Questions owners ask about selling a business.

How do I sell my service business in Oregon?

Start with a confidential conversation with a buyer, a broker, or both. From there it is a look at the financials together, a written offer if the fit is right, and a planned handoff. You do not need everything figured out before the first conversation, and starting a year or two early is usually the smartest move.

Do I need a broker to sell my business?

No. Many owners talk to us directly, and some prefer a broker or advisor in their corner. Either way is fine. If you already have a broker, we work with them gladly.

How is the price of my business worked out?

From the real, documented earnings of the business, its customer base, its team, and its condition, discussed openly with you. Clean books make this faster and usually help the price. No games and no inflated promises.

What financial records will a buyer want to see?

Typically two to three years of tax returns and profit and loss statements, year to date numbers, and a picture of your customer base and contracts. If your books are rough, that is common, and it is not a reason to avoid a first conversation.

What happens to my employees if I sell?

With North River, they stay. We buy businesses with teams in place, and keeping your crew in their roles is part of the point. Your customers keep the people they know.

Will my business keep its name?

Yes. The business keeps operating under the name your customers know. We do not rebrand what you built or fold it into a national chain.

Should I tell my employees and customers I am thinking of selling?

Not at the start. Early conversations stay confidential, and your team and customers hear about a sale when there is a real plan, usually with you part of how it is shared. Nothing about our conversations reaches them.

How long does selling a business take?

A straightforward sale can close in a few months. A planned transition over a year or more is just as common, and the pace is largely yours to set.

What is a seller note?

A seller note means the buyer pays part of the price over time, with interest, instead of all of it at closing. It is common in small business sales, it can widen the pool of workable deals, and owners often like the steady income in retirement.

Can I stay involved after I sell?

Yes, if you want to. Some owners step away at closing, others stay on for a season or advise part time. A good handoff uses your knowledge instead of wasting it.

I am a year or two from selling. What should I do now?

Three things help most: get the books clean and current, make sure the business can run without you in the middle of every job, and have a quiet conversation about your options early. Then the eventual sale is a plan, not a scramble.

What kinds of businesses does North River Holdings buy?

Established, profitable service businesses in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest, such as landscaping and property services, home services, and commercial services, with loyal customers and a team in place.