Dodge Street Advisors -- Simplifying The Complex. Transact with confidence.

A business broker helps business owners sell their companies by providing valuation, confidential marketing, buyer screening, negotiation, and transaction management through closing. A qualified business broker also advises on deal structure, timing, and exit strategy to maximize value and reduce risk.  

The best time to sell a business is when it is performing well and the owner is still engaged. Selling before burnout or urgency preserves negotiating leverage, attracts stronger buyers, and typically results in higher valuation and better deal terms.

Most business sales take between 3 and 12 months from preparation to closing. Timing varies based on readiness, pricing, industry, deal complexity, and buyer financing. Advance exit planning can significantly reduce delays and improve outcomes.

Business value depends on financial performance, cash flow, growth potential, risk profile, industry trends, and deal structure. A professional business valuation considers normalized earnings, market comparables, and buyer expectations rather than relying on simple rules of thumb. 

Yes. Confidentiality is critical. Professional business brokers use non-disclosure agreements, controlled marketing, and buyer vetting to protect employees, customers, vendors, and competitors from learning about a potential sale prematurely.

Yes. Preparing financials, operations, contracts, and management structure in advance can significantly increase value and reduce buyer objections during due diligence. Exit planning allows owners to sell from a position of strength rather than urgency.

Key value drivers include consistent cash flow, clean financial statements, diversified customers, strong management, transferable systems, and favorable real estate arrangements. Reducing owner dependence and operational risk also improves valuation.

It depends. Selling or retaining real estate affects valuation, taxes, financing, access to different buyer-pools, and long-term income. With proper planning, real estate can be used strategically through sale-leasebacks or separate transactions aligned with your goals.

Buyers should evaluate cash flow, customer concentration, growth potential, operational risks, management structure, and real estate considerations. A disciplined acquisition process helps avoid emotional decisions and overpaying.

Yes. An experienced Business Broker or M&A advisor helps evaluate value, negotiate terms, manage due diligence, and identify risks that are not obvious from financials alone or may come from the Advisors previously deal-experience/background.  Advisors protect buyers from costly mistakes and poor deal structures and provide an objective perspective that is vital. 

Real estate directly impacts valuation, financing, risk, and long-term flexibility. Lease terms, ownership structure, and property condition can materially affect whether a deal closes and how attractive it is to buyers and lenders.

A sale-leaseback allows a business owner to sell the real estate while continuing to operate from the property under a lease. This can unlock capital, reduce risk, and potentially improve transaction flexibility when structured properly.  During proper exit planning, this deal-piece should be discussed and options considered.