What sellers and brokers ask about you

The short version

• Sellers and brokers decide quickly whether you are a serious buyer. They ask the same handful of questions.
• How you will pay comes first. Have a clear answer and proof.
• They also want to know your experience, your timeline, your team and your plans for the business.
• Owners care about what happens to their people, customers and name. Be ready to talk about it honestly.
• Answer specifically. Vague answers lose deals before they start.

The questions you will hear

"How will you pay for it?" The first and most important question. Have your mix ready: cash, loan and any seller note. Share a pre-qualification letter or proof of funds. Lesson B3.1 covers how buyers pay.

"What is your background?" Your experience running a business, managing people or working in the industry. A short summary is better than a full résumé.

"Why this business?" A real reason, tied to your buy box and experience. "It looked like a good deal" is not enough.

"Will you run it yourself?" Whether you plan to work in it full time or hire someone. It affects how the seller and lender see the deal.

"What is your timeline?" When you could make an offer and close. Be realistic about your lender's process.

"Who is on your team?" Your M&A attorney, CPA and lender. Naming them shows you are ready.

"What are your plans for my employees, customers and name?" Many owners care about this as much as the price. Answer honestly, and do not promise what you will not do.

"Have you looked at other businesses? Why did those not work?" A fair question. It tells them how decisive you are.

What they are really asking

Every one of these questions comes back to two things: can you close, and will you take care of what the owner built? Your answers should make both clear.

Prepare a short buyer profile

Many buyers prepare a one-page summary covering their buy box, background, financing, team and timeline. Send it with your first message, and keep it current.