Frequently Asked Questions · Negotia Group

There are many components of a sale that are outside the owner's control. Banks and financiers, State and Federal government bodies, solicitors and accountants are often very busy during their own peak seasons. Typically, it takes 3 to 9 months, depending on the above.

Typically three to nine months, depending on the size and complexity of the business, the industry, market conditions, and how well-prepared the business is before listing. Brisbane and Queensland sellers who complete pre-market due diligence consistently move through the process faster than those who do not.

Most Brisbane business sales take three to nine months from listing to settlement. Variables outside the owner's control drive most of the variance: bank finance approvals, accountant and solicitor timelines, and government bodies. A well-prepared business at the right price sells faster.

You can, but most private sales underperform due to the significant and necessary time required, conflicting personality, pricing and process issues.

You can, but most private sales underperform. The time required, pricing missteps, buyer-screening risk and confidentiality breaches typically cost more than a broker fee. Owners who try and then engage a broker often start the process months behind.

Most business brokers in Queensland, including Negotia, operate on a commission structure. Fees are earned on results, not charged upfront. The specific structure depends on the nature and scale of the engagement and is discussed transparently at the outset.

A written market appraisal gives you the strongest commercial position. A professional business assessment establishes a defensible asking price from day one. It reduces time on market and protects you from underselling, or from overbidding to win the work. Without one, your asking price is an opinion. With one, it is a position.

Confidentiality is built into our process from the first enquiry. Buyer qualification and confidentiality agreements are in place before any material information is disclosed. Staff, suppliers and customers are protected throughout. Disclosure is managed on your terms, not a buyer's curiosity.

Not legally, but it is the strongest commercial position to be in before going to market. A business valuation establishes a defensible asking price and helps you understand what a buyer will scrutinise. See: Selling With Us →

Through structured analysis of earnings, risk and real market comparisons with real evidence, not guesstimates.

Through structured analysis of normalised earnings, risk and real Brisbane market comparisons, using earnings-based, market-based or asset-based methods. Real evidence, not guesstimates.

Fees depend on scope, business complexity and the purpose of the valuation. We outline costs clearly before any engagement, and there is no cost for the initial confidential discussion. Contact us to understand what your situation requires.

A full IVS-compliant business valuation typically takes two to four weeks from the point of complete information. Streamlined assessments can be completed in a shorter timeframe where the purpose supports it.

A valuation is a structured, evidence-based assessment prepared to recognised standards (IVS, APES 225). It produces a concluded value you can rely on for legal, financial or transactional decisions. An appraisal is low cost, low effort and low liability. It assumes you have no risk attached to what the answer is, and it is not sufficient where the outcome has material consequences.

Yes. Courts require a valuation prepared in accordance with both recognised standards and the court's own rules. We are experienced in producing valuations that meet the evidentiary requirements of Family Law proceedings. See: Partnership Separations →

Off market means the business is not publicly advertised on listing portals. The transaction is managed privately through a broker, with access restricted to those who have registered and signed a confidentiality agreement. It is a controlled process, not a public transaction.

Register directly with Negotia Group. Once registered, you receive opportunities from our private buyer and seller database as they arise. These are businesses that will not appear on Seek Business, Business2Sell or similar portals. We commence our search immediately upon receiving your instruction.

Yes. Negotia Group manages private sales for Brisbane and Queensland business owners who require discretion. The process is structured, confidential and managed entirely off market, from valuation through to settlement. As an experienced business for sale broker, we run private transactions to the same standard as our open-market sales.

Typically three to nine months, depending on business size, industry, price point and buyer readiness. Because off market transactions work with pre-qualified participants rather than open enquiry, the process is often faster than a public listing. Realistic timelines depend on how well-prepared all parties are before the process begins.

Without a business broker QLD-based and connected to a private buyer and seller network, off market opportunities are effectively invisible. A broker is not just useful. In an off market transaction, the broker is the access point. Without registration and representation, most private transactions will close before you know they existed.

Yes. State licensing and professional standards apply.

Yes. Queensland licensing applies, and the strongest professional standard is AIBB membership. There are roughly 100 active business brokers in Queensland and around 50 are AIBB members. Choose an accredited broker.

Yes. We work across South-East Queensland from our Brisbane base, including Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Logan, Moreton Bay and Toowoomba.

Yes. We work with business owners across all of Queensland, including Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Townsville and regional areas. Browse businesses for sale in Queensland →