Look Ahead
Part II: Complexity of the Selling Process
By Eugen Klein,
B.Comm(UREC), CRES, ARM®, RI(BC), FRI
Real Estate Broker
When I am approached by owners seeking advice on selling their business, my first task is often to inject some reality into their expectations regarding the selling process. As the time nears to sell, business owners foresee the terms of sale including an all cash transaction, and anticipate a process that may take, at the most, a month or two. It is imperative that you talk to a business specialist when you are first considering the possibility of selling, rather than at the last minute when you are under time and perhaps financial limitations which can critically affect the possibility of obtaining the value you desire from the sale.
Although every real estate transaction is unique, there is without question the greatest variety of issues in business brokerage. For that reason, it is often considered the most complex channel to navigate; for that reason it is also most difficult to find qualified and experienced advisors who can pilot you through the narrows and shoals.
If you have the assistance of a qualified and experienced business broker, it may be wise to carefully evaluate the advice before making decisions. From my own experience the selling process normally takes between three and eighteen months from start to finish depending of course on the business size and type. During that time it is typical for dozens of inquiries to be made and only a few proceed to the offer stage after prequalification; this is followed by a month or two of intense negotiations after which it may become apparent that the investors are not satisfied with the internal workings of the business or acceptable terms can not be reached. For this reason, I am in the constant process of entertaining several purchasers at once, market permitting, to save my vendor time and money. This creates an emotional atmosphere of highs and lows that can be a great stress if you have not been properly prepared to accept it.
Very often owners are reluctant to enter into longer marketing agreements. In other professions where payment is by the hour, this may seem like a prudent measure, but because brokers are paid only when they are able to arrange and complete a transaction, it is entirely within their interest to get things done as quickly as possible. To protect the business and our vendor, careful attention to the background of the purchaser and the dissemination of business information is of utmost importance. Many owners cite the advantages of being able to get out of a contract sooner if they are unhappy with the service – the trade-off is that the broker may try to rush the process. A well orchestrated marketing plan costs a broker a significant expense and usually turns up the best leads several weeks into the process. Brokers will be reluctant to make this type of effort unless they are assured of being able to recoup on their investment of time and money. Development of professional marketing materials, advertising strategies, internet marketing and old-fashioned client calls are all active processes that are taxing on funds and staff hours.
In general, when an amenable purchaser is found, the successful completion of the deal rests on an equitable apportionment of risk. Irrespective of their financial position, purchasers will not use an all capital strategy. First, goodwill, as an asset, represents a present value consideration for future cash flow: the buyer wishes to see the goodwill of the company continue to grow. It is in the buyer’s interest to hedge their risk by having the seller, in the form of a vendor-take back, finance the goodwill or at least a portion of it. This keeps the seller integrally involved in the transition of the business, and to some extent, interested in its success for a portion of time over and above the transition period. This also has the advantage of giving the purchaser a holdback in case the vendor’s promises or representations do not hold up. The vendor may also want some kind of guarantee that the debt will be honoured: a mortgage or even an escrow agreement (the shares are held in trust by a third party until the purchase price has been paid in full).
Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions about commercial investment or business brokerage. It is my pleasure to discuss with you anything about my profession.
Editorial
Here is the second in a series of articles following the process of transacting a business. Featured in this month’s issue: “Complexity of the Selling Process”.
We will be adding a new ‘resource’ section to our website, and as this series continues, you will be able to download previous issues from our website including additional resources. Only our subscribers will be able to download the newest PROSPERITAS, featuring our pre-market listings. Subscription is complimentary so feel free to tell a friend.
Let me focus your attention also to my community section where I have assembled some of the best professionals in the business. They have saved me countless hours and have allowed me to offer my clients better service. Feel free to contact them should the need arise.
If you should have any questions regarding the disposition of your commercial investments or business, please call me to discuss your position at your convenience. With the increased activity in today’s market an accurate estimation of value is the best place to start.
Eugen L. Klein
B.Comm (UREC), CRES, ARM®, R.I.(B.C.), FRI
[email protected]
Tel. 604.818.5888
Tel. 1.800.818.8599
Incorporation – Revisited
A couple things that make people consider incorporating sooner rather than later are.
1. If the business is only part of their overall income then they might need the tax relief at a lower net income per owner. This is because when determining tax rate you look at the total income not just the income from that source. For example a person with only one source of income (his/her business) might pay $2,500 on $10,000 of profit, whereas a person with several sources of income might pay $4,000 on $10,000 of profit from the business.
2. If the business uses a lot of equipment (for example a Trucking business needs trucks to operate) it will be less expensive to buy a truck with after tax profits from an incorporated business experiencing a 17.5% tax rate than from an unincorporated business experiencing a 37% tax rate.
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www.gilmour.ca
(604) 888-4200
Corporate Rate !
Comfort Inn Downtown Vancouver
Corporate Rate offer to all my clients!
Canucks Hockey Packages and Vancouver Getaway Packages available.
Call to reserve for your Christmas or New Year’s Party!
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Valerie Orr, Director of Sales
654 Nelson Street
Vancouver, BC, Canada V6B 6K4
(604) 605-4339
Properties:
1. EAGLE RIDGE
20 lots available; Lot Grizzly Lot #13; 3.2 Acres, with view; Osoyoos, BC; Priority sign up; More sites coming!
2. MOBILE HOME PARK LAND
Okanagan valley, 20+ acres, all services at lot line. Conforming & non-conforming uses available. 100+ pads.
3. 46 ACRE DEVELOPMENT SITE
Between I-5 & Pacific Hwy; truck stop, manufacturing, duty free potential $4.50-$6.50/sq.ft. · Border proximity 10 parcels, all serviced
4. FAESSLER VINEYARDS
On beautiful Serpentine River near Cloverdale, BC. Permit application pending for Winery License.
5. REVELSTOKE RESORT
18.73 Acres; Restaurant, Pub, 26 Rooms, Indoor Swimming Pool, Cabins. Strong Winter Revenues,
6. CLOTHING MANUFACTURING
Manufacturing business, growing revenues, business sale – Vancouver.
7. DOWNTOWN STRATA OFFICE
Howe Street, Vancouver. Directly across the street from B.C. Supreme Court. Perfect for independent professional. Parking space included. Excellent amenities.
8. MIXED COMMERCIAL
Aldergrove: two level; commercial lease space downstairs and residential space upstairs. Fully leased/owner occupied.
9. TRAFFIC CONTROL COMPANY
Major contracts in place with city, municipalities, and blue chip companies. 34 years in operation.
10. SPA & RETREAT DOWNTOWN
2000 sq. ft. – option on building with purchase
11. TOWING COMPANY
Serving all major southern BC highways from central location; 17 years growth; 13 trucks; Major contracts; Awesome cash flow!
12. NIGHT CLUB – FRASER VALLEY
Established club with loyal clientele. Minutes from downtown Surrey. Excellent lease 5,000 sq. ft.; Completed full renovations.
13. VANCOUVER ISLAND MOTEL
Perfect downtown sea side location; direct access to all major roads & arteries; Only 2 minutes from the Great Canadian Casino, Commercial Docks, 4 Ferry Terminals & Seaplane Terminal.
14. TACO TIME
Three locations in Greater Vancouver, Managers in place in all stores, owners retiring, franchises offered below market
15. AUTO REPAIR, DETAIL & SALES
Located on the North Shore. Building purchase option. Exceptional reputation. Owner relocating immediately!
16. WESTIN HOTEL SUITE – WHISTLER
Excellent Phase 2 Suite with all the amenities. Priced at approx $700/sq. ft. Appreciation potential; 2010 Olympics
17. GIFT SHOP – METROTOWN
2,580 sq. ft. – Excellent exposure. Inventory extra. Priced for quick sale.
18. ENGLISH TRAINING COLLEGE
Central Location in downtown Vancouver. $1,100,000 in annual revenue.
19. 2 OFFICE STRATA UNITS
Abbotsford, BC – Airport Executive Park – Phase I property.
20. GAS STATION LOCATIONS
Lower mainland and interior BC locations. Great stable cash flows with car washes and convenience stores.
SHOPPING CENTRE REDEVELOPMENT
Shopping mall for redevelopment into mixed commercial/residential tower, 15 storeys. Upper floors will have exceptional view of Vancouver & Puget Sound $13,000,000
WANTED
20,000 – 30,000 sq. ft. retail location in close proximity to downtown: lease or buy
WANTED
Industrial building; south side of Fraser River, 1.5 acre lot with building preferred.
WANTED
Buyer for distress sale of mobile home park with redevelopment potential.
Testimonials
“I wanted to write you this note to thank you personally for your support over the past 12 months as a valued member in our coaching program. It has truly been our pleasure to be of service to you …
You are someone that should not settle for anything less than greatness, and have much value to offer the world.”
Richard Robbins
President and Founder
Richard Robbins International Inc.
“I have been involved in a variety of businesses: mining, nightclubs, hotels, shopping malls, buildings, and I have met and dealt with numerous people. In all of my 64 years I have never encountered nor expected to encounter a guy like him…
I know that he devotes exactly the same care and attention to his clients’ investments as he does to his own. He is a man of tremendous integrity.
I encourage you without reservation to rely upon Eugen to answer your real estate questions and your real estate needs. Or call him any time for advice, on any matter; he is always happy to give it, and it never fails to be useful. He is truly a pleasure to work with.”
‘Rocky’ Roy Cameron
BC Lions Alumni
“I have known Eugen Klein for approximately fifteen years. I am impressed by his commitment to life and all its opportunities and challenges. By my experience he is hard working, honest, intelligent, sincere and courteous.”
John Windsor, R.I.(B.C.), F.R.I.C.S., President
North American Property Corporation
Community:
My ‘Community’ section is dedicated to the extraordinary people who have contributed to my life with exceptional service. I would like to share my good fortune of knowing them with you. Please feel free to convey my recommendation.
BARFLY
Mr. Jesse Bannister
New Westminster (604) 519-0333
BANK OF MONTREAL
Mr. Joe Corrado & Mr. Mark Tower
Vancouver (604) 665-2682
CAPITAL WEST MORTGAGE
Mr. Daymon Eng
Vancouver (604) 899-3799
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT
Mr. Grant Gilmour
Langley (604) 888-4200
CIBC RESIDENTIAL FINANCE
Mr. Adam Beaudin-Ball
West Vancouver (604) 981-2549
COMFORT INN
Mrs. Valerie Orr
Vancouver (604) 605-4339
COMMERCIAL MORTGAGES
Mr. Gary Khangura
Vancouver (604) 879-0235
ENGLAND PAINTING
Mr. Andrew Rabek
Vancouver (604) 377-0763
EVERGREEN PRINTING
Mr. Shaf Malek
Vancouver (604) 734-3774
KAL-TIRE
Mr. Paul Ouellet
North Vancouver (604) 985-4221
LA CASA GELATO
Mr. Vince Misceo
Vancouver (604) 251-3211
MAGIC TOUCH AUTO CENTRE
Mr. Reza Akhavan
West Vancouver (604) 922-6666
MAHOVLICH MARBLE & GRANITE
Mr. Frank Mahovlich
Vancouver (604) 293-0093
MCKITRICK CLARK MCLEOD
Mr. Bruce J. Preston
Vancouver (604) 736-6717
NATIONAL HOME REVIEWS
Mr. Dean Kazoleas
Vancouver (604) 681-2108
PINK LIME SALON & SPA
Mr. Youssef Jawhari
Vancouver (604) 683-7444
POPCORN CREATIVE
Mr. Simon Dabbs
Vancouver (604) 408-7767
SCOTIA MCLEOD
Mrs. Vanessa Stenner-Campbell
White Rock (604) 535-4749
VANCITY VENTURE CAPITAL
Mr. Axel Christiansen
Vancouver (604) 877-6582
VANCITY CREDIT UNION
Mr. Joe Chan
Vancouver (604) 877-8296
YALETOWN VIEWS MAGAZINE
Mr. Matthew Torren
Vancouver (604) 527-4804
The Team
Eugen L. Klein
B.Comm (UREC), CRES, ARM®, R.I.(B.C.), FRI
Broker
email: [email protected]
Cell: 604.818.5888
Toll Free: 1.800.818.8599
Direct: 604.691.6622
Fax: 604.691.6688
Dina Jabsheh
B.Comm (GMT)
Business Development
Unlicensed Assistant
email: [email protected]
Direct: 604.691.6610
Fax: 604.691.6688
Michael Mustard
B.Sc(Hons)
Information Systems Manager
Unlicensed Assistant
email: [email protected]
Direct: 604.691.6660
Fax: 604.691.6688
Please do not hesitate to call me at 604.818.5888; it is my pleasure to serve your real estate needs. Please visit us on the world wide web at www.eugen-klein.com
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