Emails a Live Deal Needs

Subject: Our offer for [BUSINESS NAME], attached, with the thinking

Hi [SELLER/BROKER FIRST NAME],

Attached is our letter of intent for [BUSINESS NAME]. So you don't have to dig for it: we're at [PRICE], [STRUCTURE SUMMARY, e.g., cash at close plus a seller note], and we'd like to close by [DATE].

On the number itself, [ONE SENTENCE ON VALUATION LOGIC, e.g., it's anchored to what lenders will finance at current SBA terms]. And separately, because it's true: [ONE SENTENCE HONORING WHAT'S STRONG ABOUT THE BUSINESS].

On process: diligence would start within days of signing, quality of earnings first, with document requests batched to respect [SELLER FIRST NAME]'s time. I'd rather surface questions early than surprise anyone late.

Happy to walk through any term on a call. I hope this is the start of a good handoff.

[YOUR NAME]

Subject: Incoming buyer for [BUSINESS NAME], [LOCATION]: starting your transfer process

Hi [FRANCHISOR CONTACT FIRST NAME],

I'm under LOI to purchase [BUSINESS NAME], the [BRAND] location in [LOCATION], from [SELLER NAME], and I want to start your transfer approval the right way rather than arrive as paperwork.

About me, in the shape your review will ask for: [ONE LINE ON YOUR BACKGROUND AND ANY OPERATING OR MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE]. Financially, I have [CASH AMOUNT] committed and [LENDER STATUS, e.g., an SBA lender pre-qualified at this deal size], and I plan to run the location personally.

Could you send the transfer application and the current FDD, and tell me what the approval timeline usually runs and whether training dates would gate a close in [TARGET MONTH]? If a call with your franchise development team is the better first step, I'll make any time work.

[YOUR NAME]
[PHONE] · [EMAIL]

Subject: [BUSINESS NAME] data room: your access and the index

Hi [FIRST NAME],

The data room for [BUSINESS NAME] is live and your access is set up: [ACCESS DETAILS, e.g., the invitation from the room provider arrives from this address].

The index follows the seven-folder structure: corporate, financial, revenue, people, operations, legal, and lender. [ONE LINE ON WHAT IS STILL LANDING, e.g., the payroll register and loss runs arrive this week under folders four and five.]

Three requests to keep it useful for everyone: pull rather than forward, since access is per person; flag gaps to me rather than to the seller's side; and if you add documents, keep the folder discipline so nothing gets lost.

What I need from you first: [THE FIRST CONCRETE REVIEW, e.g., the financial folder against your underwriting checklist by Friday].

[YOUR NAME]
[PHONE] · [EMAIL]

Subject: Engagement inquiry: [INDUSTRY] acquisition, [PRICE RANGE], targeting [CLOSE TIMEFRAME]

Hi [ATTORNEY FIRST NAME],

I'm buying a [INDUSTRY] business in [STATE] at roughly [PRICE RANGE], financed with [STRUCTURE, e.g., an SBA 7(a) loan plus a seller note], and I'm lining up counsel before the LOI is signed.

Scope I expect to need: LOI review, purchase agreement drafting and negotiation, disclosure schedules, and closing coordination with the lender and escrow. [ANY SPECIFICS, e.g., a license transfer, real estate, or an equity investor to paper.]

Three questions so I can compare apples to apples:
- Do you work flat-fee or hourly for a deal this size, and what range should I plan for?
- Who does the day-to-day work on my file, and how many searcher or Main Street deals has that person closed?
- What does your typical LOI-to-close timeline look like when the lender is [LENDER TYPE]?

I'd welcome a short call this week if the fit looks right.

[YOUR NAME]
[PHONE] · [EMAIL]

Subject: QoE engagement inquiry: [INDUSTRY] acquisition, [REVENUE/SDE SIZE]

Hi [ACCOUNTANT FIRST NAME],

I'm buying a [INDUSTRY] business in [STATE] doing roughly [REVENUE] in revenue and [SDE/EBITDA] in earnings, and I want a quality-of-earnings review to start the week the LOI is signed.

Scope I expect: verifying revenue recognition and the earnings quality, testing the add-backs, checking customer concentration and working-capital patterns, and a proof-of-cash tie-out. [ANY SPECIFICS, e.g., cash-heavy revenue, a recent system change, or related-party transactions.]

Three questions so I can compare firms:
- Do you scope QoE as full, limited, or a pre-LOI screen, and what fee range fits a deal this size?
- Who runs the engagement day to day, and how many searcher or Main Street deals have they done?
- What turnaround should I plan for once I hand over the data room?

Happy to send the target's basic financials under NDA if the fit looks right.

[YOUR NAME]
[PHONE] · [EMAIL]

Subject: [BUSINESS NAME]: kicking off, and what to expect

Hi [SELLER FIRST NAME],

Now that the LOI is signed, here's how I run the next stretch so it's predictable for you.

Three things start at once. Quality of earnings kicks off this week, legal drafting follows once the numbers settle, and the lending side is already moving, [ONE LINE ON LENDER STATUS]. Document requests will come batched through [CHANNEL, e.g., a shared folder], not as a daily drip, and [ADVISOR NAME/FIRM] will coordinate so you have one place to look.

Two asks that make everything faster: [FIRST ASK, e.g., read access for my accountant to the bookkeeping file], and [SECOND ASK, e.g., an hour with you each week, scheduled, instead of scattered calls].

Questions will surface things; that's normal and most have good answers. When one matters, I'll raise it directly and early. Targeting [CLOSE DATE], and I'll flag anything that threatens it the day I see it.

[YOUR NAME]

Subject: Introduction from the buyer of [BUSINESS NAME]

Hi [LANDLORD FIRST NAME],

[SELLER FIRST NAME] suggested I introduce myself: I'm under agreement to buy [BUSINESS NAME] and expect to request assignment of the lease at [ADDRESS] as part of the closing.

About me, so the request doesn't arrive cold: [ONE LINE ON YOUR BACKGROUND AND FINANCING, e.g., financing is committed with an SBA lender and the business will continue operating exactly as it does today]. I plan to keep the space, the use, and the rent current, and my lender will ask for [WHAT THE LENDER NEEDS, e.g., a lease term or renewal options matching the loan].

Could we set up a short call in the next week or two? I'd like to understand your process and timeline for consent so the closing plan respects both.

[YOUR NAME]
[PHONE] · [EMAIL]

Subject: [BUSINESS NAME]: what diligence found, and a proposal

Hi [SELLER/BROKER FIRST NAME],

I want to bring you something directly rather than let it surface through the lawyers.

[THE FINDING, PLAINLY, WITH THE DOCUMENT IT CAME FROM, e.g., the QoE ties SDE out below the CIM figure, driven by an add-back that does not hold up.]

I'm not walking away, and this is not a tactic. The business is what I hoped on [ONE TRUE POSITIVE FROM DILIGENCE], and I still want to own it. But my structure was built on the original number, and my lender's will be too. So here is what I can do: [THE PROPOSAL, e.g., a price reflecting the verified figure, or the original price with a seller note sized to the gap].

If you read the finding differently, show me; I would rather be wrong about this one. Could we talk [WHEN]?

[YOUR NAME]

Subject: Coverage for an acquisition closing [CLOSE DATE]: binder needed

Hi [BROKER FIRST NAME],

I am buying [BUSINESS NAME], a [INDUSTRY] business in [CITY, STATE], and expect to close on [CLOSE DATE]. I need coverage bound effective that date, and my lender will want to see the binder and the certificates before they fund.

The business, in the numbers an underwriter asks for:
- Revenue [AMOUNT], [NUMBER] employees, annual payroll roughly [AMOUNT]
- Operations: [WHAT THE BUSINESS ACTUALLY DOES, INCLUDING ANYTHING HAZARDOUS OR VEHICLE-BASED]
- Premises: [OWNED OR LEASED], [SQUARE FOOTAGE], [NUMBER] vehicles [IF ANY]
- Loss history: [ANY CLAIMS IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, OR NONE REPORTED BY THE SELLER]

What I know is required: general liability at [LIMITS], workers compensation as the state requires, and [ANYTHING THE LEASE OR LOAN NAMES, e.g., property coverage naming the landlord and lender as additional insured or loss payee]. My lender also requires [LIFE INSURANCE ASSIGNED TO THE LOAN, IF APPLICABLE].

Please tell me what else this trade should carry that I have not listed, and what you need from me to quote. I can send the lease, the loan commitment, and the seller's current declarations pages today.

[YOUR NAME]
[PHONE] · [EMAIL]