{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/business-broker-s-opinion","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/business-broker-s-opinion","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"business-broker-s-opinion","term":"Business Broker's Opinion","group":"Reading the business","definition":"This is an estimate of a business's value provided by a broker, often used to set an asking price. Buyers care because it's a starting point, but rarely the final word on value.","what_it_means":"Brokers provide this to market a business. It's not a formal appraisal and often leans optimistic. Always get your own independent valuation or deeply scrutinize their numbers.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/business-broker-s-opinion","official_sources":[],"related":[{"slug":"business-valuation","term":"Business valuation","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/business-valuation"},{"slug":"ma-advisor","term":"M&A advisor","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/ma-advisor"},{"slug":"multiple","term":"Multiple","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/multiple"},{"slug":"sde","term":"SDE","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sde"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"Can I use pre-closing expenses, like a business broker's fee, as part of my equity injection?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-i-use-pre-closing-expenses-like-a-business-broker-s-fee-as-part-of-my-equity-injection"},{"question":"What is the primary role of my business broker or M&A advisor in the SBA 7(a) loan process?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-is-the-primary-role-of-my-business-broker-or-m-a-advisor-in-the-sba-7-a-loan-process"},{"question":"What role does the business broker play in expediting or delaying the SBA 7(a) loan application process for an acquisition?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-role-does-the-business-broker-play-in-expediting-or-delaying-the-sba-7-a-loan-applica"},{"question":"Can a seller note be used to finance the entire seller's equity contribution to the buyer's business?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-a-seller-note-be-used-to-finance-the-entire-seller-s-equity-contribution-to-the-buyer-"},{"question":"What if the seller's representations about the business's financials turn out to be significantly inaccurate during diligence?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/what-if-the-seller-s-representations-about-the-business-s-financials-turn-out-to-be-signif"},{"question":"Can a business's retained earnings count as equity injection?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/can-a-business-s-retained-earnings-count-as-equity-injection"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — Business Broker's Opinion","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/business-broker-s-opinion","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}