Sell & Valuation
Sell your business with confidence — and know what it’s worth first.
You built it from nothing. The process below is how we take Florida business owners from “thinking about it” to closed — confidentially — and the forms you’ll see along the way.
Licensed
Licensed Business Brokerage · FL BK5550142. Every broker is licensed by the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation.
Insured
Fully insured — professional liability (errors & omissions) and general liability coverage.
Confidential
Every conversation, document and financial statement you share is held in strict confidence. Buyers sign a non-disclosure agreement and are qualified before they learn who you are.
The process
How a business sale works with us
From the first confidential conversation to handing over the keys. Every step is handled by a licensed broker who knows your file — not a call center.
- 1
Confidential consultationWeek 1
A private conversation about your goals, timing and what you would like from a sale. We sign a confidentiality agreement before you share a single number.
- 2
ValuationWeeks 1–3
We recast your financials into Seller’s Discretionary Earnings, compare closed sales of similar businesses, test that a buyer can finance the price, and give you a written opinion of value and a recommended asking price.
- 3
Preparation & listing agreementWeeks 3–6
We write the Confidential Business Report (your offering memorandum) and a blind teaser, gather the documents buyers will ask for, and flag quick fixes that protect your price.
- 4
Confidential marketingMonths 2–6
The business goes to market anonymously — our buyer database, the Business Brokers of Florida MLS and national listing sites. No signs, no names, nothing your staff or competitors can recognize.
- 5
Buyer screening & NDAsOngoing
Every prospect signs a non-disclosure agreement, shows proof of funds or lender pre-qualification, and shares their background before learning who you are. You only meet serious buyers.
- 6
Meetings & offersMonths 3–8
We arrange after-hours meetings, then negotiate the letter of intent with you: price, down payment, seller financing, training period, non-compete and what is included.
- 7
Due diligence & financing30–90 days
The buyer verifies your books and operations while the SBA lender, landlord and licensing agencies do their part. We keep the deal moving and keep it quiet.
- 8
Closing & transitionClosing day +
Attorneys finalize the purchase agreement, inventory is counted, funds move through escrow, and you train the new owner for the agreed transition period. Most sales close 6–10 months after listing.
Business valuation
What is your business actually worth?
Owners who guess high sit on the market; owners who guess low leave money on the table. Here is exactly how we arrive at a number you can defend to a buyer, a lender and their accountant.
We use all three and reconcile them into one defensible range — then confirm a buyer could actually finance it.
Primary method for most businesses under $5M
Market approach
Earnings (SDE or EBITDA) × market multiple
We compare your business with similar businesses that actually sold — by industry, size, region and profitability — using closed-sale databases (DealStats, BizComps) and Business Brokers of Florida transactions. Their price-to-earnings multiples tell us what real buyers have paid.
Best for: Profitable, owner-operated Main Street businesses with comparable sales.
Why owners choose Xplor-Business
Discretion is the whole job
A leak can cost you employees, customers and leverage. Our process is built so nobody learns your business is for sale until you’re ready and they’ve signed.
Licensed. Licensed Business Brokerage · FL BK5550142.
Insured. Fully insured — professional liability (errors & omissions) and general liability coverage.
Brokers who have run businesses. Our brokers have owned and operated companies themselves — they read a P&L the way a buyer will.
Signed confidentiality agreement
Emailed to you the moment you ask for a valuation — before you share anything.
Blind marketing
Your listing never shows your name, address or anything that identifies you.
NDA-screened, qualified buyers
Buyers sign an NDA and prove they can afford the business before learning who you are.
Your staff and customers stay unaware
Meetings and site visits happen after hours. We never contact employees, customers or your landlord without permission.
Private document vault
Uploads go to an access-controlled file, not an email inbox — only your broker and our broker of record can open them.
Ballpark calculator
Get a rough range in two minutes
Recast your earnings the way a buyer will, answer seven questions buyers ask, and see where you land inside your industry’s typical range.
It’s a starting point, not an appraisal. Every business has a story the multiples can’t see — that’s what a broker valuation captures.
1 · Your true earnings (SDE)
Start with the net profit on your tax return, then add back what a new owner wouldn’t pay — that’s your Seller’s Discretionary Earnings.
2 · What buyers will look at
These decide where you fall inside your industry’s range. 0/7 answered.
Choose an industry and enter your earnings to see a ballpark range.
Illustrative ranges based on typical Main Street small-business sales. Not an appraisal — actual value depends on verified financials, comparable closed sales, deal terms and the buyer pool.
Free · Confidential · No obligation
Get a valuation from a broker
- 1Enter your contact details — our confidentiality agreement is emailed to you immediately.
- 2Choose the broker you’d like to work with.
- 3Answer the valuation questionnaire (about 15–20 minutes).
- 4Upload your P&Ls (2026 YTD and 2022–2025), tax returns (2023–2025), balance sheets, equipment and asset lists.
- 5Book your review call — your broker gets at least 24 hours to study your file first.
Save anytime — your private link lets you pick up where you left off.
Questions sellers ask
Before you decide
Does the valuation cost anything?+
No. A broker valuation is free and creates no obligation to list. If you decide to sell with us, the listing agreement is a separate decision.
How long does it take?+
About 15–20 minutes for the questionnaire, plus however long it takes to gather your statements. Your broker reviews everything for at least 24 hours before your call, and most sellers have their opinion of value within a week or two.
What if I don’t have every document?+
Upload what you have and tell your broker what’s missing and why — for example, a business that opened in 2023 won’t have four years of statements.
Will my employees find out?+
Not from us. Everything is confidential, marketing is blind, and nobody contacts your staff, customers, suppliers or landlord without your permission.
Why is my business worth more than my tax return shows?+
Because buyers value Seller’s Discretionary Earnings — your profit plus your salary, perks, depreciation, interest and one-time costs. That is often double the taxable profit.
Do I need to sell right away?+
No. Many owners get a valuation two or three years before they sell, so they know what to improve. Your broker will tell you if waiting would get you a better price.
Read ahead
Seller documents
Sample versions of the documents sellers ask about. Your broker completes these with you.
Just want to talk first?
Not ready for a valuation? Tell us a little about your business and a broker will call you back — usually the same day — with an honest read on the market and your next step.
- ✓ No pressure, no obligation
- ✓ Handled confidentially
- ✓ A real broker, not a call center
- ✓ (813) 555-0142 · Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. · Evenings by appointment
Business inquiries are handled with complete confidentiality.