Do I need a Florida real estate license to buy a business that includes real property?

No — buying a business that includes real estate does not require you to hold a real estate license, but the broker facilitating the transaction must be licensed under Florida Statute 475 if real property is part of the deal. Barrett Henry holds a Florida Broker Associate license, which covers both the business and real estate components of a transaction, so buyers don't need separate representation for the property side. This is a meaningful practical advantage over working with unlicensed business brokers who must either exclude real estate or refer it out.

How long does it typically take to close a business acquisition in Florida?

Most Florida business acquisitions in the $250,000 to $2 million range close in 60 to 120 days from signed LOI, depending on financing type and whether a license transfer or CHOW is required. SBA 7(a) loans typically add 45–75 days to the timeline from application to funding. Regulated industries like ALFs, home health agencies, and liquor license transfers (governed by the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco under Chapter 561, Florida Statutes) can extend timelines to 90–150 days, so buyers should plan accordingly.

What is the Florida Business Opportunity Act and does it apply to my purchase?

The Florida Business Opportunity Act under Chapter 559, Part VI, Florida Statutes, governs the sale of certain business opportunity arrangements — primarily franchises, vending routes, and rack jobber operations — requiring sellers to register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and provide buyers a disclosure document. If you're buying a traditional operating business (a restaurant, service company, or retail store), this law typically does not apply. However, if the acquisition involves a distributorship with required purchases from a specific supplier, it may trigger disclosure requirements worth reviewing with a Florida attorney before signing.

Are there Florida-specific tax advantages I should factor into my acquisition analysis?

Florida has no personal income tax, which means pass-through income from an S-Corp or LLC is not taxed at the state level — a significant advantage over states like California (up to 13.3% personal rate) or New York (up to 10.9%). Florida's corporate income tax under Chapter 220, Florida Statutes, applies at 5.5% for C-Corps, but most small business acquisitions are structured as asset purchases with the buyer electing pass-through treatment. Florida also has no estate or inheritance tax, which matters for buyers thinking about long-term business succession planning.

What should I look for in a Florida restaurant acquisition to avoid hidden liabilities?

Cross-reference the seller's Florida Department of Revenue Form DR-15 sales tax filings against reported revenue — discrepancies are the most common indicator of unreported income or, conversely, overstated cash sales that can't be substantiated. Beyond that, check the status of the business's Division of Hotels and Restaurants license (issued by the DBPR under Chapter 509, Florida Statutes), confirm there are no outstanding inspection violations, and verify that the liquor license (if applicable) is in good standing with the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco. A restaurant with a 4-COP liquor license in a market like Miami or Orlando has a meaningful asset that needs to be properly assigned — that process alone requires ABC approval and should begin early in due diligence.

Is seller financing common in Florida business sales, and how is it typically structured?

Seller financing appears in the majority of Florida business acquisitions under $1.5 million and typically represents 10–30% of the purchase price. The most common structure is a 3–5 year promissory note at 5–7% annual interest, secured by the business assets under a UCC-1 financing statement filed with the Florida Secured Transaction Registry, which operates under Chapter 679, Florida Statutes (Florida's version of UCC Article 9). Buyers should ensure seller notes are subordinated properly when SBA financing is involved, as SBA lenders require specific standby agreements on seller carry amounts.

Best Industries to Buy Into in Florida (2024)

Florida is one of the most active business acquisition markets in the country, and that's not a talking point — it's a function of hard numbers. The state added over 400,000 new residents in 2022 alone, crossed the 22 million population mark, and has no personal state income tax under Florida Statutes Chapter 220, which governs corporate income tax at a flat 5.5% rate. For business buyers, that combination of population growth, consumer demand, and favorable tax structure creates real, measurable opportunity — but only if you're buying into the right sectors.

This guide breaks down the industries where Florida buyers are finding the strongest returns, the most favorable deal structures, and the most defensible cash flow. Barrett Henry works with buyers across Florida directly as a licensed Broker Associate with REMAX Commercial, and these are the industries his network sees generating consistent buyer interest and closing activity.

1. Home Services and Trades

Florida's construction boom isn't slowing. The state issued over 200,000 new residential building permits in 2023, and with that volume of new housing comes sustained demand for plumbing, HVAC, electrical, roofing, landscaping, and pest control businesses. These are not glamorous acquisitions — but they are some of the most consistently profitable ones available.

Seller's Discretionary Earnings (SDE) multiples for established home service businesses in Florida typically run between 2.5x and 4x SDE, depending on the size of the recurring revenue base, whether the business holds active licensed technicians, and geographic concentration. A pest control company with monthly recurring service agreements will almost always command a premium over a lawn care operation dependent on one-time jobs.

Licensing is a critical due diligence point here. Florida's contractor licensing is governed by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB) under Florida Statute 489. A licensed plumbing or electrical contractor license is not automatically transferable — if the prior owner held the license personally, buyers need to either hire a licensed qualifier or sit for the exam themselves. This catches a lot of first-time buyers off guard. Verify the license situation before you make an offer, not after.

2. Tourism, Hospitality, and Food Service

Florida welcomed 137.6 million domestic and international visitors in 2023. That's not driven by one market — it spans Orlando's theme park corridor, Miami Beach, the Florida Keys, Tampa Bay, the Emerald Coast, and beyond. This creates layered opportunity for buyers: from full-service restaurants in tourist-heavy districts to boutique hotels, charter boat operations, and vacation rental management companies.

Restaurant acquisitions in Florida's major tourist corridors — Orlando's International Drive, downtown Miami, Key West — typically trade at 2.5x to 3.5x SDE for well-established concepts with verifiable financials. Raw asset sales (distressed or poorly documented businesses) often come in under 1x SDE but carry substantially higher risk. Buyers need to carefully examine sales tax filings submitted to the Florida Department of Revenue under Chapter 212, Florida Statutes — specifically Form DR-15 monthly sales tax returns — as a cross-reference against reported revenue. Discrepancies between POS reports and DR-15 filings are a red flag that experienced brokers check routinely.

For hotels and short-term rental management companies, Florida's Transient Rental Tax (also governed under Chapter 212) applies at the state level, with additional county-level Tourist Development Taxes that vary by jurisdiction. Buyers taking over these businesses inherit the compliance obligation immediately, so a clean tax history from the seller is non-negotiable in due diligence.

3. Healthcare and Senior Services

Florida has the highest percentage of residents aged 65 and older of any state — approximately 21.3% of the population, according to U.S. Census data. That demographic reality makes healthcare-adjacent businesses among the most defensible acquisitions in the state, particularly as baby boomers continue to age into service-intensive life stages.

The highest-activity acquisition categories here include home health agencies, adult day care facilities, assisted living facilities (ALFs), and medical staffing companies. ALFs in Florida are licensed and regulated by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) under Chapter 429, Florida Statutes. The license is facility-specific and not transferable in a traditional sense — buyers must apply for a change of ownership (CHOW) with AHCA, which includes a new inspection and background screening under the Florida Background Screening Clearinghouse. This process can take 60–90 days, which needs to be factored into your closing timeline.

Valuation multiples for ALFs and home health businesses are typically higher than most service businesses — well-run facilities with stable census and clean AHCA survey histories can trade at 4x to 7x EBITDA depending on size, payor mix (private pay vs. Medicaid), and real estate. The real estate component (owned vs. leased facility) significantly affects deal structure and financing options, including SBA 7(a) eligibility.

4. Logistics, Warehousing, and Distribution

Florida's position as a gateway between the U.S., Latin America, and the Caribbean makes it a legitimate logistics hub, not just a tourism state. The Port of Miami, Port Everglades, and Port Tampa Bay collectively handle tens of millions of tons of cargo annually. PortMiami alone is the largest cruise port in the world and a top-tier cargo port, and both Miami-Dade and Broward counties have seen sustained demand for last-mile delivery infrastructure, cold storage, and freight forwarding operations.

Small to mid-sized freight brokerage, courier, and specialty distribution businesses in Florida typically sell at 2x to 3.5x SDE, with asset-heavy businesses (refrigerated trucks, warehouse real estate) often structured as asset sales with separate real estate transactions. Buyers should understand Florida's Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) compliance requirements and any federal DOT operating authority (MC numbers) tied to the business — these are federally issued and may require separate transfer or reapplication depending on the acquisition structure.

5. Professional Services and B2B Businesses

Florida's corporate expansion over the past five years — driven by relocations from New York, California, and Illinois — has created a deep and growing B2B services market. Accounting firms, IT managed service providers (MSPs), commercial cleaning companies, staffing agencies, and marketing firms have all seen increased deal activity as the state's business population grows.

MSPs and technology services businesses are particularly interesting acquisition targets right now, typically trading at 3x to 5x SDE for businesses with documented monthly recurring revenue (MRR) contracts. The key due diligence item is contract assignability — Florida contract law under Chapter 672, Florida Statutes (the Florida Uniform Commercial Code) and general common law principles govern whether service agreements transfer automatically or require customer consent. In practice, MSP buyers should plan for a structured customer notification and consent period post-close.

Accounting and CPA practices have their own transfer nuances under Florida Statutes Chapter 473 — only licensed CPAs can own a majority interest in a public accounting firm in Florida, which limits the buyer pool but also creates pricing stability for qualified buyers.

Financing Your Florida Business Acquisition

SBA 7(a) loans remain the most common financing tool for Florida business acquisitions under $5 million. Florida has a dense network of SBA Preferred Lenders, and the state's strong economy generally supports favorable loan approval rates. For acquisitions above $2 million in industries like healthcare or logistics, SBA 504 loans in combination with conventional financing or seller carry are often more appropriate structures.

Seller financing is common in Florida deals — particularly in the $300,000 to $1.5 million range — and typically runs 10–30% of the purchase price at 5–7% interest over 3–5 years. This structure also signals seller confidence in the transition, which is meaningful in service businesses where customer relationships are the core asset.

How Barrett Henry Helps Florida Business Buyers

Barrett Henry is a licensed Florida Broker Associate with REMAX Commercial and handles Florida business acquisitions directly through buythe.biz. Whether you're evaluating your first acquisition or adding to an existing portfolio, working with a broker who understands Florida's specific licensing landscape, deal structures, and market dynamics is a material advantage — not a formality. Contact Barrett directly to discuss what you're looking for and what's currently available in your target market.

Best Industries to Buy Into in Florida: A Buyer's Guide to the State's Strongest Markets