how do I find out where there are businesses for sale?

[minimax]

I have an idea to pick up an estate agency or a chain of them and (ideally a debt ridden one) take on their debt and turn it around for either profit or simply expand it as part of my current plan for world domination, but I am after a bit more information on how to do this - where do I look for businesses for sale? and how easy is it to simply buy into or buy outright a business? and if they're knackered with commitments how easy is it to pick it up for next to nothing (like BMW buying rover) and restructure the debt?

I am experienced in this industry and I won't be going it alone...any constructive advice is welcome!

>> Edited by minimax on Monday 5th December 13:00

[johnfm]

I am sure srebbe64 will tell you - thats what he does to support his car & holiday habit!!

[Plotloss]

Google for Daltons Weekly.

Even a single estate agency is going to be big money I would have thought...

[rico]

Wouldn't it be easier to start a new company? Granted, you'd have a name that was known locally, but if they were failing they might have a bad rep...?

[minimax]

rico said:

Wouldn't it be easier to start a new company? Granted, you'd have a name that was known locally, but if they were failing they might have a bad rep...?

well possibly...but i'm trying to avoid using the ferrari fund for business purposes!

I have previously seen and heard of failing estate agencies going for pennies providing you shoulder the debt mountain...but I like a challenge and without giving too much away or blowing my own trumpet i'm bloody good at what I do and so is the chap i'm roping in for this so it bodes well

[pies]

Put "BUSINESSES FOR SALE" into google

[a2z]

Try the back of RICS business, the monthly RICS magazine. There are always a few practices for sale in the back of that. Usually sole praticioner who is retiring etc. Maybe even worth putting a wanted ad in it.

[minimax]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

totally forgot about that

just one of the many ideas i'm playing around with today....got to do a fair bit more research before I jump though

[minimax]

a2z said:

Try the back of RICS business, the monthly RICS magazine. There are always a few practices for sale in the back of that. Usually sole praticioner who is retiring etc. Maybe even worth putting a wanted ad in it.

hmm.

my lister should have a copy of that, i'll poke around (the office, not him)

[oggs]

Good luck if you go for it mate

[insurance_jon]

I've done it with an insurance brokers mmax, which is a similar busniess model, and it was quite easy to do! Good Luck m8!

[srebbe64]

The leading UK web-site (and publication) for company's for sale is:

www.business-sale.com/

However, rather than look for company's which are already on the market, if I were in your shoes I'd spend a few weeks collating a list of all the independent estate agents. Then look at their accounts (via company house) and select those that are struggling. Equally, the accounts have the age of Directors listed, so you may want to target companies with aging owners.

[minimax]

srebbe64 said:

The leading UK web-site (and publication) for company's for sale is: www.business-sale.com/ However, rather than look for company's which are already on the market, if I were in your shoes I'd spend a few weeks collating a list of all the independent estate agents. Then look at their accounts (via company house) and select those that are struggling. Equally, the accounts have the age of Directors listed, so you may want to target companies with aging owners.

thank you, that is very helpful!