North Carolina residents who are interested in purchasing an existing small business or who are small business owners looking to cash out may be interested to learn that the selling prices for small businesses are breaking records. While the owners are placing their enterprises on the market to take advantage of the increasing prices, purchasers are willing to invest more because the businesses that are for sale have cash flows that are increasing.
Some of the most popular types of businesses on the market include manufacturing, retail and restaurants. As business owners who are a part of the baby boomer generation are nearing retirement, many stable businesses are becoming readily available for purchase. Men make up 77 percent of current small business owners. The majority of them are between the ages of 40 and 59 years old and have at least attended college.
With regard to education level and gender, the demographics of individuals seeking to purchase businesses and individuals who are current business owners are very alike. One distinct difference is that the individuals who are purchasing small businesses are younger. Fourteen percent of current business owners are 39 years old or younger, while 23 percent of buyers are in the same age range. While natural born citizens comprise 65 percent and 70 percent of current business owners and individuals seeking to buy, respectively, immigrants make up 30 percent of current owners and a sizable percentage of buyers.
An attorney who practices business law may assist clients with navigating the legal aspects of buying and selling businesses. The attorney may oversee the valuation of the venture and protect the rights and interests of clients during contract negotiations.