Many people think that selling a business and selling a building are the same thing. After all, both involve buyers, sellers, money, and contracts. But the truth is that these two jobs are very different, and the process for each one is unique.
A real estate agent and a business broker do not sell the same things, they do not use the same skills, and they do not follow the same selling steps. Selling a house is mostly about the land, location, and the condition of the building, while selling a business is about income, customers, employees, and how well the business operates. Because of these differences, choosing the wrong expert can create big problems.
Difference #1: What They Sell
The biggest difference between a business broker and a real estate agent is what they sell.
A real estate agent sells buildings and land. This includes houses, apartments, offices, warehouses, and empty plots of land. Their job is to help people buy and sell places where people live or work. For example, if a family wants to sell their house, they will call a real estate agent. If a company wants to buy an office building, it will also call a real estate agent. The agent’s main focus is always the property itself.
A business broker, on the other hand, sells full businesses. This includes restaurants, stores, factories, online shops, cleaning companies, service companies, and many other types of businesses. A business is more than just a building.
A business includes the brand name, the customers, the employees, the equipment, the products, the money coming in, and sometimes even the debt. When a business broker sells a business, they are selling the entire system that makes money, not just the walls and roof. This is why selling a business is much more complex than selling a house.
Sometimes, a business and a building are sold together. For example, a person might own both a bakery and the building where the bakery runs. In that case, both a real estate agent and a business broker may work together on the sale. One handles the building, and the other handles the business itself.
Difference #2: How Value Is Decided
Another important difference is how the value, or price, is decided. Real estate agents and business brokers use very different methods to price what they sell.
A real estate agent decides the value of a property by looking at multiple aspectslike:
- the size of the land,
- the size of the building,
- the condition of the walls,
- Roof and floors,
- the age of the property,
- and the location.
A house near schools, shops, and parks is often worth more than a house far away from the city. They also compare similar homes that were sold nearby to help set the price. Most real estate value depends on location and physical appearance.
A business broker decides the value of a business by looking at how much money the business makes.
They study the profits, the expenses, and how steady the sales are.
They also look at how loyal the customers are, how strong the brand is, and how risky the business might be. A small business that makes good profit every month can be worth more than a large business that struggles with debt.
Business brokers must understand money, cash flow, and financial records to price a business correctly.
This is why pricing a house is usually easier than pricing a business. A house does not make money on its own, but a business does. This makes business valuation more detailed and more challenging.
Difference #3: Skills and Training
Real estate agents and business brokers do not get trained in the same way. They study different subjects and use different skills in their daily work.
A real estate agent learns about property laws, land rules, home inspections, building safety, and zoning. They also learn how to market homes by taking good photos, posting listings online, setting up “for sale” signs, and hosting open houses. Much of their work involves showing properties to buyers, answering questions about the neighborhood, and helping buyers make offers.
A business broker needs business knowledge. They must understand income reports, profit and loss statements, tax records, employee contracts, supplier deals, and business licenses. They also need to protect secret business information so that competitors do not take advantage of it. Many business brokers have worked as business owners, accountants, bankers, or managers before becoming brokers. This helps them understand how businesses really work.
Because selling a business involves money, people, and risk, business brokers must be able to explain difficult financial information in a simple way so buyers can understand what they are purchasing.
Difference #4: What Buyers Care About
Buyers of property and buyers of businesses are usually looking for very different things. This is another reason why the selling process is different.
When people buy a house or building, they care about the way it looks and where it is located. They ask questions such as whether the roof is new, whether the walls need repairs, whether the area is safe, whether schools are nearby, and whether there is enough parking. Property buyers often think about comfort, space, and future resale value.
Business buyers care mostly about money and performance. They want to know how much profit the business makes each month. They want to see sales records and expense reports. They also want to know how many customers come back again and again. Online reviews, employee reliability, and supplier contracts are also very important to business buyers. They want to feel confident that the business will continue making money after they buy it.
This big difference changes everything about how sales are done. Selling a building is mostly about looks and location. Selling a business is about trust, income, and future success.
Difference #5: How Long the Sale Takes
The time it takes to sell is another big difference between business brokers and real estate agents.
Many homes and buildings can sell within one to three months, especially in busy areas. Once a buyer is found, the steps are usually quick. The buyer inspects the property, applies for a loan, signs the contract, and the sale is completed. While there can be delays, most property sales move fairly fast.
Selling a business usually takes much longer. It often takes six months to over one year to complete a business sale. This is because buyers must study many financial documents. Accountants check the tax records. Lawyers review contracts. Buyers may want to meet employees, study customer traffic, and understand daily operations. Since a buyer is taking over income, employees, and risks, they must be very careful.
Business sales also take longer because training is often needed after the sale. The buyer may need time to learn how everything works before fully taking control.
Difference #6: What Happens After the Sale
After a real estate sale is finished, the agent’s work is usually done. The buyer gets the keys, the seller gets the money, and both move on with their lives. There is no long training process after the sale.
After a business sale, things are very different. The seller often stays with the business for several weeks or even months. During this time, they train the buyer on how to run the business. They may introduce important customers, explain how machines work, teach staff schedules, and show how money is handled. This helps make sure the business continues to run smoothly.
Business brokers may also stay involved during this time to help solve any problems that come up. This extra step helps protect both the buyer and the seller.
Why Choosing the Right Expert Matters
Choosing the wrong professional can cause serious problems. If you use a real estate agent to sell a business, they may not understand business profits, risks, or customer behavior. This can lead to wrong pricing and lost buyers. If you use a business broker to sell only a building, they may not understand local property rules or zoning laws.
The safest choice is to match the expert to the job. Use a real estate agent for buildings and land. Use a business broker for full businesses. If both are being sold together, both experts should work as a team.
A Simple Real-Life Example
Imagine a man owns a small restaurant and also owns the building where the restaurant operates. He has worked for many years and now wants to retire and enjoy his life. Since he owns both the business and the building, he needs the right experts to help him sell everything the correct way. He decides to hire a business broker to sell the restaurant and a real estate agent to sell the building.
The business broker gathers important records such as the restaurant’s profit reports, sales history, customer traffic, and employee details. He shows buyers how much money the restaurant makes and explains why customers like to eat there. At the same time, the real estate agent takes pictures of the building, lists it online, and talks about how good the location is for other future businesses.
Buyers who want to run a restaurant talk to the business broker, while buyers who only want the building talk to the real estate agent. In some cases, one buyer may even want to buy both the restaurant and the building.
Because each expert focuses on what they do best, the man can attract the right buyers. In the end, both the business and the building are sold smoothly and at fair prices. The man retires happily, knowing he made smart choices by using both a business broker and a real estate agent.
Final Thoughts
Business brokers and real estate agents both help people sell valuable property, but their jobs are not the same. A real estate agent sells land and buildings. A business broker sells entire working companies that include people, money, systems, and risks. They use different skills, follow different rules, and guide their clients through different types of sales.
Understanding these six differences helps buyers and sellers make smarter decisions. It protects money, saves time, and prevents serious mistakes. Whether you are selling a home, a store, or both, choosing the right expert can make the entire process safer, easier, and more successful.
