Business owners across Georgia are asking the same question: Is now the right time to sell?
The answer in 2025 is leaning toward yes—for many owners. Valuations remain healthy, SBA lending continues to fuel acquisitions, and buyer demand for well-run companies is strong. However, market conditions are shifting, and owners who wait may lose leverage.
Market Conditions in Georgia
The Georgia market has shown consistent activity across home services, landscaping, HVAC, plumbing, and specialty retail. Buyers continue to view these industries as resilient because they offer repeat revenue, high margins, and less exposure to economic downturns.
-
Listings tracked (Metro Atlanta, July 2025): 11 new listings in 14 days.
-
Most common industry: Home services (40% of listings).
-
Average asking price: $1.1M – $1.5M.
-
Average SDE multiples observed: 3.0x–3.8x, depending on size and owner dependency.
These numbers highlight two truths: buyers are still writing checks, and quality businesses are commanding strong multiples.
Financing and SBA Trends
Even with interest rates hovering around 9%–10%, SBA 7(a) loans remain the backbone of business acquisitions. Here’s why:
-
Loan coverage: SBA lenders typically finance 75%–90% of purchase price.
-
Typical structure: 10%–15% buyer down payment, 5%–10% seller note, balance SBA loan.
-
DSCR requirement: At least 1.25x (Net Operating Income ÷ Debt Payments).
Example:
-
A Georgia HVAC business with $600K SDE can support a $2M–$2.3M purchase price under SBA financing.
-
At $2.2M purchase with 10% down, monthly debt service on a 10-year 10% note is ~$29K.
-
With $50K monthly cash flow, the DSCR sits at 1.7x, a comfortable margin.
This shows why buyers and banks are still active—well-run service businesses make financing feasible.
Why Sell Now
-
Valuations Are Holding – In Georgia, SDE multiples range from 2.5x for smaller owner-dependent firms to 5.0x for scalable service companies with leadership teams.
-
Lending Window Is Open – SBA approvals are flowing, but tightening credit conditions may change this in 2026.
-
Generational Turnover – Baby-boomer owners are reaching retirement; demand is outpacing supply in industries like landscaping and home services.
-
Buyer Confidence – Buyers see Atlanta and surrounding counties as growth markets, fueled by population growth (+1.2% YoY in metro Atlanta).
-
Tax Strategy Opportunity – Sellers closing in 2025 may align with current federal capital gains rates before possible legislative changes.
Preparing Your Business for Sale
-
Financial cleanup: Normalize earnings to reflect true SDE. Remove personal expenses.
-
Systems & team: Businesses with management in place trade at higher multiples (3.8x–5.0x vs 2.5x–3.0x for owner-dependent).
-
Confidentiality plan: Protect staff and clients by working through a broker.
-
Valuation: Get a market-driven valuation to set realistic expectations.
Data Snapshot: Georgia 2025
-
Average small business sale price (Q2 2025, GA): $450K (BizBuySell).
-
Average revenue multiple: 0.58x.
-
Average cash flow multiple: 2.92x.
-
Median time on market: 188 days (6–7 months).
-
Top sectors by transaction volume: Home services, construction trades, healthcare, specialty retail.
Summary
The 2025 Georgia M&A market is balanced—strong enough for sellers to achieve healthy valuations, but competitive enough that preparation matters. With buyers relying on SBA financing, businesses with clear SDE, leadership in place, and strong cash flow are closing deals quickly. Waiting may expose sellers to tightening credit or lower valuations.
Q&A
Q: What industries are selling fastest in Georgia in 2025?
A: Home services (HVAC, plumbing, landscaping), construction trades, and specialty retail with strong inventory turnover.
Q: What multiple should I expect for my Georgia business?
A: Small, owner-dependent businesses: 2.5x–3.0x SDE. Scalable service businesses with management teams: 3.5x–5.0x SDE.
Q: Can buyers still get SBA loans in 2025?
A: Yes. Most deals in the $1M–$5M range are SBA-backed, with DSCR thresholds of 1.25x.
Q: How long does it take to sell a business in Georgia?
A: On average, 6–9 months, though highly attractive listings can go under LOI in 90 days.
Q: How much down payment do buyers typically need?
A: Typically 10%–15% of purchase price, plus working capital.