How Do I Start an Assisted Living Home in Today's Economy?

With so many layoffs, and so many cutbacks, morewith the buyer and provide seller financing to
and more people are deciding to becomeovercome a potential deal-breaker.
entrepreneurs to gain more control over their futures.These days, many sellers are offering seller financing
Starting or buying an existing business has probablybefore they even meet a buyer. Sellers know that
been, up to this point just a dream. In the letters Ibanks are not lending, so many are willing to finance
have received from my subscribers the number onethe deal themselves. This means you can buy an
question has been "How do I start an Assisted LivingAssisted Living Home right now even if you cannot
Home in today's economy?" This is a dilemma thatget bank financing. So why wait until the economy
many including myself have been forced to deal withturns around?
Let's face it; if the current economic situation has notBelieve it or not, you can usually get a better rate
caused you at least a little discomfort, I would befrom a seller than you can from a bank. You have
amazed. It has caused many seasoned and would-beconsiderably more leeway to negotiate the right
entrepreneurs to be hesitant to enter into thedown payment, the length of the loan, monthly
market, with many choosing to sit on the sidelinespayments and interest rates. Plus, if you pay the loan
and wait to see how it sorts out. After all you can'toff early, many sellers also often accept a discounted
take out a loan on your home, and you might havebalance.
to come up with money to dip into your mutual3.Carpe Diem!
funds. Sitting on the sidelines seems perfectlyFinally, I recommend that buyers not wait for the
reasonable, right?economy to turn around simply because the best
Wrong! Opportunities are great right now!entrepreneurs don't wait for perfect market timing.
Here is why I think you should start an AssistedFirms like Microsoft and Apple were started in the
Living Home now.midst of the recession in the 1970s.
1. Prices are lowIn fact, there are many reasons that businesses that
Believe it or not now is the time to buy real estate.start in a down economy do better than those that
There are more distressed sellers in the market thandon't. Market share is up for grabs because buyers of
there has been since the 80's. This allows you to beproducts and services are scrutinizing expenses. That
picky; you choose the location, floor plan, andgives new business owners a big opportunity.
amenities that you want. All at the prices you wantFurthermore, suppliers may be willing to offer great
to pay.prices because, in this downturn, they are hungry for
If you wait until the economy improves and creditbusiness. It's also a great time to bring on employees.
eases, you will miss this window of opportunity.There are many talented individuals looking for work
Prices will rise during economic recovery and morenow, and they may be available at more reasonable
buyers enter the market.rates. That's not going to be the case after the
2.Seller financing is available.economy turns around. Buyers who learn how to
Historically, seller financing typically comes into playfocus on revenue growth and to closely manage
when a buyer is unable to secure financing at theexpenses during tough economic times can leverage
owner's asking price. The owner then has twothose skills for greater business success as conditions
options: he can either lower the asking price, or workimprove.