BUYING A BUSINESS · MIAMI & FLORIDA
Start with the right questions.
Individual buyers, strategic acquirers and private equity teams can start with a clear acquisition brief: what you want to buy, who will make the decision and how the acquisition will be funded.
Discuss your acquisition criteriaTHE SHORT ANSWER
How do buyers start a confidential acquisition discussion?
Share your target industries and locations, operating experience, intended role, purchase budget, available capital and decision-makers. Strategic and private equity teams should clarify whether the acquisition is a standalone platform or an add-on. Confidential opportunities involve qualification and staged information sharing; financing decisions belong to the lender.
A useful next step. Send a short acquisition brief through the buyer inquiry form, without proof-of-funds documents or account records.
Current opportunities.
Use Sunbelt’s current listings to explore businesses for sale. Availability and details can change, so contact me about a specific opportunity before making plans around it.
View current Sunbelt listings ↗Get clear on the criteria.
Location, industry, operating role and purchase budget all matter. So do your relevant experience, the time you can commit and how much liquid capital is available. A clear brief makes it easier to identify a business that fits.
- Target industries and locations
- Your operating experience and intended role
- Purchase budget, including any real estate
- Liquid funds available and your proposed financing
- Decision-makers, partners and timing
For strategic buyers and private equity teams.
Tell me whether you are pursuing a standalone platform or an add-on to an existing company. Share your target sectors, geography, revenue or EBITDA range, operating requirements and intended investment structure.
Identify the acquisition lead, investment decision-makers, capital source and approval process. If you are buying through a portfolio company, explain that relationship and the expected role of its management team. A clear brief helps us assess fit before confidential information is shared.
Qualification comes before confidential information.
For confidential opportunities, expect to complete an NDA and buyer profile and provide proof of funds. We can discuss the business and arrange a seller introduction when appropriate.
An NDA is one part of the process. Information is shared in stages, with the seller’s confidentiality and the buyer’s need to assess the opportunity both in mind.
Discuss financing early.
Speak with a lender about the proposed acquisition, your available equity and the documents needed for a review. Financing approval comes from the lender; a listing, initial discussion or preliminary indication does not guarantee a loan.
An offer should make its financing conditions and deadlines clear. Your attorney, CPA, lender and quality of earnings (QoE) team, where engaged, should review the parts of the transaction that fall within their respective roles.
Evaluate the business behind the offer.
Review the earnings, customer relationships, owner’s role, team, lease and transition needs. The purchase price is one part of the decision; the structure and the work required after closing matter too.
Send a brief introduction with your criteria. We can start with a conversation and decide on the next step.