(Updated June 2012)

Whether you own a real estate firm or are thinking of buying or selling one, it's important to know what the business is worth. The following articles and studies can provide some insight into determining the value of a real estate firm and its assets.

Appraising a Real Estate Office

What's Your Business Worth?, (REALTOR® Magazine Online).

Valuation Asset Accumulation Approach, (REALTOR® Magazine Online).

Brokerage valuation analysis: Approximate your firm's valuation, (Real Trends). This free resource calculates a ballpark estimate of your firm's value, using data your enter into the form.

How to Value Real Estate Companies, (eHow, Jan. 25, 2010).

What to do when... It's time to determine what your brokerage is worth, (REALTOR® Magazine, June 2006).

Selling Your Book of Business

Selling An Operating Business & Real Estate—Who's The Broker? An Operating Business Isn't Real Estate & Shouldn't Be Sold Like It, (About.com, n.d.).

Selling your book of business: What does a salesperson have to sell?, (REALTOR® Magazine Online tool kit, n.d.).

Preparing for the Sale: It Requires More Work than most Sellers Realize, (Mergers and Acquisitions, Aug. 2011).  Q

Acquisitions: Casting for Competitors, (REALTOR® Magazine, Sept. 2008).

This way out! Strategies for successful exit planning. Napoli, (Agency Sales, Jan. 2008).  Q

Leaving the business? "I'll buy your contacts and all your smart business practices too.", (Florida REALTOR®, Sept. 2006).

How to Sell Your Client List, (REALTOR® Magazine, Oct. 2003).

Selling your brokerage: Brokers tell how to increase the value of your company and make it more saleable, (REALTOR® Magazine, Feb. 2002).

Selling your real estate practice, (REALTOR® Magazine, Sept. 2001).

Web Resources

Getting Out, (U.S. Small Business Administration). SBA provides information on planning your exit, steps to closing a business, selling your business, transferring ownership, and more.

Housing & Real Estate Business Guide, (U.S. Small Business Administration). See this SBA guide for information on working in the real estate industry, including working with HUD homes and lenders, appraisals, property management, and more.

The Institute of Business Appraisers. In valuing your business, consider working with an evaluation professional. The Institute of Business Appraisers offers a certified business appraiser (CBA) designation for those meeting the group’s education and performance criteria.

eBooks & Other Resources

eBooks.realtor.org

The following ebooks and digital audiobooks are available to NAR members:

Business Valuation and Taxes, (Adobe eReader).

Business Valuation for Dummies®, (Adobe eReader)

The Market Approach to Valuing Businesses, (Adobe eReader).

The Small Business valuation Book: Easy-to-use Techniques That Will Help You... Determine a Fair Price, negotiate Terms, Minimize Taxes, (Adobe eReader)

Valuing a business, 5th ed. (Adobe eReader)

Books, Videos, Research Reports & More

The resources below are available for loan through Information Central.  Up to three books, tapes,CDs and/or DVDs can be borrowed for 30 days from the Library for a nominal fee of $10.  Call Information Central at 800.874.6500 for assistance.

Valuing a Residential Real Estate Service Business, (Littleton, CO: Real Trends, 2010). HD 1375 R22va

The Real Estate Professional's Handbook for Starting and Running a Successful Business, (New York, NY: Kaplan Publishing, 2007). HD 1375 B17

The Value of a Real Estate Brokerage Firm, (Chicago, IL: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® - Research Division, 1995). HD 1375 R22va

Field Guides & More

These field guides and other resources in the Virtual Library may also be of interest:

Field Guide to Business Value

Field Guide to Franchises vs. Independents

Field Guide to Opening a Real Estate Brokerage

InfoCentral Blog

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The inclusion of links on this field guide does not imply endorsement by the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR makes no representations about whether the content of any external sites which may be linked in this field guide complies with state or federal laws or regulations or with applicable NAR policies. These links are provided for your convenience only and you rely on them at your own risk.