Because of the confidential nature of a business sale, it usually takes longer to sell a business than a house or a commercial building. A business broker cannot put a For Sale sign in the window. The average time to sell a business is usually between six to eighteen months. On the one hand a business may sell within a month after being put on the market, while it may take several years to attract the right Buyer. A business broker talks to Buyers everyday and constantly promotes the merits of each of his deals. It is well known among brokers that many clients purchase businesses completely different than the business they initially intend to acquire. The Broker will review the Buyers background and interests to understand which of his listings the Buyer is best suited for.