One of our main goals at Opportunities in Business is to simplify the real estate process. On this note, let us walk you through some common terms and definitions you’re likely to hear on the real estate scene! 

Add Backs: An expense that is not considered an actual expense but is added back to company profits. 

Asset Purchase Agreement (APA): A legally binding agreement between a buyer and seller that encompasses the terms and conditions of the sale. 

Asset Sale: Selling business assets to increase cash flow or to liquidate. Ownership of the parent company doesn’t change. 

Balance Sheet: A statement that lists assets, liabilities, expenditures, equity, etc. from the company start date until the present. 

Business Appraisal: The estimated value of a business. 

Bill of Sale: A document the seller gives to the buyer once a transaction is complete. It is proof of the transaction. 

Cash Flow: When expenses are deducted from net revenue, this is the remainder. 

Closing Statement: A document issued once all parties have signed on the sale and purchase and money has been distributed to the seller. 

Copyright: Legal protection to a content creator for their unique work. 

Commission: The amount a broker receives for facilitating a business sale. It is often calculated as a percentage of the sale. 

Covenant: A promise in a written contract or deed. 

Due Diligence: A period of time after signing a contract where the buyer can investigate financials and other business details in order to determine if they wish to move forward with the process. 

Deal Flow: The number of deals a broker is currently processing. 

Earnest Money Deposit: Money the buyer puts down in a transaction to clarify their intent to negotiate on the purchase. 

Escrow: Money held by a third (neutral) party on behalf of two transacting parties. 

Exclusivity: A period of time during which the seller is unable to list their property with another broker and the broker maintains the right to a commission if the property sells during this time. 

Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA): An e-commerce service in which third-party vendors store their products in Amazon warehouses and Amazon is responsible for fulfilling orders from start to finish. 

Hours to Manage: The number of weekly hours the management of a business requires – critical information for determining the valuation of a business. 

Letter of Intent (LOI): A document declaring the intent of one party to do business with another party. 

Listing Price: The price of a business listed for sale. 

Non-compete Agreement: A legally binding agreement between a buyer and seller in which the seller agrees not to compete with the buyer in a similar profession or trade for a certain duration of time. 

Non-disclosure Agreement (NDA): A legal contract between two parties that outlines the confidentiality of the business. 

Partnership: A legal business structure between two or more individuals. 

Profit and Loss Statement (P&L): A financial statement that summarizes a company’s financials over a period of time. 

Software as a Service (SAAS): A software application hosted over the internet as opposed to on a traditional desktop. 

Trailing Twelve Months (TTM): A report that details the past 12 consecutive months of a company’s performance data. 

Valuation: The actual listing price of a business. 

The brokers at OIB have the knowledge and experience to help you navigate a business purchase or facilitate the sale of your business. Reach us anytime at 612.331.8392 or by email at info@oibmn.com.