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Sellers Guide

How to sell your business privately in Australia

Selling your business is a big step, and with our For Sale By Owner platform, you can do it on your terms—without the hefty fees of a broker. This guide walks you through every stage, from deciding when to sell to handing over the keys, giving you the tools and know-how to succeed

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Right Time to Sell:

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Timing is everything. Ask yourself:

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  • Is your business performing well? Buyers love profitability or growth potential—strong revenue or a busy season can boost appeal.

  • Are you ready to move on? Be mentally prepared to let go, whether it’s for retirement, a new venture, or personal reasons.

  • What’s the market like? Check industry trends in Australia (e.g., a booming retail sector) to see if demand is high.

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Sell when your business is at its peak, not in decline — most buyers want a thriving opportunity, although some prefer to get in and fix and rejuvenate a slowing business. As with most things in life, price depicts everything. 

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Setting Your Price:

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Pricing right attracts buyers without underselling your hard work.

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  • Research: Look at similar businesses on sites like SeekBusiness, Commercial Real Estate to gauge market value.

  • Financials: Base it on revenue, profit, and assets (e.g., equipment, stock). A common method is 2-3x annual profit + asset value.

  • Get Help: income statements, cash flow statements, and tax returns. Prepare forecasts and projections.

  • Be Flexible: Set a range (e.g., “Offers above $300,000”) to invite negotiation while protecting your bottom line.

 

Legals:

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Selling privately is legal in Australia, but you need to cover your bases.

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  • Ownership: Ensure you have the right to sell (e.g., no partners or debts blocking it).

  • Contracts: Use a lawyer to draft or review the sale agreement—don’t skip this to avoid disputes. We work with some amazing lawyers who live and breath business sales, we are happy to put you in contact with them.

  • Licenses/Leases: Check if permits or leases transfer with the sale (e.g., a café’s liquor license).

  • Confidentiality: We send buyers a confidentiality agreement before sharing your full details—your info stays safe.

 

Your Listing:

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Your listing is your first impression. Here’s the process:

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  • Choose a Package: Pick one that suits you—we’ve got options for every budget.

  • Fill Out the Form: We send you a form to gather details—business type, revenue, assets, etc..

  • We Build It: Our team creates your ad (and write-up, depending on your package) to shine.

  • Go Live: Your business hits platforms like SeekBusiness.com.au, CommercialRealEstate.com.au, BusinessforSale.com.au, and Jawai (based on your package)

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Keep it honest and punchy — highlight what makes your business a opportunity.

 

Taking Photos:

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Some business owners prefer to sell their business discreetly, without advertising the name of the business or showing photos that could give it away. Each seller has different reasons behind this decision. We have found that being upfront with the name and location allows buyers to make a decision faster without wasting time as they have a fair idea of what they are requesting information on.

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If you do decide to list your business discreetly we can put up a similar image to what industry your business is in. 

 

If you decide to list your business with its name, we have provided the following guide for photos: 

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Good photos generate more interest

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  • Show the Best: Snap your storefront, products, or workspace—clean and busy is ideal.

  • Quality Matters: Use a decent camera or smartphone with good lighting (natural light works wonders).

  • Keep It Simple: 5-10 clear shots—avoid clutter or blurry pics.

  • Examples: A café counter with customers, a retail display, or machinery in action.
    Upload these with your listing form — If you need help editing or making photos more vibrant, our marketing team is happy to help at no extra cost.

 

Presenting Your Business

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Your Business Information Memorandum (IM) is your pitch:

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  • Overview: What you do, where, and how long you’ve been at it.

  • Financials: Tease revenue or profit (e.g., “$500K p.a.”)—full details later.

  • Why Buy?: Highlight loyal customers, growth potential, or unique assets.

  • Keep It Short: 5-15 pages, professional but not overwhelming.
    We’ll help craft this based on your package—check our IM guide for more tips.

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Additional Promotion

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Boost your reach beyond our listings:

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  • Social Media: Share a teaser (e.g., “Business for sale—DM for details”) on your networks.

  • Word of Mouth: Tell suppliers, customers, or peers—discreetly if needed.

  • Our Buyer Alerts: Thousands of registered buyers get notified if your listing matches their criteria.
    More eyes mean more offers—use every channel wisely.

 

Dealing with Buyers

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Buyers come to you—here’s how we handle it:

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Inspections

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When buyers want to see it in action:

 

  • Schedule Smart: Pick a busy time to show it thriving (e.g., Saturday rush for a shop).

  • Prep: Tidy up, restock, and brief staff (if they’re staying).

  • Guide Them: Walk them through key areas—answer questions but don’t overshare.

  • Safety: Verify their interest first (e.g., signed CA) to avoid time-wasters.

 

Negotiating Your Sale

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Seal the deal your way:

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The Deposit:

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Secure their commitment:

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  • Ask for It: Request 5-10% of the price as a deposit (e.g., $20K on a $200K sale).

  • Make It Official: Use a lawyer to draft a deposit agreement—refundable if the sale falls through (conditions apply).

  • Hold It Safe: Put it in a trust account or with your solicitor, not your pocket yet.
    This locks them in and shows they’re serious.

 

The Settlement:

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Closing the sale:

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  • Timeline: Typically 30-60 days after the deposit—agree with the buyer.

  • Paperwork: Your lawyer finalizes the sale contract, transferring ownership.

  • Payment: Buyer pays the balance (e.g., bank transfer or cheque)—verify it clears.

  • Handover: Pass on keys, records, and assets as agreed—done!

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Transfer Your Business:

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Make it smooth for the buyer:

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  • Assets: Hand over equipment, stock, or leases listed in the sale.

  • Training: Offer a short transition (e.g., 1-2 weeks) if negotiated—keeps them happy.

  • Notify Others: Tell suppliers, staff, or landlords about the change (if relevant).

  • Celebrate: You’ve sold your business—time to enjoy the rewards!

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Selling privately with us saves you thousands and keeps you in charge. Use our platform’s tools—listings, buyer alerts, and support—to make it happen. Need help? We’re here to guide you every step of the way. Ready to start? Pick your package and let’s get your business sold!

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