Posts Tagged ‘business appraisals’
Financial Advisors Urging Business Owners to Know the Value of Their Businesses
Because of the economic downturn, many business owners are reluctant to think about the value of their businesses. Fearful that their businesses have lost value, it’s the last thing they want to hear about. An article in Financial Advisor suggests that many business advisors are urging their clients who own businesses to have their businesses valued in order to gauge their business health and for planning purposes, including adjusting estate and succession plans.
Business owners have different reactions when they find out that their businesses are worth less than they once were. Some decide to delay selling their business, and others use it as an opportunity to make necessary changes. One business owner who was interviewed said that he was glad to know the value of his business because it enabled him to determine steps he needed to take to improve the business and prepare to potentially sell it within 10 years.
According to experts, some businesses are worth 30% less than a few years ago, and they argue that understanding the value of a business can help owners determine whether or not they should sell their business or bequeath it to the next generation. On a positive note, a lower valuation can benefit owners in terms of taxes right now. The article highlights the fact that if owners are planning to pass on the business to their children, now might be the time to do it, since estate taxes are “expected to rise next year and new restrictions on use of trusts could also be coming soon.”
By: Present Value
Additional Reading:
How Does the Economy Affect Business Value?
Glimmers of Hope in Small-Business Lending
After more than two years of stagnation, it appears that small-business lending is on the rise. The Thomson Reuters/PayNet Small Business Lending Index, which measures the overall volume of financing, increased 4% in March 2010, the first year-on-year gain since October 2007.
A recent Time Magazine article reported that many small and community banks are now seeing more demand for loans, which is a positive sign for the economy. According to the article, economists have expressed concern that despite the 3.2% first quarter economic activity growth, there was a lack of business lending activity. Business lending demonstrates business growth, they argue. Businesses in growth mode need financing to purchase equipment and hire staff, and without that there can’t be sustained economic recovery.
As we have discussed in previous posts, banks are lending money, but they are being more cautious about their investments. This means they are conducting more careful due diligence, which includes their own certified equipment appraisals and business valuations to ensure that they will recoup their losses should a loan default. Having a defensible, impartial appraisal in hand can help increase the chances of getting much-needed money for a small business.
By: Present Value
Additional Reading
5 Cs of Lending (How Appraisal Fits in Even Though It Doesn’t Start with C)
Thinking about Estate Planning
Recently, in our post, “… And Then Get Back to Living,” we wrote about the importance of succession planning for every business. Last week, in Inc. magazine, there was a great article, “How to Create an Estate Plan,” which provides a step-by-step guide on the most effective ways to start thinking about planning for the future of a company. It emphasizes that this is something that all business owners need to be thinking about because huge legal issues can arise without a plan for how to pass on all the necessary information about the inner workings of a business should something happen to the business owner.
Some of the important takeaways from the article are:
- Keep an open dialogue with those who will be affected by the plan, such as family members and business partners.
- This is a process that lasts as long as the life of a company and it needs to be continuously refined and updated.
- Find people you trust to work with you on planning, including estate planners, attorneys, accountants, insurance providers, and of course business appraisers.
It’s something to think about because no business owner wants their hard work, blood, sweat, and tears to be all for naught. You can take steps now to ensure the future of your company.
By: Present Value
Other posts you might find interesting:
Buying a Business? Make Sure to Do Your Homework
It may seem easier to purchase an established business than to start one from the ground up. While this may be true in some cases, there could be problems with an existing business that may not be clear upon first look. However, oftentimes purchasing a business can end up being just as costly and labor intensive as a startup. Sometimes there are inherent flaws in a business, which is why it is up for sale. As when starting a new business, you need to conduct the proper research and due diligence on any company that you may be thinking about purchasing, which includes getting an unbiased business appraisal of that company.
We’ve written multiple posts on why it’s important for a business owner to know the value of his or her business. It’s equally important for a potential buyer to understand the value of a business that he or she is considering for purchase and to know what he or she is getting in the deal.
Of course there are many things to take into account when contemplating buying a business, such as your own strengths and weaknesses, your understanding of business fundamentals, and your understanding of the potential market in which the business operates. Obtaining a professional business valuation can help you better understand the ins and outs of a particular business, like a business’s cash flow, the value of its assets and/or equipment, how the company acquires customers, and the market in which it operates.
If you’re thinking about buying an established business, get an appraisal. You need to know what you’re getting into.
By: Present Value
Got a Startup? Get a Business Valuation
Most people generally only think about having the value of their business appraised at the time of a potential sale or acquisition. As we have talked about in previous blogs, there are numerous situations in which a business owner must think about getting a business valuation, including when selling a business, for estate planning purposes, and when planning exit strategies. However, something that most people don’t realize is that startup businesses can benefit greatly from undergoing the process of a business valuation.
For a startup company, a valuation can be used as a business performance indicator, reflecting the company’s direction. It can help business owners figure out what’s working and what’s not, and where resources should directed or re-directed. A valuation can also give a deeper, more complete understanding about the competitive forces and drivers in the business’s market.
For any company, a business valuation can provide a snapshot of the business within the context of the market and industry in which it operates, in addition to evaluating the health of the market itself. This can help business owners at any level determine if the initial opportunity is still present and/or whether or not an exit from the business and the market is warranted.
It may be a wise decision for startup business owners to incorporate business valuations on a somewhat regular basis to determine if the company is achieving its desired trajectory.
By: Present Value
Professional Business Valuation and Selling Your Business
Last week, there was an interesting article, “How to Sell Your Business,” in The New York Times. As the title suggests, the article covers the numerous things a business owner needs to think about when considering selling his or her business. We will focus on one of the author’s tips, which we have discussed in previous blog posts (you can read them here): make sure you know what your business is worth.
The article highlights the fact that most business owners have no idea how much their businesses are worth. The writer points out that it is necessary for a business owner to know the value of his or her business in order to set realistic expectations for both the seller and potential buyers. Many sellers may be setting themselves up for disappointment if they don’t understand the potential market price of their business. And if an asking price is too high, it could jeopardize the attractiveness of a business to potential buyers.
Here are all the quick tips from the article for anyone who may be thinking about selling a business:
- Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes.
- Don’t go it alone. Assemble a team of professionals, most importantly an attorney and an accountant that you trust.
- Get a professional valuation of your business.
- Make sure your financial house is in order prior to sale.
- Familiarize yourself with the entire selling process, from start to finish.
If you are thinking about selling a business in the near future, contact Present Value LLC for all your appraisal and business valuation needs.
By: Present Value
Expansion Financing in a Down Economy
While the economy is showing signs of improvement, many small businesses are still finding it difficult to stay afloat. However, there are a number of businesses that have been able to not only survive, but succeed despite this economy. For companies like this, a down economy can be seen as a time for growth.
A period of growth, for some companies, might require expansion financing to obtain capital to grow their business. Such financing could be used to support the business’s growth through endeavors such as hiring additional staff, purchasing equipment, acquiring real estate, or ramping up marketing efforts.
Businesses need to demonstrate the clear value of their growth in order to justify financing. While the sources of financing can vary greatly – from banks to friends and family members – for the most part, lenders will require detailed, complete business and operating plans. As we discussed in our last post, lenders are conducting more vigorous due diligence than in the past. So, in addition to the traditional business information, lenders are requiring third-party appraisals to provide greater protection for themselves and their investments.
An appraiser must be able to take into consideration all aspects of a business, including operating costs, assets, equipment, revenue, etc. in order to establish a complete picture of the value of a business. Business potential, economic growth, and market growth are other factors that need to be taken into account for this type of appraisal.
In addition to providing clarity to a potential lender, an appraisal can also help business owners make crucial decisions in a time of economic uncertainty.
By: Present Value
The Appraisal Foundation Announces 2010-2011 Edition of USPAP
On June 9, 2009, The Appraisal Foundation, a congressionally authorized nonprofit organization that fosters professionalism among appraisers by setting qualifications and standards, announced that its Appraisal Standards Board (ASB) adopted revisions for the 2010-2011 edition of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). USPAP are the generally accepted performance and ethical standards for the appraisal profession in the United States. Standards are included for real estate, personal property, business, and mass appraisal.
The new edition is expected to be available in October. However, ASB has issued a Summary of Action that will enable appraisers to become familiar with the changes that are part of the 2010-2011 edition. The changes will take effect on January 1, 2010.
The majority of revisions were made to the ETHICS RULE, the COMPETENCY RULE and STANDARD 3: Appraisal Review, Development and Reporting.
Two of the most significant changes are as follows:
- “A requirement was added to the Conduct section of the ETHICS RULE, stating that, prior to accepting an assignment (and if discovered at any time during the assignment), an appraiser must disclose to the client and in the report certification any services regarding the subject property performed by the appraiser within the prior three years, as an appraiser or in any other capacity.”
- “The appraiser’s obligation to allow a client access to his or her workfile when providing a Restricted Use Appraisal Report was removed.”
Present Value is a certified appraisal company and provides USPAP-compliant appraisal reports.
By: Present Value
Selling Your Business? Get a Business Broker.
So, you’re looking to sell your business or liquidate your assets. First, you need to make sure you have a certified appraisal of your business, machinery, or equipment. But, where do you go from there? In order to simplify the process, get more offers, and get the best price for your business or equipment, you should work with a business broker.
Business brokers work similarly to real estate agents. They can help you with advertising, initial discussions with buyers, negotiations, and the final transaction processes. Most importantly, a business broker can be a decision-making partner during this crucial time for a seller or buyer.
It is essential to realize that deals are being done, despite the current economic climate. Although there is a lot of doom and gloom out there, there are businesses that are making money and looking to increase their opportunities through acquisition or purchase of assets or equipment. These deals are just being done differently than in the past. Because of the current state of the credit markets, buyers and sellers are developing creative deal-structuring strategies to facilitate transactions and satisfy both buyers and sellers.
In order to take advantage of the opportunities that are still out there and make sure that you are getting the most out of the sale of your business and equipment, partner with an experienced business broker.
In addition to valuation services, Present Value provides business and equipment brokerage services. Present Value has an extensive team of business and equipment brokers who help buyers and sellers come together for transactions with businesses, machinery, and equipment. Present Value’s research team also has relationships with hundreds of equipment and business brokers at both national and international levels.
By: Present Value
Navigating Crucial Business Decisions in a Down Economy
In a down market, business owners tend to do one of three things: they close their doors, sit tight and ride out the storm, or capitalize on the opportunity. “One of the most important and most complex decisions that business owners have to make right now is whether to grow or retract in this economy,” said Chris Spinelli, co-founder of the appraisal company Present Value.
Some businesses may succumb to the downturn and will need to sell off assets in preparation for bankruptcy declaration. Others, still stinging from tax time, may simply be searching for ways to save on taxes next year. Still others may be considering an equipment purchase or an acquisition of a struggling business. Present Value can assist business owners in any of these three situations by conducting certified business or equipment appraisals.
“When planning their reactions to the current economy, it’s important for our clients to know the worth of their assets,” said Chris Kinzie, Present Value co-founder. The company recognizes that many of the regulations surrounding equipment appraisals and business valuations can be confusing, and Present Value seeks to provide its clients with the necessary information to help them make informed, prudent business decisions. “We want to help our clients not just make the next choice, but the best choice,” added Kinzie.
Check out our press release on Yahoo Finance: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Present-Value-LLC-Helps-prnews-15133330.html?.v=1
By: Present Value
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