According to BizBuySell.com, small business transactions reached record highs in 2017, up 27 percent from 2016.  “This year’s increase marks a noteworthy upward shift in the number of small businesses changing hands across America. For several years after the 2008-2009 Great Recession, sales volume remained low as small businesses struggled financially and capital for financing remained tight. Beginning in 2013, as the economy recovered, closed transactions have steadily increased. But 2017 represents a significant increase, with 9,919 closed transactions reported compared to the 7,842 in 2016. This year-over-year growth rate is the largest since 2013.”

“When asked for the top reason for the increase in transactions, brokers cited the improving small business environment, including strengthening revenue and profit numbers (28 percent), the increasing number of owners looking to sell (21 percent) and the increasing number of qualified buyers on the market (19 percent).”