Depending on your experience with business transactions, you may feel more or less comfortable managing your own sale. Some owners prefer full control—especially if they have a structured operation and team support—while others want a professional to manage everything. The good news? There are broker options to suit every level of involvement.

Your business's value directly influences which brokers will work with you—and what services they offer. Some firms focus exclusively on large M&A deals, while others specialise in small and medium-sized business sales. Finding the right match is what Broker Select is all about.

This question identifies whether you're more focused on securing the best possible price or completing the sale quickly. These goals aren't always in conflict—a well-prepared and well-marketed business can sell quickly and for a strong price. However, overpricing can slow any sale down. Reputable brokers will usually offer a pricing appraisal, either free or for a fee, to help you price to market.

The cost of selling a business generally includes: 1. Upfront fees (often covering document prep or setup) 2. Ongoing marketing or retainer fees 3. Sales commissions (covered in the next step) Larger businesses often attract higher upfront and monthly fees. In the current market, upfront fees range from as little as $79 per week to over $15,000. These may include marketing or listing costs, while some brokers charge separately for document preparation or ads.

Once your business sells, most brokers charge a commission based on the sale value. Commission structures vary significantly—from 0% (in DIY-style services) up to 10% or more for premium brokers. Be cautious of brokers who quote low rates but impose high minimum commissions. For instance, a $15,000 minimum on a $50,000 sale equates to a 30% fee.