How to Find an Off Market Business

Written By Blake Ferrell

Most people think the only way to buy a business is to browse listings online and compete with dozens of other buyers. The problem is, by the time a good business hits the public market, it is already picked over or overpriced.

If you want the best opportunities, the ones that make money on day one and are not in a bidding war, you have to go off market.

Why Buying Beats Starting from Scratch

Starting from scratch sounds exciting, but here is the reality:

  • No revenue when you open your doors

  • Years of trial and error figuring out operations

  • Building a customer base from zero

  • High failure rates especially in the first few years

When you buy an established business you get:

  • Immediate cash flow money coming in from day one

  • Proven systems the processes are already in place

  • Trained staff you are not hiring from scratch

  • Existing customers no chasing leads for months

  • Easier financing lenders prefer businesses with a track record

Why Off Market is Better

Off market means the business is not listed on public sites like BizBuySell. These deals are usually:

  • Less competitive you are not bidding against dozens of other buyers

  • Better priced without public exposure sellers are not testing the market with inflated prices

  • More flexible sellers are often more open to creative financing or favorable terms

  • Faster to close fewer moving parts and less red tape

How to Actually Find Off Market Businesses

Finding these deals takes effort but the payoff is huge. Here is what works:

  • Network with professionals CPAs attorneys and financial advisors often know owners ready to sell

  • Direct outreach call or send letters to business owners in industries you like

  • Referrals offer a finders fee to people who connect you with sellers

  • Work with a deal sourcer someone who specializes in finding vetted off market opportunities and that is where we come in

Get the Inside Track

At Off Market Acquisitions we source vetted off market businesses for buyers who want to skip the grind and step into something profitable right away.

If you are looking for a business doing $200K to $2M in revenue we can connect you with opportunities most buyers will never see.

Fill out our contact form today and lets work together to find you an off market business!

Blake Ferrell