Start here. These 20 answer pages cover the questions first-time buyers ask most, from "can I do this with no experience?" to how SBA financing, deal structure, and the transition to ownership actually work. Every answer leads with the direct, citable takeaway, then the specifics. For the complete playbook, see the how to buy a business guide and the SBA loans pillar.
Getting started
01Can you buy a business with no experience? →
02How much money do you need to buy a business? →
03Is 2026 a good time to buy a business? →
04Buying a business vs. starting one →
Money & financing
05What credit score do you need for an SBA loan? →
06Can you buy a business with bad credit? →
07Does my spouse have to sign the SBA guarantee? →
08Can seller financing count as your down payment? →
09Do SBA loans require collateral? →
10What is working capital in an SBA loan? →
11How long does SBA loan approval take? →
12What happens when your SBA loan is denied? →
The deal
13How long does it take to buy a business? →
14Do you need a business broker to buy a business? →
15Do you need a lawyer to buy a business? →
16What is an earnout? →
17What is SDE in business valuation? →
18What is a quality of earnings report? →
After the deal
19What happens to employees when a business is sold? →
20Can you own an HVAC business without a license? →
Want the full playbook, not just the answers?
The pillar guides walk you from finding a business to closing the SBA loan.
