Buy a Business with No Money Down?

If you've always wanted to buy a business with "No Money Down", and I heard someone say that goes on all the time and that you can, then I have good news and bad news.

The bad news first: no matter what he says, you can not buy a decent business with nothing down.

In over 50 years I've been in business, buying companies and teach others how to buy companies, I've never seen it happen. I never once met a salesman who leaves you with nothing down. Simply does not exist.

But here's the good news: Just because you can not buy a business with nothing down, if you find one that makes sense and is large enough, you can finance 100%, without using a penny of your money or take into borrow a dime from your friends, family and relatives.

How do I say this?

Because there are, in fact, a lot of ways to finance a business, including banks, government loans, joint ventures, suppliers, owner financing and, my favorite investors. You can use one of these methods or combine them as you like. Most of these tactics are relatively fast, simple and clean ... and much easier than you might think.

When I was still teaching in buying businesses in seminars many years ago, people often confuse 100% financing with nothing down. But are not the same thing at all.

The next time someone says you can buy a decent business - one that is not a dog, a tour or some kind of Mickey Mouse operation is sinking fast - with nothing down, get away from them as quickly as possible. Since it is likely that they are trying to sell an idea that simply does not exist.