Selling your business? Pick the broker before the broker picks you.

The broker you sign with decides your buyer pool, your price, and how the next nine months feel. Here's how to choose one on evidence rather than a lunch.

Four steps, in order

1. Price it yourself first

A broker's valuation is also a pitch. Know your SDE, add-backs and a realistic multiple before anyone quotes you a number.

Valuation calculator →

2. Understand what you'll pay

Success fees, Lehman tiers, retainers, minimums, and the clauses that keep costing you after the listing ends.

Fee guide →

3. Run the red-flag check

Twelve signs a broker will list you high, sit on it, and push a price cut in month five. Check every candidate before signing exclusivity.

The 12 red flags →

4. Get matched on the evidence

Location, industry, deal size and what matters to you — matched against how past sellers actually rated each broker.

Take the quiz →

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