The Complete Guide to Buying a Business (book with CD-Rom)

If you are really thinking about buying a business go ahead and order this book then continue reading my following thoughts. Now 40 I have had my own businesses since I started mowing yards at 14. I have formed and run over six businesses. I currently have a Texas subchapter C corporation, two Florida corporations, am corporate secretary for a Texas 401c3 non-profit and now I just bought a Florida LLC. This LLC is the first business I have ever bought and I was spooky like it was my first time to the show someone where I kept my first piggy bank. I generally buy assets of a business but this one had a permit in it which could not be taken out of the LLC. This difference is explained very well in the book. This book is an excellent way to get you into the thought process and guide you through the steps of buying a business before you make the mistakes and look back. Naturally you are still going to want to have a CPA, attorney, etc. I personally would not go into business without both a SCORE mentor and a local small business development center or SBA counselor!!! Do this before you spend any money on an attorney, CPA, or even a cup of coffee to discuss with a seller your buying a business since they are no-charge, not conflicted, and very resourceful. But this book should still be mandatory reading for anyone interested in buying a business even with all the above. I have several other books by NOLO and find them to be very concise and useful so look at those too. The contracts are good but one must remember a contract is something promulgated between unique parties and hence the contract should be as unique as the parties entering into it. Use the contracts in this book as a guide for your thoughts and a way to outline how things are going to be done but edit them liberally and include your every thought and concern because their, my, or another's contract is not going to fit YOU. I wish you success and prosperity.

Buying or selling a business is a significant transaction that should not be taken lightly. When you buy or sell a home, most likely you hire a professional. Buying or selling a business is much more complex, and the opportunities for something going wrong are much greater. This book is a very small investment to make to ensure that you don't miss important details. I would recommend it to anybody.

I found the book to be a nice reference to buying a business. Several key chapters provide some good thought provoking questions to consider in any endeavor to start a business. I had checked this out in the library and found myself wanting to write in the margins. A really good first step in identifying the hows and whats of buying a business.