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Buying a Maryland Business 101

Buying an existing business is an excellent option that is often overlooked by entrepreneurs, but it does have advantages. You will have an established name, existing customers and an immediate revenue stream. However, searching for a business to buy can be difficult, and finding the right one to buy is tougher yet.

The process can be time consuming, costly and frustrating. Even the most skilled businessperson may find this experience challenging. To provide some “structure” to this very complex decision, the following process-oriented steps may serve as a checklist to help you go through the process.

Personal assessment and criteria
Based on what you know about yourself and why you are interested in this business, you must constantly assess if the concept and the business is right for you. Does it fit with your interests and your resources? Cash, credibility, skills and contacts: do yours match what this business will demand?

Ask for the business plan
Does the seller have a current business plan? Do they have any business plan? The business plan—or its absence—may tell you a lot about the business, its history, the owner’s view for its future, and their interest in selling.

The seller
If you should purchase the business, you are going to be dependent on the seller for information, contacts and resources. Based on what you know now, what do you think your relationship with the seller is going to be like? Can you expect that to be a positive experience? If you see signs of a “difficult” person in the initial purchase investigation stages, it may become more stressful for both parties as things progress.

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