Buying an Existing Business
Buying a business can get you revenue and customers on day one, but it is rarely cheap or simple. Even when a seller finances most of the price, you usually need cash for the down payment, legal and accounting review, closing costs and working capital.
The opportunities in this section are example scenarios that show how the costs fit together. They are not businesses for sale. NothingDown does not broker businesses or arrange financing.
Partnerships and Operator Opportunities
An illustrative pathway, not a listing: run an existing business for an owner who wants to step back, under a written agreement that gives you the right to buy it over time at an agreed price or formula. You learn the business before you own it, but the option is only as good as the contract, and the owner is never obliged to offer one.
- Cash to start
- Not verified
- Ongoing / month
- Not verified
- Part-time?
- Usually 40+ hrs/wk
- Model
- Partnership
- Equipment or requirements
- Whatever the business already uses
Key risks and sources
- The owner can change their mind, sell to someone else or die without a clear written option and succession terms.
- Your work can raise the business’s value and therefore the price you pay, unless the price formula is fixed in advance.
Sources: U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S. Small Business Administration · Reviewed Oct 18, 2026
Buying an Existing Business
An illustrative pathway, not a listing: buy the client list or "book of business" of a solo operator who is retiring (for example a bookkeeper, lawn care operator or cleaner), paying a small amount up front and the rest as an earn-out tied to the revenue you actually keep. Earn-outs are negotiated deal by deal and are never guaranteed to be offered.
- Cash to start
- $2,000–$5,000 + unverified items
- Ongoing / month
- Not verified
- Part-time?
- Yes, from ~20 hrs/wk
- Model
- Existing business acquisition
- Equipment or requirements
- Tools or software needed for the trade · Client records transferred with proper consent
Key risks and sources
- Clients may leave once the person they trusted retires, even with a warm introduction.
- Vague earn-out definitions ("retained revenue", "clients transferred") lead to disputes with the seller.
Sources: U.S. Small Business Administration, Internal Revenue Service · Reviewed Oct 18, 2026
An illustrative pathway, not a listing: buy an operating franchise unit from a franchisee who wants out, rather than opening a new one. You get existing customers and an operating history to check, but the franchisor must approve you, usually charges a transfer fee, and may require you to sign its current franchise agreement and upgrade the business.
- Cash to start
- $8,000–$24,000 + unverified items
- Ongoing / month
- Not verified
- Part-time?
- Usually 40+ hrs/wk
- Model
- Franchise
- Equipment or requirements
- Equipment included in the sale (inspect it) · Franchisor-required systems and software
Key risks and sources
- The location may be for sale because it underperforms; verify why the owner is leaving.
- The franchisor can reject you, delaying or killing the deal after you have paid for due diligence.
Sources: Federal Trade Commission, Federal Trade Commission · Reviewed Oct 18, 2026
Buying an Existing Business
An illustrative pathway, not a listing: buy an established local service business and pay part of the price over time through a note to the seller. Seller financing is negotiated case by case and is never guaranteed to be offered. Even a deal marketed as "no money down" still needs cash for closing costs, working capital and reserves.
- Cash to start
- $10,000–$27,000 + unverified items
- Ongoing / month
- Not verified
- Part-time?
- Usually 30+ hrs/wk
- Model
- Existing business acquisition
- Equipment or requirements
- Whatever equipment and vehicles are included in the sale (inspect each item) · Bookkeeping system
Key risks and sources
- Revenue tied to the previous owner’s relationships can leave when the owner does.
- Seller-provided financials may overstate cash flow; numbers that do not match tax returns and bank deposits are a red flag.
Sources: U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S. Small Business Administration · Reviewed Oct 18, 2026
Buying an Existing Business
An illustrative pathway, not a listing: buy an existing website, newsletter or small online store instead of starting from zero. Smaller online deals are often paid in full at closing; seller financing or a deferred payment is sometimes negotiated but never guaranteed. The biggest risk is buying traffic or revenue that was overstated or that disappears after the transfer.
- Cash to start
- $10,600–$21,500 + unverified items
- Ongoing / month
- Not verified
- Part-time?
- Yes, from ~10 hrs/wk
- Model
- Existing business acquisition
- Equipment or requirements
- Computer and internet connection
Key risks and sources
- Traffic or revenue shown in screenshots can be faked or cherry-picked; verify directly in analytics and payment accounts.
- A search engine algorithm change, platform policy change or lost affiliate program can cut revenue quickly.
Sources: U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S. Small Business Administration · Reviewed Oct 18, 2026
Buying an Existing Business
An illustrative pathway, not a listing: buy a set of vending machines already placed in host locations and restock them on a schedule. This category has a long history of overstated revenue and weak location agreements, so verification matters more than price. Sellers covered by the FTC Business Opportunity Rule must give you a written disclosure document before you sign or pay.
- Cash to start
- $15,500–$16,500 + unverified items
- Ongoing / month
- Not verified
- Part-time?
- Yes, from ~5 hrs/wk
- Model
- Existing business acquisition
- Equipment or requirements
- The machines included in the sale · Vehicle that can carry stock
Key risks and sources
- Seller revenue figures are often overstated; insist on records you can check, such as telemetry reports, bank deposits and supplier invoices.
- Location agreements may be verbal, short-term or non-transferable, so hosts can remove machines after the sale.
Sources: Federal Trade Commission, Federal Trade Commission · Reviewed Oct 18, 2026