In this episode of Napkin Numbers, Scott Lundt & Rahsaan Freeman are joined by Bob Fredrickson, the president of Coldwell Banker Commercial Danforth, to discuss the pivotal role of commercial real estate brokers in business property transactions.

Uncovering the Risks: Do Business Owners Need a Commercial Real Estate Broker?

Bob’s expertise shines as he discusses the vital factors that buyers need to consider, including property valuation, compliance, and market insights. He emphasizes the necessity of local market knowledge and the ability of commercial brokers to assess property value and potential risks accurately. On the seller side, Bob highlights the importance of balancing business and property value, stressing the need for realistic pricing and thorough property preparation.
For any business owner or investor in the real estate market – this episode is an essential listen to hear Bob’s valuable insights and practical advice to guide them through real estate transactions with confidence.
Napkin Numbers Talking Points
[2:28] Why Can’t I Just Use a Transaction Attorney
- The transaction attorney can write up the transaction, but they will not do a feasibility study.
- Commercial real estate brokers will look into the property to see if there are other tenants.
- The broker will analyze the leases for all of the tenants to tee up the building and prepare to sell it.
- Bob Fredrickson shares that his brokers put together an analysis of how a property will perform over the next 5 to 10 years, ensuring the buyer knows it is a good investment.
[5:52] Commercial Real Estate Broker Brings Value
- Bob Fredrickson says it is crucial to balance the business’s value versus the property’s value.
- A discussion must happen between the M&A side, commercial broker and the real estate owner and the business to determine that balance.
[7:00] Risks for Sellers
- Bob Fredrickson says it is crucial to balance the business’s value versus the property’s value.
- A discussion must happen between the M&A side, commercial broker and the real estate owner and the business to determine that balance.
[9:02] Including All the Experts
- Rahsaan mentions that a CPA is also a vital component of finding the balance in evaluating the business and the property.
- The CPA will provide guidance from a tax perspective on valuing the business or the property more.
[9:55] The Standoff Between Buyers and Sellers
- Meanwhile, he says, buyers are waiting for the bottom to drop out of the market.
- Neither party is getting their way – buyers are not getting bargain basement prices on real estate, nor are sellers getting top dollar for their property.
- Both sides need to be realistic with their numbers, so if everybody gives a little bit, then brokers know they did a good job because everyone is hurting a little bit.
- Rahsaan shares that the definition of a successful transaction is 90% happy on each side.
A sincere thank you to Bob Fredrickson for being our first guest on Napkin Numbers. For more about Bob and his team at Coldwell Banker Commercial Danforth, click the links below.
If you want to sell a business, please use our complimentary business evaluation calculator to discover what your business is worth.

Acquiring A Business With Real Estate: Top 3 Reasons Why Investors & Entrepreneurs Should Consider This Move

Discover the three compelling reasons for acquiring a business with real estate to achieve a strategic advantage. In this episode, Scott and Rahsaan shed light on the financial, strategic and legal aspects of purchasing a business with real estate and provide valuable insights for entrepreneurs and investors to navigate this journey.
Through two case studies, Rahsaan illustrates the need for expert guidance to positively impact the acquisition of a business with real estate and the potential return on investment that it brings. To gain a competitive edge in the market, listen now for the essential information on valuation, buying or selling a business with real estate.
Napkin Numbers Talking Points
[0:51] Acquiring a Business with Real Estate
- Top three reasons why investors and entrepreneurs consider acquiring a business with real estate: property valuation, due diligence, and financial considerations.
[3:30] Selling a Business with Real Estate
- Explores the strategic decision of selling a business with real estate
- Emphasizes the importance of finding the right buyer
- Navigate legal and regulatory issues
- Valuing and pricing the business for sale.
[5:38] Tax-Efficient Vehicles for Selling Real Estate
- Highlights tax-efficient strategies for selling real estate, such as a DST, 1031 exchange, and monetized installment sale
- Emphasizes the importance of reducing tax liabilities and increasing ROI.
[7:56] Introduction to Industry Expert Bob Fredrickson
- Previews industry expert Bob Fredrickson, president of Caldwell Banker Commercial Danforth
- Bob will join the next episode to provide insights on commercial real estate and its impact on buying and selling a business.
If you are ready to discover more about what goes into buying a business, please visit our website: freemanlundt.com/buying-a-business/.
If you are interested in selling a business, please our complimentary business evaluation calculator to discover what your business is worth.

Buying A Business? 3 Essential Requirements To Find Your Perfect Fit

Are you tired of the same old routine? Ready for a change? Have you considered buying a business?
In this episode of Napkin Numbers, Scott and Rahsaan explore how self-reflection can uncover hidden passions and open doors to unexpected opportunities.
Don’t fall for these common myths: 1) You need to be an expert in the industry to succeed, 2) Passion is the only thing that matters, and 3) Your preferences can’t change over time. Listen in as we debunk these myths and reveal the truth behind identifying the right skills, passions, and preferences when buying a business. Scott and Rahsaan share their proven strategy to help you make the right choices for your entrepreneurial journey.
Napkin Numbers Talking Points
[1:10] Understanding Your Ideal Opportunity
- To find your ideal business to purchase – Answer 2 questions: What do you like to do? What are you good at?
- Identify skills that you have
- Find what you’re passionate about
- This exercise helps buyers expand their options and consider industries they may not have initially thought of.
[4:10] Turning Dreams into Realities
- An engineer completed the 2 questions, showing that the liked to cook, but wasn’t a chef. And he’s good at managing people and tasks and was open to running a restaurant.
- Need to have vision, because owning a business means your employees come first
- Discipline is essential to get you to your vision
- When you’re passionate about what you do, your discipline kicks in so you can fulfill your vision
[6:50] Keeping an Open Mind
- You never know what might be next so be open to the possibilities
- If you’re not into managing people, steer clear of businesses that do not align with that value.
- Scott & Rahsaan never thought they would own the portfolio they have now, but each of them turned out to be the perfect fit.
If you are ready to discover more about what goes into buying a business, please visit our website: freemanlundt.com/buying-a-business/.
If you are interested in selling a business, please our complimentary business evaluation calculator to discover what your business is worth.

Breaking Barriers: The Game-Changing Benefits of Certification for Diverse-Owned Businesses

Are you ready to boost your business success and open doors to new opportunities?
Certifications for women-owned, minority-owned or veteran-owned businesses have the power to enhance your visibility, growth and access to diverse business prospects.
However, navigating the certification process can take time and effort. That’s why Rahsaan and Scott share efficient strategies for obtaining certifications and maximizing your business opportunities in this episode of Napkin Numbers.
They also stress that obtaining certification is only the first step. To expand your business, utilizing the advantages of certification is essential. How? Scott and Rahsaan suggest effective marketing tactics and participation in relevant events to maximize certification opportunities.
Napkin Numbers Talking Points
[0:58] Introduction to MBE, Women, and Veteran Certifications
- Bringing awareness to these opportunities
- If you’re a woman, a veteran, or a minority, each of those carries different designations and opens other doors
- Dispelling the myth that the process is arduous
- Walking you through the certification process
[2:43] DBE Classification and National Certification
- Getting DBE classification opens up different doors than the state certification
- Getting the certifications allows you to show up in the state registries
- Use NMSDC to obtain national minority business enterprise designation
- NMSDC certification allows national suppliers/businesses to find women, veteran or minority-owned businesses
[5:04] Lack of Awareness and Importance of Designations
- Benefits of awareness and certification
- Tabor 100 example
- Importance of MBE/DBE certification
[6:05] Taking Action and Participating
- Importance of participating in the programs
- Inclusion advantages of being a part of these programs
- Nike Academy example
- National Black Supplier Development Council program example
[8:27] Offer of Help and Conclusion
- We offer pro bono work to help women, veterans, and minorities advance
- We try to share opportunities we are granted with others
- Each state has organizations focused on helping women, veterans, and minorities.
If you are ready to discover the value of your business, start the same way these buyers did! By completing our complimentary business evaluation calculator. Selling or buying a business might be more achievable than you think!
Resources mentioned in this episode:
National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)
www.nmsdc.org
Minority and Women-Owned Business Certification
www.mwbe-enterprises.com
Minority Business Enterprise
www.mwbe-enterprises.com/minority-business-enterprise-mbe-certification
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
www.mwbe-enterprises.com/disadvantaged-business-enterprise-dbe-certification-2

Maximizing Buyer Opportunities: Why A Buy-Side Rep Helps

Would you like to grow your business rapidly by acquiring another business? Or have you tried to purchase another business, and it hasn’t been the right fit?
Napkin Numbers Talking Points
[1:20] Case Study 1: Car Dealership Purchase
- Uncovered a mistake in the valuation: the seller counted PPP money
- Having a buy-side representative saved the buyer $500,000
- Found a new flooring line through experience and connections
- A working capital package was created, including SBA financing
[4:47] Case Study 2: Growth by Acquisition
- Experience in the business allowed us to overcome obstacles
- Misconceptions about growth by acquisition
- Business owners bought 2 largest competitors in their industry, increasing their bottom line
- Rapidly grow business with growth by acquisition
[8:05] Benefits of Buy-Side Representation
- Walk through ideas of what you need to accomplish when buying a business
- How the process works
- Due diligence in what things to look out for when buying a business
- Mindful about what happens after closing the sale
- What are you buying outside of the physical entities?
If you are ready to discover the value of your business, start the same way these buyers did! By completing our complimentary business evaluation calculator. Selling or buying a business might be more achievable than you think!

Understanding Your Worth: Keys to Successful Business Valuation

You’ve thought about selling your business someday, but do you know how many synergistic factors are involved in that valuation process? Do you want to gain a deeper understanding of how valuation impacts the sale of your business? Are you looking for a solution when it comes to this subjective aspect of business? Look no further because this episode of Napkin Numbers has the key to unlocking your understanding of valuation and its direct impact on business sales. By providing valuable insights and strategies, Scott and Rahsaan will empower you to achieve the desired outcome in the sale of your business.
Napkin Numbers Talking Points
[1:03] Types of Valuation
- What is Valuation?
- Real Estate Valuation
- Business Valuation
[2:29] Bank Financing in Valuation
- Bank Financing
- Leverage Financing
- Covering Shortfall
[3:10] Different Buyers, Different Values
- Woman-owned, Minorities
- Contract stipulations
- Matching with your Ideal Buyer
[5:09] Timing and Seller’s Value
- Determining the optimal time to sell
- Finding a higher price for your business
- Finding the right culture
If you are ready to discover the value of your business, start by completing our complimentary business evaluation calculator.