Topics:


Hazardous Materials and Financing

The 104th Congress approved legislation that clarifies a lender's liability for environmental damages. In simple terms, if the financial institution only holds a security interest and does not participate in operation of the property and/or business, and did not knowingly avoid any reporting or monitoring requirements, then the financial interest in the property does not make the lender liable for Superfund costs or penalties. This should simplify loan processing for purchases of real estate where hazardous materials have been stored under-ground or used on the property.

The Federal Government under-ground storage tank (UST) requirements for 12/22/98 are not changed by the new law. The UST requirements directly impact gasoline retail operations and some manufacturing facilities.

Georgia Association Of Business Brokers

Since its founding in 1986, the GABB has experienced steady growth and has 100+ active members. This association operates a listing exchange service and its member-brokers represent 100s of businesses for sale at any given point in time.  Members include licensed Real Estate Agents, Associate Brokers, Qualifying Brokers, Affiliate Members (attorneys, estate planners, 1031 exchange agents, lenders, etc).

GABB members subscribe to a code of ethics, use common confidentiality agreements, broker cooperation agreements, and are exposed to ongoing professional education programs. About 80% of the members are also licensed real estate agents or brokers, and are subject to the continuing education requirements for that license.

While originally an Atlanta organization, GABB membership includes areas in Georgia such as Macon, Savannah, Columbus, Valdosta, Gainesville and many other dynamic areas.

What Are Buyers Shopping For?

Customers who visited the office and signed confidentiality agreements to obtain detailed information about a business for sale indicates a certain amount of buyer interest. However a significant number of closed sales are for businesses much different than the buyer's original area of interest, e.g., buyers looking for a distribution business often list manufacturing or service businesses as alternatives. Buyer interest does not indicate probability of sale for a specific business, but it certainly indicates likelihood of listed businesses being disclosed to prospective buyers.

Which entity is best?

In order to determine the best entity for your particular and specific scenario, you will need to seek advice from your CPA and/or attorney.

Kids R Profits

Atlanta ranks 8th nationally in the number of households with children (516,021), so businesses that provide for the needs of kids should thrive in the Atlanta area.

Los Angles, New York and Chicago all have over 1,000,000 households with kids. Cities in a similar range to Atlanta include Boston, Houston, Detroit, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. Atlanta's growth rate exceeds similar cities ranked, so opportunity is greatest here.

Learn how to obtain MORE DETAILED INFORMATION on the businesses listed for sale.