Glossary · Reading the business
In short
An informal estimate of a business's value by a broker, mainly for listing. Treat it as a starting point, not a definitive valuation for financing.
Many businesses for sale come with a BOV from the listing broker. Treat this as a starting point, not a definitive valuation. Brokers are incentivized to list businesses at higher prices. You'll need to conduct your own due diligence and potentially get a formal appraisal for SBA financing to establish the true fair market value.
Defined by DealRoom.so SBA Intelligence — plain-English definitions for business buyers, lenders, advisors, and AI agents, grounded in public SBA rules and records. Last reviewed 2026-06-15 · Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an approval decision. Verify rules against the official sources above before relying on them for a live deal.
Pressure-test the numbers before you make an offer
Send us the asking price and the seller's cash flow — we'll show whether the deal services SBA debt and where the add-backs are likely to hold up.
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