Buy a business.Even one that isn’t listed.
Tell SMB what you want to own and what you can put down. It finds businesses that fit, listed or not, then helps you price them, check the books and line up the money.
What do you want to buy, and where?
Search every business, not just the listings.
Say what you want the way you’d tell a friend. SMB looks through 19 million+ U.S. businesses, listed or not, and puts the best fits in one list.
Searching is private. Owners and brokers hear from you only when you send something.
| Business | Status | Likely price | Asking | Cash flow, est. | Years open |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Fieldwork PlumbingFort Wayne, IN | Not listed | $480K | None yet | $145K | 9 |
| Plumbing and drain companyNew Haven, IN · broker listing | For sale | $610K | $650K | $180K | 14 |
| Water heater and plumbing serviceAuburn, IN | Not listed | $520K | None yet | $150K | 12 |
| Plumbing contractorFort Wayne, IN · listed on SMB | For sale | $705K | $725K | $210K | 18 |
| Plumbing companyHuntertown, IN | Not listed | $390K | None yet | $115K | 22 |
| Commercial plumbing companyKendallville, IN · broker listing | For sale | $560K | $575K | $160K | 11 |
| Plumbing and heating companyColumbia City, IN · listed on SMB | For sale | $715K | $735K | $205K | 26 |
| Drain cleaning serviceFort Wayne, IN | Not listed | $310K | None yet | $95K | 7 |
| Plumbing and sewer companyDecatur, IN | Not listed | $590K | None yet | $170K | 16 |
| 1–5 of 1311–4 of 41–5 of 127 | |||||
The owner or a broker listed it. You see the asking price next to SMB’s likely price, and you can make an offer.
See businesses for saleIt isn’t for sale today, so there’s no asking price. Some owners would sell to the right buyer, so you ask first.
Know what it’s worth to you before you ask the price.
SMB shows a likely price for the businesses you find, what moves that price for that kind of business, and what the loan would look like.
Fieldwork PlumbingFort Wayne, IN · 9 yearsNot listed- Asking price
- None yet
- Cash flow, estimated
- $145,000 a year
- Loan payment at 10% down
- $5,709 a month
What moves the price for a plumbing company
- 01Who does the owner’s job after you buy?If it’s you, the cash flow is yours. If you hire someone, take their pay out first.
- 02Who holds the plumbing license?The license may need to move to you or a licensed employee.
- 03How many customers are on service plans?Repeat customers are worth more than one-off jobs.
- 04Do three years of books match the tax returns?Lenders ask the same question.
How a $480,000 purchase comes together
Closing costs and loan fees come on top. Partners can put in part of your 10%. A seller note can count for up to half of it too, if the seller takes no payments on it for the life of the SBA loan.
Where the $145,000 a year goes
- Left before taxes, to pay yourself and keep a cushion$76,493 a year
- Coverage after a $50,000 salary for you. SBA lenders want at least 1.25×.1.39×
As of Oct 2026: prime rate 7.00%. The SBA cap on loans over $350,000 is prime + 3%. Your lender sets the final terms.
Ask every owner. Then check the real books.
SMB drafts a short, honest note to each owner you pick, and you send it from your own email. Every owner who writes back gets their own private Room, and every conversation stays in one list.
| Business | Stage | Waiting on | Last update |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fieldwork PlumbingFort Wayne, IN · not listed | Books in | Rick · 2025 tax return | 2 hours ago |
| Plumbing and drain companyNew Haven, IN · broker listing | Talking | You · answer the broker | Yesterday |
| Plumbing companyHuntertown, IN · not listed | Talking | You · pick a call time | 2 days ago |
| Water heater and plumbing serviceAuburn, IN · not listed | Asked | Owner · no reply yet | 4 days ago |
| Plumbing contractorFort Wayne, IN · listed on SMB | Passed | Owner won’t share the books | Last week |
| 1–5 of 24 | |||
Every owner who says yes gets a private Room
Ask for the books in plain words. Rick can upload files or connect QuickBooks, SMB checks them for you, and he can stop sharing anytime.
Fieldwork PlumbingMCRM- Profit and loss, 2023 to 2025
QuickBooks, shared by Rick - Bank statements, 2023 to 2025
36 files from Google Drive - 2024 tax returnPDF from Rick
- Why are you selling?“I’m retiring. The crew wants to stay on.”
- Spring 2023 deposits“Three big jobs paid late, in June and July.” SMB matched them in the bank.
- 2025 tax returnWaiting on Rick
Do the sales match the bank deposits?Yes, once timing is counted. $41,000 from spring 2023 jobs landed in June and July, and every other month matches within 2%.
| Month | Sales in QuickBooks | Deposits in the bank |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2023 | $96,000 | $96,400 |
| Feb 2023 | $99,000 | $98,400 |
| Mar 2023 | $84,000 | $75,000 |
| Apr 2023 | $80,000 | $64,000 |
| May 2023 | $80,000 | $64,000 |
| Jun 2023 | $81,000 | $102,000 |
| Jul 2023 | $80,000 | $100,000 |
| Aug 2023 | $84,000 | $84,700 |
| Sep 2023 | $83,000 | $82,600 |
| Oct 2023 | $82,000 | $82,200 |
| Nov 2023 | $90,000 | $89,200 |
| Dec 2023 | $96,000 | $96,600 |
| Jan 2024 | $100,000 | $99,600 |
| Feb 2024 | $97,000 | $97,700 |
| Mar 2024 | $91,000 | $90,700 |
| Apr 2024 | $86,000 | $86,400 |
| May 2024 | $82,000 | $81,300 |
| Jun 2024 | $80,000 | $80,200 |
| Jul 2024 | $85,000 | $85,500 |
| Aug 2024 | $85,000 | $84,600 |
| Sep 2024 | $81,000 | $81,700 |
| Oct 2024 | $88,000 | $87,800 |
| Nov 2024 | $87,000 | $87,300 |
| Dec 2024 | $81,000 | $80,400 |
| Jan 2025 | $85,000 | $85,300 |
| Feb 2025 | $94,000 | $93,400 |
| Mar 2025 | $99,000 | $99,500 |
| Apr 2025 | $99,000 | $98,600 |
| May 2025 | $97,000 | $97,800 |
| Jun 2025 | $92,000 | $91,700 |
| Jul 2025 | $88,000 | $88,200 |
| Aug 2025 | $91,000 | $90,200 |
| Sep 2025 | $90,000 | $90,500 |
| Oct 2025 | $84,000 | $83,600 |
| Nov 2025 | $87,000 | $87,300 |
| Dec 2025 | $101,000 | $100,800 |
Line up the money. Then close.
Make a Room inside the deal for each person helping you buy. Your lender, your partners and your attorney each see only what you share with them, and Rick says yes before his books go to anyone.
Fieldwork Plumbing purchase- PSPriya · SBA lenderLoan approvedSBA loan, $432,000Loan math2025 tax return · Rick said yesYour buyer profile
- SLSam and Leah · partnersCommittedPart of your 10%, $20,000Deal summaryLikely priceLoan math
- DRDana · attorneyClosing papersLetter of intent, signedLetter of intentThe lease · Rick said yes
$480,000 lined up
Ready to close- Letter of intent signed
- Loan approved
- Lease moves to you
- Closing day, Dec 12
Questions buyers ask
How do I buy a business on SMB?
Tell SMB what you want and what you can put down. It finds businesses that fit, listed or not, shows what each is likely worth, drafts notes to owners, and gives each owner who replies a private Room where you collect the books and bring in your lender, partners and attorney.
Is every business on SMB for sale?
No. SMB shows businesses listed for sale and businesses that aren’t, and says which is which. An owner who hasn’t listed isn’t offering to sell, so you ask first.
How much is a business worth?
Usually a multiple of the cash flow it gives its owner, adjusted for the kind of business, how long it’s been open and what happens when the owner leaves. SMB shows a likely price and range for each business. It’s an estimate to plan with, not an appraisal or an offer.
What can I buy with $50K down?
With an SBA loan, $50,000 down can buy a business priced up to about $500,000, if its cash flow covers the loan. Closing costs and loan fees come on top. A seller note can cover up to half of your 10% if the seller takes no payments on it for the life of the loan. With less to put down, look at smaller businesses you can buy with cash, or where the seller finances part of the price. Tell SMB your budget and it shows what fits.
Can I buy a business with an SBA loan?
Often, yes. SBA 7(a) loans are a common way to buy a business. Plan on at least 10% down, and cash flow that covers the loan payment at least 1.25 times after a fair salary for you.
Can I share a deal with my lender or partners?
Yes. Make a Room inside the deal for each of them. Each one sees only the files you pick, and the owner says yes before his books go to anyone.
Will an owner know I looked at their business?
Searching and saving businesses is private. Nothing goes to an owner or a broker until you send it.
What does SMB cost?
Searching, likely prices, notes to owners and Rooms are free to start.
What business do you want to own?
Free to start. SMB begins your search as soon as you sign in.