You can find great opportunities for investments in established Nevada businesses for sale. Nevada businesses that are active have an established customer base, source of revenue and business operations. An existing business also may own valuable patents or copyrights.

It is often more expensive to buy a NV business for sale than to start a new one, although it is generally easier to obtain financing for an existing business. Investors tend to be more comfortable with a business that has a proven performance.

There are three primary actions to perform before buying a business for sale in Nevada:

1. Review the tax returns and financial statements over the last few years of NV businesses for sale. Nevada businesses can measure their growth potential with actual experience rather than conjecture.

2. Examine the current profits of a business for sale. Nevada businesses will have expenditures such as employees’ salaries, utilities and insurance that you must deduct from the sales revenue.

3. Inspect the operations of prospective business opportunities. Nevada businesses may have obsolete inventory, dissatisfied employees or outdated distribution methods.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find a Nevada business for sale

Many websites offer listings of Nevada companies for sale. A listing for a Nevada business for sale by owner should show the location, asking price and cash flow, among other details.

I recommend: Go to BizBuySell and select Nevada as the business location. You can also narrow the search parameters by selecting the business category and asking price range. BusinessBroker.net allows you to select the business location by state, and you may also specify an industry and asking price range in your queries.

Locate Nevada business brokers to assist you in the purchase process

NV business brokers can identify businesses that are clearly undesirable and help negotiate a price on the best candidates. A business broker also will help you obtain any licenses and permits that Nevada requires.

I recommend: United Business Brokers has an office in Las Vegas and specializes in the sale, transfer or merger of businesses in the Southwest. The BTI Group in Reno is a full-service brokerage firm for businesses in Nevada and California.

Hire a Certified Public Accountant before you buy a company in Nevada

A CPA will need to review the financial records of any business in which you are interested. Additionally, a CPA can ensure that you file any required legal documents.

I recommend: Tompkins & Peters is in Las Vegas and specializes in general business consulting services, including business sales and acquisitions. Ashley Quinn is in Incline Village and provides a group of business advisory services for clients who wish to buy or sell a business.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Review the physical assets of the Nevada business for sale. You will need to know if the office equipment, machinery and other property is actually in working order. You will also want to inspect the building itself to know if it meets the health and safety standards that Nevada requires.