Buying and Selling s Business in Tampa Bay,Florida:Owner financing still the best way to sell a business

Many of you have thought about buying and owing a business. Especially in this economy is the way to go. You can't get laid off and there will be a steady income to cover all the daily expenses. 
When buying a business there is three sources of financing. Banks or financial institutions, Private investors and Sellers. The first two are getting more and more hard to obtain ( especially in this economy). So the best and fastest way to close on a business is Seller financing.The Seller can finance up to 80% as the banks rarely finance more than 60%. Some sellers are even willing to finance with no money down or asset swap. You can't imagine the creativity some buyers and sellers have.The payback terms are also more affordable from seller-based financing. It is not unusual to see lower interest rates and longer payback terms in seller financed business purchase.
The way the Seller financing works is the closing attorney is preparing a note which is signed by the buyer and proper liens are placed on the business and  equipment on behalf of the Seller. Of course this is a risky move for the seller as he worry's if the buyer is going to pay off the note. That's why qualifying a buyer is very important form the intermediary representing the Seller and from the Seller himself. Sometimes seller forgets that in his intentions to sell his business but that's really is not the way to go. The Seller should do his due diligence as the buyer does and act like a bank and carefully study the buyer before hand him his most valuable creation. 

For more information call Ivan Deal Maker at 813-215-6801 or visit www.ivandealmaker.com

Taxes on Selling Yoor Business Are Set To Increase in 2013

The tax on sales of a business is set to increase in 2013 with 50%.The Bush-era tax cuts enacted in 2001 and 2003 which reduced the capital gains tax rate from 20% to 15% were set to expire at December 31, 2010.  However, after the extreme pressure from Congress, President Obama extended the capital gains tax cut until December 31, 2012.Capital gains are set to increase back to 20% in the next 12 months!  In addition, a new tax of 3.8% will be added on top of the 20% capital gains rate for single taxpayers with income over $200,000 and income over $250,000 for married taxpayers.This additional 3.8% tax is the result of the Medicare tax being extended beyond wages to investment income per the National Healthcare Reform Act of 2010.
So if you are a business owner and you are thinking of selling your business 2012 is the time.
 There are aspects of real estate sales that seem pretty simple. There are many elements of a smooth transaction, however, that are complicated and daunting.The relationship between a business buyer or seller and their agent is based on trust, shared goals and understanding.  I strive to continually improve and to do this I listen and take the needs and wants into consideration.

I can help you with every aspect of buying or selling your business because I’m experienced, because I’m professional . . and because I care. 
For more information call Ivan Dealmaker at 813-215-6801 or visit www.ivandealmaker.com

Buying and Selling a Business in Tampa Bay,Florida:Man is free at the moment he wishes to be. ~Voltaire

Man is free at the moment he wishes to be. ~Voltaire
 Great thought from even greater author and philosopher Voltaire. We have the freedom to choose our destiny and that's the beauty of it.
Driving a Ferrari or driving a Chevy that's the question?
Owning a business or work for somebody else. If you like not to to be controlled every second of what you do. If you don't want to count your money every time you are trying to buy something nice for yourself or your family. If you don't want to ask for permission to take your family on a well deserved vacation and spend great quality time than you need to be your own boss and own your business.
I have thousands of great quality businesses for sale all over Florida. Take a look at them and find your Destiny.
For more info call Ivan DealMaker at 813-215-6801 or visit www.ivandealmaker.com

IS THE SAVED MONEY ENOUGH FOR RETIREMENT?

The money saved for retirement are not sufficient for the retirees,shows the latest study. And it is not restricted only to the middle class. Majority of the affluent Americans are afraid the money saved for retirement are not going to be enough to keep the life style before retirement.

About a quarter of affluent Americans with assets between 100K-300K say they have under saved for retirement money. 33% for the men and 31% for the women.

So the question is What to do?

One way is to cut on spending and just live by not enjoying life. But can we call that a life? Not able to buy anything afraid to spend a dollar extra for our own satisfaction?!

The other way is to go in business for yourself. You can run the business absentee or semi-absentee and enjoy life and live the life of your dreams.Afford to buy anything you want and be on vacation most of the time or all of the time!!!

 So which one you would choose?

I can help give me a call and I will find you the business of your dreams.

Call Ivan DealMaker at 813-215-6801 or visit my website www.ivandealmaker.com

Winston Churchill Quote

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”
Winston Churchill

Fired but Happy

http://goanimate.com/go/movie/0O_sdCwk2iW8?utm_source=emailshare&uid=0gZsxp3qagR8
Check this out! It is a Great Video!!!The Lady is really awesome!!!

5 Ways to Prepare Your Business for Sale Now

Often a business owner decides to sell his or her company, but finds there are many aspects of the business not ready for a sale. While it’s possible to prepare the business for sale rather quickly, it will lead to a band-aid approach to changes rather than sustainable evolutions that will maximize the value of the business and the sale price.

Constant focus on business growth and sustainability forces business owners to de-prioritize aspects of the business that just work, yet that reduces the value of the business in terms of a sale.  Only when they are faced with the opportunity to engage with buyers do they begin making the necessary adjustments.

This lack of foresight unfortunately leads to money being left on the table. Ryan Guthrie, Director of the Private Equity Practice, BDO USA, said, “The majority of business owners who sell their business don’t plan ahead in preparation of a sale. In most cases, a lot of things that could have increased the value of the business and decreased the risk for buyers was not done.”

So what can be done to prepare for an exit with an uncertain time horizon?

1. Executive Management: The most essential step that a founder can take is to build out a full management team that can run the business without the owner. It takes a significant investment in time and attention to prepare a competent management team, but it’s also one of the most essential ingredients for a profitable exit. Without exception, the sale process becomes more arduous and fraught with complication if a buyer doubts the ability of the company to run in the absence of the founder. These concerns are not limited to owners near retirement age either. Young owners have little incentive to remain involved. Scott Humphrey, Executive Managing Director and Head of U.S. Mergers & Acquisitions of BMO Capital Markets, said, “In the case of an exiting owner, the buyer needs to come in and not only get comfortable with the business, but ensure the business will continue to grow without the owner. This increases risk greatly.”
2. Middle Management: Larger middle-market companies often prepare for a sale by bolstering management, but far fewer companies take the initiative to develop a strong set of middle management talent. Expanding the management capabilities beyond the executive level reassures buyers and ensures a seamless post-sale transition.
3. Financials: It is common practice for business owners to prepare an audited set of financial statements two years before a sale, but there are also financial preparations that can take place much earlier that will help ready a business for an exit. Foremost among them is the process of separating out the company’s real estate holdings from the rest of the business.  Robert Snape, managing director at BDO Capital Advisors, said “we’ve often seen owners carve out the real estate from the business and sell the business to one party and sell the real estate to a separate buyer.” However, if an exit is a possibility in the next five years, Guthrie at BDO advises against making dramatic changes like relocating a factory or any other business change that would appear to disrupt a growth trend.
4. Customers: When there is a long-term horizon of sale, it is also beneficial to look at ways to add to the sustainability of earnings. Buyers want to see customer diversification and reduce the risk of loosing key customers that would depart with the founder, especially if those customers make up a significant portion of the revenue.  
5. Corporate Structure: It is important to examine the corporate structure of the company. There are important tax consequences that come with selling C-Corp and S-Corp businesses. Guthrie advises company owners to keep the end in mind and to determine what the optimal corporate form would be for the business. “There’s not a lot you can do a year before the sale,” he warns. “But there’s a whole lot more you can do 10 years before the sale.”

It is more crucial than ever for owners to plan ahead to maximize the enterprise value of their company. If the past several years have provided any lesson to sellers, it is that company valuations are at the mercy of the marketplace and business owners will want to be ready to take advantage of market timing.

Can a Business Broker help you Buy a Business?

If you are considering a business broker to help you purchase a business, it is important that you understand exactly what business brokers do, what help they offer, and what you should look for in a business brokerage firm.

A business broker works with you to access your needs and help you through the buying process. In most cases, the business broker's fee is a percentage of the selling price, and is paid once the sale is complete, either by the buyer or the seller. Often, the fee is paid upfront by the seller. In instances where the business is being owner financed, the fee is often part of the loan payment. Business brokers work somewhat like realtors.

Before choosing a business broker, check the broker out with the Better Business Bureau. It is also a good idea to ask the broker for the contact information of people who have used their services to purchase businesses in the past. Follow up and talk with those business owners. If the business broker will not provide you with references, walk away. You should also check to see if the business broker is a licensed real estate broker, or if they are a member of the Association of Business Brokers in their state. Check with the licensing agencies and the associations to see if there have been complaints.

A good business broker will evaluate the businesses, and provide you with financial statements and cash flow statements for the businesses you are considering. While they do not provide financing, they will usually work with you to find financing, or help the seller to owner finance the business in a way that protects both parties. A broker that is working for you will ask you several questions, including why you want to start a business, what your educational background is, what special skills and interests you have, the maximum down payment that you are able to put down, if there is a specific type of business that you are interested in buying, where you would like to be located, and what the minimum income required to meet your living expenses is. Licensed business brokers are committed to providing the potential buyer with full disclosure about the business. If you have a question, ask the broker. Your first question should be, “Why is this business for sale?”

It is important to note that most sellers will not allow the broker to give you detailed financial information about a business until you make an offer. Therefore, it is important to make an offer that is reasonable as soon as you know that you wish to learn more about the business. You can always withdraw your offer if you find that you are no longer interested. The broker should provide you with enough information to make your initial offer.

If you are interested in using a broker to help you locate and purchase a business, it is best to work with a network that includes a large number of brokers. You will be assigned to one broker, but when a business owner contacts the network to sell a business, that offer is available throughout the network, which gives you exposure to more opportunities. When you use a private broker who is not part of a network, you may be limited to the businesses that use that particular broker.

Good business brokers usually prove to be an asset to both the buyer and the seller, saving both parties time and money, by offering advice and consultation, handling negotiations for the sale, answering all questions that either party may have, and walking both parties through the process of buying or selling a business.