ServicesSell a Business
Sell a Business in Bee Cave
We help business owners sell on their terms and keep it quiet until the deal is done. We set a fair price, screen every buyer, and line up the lease, permits and tax paperwork early so nothing stalls at the closing table.
How a sale with us works
A business sale really comes down to two tasks. The first is lining up a buyer with the money to close. The second is the paperwork that allows ownership to move. When a deal collapses near the end, the second task is usually why.
That's why we begin both right away. As we show your business to screened buyers, we also sort out what must transfer or be issued again: the lease, your sales tax standing with the Texas Comptroller, any alcohol or health permits, and licenses in your name. You'll know clearly which tasks fall to you, which fall to the buyer, and which call for your attorney or CPA.
Listing with us costs nothing up front. We don't ask for a retainer, and each fee is put in writing before you sign. Our pay comes only after the seller is paid, from the proceeds at closing.
What the sale includes
A price you can defend
We build the asking price from your books, your cash flow to the owner and recent sales of similar businesses. Buyers and their lenders will test that number, so we make sure it holds up before it goes out.
A clean selling package
We write a confidential profile that covers revenue, earnings, staff, equipment and the lease. Buyers only see it after they sign a nondisclosure agreement.
Screened buyers only
We check that a buyer has the cash or financing to close before they get your name. New listings go to registered buyers first.
A transfer checklist
Some things move with the sale and some do not. A TABC permit, for example, does not transfer, so the buyer has to apply for their own. We map every item like this early so the timeline is real.
Negotiation and due diligence
We handle offers, counteroffers and the letter of intent. Then we run the document requests during due diligence so you can keep running the business.
Closing coordination
We work with both sides' attorneys, the landlord and any lender to get every signature and clearance in place on the same day.
Signs it is time to talk about selling
You are ready to step back
Retirement, health or plain burnout. If you are thinking about it, a sale usually takes longer than owners expect, so starting early helps.
Your lease is coming up
A buyer wants years left on the lease or a clear path to renew. Selling before the term runs short protects your price.
Earnings are strong right now
Buyers pay for the last two or three years of results. Selling on an up year is better than selling after a slide.
Nobody inside can take over
If there is no family member or partner ready to run it, an outside buyer is often the best exit. If there is, see our Partner Buyouts and Succession page.
You got an offer out of the blue
Before you answer, know what the business is worth and whether that buyer can close.
How the sale moves, step by step
- 1
Free, confidential valuation
We talk by phone, at our office or over video. We review your financials and give you an honest range, even if the answer is to wait a year.
- 2
Prep and paperwork check
We build the selling package and run the transfer checklist: lease assignment terms, sales tax standing, licenses and any equipment leases.
- 3
Quiet marketing
Your listing goes to registered buyers first, then out more widely without your name on it. Every serious buyer signs an NDA and shows proof of funds.
- 4
Offer and due diligence
We negotiate price and terms, including any seller financing. The buyer then verifies the books, and we keep requests organized and on schedule.
- 5
Closing
Attorneys draft the final documents, the landlord signs off and the buyer's new licenses are in hand. Keys and accounts change over, and you get paid.
What affects the cost of selling
Our fee comes out of the sale at closing, so there is nothing to pay while your business is listed. What you pay overall depends on the size of the deal and how much work it takes to close. We go over the fee and the outside costs in plain terms before you sign anything.
- Size of the deal
- Our fee is tied to the final sale price, so it scales with what you actually receive.
- Condition of the books
- Clean tax returns and profit and loss statements make the sale faster. Messy records may mean extra CPA time before listing.
- Real estate or multiple locations
- Selling the building with the business, or several sites at once, adds documents and steps. Our Business and Property Sales page covers that kind of deal.
- Tax and transfer clearances
- Unpaid sales tax, expired permits or a landlord who wants changes to the lease can add time and outside costs.
- Your own advisors
- Your attorney and CPA bill you directly. Plan for their review of the purchase agreement and tax treatment.
What owners ask before selling
Something not covered here? (512) 872-5513
Will my staff or customers learn the business is for sale?
They won't hear it from us. The listing leaves your name out, and every buyer signs an NDA before finding out who you are. Most owners break the news to staff close to closing, and we help you plan what to say.
How long does a sale usually take?
From listing to closing, several months to a year is typical. Tidy books and a strong lease speed it up. Any permit the buyer has to apply for from scratch can add weeks, so we build that list at the start.
Will the buyer get my permits and licenses?
Some carry over, but many don't. Alcohol approvals and most licenses held by an individual must be issued again in the new owner's name. We figure out which ones apply at the outset and plan the schedule around them.
What if I owe the state sales tax?
Texas can make a buyer pay sales tax the seller left unpaid. That's why buyers and their attorneys often want a clearance from the Comptroller before closing. We ask you to confirm your standing early so it doesn't slow the sale.
Do I pay anything before the sale goes through?
You pay us nothing out of pocket. We take no retainer, and our fee is written into the listing agreement, so no hidden fees appear down the road. Our commission comes from the proceeds at closing, after you've been paid.
Learn what buyers would pay for your business
The first step is a free, confidential valuation. You get a straight answer on price, timing and the paperwork between here and closing.