Questions About Selling Auto Body Shop Property
Hey all,

My dad has owned an auto body shop in the Bucks County, Pennsylvania area for about 45 years now and is finally looking to sell the shop and retire. He never had an appraiser come through but he’s apparently had some agents who know the cost of other shops in the area give him some insight so he thinks he has a pretty good idea of what it’s worth. 

I’m trying to help him figure things out and he’s super anti-broker at the moment. I work as a photographer as a side job so I took photos of his shop, wrote up an ad and listed it on Craigslist and LoopNet. He’s been getting a few calls here and there but he’s eager to sell it before winter. 

Does anyone have any other suggestions for where to list it? I’ve heard a little about some people having success with paying a flat fee through some websites to list it on the MLS? Or should I just push him to just find a broker? If that’s the case, what’s a good rate for a broker and the best way to find a good one for his property?
[{"id": "fzkqcb5", "text": "Post on Facebook Marketplace: Share in local Groups. What is the address? What are the values you have given the business? What is the local population? And nearest cities? What was last few years in annual sales?", "replies": [{"id": "fznscdj", "text": "I think that\u2019s gonna be our next step, thank you! His shop is in the northeast Philadelphia area, out of center city by about 20 minutes", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fzkqddv", "text": "What about leasing it?", "replies": [{"id": "fznrdt1", "text": "He wants to just sell the property and the business straight up and not worry about leasing it", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fzky6uu", "text": "I recall seeing businesses for sale in trades magazines years ago. The magazines that get sent to shops like Ratchet &amp; Wrench. There are guys whose entire career is the sale of mechanical &amp; body shops. There are also shop owner groups on Facebook. I\u2019ve seen guys advertise theirs from time to time. This is a huge decision &amp; I wish you &amp; your dad nothing but the best.", "replies": [{"id": "fznrinv", "text": "Thanks so much for the well wishes! We\u2019ll take a look into the trades magazines and definitely Facebook too!", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fzl1sk8", "text": "Does  he own his own  building and land or is he a tenant running his business in a  leased property? What you should do next depends a lot on whether he's just selling his business (which may or may not have some value without him) or whether the deal also includes real property. Either way I'd get professional advice and interview a variety of commercial Realtors. These are not normal times and no need to take excessive risk.", "replies": [{"id": "fznrmzf", "text": "He owns the building and land. He\u2019s open to selling the business and the property. Thank you very much for the advice!", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fzl8skv", "text": "Find a broker that has sold those types of buildings in your area. \n\nDoes it have a clean phase II?", "replies": [{"id": "fzns3zg", "text": "Does a clean phase II refer to testing the soil for contamination? We\u2019re still in the phase of trying to figure a lot of this stuff out haha! Is that something we should look into ASAP?", "replies": [{"id": "fznsahp", "text": "&gt;Does a clean phase II refer to testing the soil for contamination?\n\nYes\n\nIt would be the first question to anyone who is financing the property. It can be a little dirty, but it can't have benzene, 500 gallons of diesel, etc.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}, {"id": "g4ahkrl", "text": "Phase I is the first step. Find a local environmental firm. Blue222 is a good source for online referrals.\n\nAt 45 years old I\u2019d worry about underground tanks, subsurface hydraulic lifts, floor drains, and asbestos. The Phase I will highlight specific concerns a purchaser might have.\n\nExpect to pay about $2k for the Phase I and about $5k to $10k for Phase II. Don\u2019t be afraid to get a second opinion if you think the results don\u2019t make sense to you.", "replies": [], "depth": 3}], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fzlch6w", "text": "What is the EBITDA?", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fznanud", "text": "Tell him to give a local broker that has experience selling properties like this. His brokerage fee is a tax deduction.\n\n&amp;#x200B;\n\nIs he selling the business and the real estate or just the real estate?", "replies": [{"id": "fznss2o", "text": "Oh that\u2019s great to know, thank you!\n\nHe\u2019s open to selling the business and the real estate. The property is all paid off", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}]