When Is the Best Time to Sell Your Business?

July 30, 2025

Position your business for maximum value while you're still in control.

Deciding when to sell your business is a significant decision, one that can shape your personal future and maximise your financial outcome. While there is no perfect moment, there’s a clear pattern: the best time to sell is when you don’t have to and when your business is performing at its strongest.


Poor timing can limit your options and lower your final sale price. For example, a forced sale, falling sales, unhappy staff, new threats from competitors, or loss of motivation are all common scenarios that put sellers on the back foot.


Instead, aim to sell from a position of strength:


  • When your business is growing and profitable
  • When sales are rising and future prospects look positive
  • When your team is stable and engaged
  • When the competitive landscape is under control
  • When you’re motivated and have a clear plan for what’s next


The ideal time to sell is when your business is thriving and market conditions are favourable. A strong track record, upward trends, and a positive outlook make your business more attractive to buyers. Selling during periods of growth and stability usually delivers a higher price, attracts more interest, and makes the process smoother.


Key Factors to Consider

  • Business Performance: Solid recent results and a positive outlook attract strong buyers.
  • Market Conditions: A robust economy or booming industry can increase your valuation.
  • Industry Trends: Selling at a time of high demand or industry momentum can be especially rewarding.
  • Personal Readiness: Be sure you're emotionally prepared and have plans for the next stage.
  • Financial Position: Understand your finances and tax implications.
  • Buyer Demand: Strong demand and little competition can drive up offers.


Signs It May Be Time to Sell

  • Your business is enjoying sustained growth and healthy profits.
  • The industry outlook is positive.
  • You’re ready for new challenges and have plans in place for the future.


Remember: Every business will eventually be sold, closed, or handed on—planning ahead and preparing while things are going well gives you control and peace of mind. Start thinking early so you’re ready to seize the right opportunity when it comes.


Is Now the Right Time to Sell Your Business?

If your business is performing well, growing steadily, and you’re thinking about what’s next — you may already be in the best position to sell.


Selling from strength, not necessity, leads to better outcomes: higher valuations, smoother deals, and more control over your future.


📞 Speak with Bruce Coudrey – Australia’s Leading Business Broker
With decades of experience and unmatched industry insight, Bruce can help you assess your timing, prepare for sale, and maximise your business value.


Call Bruce today on: 1300 366 521
Email: bruce@benchmarkbusiness.com.au



Don’t wait for a crisis to make your move — plan your exit while you’re ahead.


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By Bruce Coudrey August 17, 2021
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By Bruce Coudrey August 17, 2021
What makes a business owner or entrepreneur successful? Is it: Hard work? Good luck? Being in the right place at the right time? Being clever? Genius? Teamwork? Belief? Persistence? Business success could be due to all of these things, one of these things, or none… In years gone by business owners have been successful for as variety of reasons, but in the future business ownership will not be as simple or easy as it has been in the past, and therefore business owners need to eliminate a reliance upon luck, and rely upon “science” to find success. In the past many people have approached business ownership like gambling, or the same way that gold prospectors did in the 1800’s around the world…. And while some people were successful, like gold prospectors, many people were unsuccessful. At Benchmark Business Sales we see many business owners every week who operate their business on the “luck” principle, rather than planning the way that the business will operate. If you rely upon good luck for survival, you will eventually be disappointed. Good luck cannot last forever. How do you turn your business success to a science?… and eliminate the reliance upon hard work and good luck? The answer is to take these steps. The first step is to apply research. The second step is to produce a thesis, or a hypothesis The third step is to test the thesis The next step is to implement the plan The last step is to continually measure and test results. Research is the first step in applying a scientific approach to business. Research the market (who are the potential customers and clients), research their habits, their likes and dislikes, produce a “profile” of the type of client or customer that the business will serve. Research competitors, barriers to entry, financial metrics (profit margins, KPI’s, typical operational costs), the future of the venture, ability to recruit and retain staff, .. there is a lot to learn from researching. Once the research is completed and collated it is time to produce a business plan. A Business Plan is like a thesis on how the business should operate. The plan is based upon the facts uncovered in the research phase, and it covers the way the business will operate financially, operationally, and how marketing and advertising will operate. It also provides a clear plan for how the business is to be operated. A plan which could be handed over to anyone, who could implement that plan and run the business. With the plan completed it can be tested. Once the plan is implemented and tested the results can be measured and tested against the research, and the thesis. If the actual operation of the plan produces unexpected results the plan can be altered and tested again…. This is the scientific approach to business ownership and management, and this is the best way to take the risk out of business ownership and operation. Don’t rely upon “luck” for business success. Turn to ‘science’ and make sure that your business isn’t just successful, but your success is sustainable. Read our News Article: Why Business Owners have to grow their Business: https://benchmarkbusiness.com.au/why-business-owners-have-to-grow-their-business Learn how to health check your with and improve your Business with our 8 Tips: https://benchmarkbusiness.com.au/how-to-health-check-your-business