Keate Partners Ltd.                                   August 2009 Newsletter

 

Topics on Buying, Selling and Valuing a Business

 

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2003 Tax Bill: Reduction in Capital Gains Rate May Expire in 2010

 

In 2003, the US Senate narrowly passed a tax relief bill. This bill cut the Long Term Capital Gains Tax Rate to just 15%. Unless extended, this rate reduction expires in 2010.

 

 

For Sellers

While the likely increase in the capital gains rate is not a reason to sell your business, if you have been thinking about selling it could be a motivating factor to sell now.

 

Many business owners think that due to the poor economy they will not receive a fair price for their business.  The poor economy can make buyers cautious; however, low interest rates can make buying a business right now very attractive.

 

Buyers (and their financing source) look at how well their loan payments are covered by the cash flow of the business being acquired.

 

For the same principal borrowed, loan payments today are about 15% lower than 3 years ago due to lower interest rates.  So buyers can and will pay more right now for businesses doing well, than what they may have offered 3 years ago.

 

Businesses that are seeing a drop in their cash flow may still achieve a value close to the level of several years ago simply because of the lower financing costs that the buyer can obtain.

 

We are in contact with many companies and individuals who are highly qualified and interested in making an acquisition.

 

For Buyers

As part of the stimulus bill passed this year by Congress, the SBA is waiving its upfront fees for guaranteeing acquisition loans.

 

As a buyer, this can save you about two points on your loan ($2,000 upfront fee for every $100,000 of loan).

 

With the prime rate currently at 3.25% (one of the lowest levels in decades), business acquisition loans in the area of 5.25% to 6% are available with 10 year amortization.

 

While it makes sense to be cautious on what business you buy right now due to the uncertain economy, if you can find the right business the cost of financing the purchase is at an historical low.

 

Obviously a business purchased now that is producing cash flow to support your acquisition financing costs, will likely turn out to have been a great buy as the economy begins to improve.

 

At Keate Partners we have not had any difficulty in obtaining financing for buyers.

 

How much can you finance?  A general rule of thumb is you need a cash investment of 15% to 20% of the purchase price; the remaining 80%-85% can be financed.

 

 

Whether you are a buyer or a seller, we can assist you in achieving your goal.

 

info@keatepartners.com

 

 

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Keate Partners Ltd.   7783  Five Mile Road Suite A   Huntington Bank Bldg.  Cincinnati, OH 45230

(513) 241-3700   (513) 852-8325 Fax   www.keatepartners.com   info@keatepartners.com

 

Keate Partners has sold more Greater Cincinnati  businesses than any other local or national firm.

 

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