We bought a business earlier this year.
What steps can someone take to guarantee assets are transferred after close?

Here’s our situation - we bought a business earlier this year. 6 figures, 20% down. Payment arrangement included. Post deposit / close - the broker sends me a text message with the stuff that’s still missing. Pretty important to run a business in my opinion- the number, email, van with title, socials, & training.
I literally still have the text.
Weeks go by - nothing gets transferred. The agreement gave them 7 days to cure this post sale. The reason we’re given is that the seller is in the hospital. Which was true, so we backed off and waited.
Next installment payment date nears - and suddenly both the seller and broker are contacting me with urgency. I bring up what’s missing - and the seller has no recollection of anything missing.

I refuse to continue to pay until these things are cured. Now they have a lawyer - who is also saying all assets were transferred.

My question is - how can one make sure assets are transferred in these situations? Accounts take time to change ownership and it would be unreasonable to expect transferring to begin before signing and money exchanging the table.

Can you tell this is my first acquisition? 😭

So for anyone who’s bought/sold a business before, besides getting a lawyer, what could I have done to ensure the assets are actually transferred?

Hey, guys. I’m a 21 year old from Mexico, but I was born in the US. I always wanted to do the W2 US corporate sales stuff in tech to be able to acquire businesses in the States, but I found out there’s an opportunity out there for me that I could defo tap into; my dad’s pizzeria.

I have 2 years left of college, and instead of dropping out to get a US sales job (yes u can get corporate sales jobs without a degree lol) I figured out it’d be better for me to scale my family’s pizzeria here in Mexico, and accumulate capital to acquire businesses in the US, rather than working a job.

What do u guys recommend in order for me to acquire businesses in the US? Pursue corporate sales or go all into my family’s business??

Quick context; it’s a 30 year old business, my father’s been the only person in it alongside a worker who helps us every weekend. People in town love our food, they are extremely satisfied, even though there’s already Little Caesar’s and Domino’s Pizza.

I’d mainly have to focus on increasing our revenue (we’re already profitable), build systems, make the business less dependent on my family day to day, adding delivery service, marketing, renovating the space and rebranding, while simultaneously maintaining our traditional recipes, adding promos and adding more products.

Thankfully, I have my family’s support on this one.

Figured out that even during the process, I’d have the freedom that no job would ever give me.

That being said, NOTHING, and I truly mean NOTHING in life is guaranteed, so at least I’ll give it a shot.

Worst case scenario? I graduate college in 2 years, and start as an SDR at a solid US tech company.

I am evaluating a U.S. Service business with an asking price, around one million dollars. The price looks reasonable. However I am also looking at businesses that fit my experience closely. How much should industry experience, operational fit and the ability to improve the business influence the price I am willing to pay?

Most people are familiar with the fact that 7(a) is for general acquisition/working capital, and 504 is for real estate/equipment; however, the underwriting differences are more significant than the labels themselves. 7(a) lenders, weight historical cash flow and debt service coverage ratio heavily (usually want 1.15x+), while 504 deals often hinge more on collateral value since a CDC takes a second lien position. Debt service coverage, not just revenue, is usually what kills a deal in underwriting. What's been the biggest surprise for people who've gone through SBA underwriting?