Seller Carry. Why We Should Avoid It When We Buy Business in NYC
“Seller carry” is a legitimate way to secure a business purchase in certain scenarios. It basically consists of the financing made by the selling party of a portion of the sale over an extended period.
This might be a reasonable course of action in the event that:
* The buyer doesn’t have all the funds available
* The bank won’t lend the remaining amount
* The seller, nonetheless, still wants to go ahead with the sale
Notwithstanding, there is a lingering temptation on the part of investors to keep sellers on a leash via a _seller carry note_ that could function as an additional “warranty” of sorts, beyond whatever other warranties found in the Asset Purchase Agreement (APA in short). If a seller agrees to the issuance of this seller carry note, the buyer is thus reassured that the former will not try to “cut and run” when serious problems arise.
There is nothing wrong with exercising a bit of caution, particularly when you buy a business in New York City (of all places). Alas, this fear can get a bit too far and we can end up pushing away a good seller for no discernible reason.
It should not surprise us that putting such a burden on the seller is not appreciated, especially whenever the buyer has all the means to pay the required amount. When we push it too far, asking for a seller carry can become a giant deal-breaker. For this reason, business brokers advise against opting for this route save for special circumstances.
Bank Financing to Buy a Business New York City
If you decide to buy a business (NYC and elsewhere), banks actually _do _finance a large sum of the investment price, contrary to what many would believe. Most often than not, this financing represents a whopping 90% of the asset’s value, which is the maximum percentage guaranteed by the US government-backed SBA (Small Business Administration).
Unless you genuinely have a bad credit score – in which case, you’re not eligible to buy a business in New York City in the first place – getting credit for a sizable portion of a small business’ purchase price should not be overly difficult. A competent business brokerage firm can offer assistance in this regard and direct you to highly affordable and reliable lenders.
Situations could arise, however, in which investors don’t have the remaining 10% or they need to fill a 5% gap, in which case, seller carry notes are a good alternative. Be advised that seller carry notes should not wholly _replace_ the loan but rather serve as a means to mend the fence when available funds are not enough.
The only reasons you’d want the seller to assume an exceedingly high percentage of your purchase in lieu of a bank is because:
* As said earlier, you don’t trust him/her; or
* You’re not actually a suitable buyer under the criteria set out by virtually every professional business broker, to begin with, if only because you’re not in good standing with financial institutions
Either way, the seller’s confidence in you wanes and he/she might even feel offended by the proposal. It’s one thing to abide by the “settled accounts keep old friends” motto, and another one to go the extra mile and call good faith into question beyond necessary.
Read MoreBuy a Business (NYC) in 2022
Are you planning to buy a business NYC in 2022? Then don’t hesitate to contact the best New York City business agents. Getting professional help will prove to be extremely useful in order to streamline your purchase.
Amidst the economic turmoil that was caused by the health crisis experienced during the past 2 years, the business selling market has been subjected to severe fluctuations and changes along the way, both positive and negative. Nonetheless, it’s often said that, in times of crisis, new investment opportunities spawn.
WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES YOU MIGHT FACE IF YOU DECIDE TO SELL OR BUY BUSINESS NYC IN 2022?
It’s important to be aware of what you might have to face whenever you decide to sell or buy a business. NYC is touted as the financial capital of the free world but, at the same time, it’s filled with challenges, both with regards to competition as well as regulation.
These challenges will vary according to which side of the business selling market we decide to analyze.
Challenges for Buyers
If you lie on the buyer’s side, it’s essential that you familiarize yourself with the industry you plan to get yourself into, as well as the budget needed to choose your ideal business within that industry.
To attain this goal, the aid of skillful New York business brokers could turn out to be very convenient, for they may hand useful tips that ought to reinforce your decision or, rather, make you reconsider where you want to put your money. Business firms can also get you in contact with trustworthy sellers thanks to their exclusive network of clients and connections.
Challenges for Sellers
Sellers don’t have it any easier. You would need to be capable of weeding out any “window shoppers” in the course of the selling process, This time-consuming chore will not be doable when you simultaneously have a company to run.
An experienced business agent has more time to sift through all the list of people who’ve shown moderate interest in the sale and to pick the ones with the best qualifications for participation in the next phase.
These agencies also have the advantage of possessing a database comprised of qualified investors who could match your specific profile and are eager to buy a business NYC clients especially.
Privacy is another concern, especially since you wouldn’t want information regarding the sale to get to the ears of the competition and the employees. A diligent business agent is trained to get the process going without much disclosure, meanwhile permitting buyers with an ounce of liability to learn more about the company.
Challenges during the Sale
In the midst of a business sale, a “natural” tension is fostered between the interests of both the buyer and the seller. They both hinge primarily upon financial concerns.
On the one hand, the buyer would like to seal the deal at a bargain price, while, on the other hand, the seller wishes to have the best return on investments.
In light of these two conflicting interests, each party should benefit from the assistance of a professional broker. That way, both of them benefit from the deal by finding a middle ground, not only on the negotiating table but also when setting expectations at the very beginning of the procedure.
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