Florida businesses for sale have several advantages over beginning a new business. A current Florida business will already have an established name, existing client base and incoming revenue. It will also have working relations with vendors, trained employees and a business plan in place.

When you purchase an established business you will probably make many changes, but you will not have to start the company from the ground up.

Inspect the businesses for sale in FL that you are interested in purchasing. Look through tax returns and financial statements from the last few years of operation.

Review the salaries of current employees, the insurance costs you will be faced with and the amount that will need to be spent on utilities. Compare these costs to the profit shown on the monthly sales records. You should ask many questions before deciding to buy a Florida business:

1. Will you have much competition?

2. Is the industry growing?

3. What overhead costs does the Florida businesses for sale have every month?

4. Does the business have a large inventory?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find a CPA to help with your search for a FL businesses for sale

Certified public accountants analyze the financial records of any Florida business for sale and will assist you in understanding all of the legal documents.

I recommend: CPAdirectory is a search engine that helps you find CPAs in any municipality in Florida. AccountantsWorld also lets you search for an accountant or CPA anywhere in the state.

Hire a broker to find a business for sale in Florida

Brokers screen companies and obtain financial disclosures from any Florida business for sale. A broker helps negotiate a fair price for a business and assists you with necessary paperwork such as licenses and permits that are necessary in Florida.

I recommend: Business Book Press lists a variety of brokers in Florida. Visit BizBrokers.com to find more Florida business brokers.

Locate FL businesses for sale

Are you searching for a business for sale in south Florida? Do you want to buy a business in north or central Florida? Visit websites that provide listings of Florida businesses for sale throughout the state. These sites show details about any Florida business for sale including the city the company is located in, the asking price and other relevant details.

I recommend: Review websites such as BusinessMart.com, BizMarketFlorida.com or BizQuest.com for available businesses.

Finance your purchase of a business for sale in Florida

After reviewing the listings of Florida businesses for sale and deciding which one is right for you, you will need financing for your purchase. A business loan provides you with the capital you require.

I recommend: Noble Funding offers business acquisition loans. The BuyerZone website lists multiple options for requesting a loan.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Discover why the Florida business for sale by owner is being sold. Make sure the company can be profitable.
• •  Find out the rate of employee turnover for the businesses for sale in Florida that you are interested in.
• •  Verify that the office equipment, fixtures, outlets and other facilities in the business do work properly.
• •  Check into the marketing strategy the business for sale in Florida uses to see if it is working or needs to change.
• •  Make sure the building meets the state's health and safety requirements.