Prior to Sunbelt most people went to a CPA or just tried to sell their company to relatives or friends. When a business owner decides to sell, concerns about price, negotiations and confidentiality are paramount. A broker is often the answer. Brokers can help establish a fair price and can offer the business to the widest possible market in a professional and confidential manner. Other local business brokers include William P. Stubbs Jr. and M. E. Groze and Associates.
Business brokers are very similar to traditional realtors in some respects.
The cost of Sunbelt's service, for instance, is free to the buyer. Generally, the commission on a sale is 10 percent. Moody said buying an existing business has many advantages over starting a new company from scratch. Statistics show that 75 percent of new businesses fail within the first three years. The business brokerage industry is where real estate was 20 years ago in terms of establishing a national association and standardized education and certification for brokers, according to Moody.