We know you have worked extremely hard to build your business. If you are looking to maximise its return, but minimise the hassle of the sale process, you need a trusted business broker like DC Realty.

DC Realty is a boutique realty business broker with a background in business and many years’ of experience.

Allowing DC Realty to market and manage the sale of your business, will give you peace of mind, trusting in DC Realty’s track record, and industry expertise.

Selling a business is never an easy or simple process. However, the rewards can be great, and ultimately, life-changing, so if you do decide to sell there are several key issues you need to be aware of that will help you prepare and maximise your chances of success. Getting it wrong before you start can ruin any hopes of a sale and can mean many months of your time wasted.

How to
Prime Your Business
for a Sale
Check HERE

Frequently Asked Questions

Why use DC Realty to sell your business?

DC Realty is a small boutique agency with high calibre of brokers working in and on many businesses, DC Realty personnel have an excellent understanding of what both vendors and buyers are experiencing throughout the entire process.
We can get you the best possible price for your business.
We only list good, solid businesses that we know we can sell, because we only take on the best, we have fewer listings so can concentrate on a personal attention and providing as much time and energy as possible into the sale of your business.
We will contact you regularly with an update on what we are doing.
If you have a sole listing with us, we make sure you know everything that is going on with the sale of your business.

How does the negotiation process work?

When a buyer indicates they want to make an offer, this needs to be in writing and in the correct format.  Any verbal offers can become complicated, as they do not detail the terms and conditions of the offer.  As part of our service we prepare a Sale and Purchase Agreement which details the offer being made, and the terms and conditions.  We will liaise between both parties in the process of negotiation to facilitate agreement between both parties.  In many situations we can recommend solutions to issues that may be of concern to either party.

As a business owner you need to ensure you are protected by having the right clauses in the agreement and it is advisable to seek professional advice.

How long is the business marketed for sale?

Most business owners want the sale of their business handled confidentially.  For commercial reasons they don’t want their competitors and suppliers to know they are selling.  Once again this is the advantage of using a specialist business broker.  We work with potential buyers through the various stages and you only meet with them at the final stages of the process.  This leaves you to get on with business and keeps buyers away from calling or visiting you at work.

We will prepare a comprehensive marketing plan for your business incorporating notes on how to present the business, a detailed Information Memorandum prepared by us, advertising schedule and website and database marketing.  In many cases we find buyers from our database of qualified buyers.  If confidentiality is required, any advertising is of a generic nature and never identifies the particular business.

How long will it take to sell my business?

This will vary depending on the complexity of the business and the industry.  Normally, if all the information is available and the business is priced relative to the market for that type of business a sale should be concluded within 12 weeks.

What information do I need to prepare my business for sale?

It is important that you have all the right information and details available before you start to market the business.  A business well prepared for sale will sell more quickly.

As part of our service we will assist you in the preparation of this information and once again it needs to be presented in the right way with the right information. This information is also required to establish the selling price for the business and certain calculations need to be made to work out the true net profit of the business.  Items you should have available are:

  1. Profit and Loss accounts from the previous 2 to 4 years.
  2. Identify and quantify abnormal and/or non-recurring costs in accounts.
  3. Identify all items of personal and drawings nature.
  4. Copies of internal accounting reports for year to date and/or GST returns if available.
  5. Copy of the Lease.
  6. Brochures or information on your product or service.
  7. Background on the business.
  8. Staff details.
  9. List of plant and equipment and any equipment leases.
  10. Copy of franchise agreement if a franchise business.

What is my business worth?

There will be many views on what constitutes value.  Sellers will have one view, buyers another, accountants another, etc.  There are multitudes of formulations, all of which produce different figures depending on who you’re talking to.

It is important to recognize the price range your business is likely to sell in.  If you’re unrealistic it won’t sell and you and likely buyers will become very frustrated. You could also be harming the prospects of a sale sometime in the future.  If you’re too low, then obviously you miss out or create suspicion.

Businesses sell in an open market that is with a willing buyer and a willing seller.  The market determines the price – the true value.

When we meet with you we will gather detailed information on your business and then present you with a Market Appraisal.  This gives you the price range we expect your business to sell for on the open market.

This is not a valuation and cannot be used for that purpose.

Issues You Must Know Before Selling Your Business.

Buyers are interested in profits, not revenue.
Another common misconception is that buyers are impressed with revenue figures. Sure, they can sound good, but when it comes down to it the only number that matters is the profit or Cash Surplus to a working owner that a business makes.
Buyers expect verifiable financial claims.
If you are going to claim revenue from a specific source, you need to have verifiable proof.