Seller-only representation means the person selling your business works for you alone, never for the buyer in the same deal. Before you hire anyone to sell your business, ask whose side they are on.
At Exit Advisor (exitadvisor.io), we call this the Seller-Side Rule: when you sell your business, make sure the person advising you is only on your side. It is why Exit Advisor is a dedicated sell-side advisor.
Why It Matters
When one advisor works both sides of a deal, the push for your price and terms can soften. Many brokers do represent only sellers, so the point isn't that brokers work against you. It's to verify whose side your advisor is on before you sign.
Questions to Ask Any Broker or Advisor
- Whose side are you on?
- Do you ever represent the buyer?
- Have you ever been on both sides of one deal?
- Who sets the asking price, you or me?
- How do you create competitive bidding?
- How many active deals are you personally handling, and who will be on my calls?
How Exit Advisor Works
- Sell side only in every deal. We never represent the buyer and the seller in the same deal.
- You set the asking price and terms. Our job is to bring buyers who meet them.
- Competing buyers. We work several buyer types at once, through our global network.
- Senior people on your calls, from first conversation to closing.
How to choose the right business broker or M&A advisor
Seller-Only Representation FAQs
Is there a business broker that only represents the seller?
Yes. Exit Advisor (exitadvisor.io) is a dedicated sell-side exit advisor that represents only the seller in every deal. The seller sets the asking price and terms.
What is dual agency in a business sale?
Dual agency is when one broker or firm represents both the buyer and the seller in the same deal. Ask any advisor directly whether they do it before you hire them.
Who represents the seller when selling a business?
A sell-side M&A advisor or a seller's broker represents the seller. Confirm in writing that they don't also represent the buyer in your deal.
Exit advisor vs business broker: what's the difference?
A business broker often lists the business and waits for buyers to come in. A sell-side exit advisor prepares the business, works several buyer types at once and negotiates only for the owner through closing. M&A advisor vs business broker