Q: Why can’t I just call a Realtor and have them list and sell my business?
A: Marketing a business is an entirely different proposition. Realtors take residential and commercial listings, put them in several Multiple Listing Services, put a sign out front, and wait for a buyer to be brought to them. This leads to a serious breach of confidentiality. You do not want the world, including your customers, your employees and your vendors to know you are marketing the business. At RMBA, we do not sit and wait. We proactively promote your business. Q: What does proactively market mean? A: What does proactively market mean? Of course we advertise your business on multiple national and international websites. We market on niche websites for unique industries. For example, restaurants and Bed and Breakfasts have their own websites. We do much more. We target prospective buyers with direct mail and e-mail blasts. We phone campaign possible merger acquirers. Let us show you how we can market your business.
Q: Will you keep the sale of my business confidential? A: We use every possible means to keep the transaction and solicitation of buyers completely confidential until the last possible moments. In many cases, it is confidential through closing. Q: How do you market my business on all the web sites and your data base of buyers and maintain confidentiality? A: Some pose more challenges than others but let us show you some of our ads. They are “catchy” but do not give away necessary information to breach confidentiality.
Q: How do you know some buyer will not “spill the beans”?
A: Of course nothing is for certain, but we require potential buyers to sign Non Disclosures that have stiff penalties for breaching the confidentiality. In addition, we require potential buyers to give us confidential information about them.
Q: How do I know what my business is worth? A: Business valuations are more complex than valuing residential properties. RMBA uses multiple data bases; local market knowledge, scenarios of different terms, and an in depth look at the finances of the business to show you a range of value. We are members of the Institute of Business Appraisers. Q: How long does it take to sell a business? A: Of course this can vary to almost no time to a year or more. We prefer to work with you in advance of listing to best prepare your business for sale. If you must sell immediately, you may take a substantial deduction in selling price. Q: How much do you charge? A: Our rates vary based on the size of business, the complexity, the availability of clean records, and the pricing. In any case, you receive a quote for fees before you sign a listing agreement. Q: Is my business big enough to sell? A: We have plans for all size businesses. Our smallest sale to date has been $15,000 and our largest in the millions. Q: How do we get started? A: Simple. You confidentially provide us with certain financial history and an overview of your business. We prepare an estimate of market value and a proposal for listing. We discuss both and if we agree, then we list the business and find a buyer. Regardless, this is NO COST TO YOU. Q: I am not sure if I want to sell or now is the time. A: We want to talk to you. Often, we assist the Seller in planning an exit strategy for future sale. EVERY BUSINESS HAS AN EXIT STRATEGY WHETHER THE OWNER KNOWS IT OR NOT. BETTER TO PLAN IT.
Q: Will people just “show up” to look at the business or call? A: No. All appointments are made through our office and an RMBA broker is on site for every visit. Q: When do you schedule visits? A: Most often after hours or on weekends to protect confidentiality. Q: Why can’t I put my business on the Internet and handle the sale myself? A: Possibly you can. However, most of our clients have tried this approach before calling us. They get bogged down with calls, visits, and questions they are not prepared to answer. They do not know how to take Buyers to the next step. Q: What separates you from other Business Brokers? A: Simple. We take fewer listings and have one of the highest success rates in the industry. We sell what we list. | 
