Preparation is the quiet difference between a smooth sale and a stalled one. Buyers and their advisers will ask for a great deal of information, and the speed and confidence with which you can provide it shapes both how quickly you complete and how strongly you defend your price. Having everything ready in advance signals a well run business and removes the gaps that buyers love to negotiate against. Use this checklist to get genuinely ready to sell.
Financial information
Your numbers are the foundation of the entire sale. Buyers will study them closely, so they need to be complete, current and easy to follow. Anything missing or unexplained becomes a question mark, and question marks cost you money.
- Two to three years of statutory accounts
- Current management accounts and cash flow
- A realistic profit and revenue forecast
- A clear list of profit adjustments and one off costs
- Details of any debt, loans or finance agreements
Legal and corporate
Buyers and their solicitors will want to see that the company itself is in good order, with ownership and obligations clearly documented. Unresolved legal loose ends are a common cause of last minute delay.
- Certificate of incorporation and shareholder details
- Any shareholder or partnership agreements
- Records of any disputes, claims or litigation
- Intellectual property, trademarks and domains
Contracts and commercial
The contracts behind your revenue are often what a buyer is really paying for. Being able to show secure, transferable agreements gives a buyer confidence that the income will continue after you have gone.
- Key customer and supplier contracts
- Property leases or title documents
- Software, licensing and service agreements
- Insurance policies and any warranties
People
A buyer needs to understand who does what, who is essential, and how the business will keep running once you step away. A clear picture of your team reassures them that they are buying a stable operation rather than a key person risk.
- Organisation chart and key roles
- Employment contracts and terms
- Details of owner and director responsibilities
- A practical plan for handover and transition
Presentation and a strong information memorandum
Finally, package the business well. A clear information memorandum that explains how the business works, why it succeeds and where the growth lies helps buyers see the opportunity rather than just the numbers, and it justifies your asking price.
When you sell with agentlocal, your dedicated agent prepares this memorandum for you and presents your business to funded buyers in its best possible light, so the months of preparation translate into real interest and a stronger price.
Key takeaways
- Gather your financials, contracts and legal documents before you market.
- Prepared sellers complete faster and defend their price better.
- Reduce owner reliance and plan a clean, credible handover.
- A strong information memorandum frames the opportunity for buyers.
- agentlocal prepares and presents all of this as part of a managed sale.
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