Selling a Business

Business Sale Deal Structures

Asset vs. stock, seller financing, earn-outs — how the structure of your deal changes what you actually keep.

1,000+ businesses sold  ·  $2.5B transacted  ·  96% success rate

The headline price is only part of the story. How a deal is structured — cash at close, seller financing, earn-outs, and asset vs. stock — changes your taxes, your risk, and what ultimately lands in your account.

Asset vs. stock sale

Most small and mid-sized deals are asset sales, which affect taxes and liability differently than a stock sale. We model both where relevant.

Cash, seller financing & earn-outs

Buyers often propose part cash, part seller note, and sometimes an earn-out tied to future performance. Each shifts risk and timing — we structure them to protect you.

Aligning structure with your goals

The right structure depends on what you want: maximum cash now, a clean exit, or a higher total price with some risk. We build the deal around your priorities.

Frequently asked

Questions owners ask us

What's the difference between an asset and stock sale?

An asset sale transfers specific assets and is common for smaller deals; a stock sale transfers ownership of the entity. They differ in tax and liability treatment.

What is an earn-out?

A portion of the price paid later, tied to the business hitting agreed targets after the sale.

Should I offer seller financing?

Often it widens your buyer pool and raises your total price — we help you weigh the risk and structure it safely.

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