How Long Does It Really Take to Sell a Small Business?

One of the first questions every owner asks me is:
“How long will it take to sell my business?”

The honest answer?

It depends - but the range is more predictable than you think.

Across hundreds of deals, I can tell you this:

Most small businesses take 6 to 12 months to sell.

Some go faster.
Some take longer.
The timeline depends on preparation, price, financial clarity, industry, and how quickly buyers can get financing.

Here’s what actually drives the timeline.

1. Preparing the Business (2–6 weeks)

This phase includes:

Sellers who have clean books move through this quickly.
Sellers who don’t… spend more time here.

2. Marketing & Buyer Activity (1–4 months)

Once the listing goes live, interest usually comes in waves.

Timeline depends on:

Good businesses priced correctly get attention fast.
But remember: attention is not the same as offers.

Buyers need time to:

It’s normal for this stage to take a few months.

3. Offers & Negotiation (2–4 weeks)

LOIs don’t happen overnight.
Buyers typically:

The stronger the listing package and the clearer the financials, the faster this phase goes.

4. Due Diligence (2–6 weeks)

Once the LOI is signed, the clock starts.

Buyers review:

Sellers who respond quickly → faster diligence.
Sellers who take days to answer emails → slow the deal.

Momentum matters here.

5. Financing, Landlord Approval & Closing (8–12+ weeks)

This is the part owners forget about - and the longest part of the process.

This phase alone can take 45–90 days depending on the lender and the landlord.

So What’s the Real Answer?

Fastest possible timeline:

3–4 months (rare - very clean books, responsive seller, cash buyer)

Average timeline:

6–12 months (most businesses)

Longer timelines:

12+ months if:

Final Thought

Selling a business isn’t instant - but it is predictable when you prepare correctly.

The businesses that sell fastest are the ones where the seller:

Preparation and momentum make all the difference.