During a business sale, scrutiny is often focused on the seller. However, the seller also has a right and responsibility to closely analyze a prospective buyer. Every business owner has an ideal buyer – a legitimate investor who can offer the most beneficial deal. Not all buyers will fall into this category. The ability to identify a buyer who does can help you work quickly and effectively to get a deal done before the opportunity gets away.
Proof of Funds
Buyers may come to the table with experience and ideas, but that’s all meaningless if they don’t have the funding to back up their big plans. A legitimate buyer should be able to produce documentation proving they either have the money to cover a purchase or can obtain it through appropriate financing. While a well-funded investor is a dream come true for most business owners, most buyers will need some form of financing. If your buyer has enough funding to make a down payment and regular installments – but not quite enough to obtain a bank loan that covers the purchase price – offering some amount of seller financing may help seal the deal.
Industry Knowledge
If you have an ambulance business for sale, your best buyer will most likely have some prior knowledge of the medical transport industry. Awareness of the risks and rewards of your given market help buyers understand what goes into valuing an ambulance business. A buyer who already owns a transportation or medical business, for instance, may be able to experience unique cost benefits or growth potential from acquiring your company. Often times, experienced strategic buyers are willing to pay a premium to join forces with a complementary business.
Transaction Experience
There are distinct advantages to working with investors who have experience buying businesses. First-time buyers may be ignorant of the sales process. They may make mistakes. They may hesitate when it comes time to pull the trigger. Dealing with novices might not be worth your time or money. With the right professional guidance, some first-time buyers are able to make successful purchases. But if you have the opportunity to do business with a seasoned buyer, you may be rewarded with a smoother deal and fewer surprises.
Understanding of Trends
Thanks to government regulation, the health care industry is always evolving. Changes to Medicare and Medicaid provisions can have substantial impacts on business expenses. An ideal buyer will have done his homework on the latest trends in the ambulance industry. When you’re trying to sell your Houston ambulance business (or one located anywhere else throughout the U.S.), you don’t want to waste resources on a buyer who pulls out of negotiations when he discovers that certain costs are not eligible for reimbursements. Selling a business is a serious transaction – you deserve to deal with a serious buyer.