Six stages, from first look to keys
Whatever your reason for buying, the process follows the same disciplined path — the one our brokers have walked for 22 years. Here is exactly what to expect.
You find a listing worth a closer look. Before anything confidential changes hands, we establish trust on both sides.
- Complete the NDA and Financial Disclosure Form
- Initial conversation with your broker — the business, and your background
- Review the Confidential Business Review (CBR)
- Discuss next steps
A working session with your broker to make sure the numbers, the financing, and the fit all hold up.
- Review the buyer presentation
- Review financing options
- Confirm family support
- Complete the Buyer Profile Form
You meet the owner face to face — structured, on the record, with expectations set before anyone sits down.
- Review the agenda
- Arrange time and location
- Establish expectations
- Seller interview
When the business is right, we put your offer together properly — financed, advised, and backed by earnest money.
- Present the final financing plan
- Engage advisors — attorney, accountant, financial advisor
- Make an offer with earnest money deposit (EMD)
- Negotiations
Signed contract to closing table. We keep every party moving on a weekly cadence so nothing stalls.
- Weekly communications plan
- Due diligence requests
- Financial and lender requests
- Legal — closing documentation preparation
The keys change hands — and the handover is managed so the business you bought is the business you run.
- Final paperwork preparation and review
- Announcements — employees, vendors, customers
- Training and introductions
- Transition of accounts and relationships
Frequently asked questions
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How long does the process take?
Most transactions close within 60–90 days of a signed LOI. SBA-financed deals can take 75–120 days. All-cash deals can close in as little as 10–14 business days.
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Does ECBB charge the buyer a fee?
No. ECBB’s commission is paid by the seller from closing proceeds. There is no cost to the buyer at any stage of the process.
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Why do I have to sign an NDA before seeing details?
Every ECBB listing is sold confidentially — employees, customers, and competitors don’t know the business is for sale. One signed NDA and financial disclosure unlocks the Confidential Business Review (CBR) for any listing that interests you.
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What is the CBR?
The Confidential Business Review is the deal book for a listing: the business’s identity, verified financials, lease terms, staffing, and the story behind the sale. It’s what you review in stage one and what your lender underwrites against later.
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What is an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD)?
The EMD is a good-faith deposit with your offer — typically 5–10% of the purchase price. It’s held in ECBB’s escrow account, not the seller’s, and applied to the purchase price at closing.
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What happens if the deal falls through?
If a deal falls through due to seller misrepresentation or an unmet contingency, the EMD is typically refunded. If the buyer walks without cause after due diligence, it may be forfeited. Your attorney will advise on your situation.
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Do I need an attorney?
Yes. ECBB strongly recommends every buyer engage their own attorney before signing any purchase agreement. We can refer you to attorneys who specialize in business acquisitions.
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What types of businesses does ECBB sell?
Restaurants, delis, laundromats, liquor stores, car washes, medical practices, manufacturing, daycares, commercial real estate, and more — browse the active listings to see what’s on the market now.
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Will the seller train me after closing?
Almost always. A training and transition period is negotiated into the contract — stage six covers announcements to employees, vendors, and customers, plus the handover of accounts and relationships.
Stage one starts with a registration
Register as a buyer, sign one NDA, and matching listings arrive in our daily email blasts — before the open market sees them.