Mountain West Home Stager Sold for Up to $180K After 3 Bids

About the Business

• Industry: Real Estate Services – Home Staging and Interior Design

• Location: Mountain West

• Size: $200K–$250K in annual revenue, a furniture warehouse and a contractor crew

• Sale price: Up to $180,000, including seller financing and an earnout tied to revenue (asking price: $180,000)

• Listing to signed LOI: 180 days

• Signed LOI to close: 80 days

The Challenge: Selling While the Business Was Still Growing

The owner had built the company alongside a full-time sales career, and the business grew every year. She decided it was a good time to sell rather than keep running both.

180 Days to a Signed LOI: Two Bidders at the Asking Price

What happened at every stage

1. Valuation: Baton set the asking price at $180,000, $80,000 above the owner's own estimate of the company's value.

2. Buyer Outreach: Baton built the listing and data room and marketed the company on its marketplace and BizBuySell. 60+ buyers viewed the listing, 29 opened the data room and the owner met 4 buyers.

3. Offer Selection and Negotiation Support: Three buyers made offers, and while the first LOI was in negotiation, Baton brought a second buyer in at 100% of the asking price. The Baton advisor used that bid to press the first buyer for a better deal, and the owner signed with her preferred buyers the next day.

4. Diligence and Closing Support: The owner agreed seller-financing terms directly with the buyers, with the Baton advisor supporting her with advice and analysis. The deal closed 80 days after the LOI.

The Results

The buyers are two business partners who also own rental real estate portfolios, and they planned to run the company through a manager while the lead stager handled the work. Through Baton's process, the business:

• Sold for up to $180,000 with seller financing and an earnout tied to revenue

• Drew 3 offers, including 2 at the asking price

• Closed 80 days after the signed LOI

What's next for the owner?

The owner planned a six-week knowledge transfer to the new owners before moving on to a new sales role.

Advice and Lessons for Future Sellers

1. Get a valuation before you set a price. Baton's valuation put the asking price $80,000 above the owner's own estimate.

2. A second bidder strengthens your hand. A competing offer at the asking price gave the owner leverage with the buyers she preferred.

3. Stay open on structure. The owner agreed seller-financing terms directly with the buyers she preferred.