If you plan to sell your business soon, you’ve picked the right time. Consumer confidence is high, and profitable businesses are earning top dollar in a booming economy. Yet many sellers seem overwhelmed. This sense of being overwhelmed can cause them to delay selling to a future date, when the environment for a sale might be less favorable.

Many owners planning to sell their business wonder whether or not to hire a business broker. Many decide not to—and often suffer significant financial harm as a result. Of course, they may never even know that a business broker could have gotten them a better deal. A business broker needs to be a part of your M&A team. Here are 15 simple reasons why:

If you’ve spent decades, or perhaps even a lifetime, building a small business from the ground up, now might be a good time to sell. Valuations are up, and early signs suggest that trend won’t continue forever. You should begin preparing for a sale at least a couple of years before you hope to close a deal. So if you think you might be getting there, here’s what you need to do first.

No matter when you plan to sell your business—soon or many years down the road—a few steps now can ensure a more successful future transaction.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed in 2017 has been repeatedly called the most significant change to the tax code in three decades. It’s too soon to know if the legislation will improve the economy, but it’s important for businesses to know the impacts of the new provisions, and to adjust their strategies accordingly.

Getting your idea off the ground and into a business has taken a lot. You’ve hit bumps and rough patches. But now acquirers are taking note. You’ve arrived…almost.

Owners preparing to sell their company should be prepared to offer comprehensive, believable answers to the questions buyers often ask. At the heart of these questions is a desire to understand why the owner wishes to sell, whether there is a hidden agenda, and the extent to which the buyer can rely on assertions made by the owner.

2018: A Great Time to Sell Your Business