Is Now the Right Time to Sell Your Business? Insights for Arizona Owners

Business Brokerage Perspective from Cox Business Brokers AZ

📞 480-235-7911

For many business owners—especially those nearing retirement—the question comes up often: “Is now the right time to sell my business?”

The short answer: It depends on your goals, your financial readiness, and current market conditions.The long answer: There are several strong indicators that can help guide your timing.

Below, we break down what Arizona business owners should consider before making the decision to sell.

Why Many Business Owners Are Preparing to Exit

Recent industry surveys show a powerful trend: Baby boomer owners are preparing to sell in record numbers.

One study found that 75% of privately held companies with revenues between $1M and $150M plan to exit within the next three years.

What does this mean for you?

• More businesses will hit the market

• Buyers will have more choices

• Competition among sellers will increase

  
  

If your business is performing well today, listing sooner—before the market becomes crowded—may help you stand out and command a stronger price.

Burnout Is Real—and It’s a Valid Reason to Sell

Many owners underestimate the impact of burnout. Running a business for decades takes a toll, and fatigue often shows in:

• Declining motivation

• Slower response to market changes

• Inconsistent customer follow-up

• Fewer new initiatives or improvements

• Missed opportunities

  
  

If you’ve noticed operations slipping—or you simply feel less energized—this may be a sign that your business will perform better under new ownership.

Buyers pay more for businesses with stable performance and strong owner engagement.If your energy is fading, selling now may preserve more of your business’s value.

Should You Wait for a Better Market?

It’s natural to think: “Maybe I should wait until the market improves.”But waiting can work against you more often than not.

Here’s why timing the market is risky:

• New competitors can impact your value

• Economic shifts may reduce buyer activity

• Market demand may change

• Interest rates can fluctuate

• Your business performance may decline

• Your personal motivation may continue dropping

  
  

Many owners who delay end up selling for less than they could have if they listed earlier.

What About Buyer Financing? Is It Still an Issue?

Some owners worry about whether buyers can still secure financing. While lending has tightened in some sectors, SBA loans remain one of the most active financing tools for business acquisitions.

With SBA financing and creative structures like seller carrybacks, qualified buyers are still entering the market every day.

If you're curious about SBA options, we can walk you through how it works and what types of businesses qualify.

The Best Time to Plan an Exit Was Yesterday. The Second-Best Time Is Today.

There’s an old rule of thumb in business brokerage:The moment you start thinking about selling is often the moment you should begin preparing.

Even if you’re not ready to list right now, a conversation with a professional can help you:

• Understand your business’s current market value

• Identify improvements that increase your selling price

• Determine whether now—or later—is the best time to exit

• Explore buyer demand for your industry

• Build a realistic timeline

  
  

The fact that you’re reading this blog means you’re already taking the first step toward an informed decision.

Talk to an Experienced Business Broker in Arizona

If you're unsure whether now is the right time to sell, you don’t need to make the decision alone. Our team at Cox Business Brokers AZ evaluates your business, analyzes market conditions, and helps you understand what your company could sell for today.

Learn more about our Sell a Business process or request a Business Valuation to understand how timing affects your potential sale price.

As an experienced Business Broker in Phoenix, we guide Arizona business owners through every stage of preparing for and executing a profitable exit.

📞 Call 480-235-7911 to schedule a confidential, consultation today.

Cox Business Brokers AZ works with business owners across Phoenix and the Greater Phoenix area.