Thinking of buying an existing business? Here’s what trips up most buyers. The years 2023–2025 saw a wave of failed M&A deals as tightening regulations, market volatility, and boardroom clashes derailed numerous high-profile mergers. Some collapsed under the weight of inflated valuations. Others simply fell apart because critical issues were missed in the rush to close.

Buying a company is a strategic move filled with nuance. Deals go sideways when buyers get too comfortable with surface-level numbers, underestimate cultural fit, or treat advisors as decision-makers instead of collaborators. This article outlines the nine most common acquisition mistakes to avoid when buying a business. If you’re eyeing a deal, this will help you avoid the blind spots that can quietly erode its value before day one.

Why are more small to mid-sized business transactions being structured with seller financing instead of traditional bank loans? One reason is that 60% of small business acquisitions include some form of seller financing. In these transactions, the seller of a business agrees to finance a portion of the purchase price, documented through a promissory note that defines interest rate, repayment terms, and collateral. This arrangement often makes the difference between a stalled negotiation and a closed deal, especially in cases where bank or SBA financing falls short or can’t accommodate the specific structure the buyer and seller need. It also signals seller confidence in the business’s ongoing performance, since repayment depends on the buyer’s ability to run the business effectively.

Seller financing can lead to a higher sale price, increase income through interest, and expand the buyer pool to include qualified individuals who may lack full third-party funding. For buyers, it lowers upfront capital needs, preserves liquidity for operations, and simplifies the qualification process compared to rigid bank underwriting. Deals close faster, and the seller often stays engaged post-sale, improving continuity. This article breaks down how seller financing works in mergers and acquisitions, outlines the advantages for both buyers and sellers, and explains when this structure makes the most strategic sense.

For most owners, selling a business is a once-in-a-lifetime event—one that carries enormous financial and personal significance. Yet, too often, sellers underestimate one of the most critical decisions in the process: selecting the right business broker. In fact, owners who attempt to sell without professional representation face a 60%–70% lower chance of successfully closing a deal.

Preparing to sell your company involves numerous critical steps, but few impact the final sale price as directly as enhancing your Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA). Buyers frequently use EBITDA as a key metric to determine business value, often applying an EBITDA multiple based on industry standards, growth potential, and perceived risk. Therefore, understanding how to increase EBITDA before selling is essential for business owners seeking to maximize their exit value.

What happens when leadership in a family-owned business changes hands—but no one knows exactly how, when, or to whom? According to PwC’s 2023 Family Business Survey, only 34% of family businesses have a formal succession plan in place, even though 76% expect to pass ownership to the next generation. That gap poses a risk to the entire enterprise.

Mergers and acquisitions involve high-stakes decisions that directly impact ownership, valuation, and long-term business outcomes. At the centre of every successful mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transaction is the negotiation phase, where the deal structure, purchase price, and risk allocation are determined. This stage shapes the final agreement and influences whether both the buyer and seller achieve their objectives. Strong negotiation tactics and a clear strategy are essential. Without them, deals can collapse, terms may become unfavorable, or parties may walk away with diminished value.

Are you thinking it’s time to sell your insurance agency, or simply curious about how to value an insurance entity before making any major moves? This in-depth guide covers everything from the initial evaluation process to identifying your potential buyers. Whether you’re an agency owner or just exploring your options, we’ll walk you through how to determine the value of your agency so you can make the best possible decision. Don’t just sell—learn how to maximize the value of your insurance agency. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to position your business in a way that attracts the right buyer at the most favorable sale price.

What causes most small business sales to fall apart after an offer is accepted? According to data from Axial, nearly 70% of failed transactions break down during due diligence. And the reasons are usually preventable—disorganized financials, misaligned expectations between buyer and seller, or trust issues that surface once the details come into focus. It's not that buyers aren’t interested or that the timing is off. More often, it’s that sellers aren't fully ready for what serious buyers need to see when they start digging into the numbers and operations.