For business owners
The most important sale you'll ever make.
You built something worth protecting. We help you sell it on your terms: an honest valuation, complete discretion and a steady hand from the first conversation to the closing table.
Why owners call us
Selling a business is not like selling a house.
A house has comparable sales down the street. A business has employees who need reassurance, customers who should not hear rumors, financials that need explaining and buyers who need financing. It takes months of careful work, and most owners only do it once.
LAER Business brings the experience to manage that work, and the local relationships of LAER Realty Partners to keep it personal.
What we do for you
Everything a sale requires, handled.
You keep running the business. We take on the work that gets it sold.
Valuation
We recast your financials to show true owner earnings, compare against the market and give you a realistic price range, with the reasoning behind it.
Positioning
We write the story of your business: a blind teaser to attract interest and a confidential information memorandum that answers buyers' questions before they ask.
Buyer search
We reach qualified buyers through our network, LAER's agents and targeted outreach, and screen each one for experience and financing.
Negotiation
We compare offers on price, terms, financing and transition, then negotiate a letter of intent that protects what matters to you.
Diligence management
We organize documents, field requests and keep buyers, lenders, attorneys and accountants moving toward the same date.
Closing and transition
We coordinate the closing and help plan how you hand over the keys, your team and your customers with care.
Confidentiality
Your employees, customers and competitors won't hear it from us.
- Your business is marketed by a blind profile that never names you or your location
- Buyers are screened for experience and financing before they learn more
- Every buyer signs a non-disclosure agreement before receiving details
- Tours happen after hours or off site, on your schedule
- Your information is shared only with the team working on your sale
What drives value
What buyers pay a premium for.
Most established businesses sell for a multiple of their true owner earnings. These are the factors that move that multiple up or down. If any need work, we will tell you before you go to market.
Consistent, documented earnings
Three or more years of steady or growing profit that your tax returns and financial statements support.
A business that runs without you
A capable team, written processes and customer relationships that do not depend on the owner personally.
Diverse, loyal customers
No single customer that would hurt the business if it left, and a history of repeat work.
Secure location and terms
A long, assignable lease or owned real estate, and licenses and contracts that transfer to a new owner.
Well-kept assets
Equipment, facilities and inventory in good condition, without large deferred maintenance.
Room to grow
A clear story a buyer can believe in: new markets, services or capacity they can add after closing.
The process
Eight steps from conversation to closing.
Most sales take six to twelve months once the business is on the market. You will always know where things stand and what comes next.
- 01
A confidential conversation
We learn about your business, your goals and your timeline. Nothing leaves the room.
Usually a relaxed first meeting, often with the LAER agent who introduced us. No paperwork, no obligation.
- 02
Financial review
We gather the essentials: three years of financials and tax returns, leases, and a list of the assets that come with the sale.
We tell you exactly what we need and help you organize it. You do not need perfect books to start.
- 03
An honest valuation
We recast your financials to show true owner earnings and tell you what the market is likely to pay, and what could raise that number.
If the business is not ready yet, we will say so and show you what to work on first.
- 04
Confidential marketing
We prepare a blind teaser and a detailed confidential information memorandum, then present your business only to screened buyers under NDA.
No signs, no public address, no business name. Employees, customers and competitors stay unaware.
- 05
Buyer meetings
We qualify every buyer for experience and financing before they meet you, then prepare you for each conversation.
- 06
Offers and letter of intent
We bring you offers, compare price and terms side by side, and negotiate a letter of intent that protects you.
- 07
Due diligence
We manage the buyer’s requests and keep the process moving with your attorney and accountant, so you can keep running the business.
- 08
Closing and transition
We coordinate every party to the closing table and help plan a smooth handoff to the new owner.
Getting ready
What to gather before we talk.
You do not need everything to start. But the sooner these are in order, the sooner we can give you a confident valuation and the smoother diligence will be.
What does it cost?
Our fees are discussed openly in the first conversation and agreed in writing before anything goes to market. Business sales are typically compensated at closing, when the sale succeeds.
- Three years of business tax returns and year-end financial statements
- A current year-to-date profit and loss statement and balance sheet
- A list of owner-related and one-time expenses run through the business
- Your lease, or deed and property details if real estate is included
- An equipment and asset list, with approximate values
- An organization chart with key roles, tenure and pay
- Major customer, supplier and franchise or licensing agreements
Working with your LAER agent
The agent you trust, with a team behind them.
Many owners come to us through a LAER agent who helped them with a home or a property. Your agent stays involved from the first conversation to the closing, and our business brokerage team does the specialized work alongside them.
If the sale includes real estate, the property is handled by a licensed real estate broker as part of the transaction.
Questions owners ask
Seller FAQ
How do you keep my sale confidential?
Your business is marketed without its name or location. Buyers see a blind summary first and receive identifying details only after we have screened them and they have signed a non-disclosure agreement. There are no signs and no public listings that point to you.
What is my business worth?
Most established businesses are valued on their true owner earnings, adjusted for one-time and personal expenses, then multiplied by a factor that reflects risk, growth, industry and how much the business depends on you. Real estate, equipment and inventory are considered alongside. We will walk you through the numbers line by line.
How long does it take to sell?
Most sales take six to twelve months from the day we go to market, sometimes longer for larger or more complex businesses. Preparation before that can take a few weeks.
What does it cost?
Our fees are discussed openly in the first conversation and agreed in writing before anything goes to market. Business sales are typically compensated at closing, when the sale succeeds.
Do I need perfect financials?
No. You need financials that support the value of the business, and we will help you organize them. If there are gaps, we will tell you early and suggest how to close them.
What if my business includes real estate?
That is common and often adds value. Property can be sold with the business or leased to the buyer. Any real estate in a transaction is handled by a licensed real estate broker.
I worked with a LAER agent on my home. Can they be involved?
Yes, and we encourage it. Your agent stays in the relationship from the first conversation to the closing table.
When you're ready
Let's start with a conversation.
Confidential, no obligation, and on your schedule.