Insights

A practical screening framework for first-time buyers. SDE and salary math, revenue trajectory, customer concentration, owner dependency, and deferred capex. The five checks that separate real opportunities from time-wasters.

What the SBA accepts as equity injection for acquisition loans. Cash, ROBS, seller notes on standby, gift funds. Source documentation rules and how experienced buyers structure the 10%.

A strategic guide to letters of intent for SBA-financed acquisitions. Key terms, negotiation priorities, SBA-specific requirements, and mistakes first-time buyers make.

A buyer-side guide to QoE reports. What the analysis covers, which adjustments matter in a $1M-$5M service business, common red flags, and when the findings should change your offer or kill the deal.

A stage-by-stage walkthrough of SBA 7(a) acquisition financing. Pre-qualification, lender selection, packaging, underwriting, and closing. Timelines, documentation, equity injection, and where deals stall.

SBA 7(a) loans require an unlimited personal guarantee. What that covers, what assets are exposed, what happens in a default, and how experienced buyers think about the risk.

SDE, debt service, working capital reserves, and owner compensation math. The full framework with real numbers on a $1.6M HVAC acquisition.

A $1.85M e-commerce brand doing $2.4M through Amazon and Shopify. 70% platform dependency, 5 years old, and a 4.51x multiple. What the stated SDE hides, why the price is wrong, and what a buyer needs to verify.

A $3.2M listing with $720K in stated SDE and a 4.44x multiple. 1,200 service agreements, 14 employees including 8 technicians, and 21 years of operating history. What the numbers justify, what the licensing situation could change, and where the real risk sits.

A $1.8M listing with $480K in stated SDE and a 3.75x multiple. Recurring contracts, 22 employees, and an owner who says he works 15 hours a week. What the numbers suggest — and what they leave out.