California business for sale transactions for this April are up 14% over the previous April, it was reported by the BizBen Index. The number of transactions completed in the month of April this year reached 1,362 compared to the 1,193 of 2015. The 1,362 completed transactions represents a slight decrease from the total sold last month, but so far this year sales are up 12.6% over last year.
"I think what we are seeing with the increase in small business for sale transactions this year is that the economy, specifically the California economy, is improving.’ said Peter Siegel, MBA, Founder and President of BizBen.com, parent of the BizBen Index.
Siegel explained, "Because of the improved economy both in California and nationwide, we are seeing more small business owners decide that now is the time to sell and more buyers willing to invest.”
Other reasons for the improved sales rate, according to Siegel, are easier access to business purchase loans from both SBA-backed and non-SBA lenders, and increased willingness of buyers and sellers to commit to a transaction as they see the economy improving.
Siegel also noted, “As I’ve said in the past, when we see an increase in business for sale transactions, it’s a good sign for the California economy. It shows that both buyers and sellers are confident in the future and confidence is a major factor in the willingness of people to invest.”
"If the economy continues to improve and current lending practices stay stable we just may see a record year for small business for sale transactions."
Larger Counties With Improved Sales
Among large Southern California Counties reporting growth in the sale of small and mid-market businesses last month are Los Angeles County with 318 transactions, Orange County posting 163 completed business transfers last month, a gain of nearly 23% over the 132 transactions posted the previous April; and San Diego County with a rate of sales increase of 26% to 141 sales last month vs. 103 the previous year.
The BizBen Index reported growth last month in some of the largest Northern California counties including San Francisco where 54 sales were completed compared to 52 deals the previous April, and Santa Clara County, posting 71 deals last month vs. 66 during April 2015.
The total business sales by county recorded last month, available at http://www.bizben.com/stats/stats-monthly-apr.php are:
Alameda: 75, Amador: 3 Butte: 16, Contra Costa: 17, El Dorado: 10, Fresno: 34, Imperial: 12, Kern: 39, Kings: 1, Los Angeles: 318, Madera: 1, Marin: 9, Merced: 7, Monterey: 18, Napa: 8, Nevada: 9, Orange: 163, Placer: 4,Riverside: 80, Sacramento: 54, San Bernardino: 49, San Diego: 154, San Francisco: 54, San Joaquin: 18, San Mateo: 18, Santa Barbara: 14, Santa Clara: 71, Santa Cruz: 10, Shasta: 8, Solano: 11, Sonoma: 22, Stanislaus: 11, Tehama: 1, Tulare: 10, Tuolumne: 3, Ventura: 39, Yolo: 5
Sales totals posted by California county over the last nine years are available at: http://www.bizben.com/stats/stats-total.php
The BizBen Index has been collecting and reporting information about small California business sales for 17 years, to help business owners/sellers, buyers and the professionals participating in this market make informed choices and achieve success. Sources for the information come from California's Secretary of State office and other government agencies.
