Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How long have you been selling businesses? Do you have experience selling my type of business?
How long have you been selling businesses? Do you have experience selling my type of business?
We have been selling businesses in Singapore since 2000. We will let you know if we have no experience selling your type of business.
We have been selling businesses in Singapore since 2000. We will let you know if we have no experience selling your type of business.
How many listings do you have? How do you ensure that my business is being adequately supported?
How many listings do you have? How do you ensure that my business is being adequately supported?
We manage our listings to ensure each client can be supported effectively, and every M&A project is usually handled by more than one consultant.
We manage our listings to ensure each client can be supported effectively, and every M&A project is usually handled by more than one consultant.
Do you co-broke? How many businesses have you sold as a lead broker?
Do you co-broke? How many businesses have you sold as a lead broker?
Normally, we list local businesses for sale as listing brokers. We co-broke with other Sunbelt offices overseas acting as selling brokers to sell your business.
Normally, we list local businesses for sale as listing brokers. We co-broke with other Sunbelt offices overseas acting as selling brokers to sell your business.
Therefore, a business is likely to be sold by a lead broker overseas and not us. For Sunbelt, selling a business is a multi-office team effort.
Therefore, a business is likely to be sold by a lead broker overseas and not us. For Sunbelt, selling a business is a multi-office team effort.
What is my business worth? How do you value a business?
What is my business worth? How do you value a business?
Business value is determined by enterprise assets, income streams, market conditions and many other factors. We apply the principles, methods and procedures set by international valuation bodies to work out the initial results and compare them with market data before arriving at a professional broker’s "Opinion of Value" to help you price your business right.
Business value is determined by enterprise assets, income streams, market conditions and many other factors. We apply the principles, methods and procedures set by international valuation bodies to work out the initial results and compare them with market data before arriving at a professional broker’s "Opinion of Value" to help you price your business right.
There may be conflict of interest for us to value your business and sell it. If you want us to sell it you should get an independent CVA to value it.
There may be conflict of interest for us to value your business and sell it. If you want us to sell it you should get an independent CVA to value it.
Can you just list my business for sale at whatever price I want?
Can you just list my business for sale at whatever price I want?
Yes, for some business referral programs.
Yes, for some business referral programs.
For M&A and business brokerage programs, we will conduct a preliminary assessment or PASS Test to check the reasonableness of your desired price before listing your business for sale.
For M&A and business brokerage programs, we will conduct a preliminary assessment or PASS Test to check the reasonableness of your desired price before listing your business for sale.
Asking for a price that cannot be justified by the market can be harmful to your business. It may render your business unsellable even if the price is reduced subsequently.
Asking for a price that cannot be justified by the market can be harmful to your business. It may render your business unsellable even if the price is reduced subsequently.
How do you market my business for sale? What marketing plans do you have?
How do you market my business for sale? What marketing plans do you have?
We will work with you to develop a marketing plan for all M&A programs or you may use our standard marketing plans for business brokerage programs.
We will work with you to develop a marketing plan for all M&A programs or you may use our standard marketing plans for business brokerage programs.
A marketing plan may include a combination of the following: listing on multiple websites, creating a blind profile, producing a CBR, target marketing and selling through the Sunbelt Network.
A marketing plan may include a combination of the following: listing on multiple websites, creating a blind profile, producing a CBR, target marketing and selling through the Sunbelt Network.
How do you protect my confidentiality? How to prevent my competitors from hearing that my business is for sale?
How do you protect my confidentiality? How to prevent my competitors from hearing that my business is for sale?
We have embedded preventive procedures in the selling process to minimize risk and have damage control measures in the event of a breach.
We have embedded preventive procedures in the selling process to minimize risk and have damage control measures in the event of a breach.
Since we focus on selling to foreign buyers, local rumors are reduced. We will also not publicize closed deals to protect sellers' privacy.
Since we focus on selling to foreign buyers, local rumors are reduced. We will also not publicize closed deals to protect sellers' privacy.
Who are the target buyers for my business? How many qualified buyers do you have?
Who are the target buyers for my business? How many qualified buyers do you have?
We separate buyers into different categories and focus on selling to financial and strategic buyers.
We separate buyers into different categories and focus on selling to financial and strategic buyers.
Within the financial buyer category we have a database of more than a hundred private equity and search funds worldwide. Many are ready to acquire multiple businesses on an annual basis.
Within the financial buyer category we have a database of more than a hundred private equity and search funds worldwide. Many are ready to acquire multiple businesses on an annual basis.
How long does it take to sell my business?
How long does it take to sell my business?
It depends on multiple factors, including business size, type, profitability and asking price. Generally, businesses valued between S$1 million and S$10 million may take about 9 to 12 months to close.
It depends on multiple factors, including business size, type, profitability and asking price. Generally, businesses valued between S$1 million and S$10 million may take about 9 to 12 months to close.
We may take longer than average since we sell businesses on a confidential basis and prioritize our marketing to foreign buyers. A cross-border transaction normally takes longer to close than a local deal.
We may take longer than average since we sell businesses on a confidential basis and prioritize our marketing to foreign buyers. A cross-border transaction normally takes longer to close than a local deal.
Do you provide legal, accounting, tax and other financial services in the sale of a business?
Do you provide legal, accounting, tax and other financial services in the sale of a business?
We have legal and accounting professionals in-house. However, M&A and business brokerage firms are generally not licensed accounting, finance, tax and law practices in Singapore.
We have legal and accounting professionals in-house. However, M&A and business brokerage firms are generally not licensed accounting, finance, tax and law practices in Singapore.
You need a public accounting firm to prepare accounting reports, and advise you on taxation and other financial matters.
You need a public accounting firm to prepare accounting reports, and advise you on taxation and other financial matters.
You also need to engage a law firm to assist you to handle all legal and contractual issues on the sale of your business.
You also need to engage a law firm to assist you to handle all legal and contractual issues on the sale of your business.
We will work with your appraiser, accountant and attorney as a member of your professional team.
We will work with your appraiser, accountant and attorney as a member of your professional team.
What is your fee? How do you charge?
What is your fee? How do you charge?
M&A fees are negotiated and the success fee is based on Lehmann Index or its variation. Business brokerage fees are determined by the selected services. For business referral, the fees depend on the type of business opportunity involved.
M&A fees are negotiated and the success fee is based on Lehmann Index or its variation. Business brokerage fees are determined by the selected services. For business referral, the fees depend on the type of business opportunity involved.
Intermediary Services
Intermediary Services
Ancillary Services
Ancillary Services