Should I Use a Business Broker?
One of the first decisions an owner faces when preparing to sell is whether to engage a business broker or manage the process independently. The question that actually matters is not whether brokers are expensive — they clearly are. The question is whether the value a broker delivers in your specific situation justifies that cost. This guide provides a direct analysis of what brokers actually do, what they cost, when they earn their commission, when they do not, and what questions to ask before signing anything — including the alternative that removes the commission conflict entirely.
How Long Does It Take to Sell a Business?
Most business sales take six to twelve months from listing to closing. That range can compress to three months for well-prepared businesses — and extend to two years or more when significant challenges emerge. The difference between those outcomes is almost always attributable to factors the owner could have influenced. This guide covers every phase of the sale process, what drives timelines at each stage, and the preparation paradox that most sellers discover too late: time invested before going to market almost always reduces total elapsed time and produces better terms.