Exit Planning Advice By Market
Selling an Auto Fleet Maintenance Business
Many business leaders say that now isn't the time to try to sell an auto fleet maintenance business. At Gaebler, we think it's a great time to sell an auto fleet maintenance business. Here's why . . ..
Business sellers are notorious for second-guessing themselves about the right time to put their companies up for sale.
The economy hasn't squashed the market for auto fleet maintenance businesses. Like always, unprofitable and poorly positioned businesses struggle to find buyers while sellers who have invested time and effort to prepare their sale are being rewarded in the marketplace.
Selling an Auto Fleet Maintenance Business to an Employee
Employee sales have pros and cons. A faithful employee may have the motivation and ability to continue to operate the business. If you need to sell quickly, the timeframe is condensed in an employee sale because you don't need to track down a buyer. But in many cases, employees expect to get a deal from their employer based on their years of service to the company. Seller financing is one way to get around the capital deficit of an employee-based auto fleet maintenance business sale, as long as you are willing to vet the employee's credit worthiness the same as any other buyer.
Economic Considerations
Several economic factors can affect the sale of an auto fleet maintenance business. Interest rates, spending, inflation, and other variables directly influence how long your auto fleet maintenance business will be on the market as well as its sales price. The truth is that perfect market conditions may never materialize. A much better approach is to focus on the factors that always attract buyers and investors. When it comes to selling an auto fleet maintenance business, successful sales sales often boil down to the business itself - not the economy.
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. Brokers often advise their clients to have an accountant perform an audit of the business prior to sale. With seller financing becoming common, professional accountants are playing a more central role in negotiations and buyer qualification.
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