before closing. Avoid answering buyer concerns with vague generalities. Instead, be as specific as possible, even if it means doing additional research before offering a response. However, at some point due diligence has to end and the sale must proceed to closing. Consult with your broker to determine when it's time to draw the line and push the buyer toward a final commitment.

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