Selling your Business is our Business
Expert Guidance from Charlotte’s Leading Business Brokers & M&A Advisors
Selling your business is a significant milestone. With the proper preparation and guidance, you can maximize value, attract the right buyers, and close successfully. At Murphy Business Sales—Charlotte, we specialize in helping business owners achieve the best possible outcome through a seamless and strategic selling process.
📞 Need immediate guidance? Schedule a Free Consultation with our expert business brokers today!
Why Proper Planning is Essential
Many business owners wait too long to prepare for a sale, leading to missed opportunities. Early planning helps you:
- Maximize your business’ value
- Understand how much you need to sell for
- Reduce Taxes on the Sale
- Prove the Business can operate without you.
- Ensure a smooth transition with minimal disruptions
💡Tip: Even if you’re not ready to sell, a valuation from a trusted Charlotte M&A firm can help you plan strategically.
The Selling Process - Step by Step
Step 1: Preparation – Getting Your Business Ready for a Sale
Before placing your business on the market, preparing it for sale is essential to maximize its value and attract serious buyers. Key preparation steps include:
Organizing financial records – Ensure your tax returns, profit and loss statements, and balance sheets are current. Records should be constant with no major expense or income fluctuations.
Documenting business operations – Have a straightforward operations manual and standard operating procedures to ease the transition for a new owner.
Assessing contracts and legal documents – Review leases, supplier agreements, employee contracts, and other binding documents.
Reducing owner dependency – Delegate key responsibilities to ensure the business can operate smoothly without you.
Addressing outstanding issues – Resolve any pending legal, compliance, or operational concerns before selling the business.
Step 2: Business Valuation – Understanding Business Market Price
To understand the most probable selling price, you will need to provide the broker with a minimum of 3 years of the following information:
- Owner Salary & W2's
- Federal Tax Returns
- Profit and Loss Statements and Year-End Balance Sheets
- Owners' expenses that were expensed through company
- Estimated Normalized Salary to replace exiting partners
- List of Company Assets included in the sale
Buyers will Evaluate:
- Revenue & Profitable Trends
- Market & Industry Comparisons
- Business Growth Potential
- Ability to Obtain Financing for the Purchase
- Competitive Advantages
- Customer Concentration
- Owner Dependency
Our Firm provides comprehensive, data-driven business valuations to help you set the right price.
🔗 Learn more: Business Valuation Services.
💡 Pro Tip: A well-prepared business is more attractive to buyers and can command a higher selling price.
Step 3: Confidential Marketing & Buyer Screening
Confidentiality is a priority when selling a business in Charlotte, NC. Our brokerage ensures that only qualified buyers can access your business details.
- Prepare Confidential Information Memorandum
- Pre-Qualify Deal with Several Lending Partners
- Screen Buyer's Qualifications
- Review Buyer's Personal Financial Statement
- Obtain Non-Discosure Agreement
- Facilitate Buyer and Seller Meetings
- Answer Buyer Questions and Obtain Feedback
Step 4: Offer Negotiation, Due Diligence & Closing
- Negotiate between Buyer and Seller for Fair Deal
- Assist Buyer with In-Depth Evaluation of the Business
- Prepare Deal for Lender Underwriting
- Monitor Deadlines to keep on Schedule
- Assist Buyer in Preparing for Acquisition
- Obtain Lease Assignment from Landlord
- Provide Opinion on Purchase Agreement Language
- Gather Final Documentation for Closer
- Prepare Settlement Statement and Estimated Tax LIability
- Advise on Best Practices for Transition Period
📅 Ready to take the next step?
Common Questions from Business Sellers
💡 Here are some of the most frequently asked questions from business owners like you
❓ What are buyers looking for in a business?
📍 If your business is profitable and has strong growth potential, now may be a great time to sell. Our expert brokers help you assess market conditions and valuation factors.
❓ What are buyers looking for in a business?
📍 Serious buyers focus on financial performance, growth opportunities, and operational efficiency. We’ll guide you in making your business as attractive as possible.
❓How will you keep my information confidential?
📍We do our best to only give details to buyers who are qualified to buy your business, eligible for financing, and have the necessary capital to invest. Buyers must sign and non-disclosure agreement and disclose if they operate, or employed by a competitive business.
❓Have you ever sold a business like mine?
📍While no two business are the same, business operate in a similar fashion. We have an extensive network of Business Brokers and M&A Advisors in the Murphy Business Sales Network. View our corporate site here.
❓How do brokers get paid?
📍We will collect a retainer to start the process. This retainer is refunded to you at closing. We collect a success fee at closing. Success fees vary based on sale price and industry.
Who Are the Potential Buyers for Your Business?
Different buyers have different expectations. We help you find the right fit among:
- Individual Buyers - Entrepreneurs looking to enter your industry and leaving a corporate job.
- Private Equity Firms - Investors looking to acquire larger companies. Seeking saleable, profitable businesses
- Strategic Buyers - Business seeking complementary services or products.
- Competitors - Companies looking to expand through acquistion
Avoid These Common Mistakes When Selling Your Business
Many business owners make avoidable mistakes. Here are the top pitfalls to watch out for:
- Setting an unrealistic asking price
- Inconstant or Incomplete Financial Records
- More than 10% of Revenue comes from one client
- Owner Dependency
- Excessive, Limited or Obsolete Inventory
- Old and Outdated Equipment
- Declining Sales or Profitability
- Having Profitablity Less than $150,000
- Aging Accounts Receivable
- Multiple Family Members Working in the Business
- Not having an exit stratigy or retirement plan
- Having Contracts that won't transfer to buyer
- Uncooperative Landlord who won't extend lease
💡 Work with a top-rated Charlotte NC business brokerage to avoid these mistakes!
Take the Next Step – Sell Your Business with Confidence
Selling a business is complex, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our expert business brokers in Charlotte, NC help business owners maximize their exit strategy and secure the best deal
- Call us today at 704-992-7696 ext 1
- Schedule Your Free Consultation **Now!**
- Submit a Contact Request
- Visit our Corporate Site to Learn More About Us
- Murphy Business Sales - Charlotte | The Leading Business Brokers in Charlotte, NC
Learning Library
We understand that there’s a lot to learn. That’s why we’ve created this library to help you get started and reach your desired outcome faster.
