Unlocking Off-Market Deals by Thinking Like a Business Buyer with Warren Bazemore

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In this episode of the REI Deal Finders podcast, I sit down with Warren Bazemore, Vice President at Sunbelt Business Brokers, to explore a world most real estate investors overlook—buying and selling small businesses. While Warren’s deals don’t always involve property, his process is strikingly similar to what we do as deal finders.

We dig into how businesses can create opportunities for real estate deals, the role of seller financing, why business transactions are more human than numbers-driven, and how emotional motivation—not just financial logic—drives both business and property sales. Whether you’re a wholesaler, landlord, or flipper, this conversation will give you a fresh perspective on how to uncover overlooked deal types and structure creative solutions.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] – Introduction
[1:10] – Warren’s role at Sunbelt and how small business sales really work
[3:20] – Why many businesses never sell—and how education changes that
[4:55] – Comparing real estate and business sales: similarities and key differences
[6:45] – How financials are structured to minimize profit and what that means for buyers
[8:13] – Why seller financing is crucial—and how it builds trust
[10:31] – Why buyers and sellers must meet early to build confidence in the deal
[12:05] – These aren’t math problems—they’re human problems
[14:10] – The “real reason” people sell—and why understanding it is everything
[18:16] – Using deal challenges (like debt or taxes) as leverage to make deals work
[21:00] – How market timing, time pressure, and emotions affect deal structures
[23:35] – Subject-to deals, seller notes, and creative solutions in business deals
[26:30] – The long game of business brokerage—and why timing is everything

5 Key Takeaways:

1. Most sellers are driven by life changes, not just dollar signs—always ask why now?

2. Seller financing builds trust and can be a deal-saver when banks fall short

3. Real estate and business sales both require creative solutions and people-first thinking

4. Many business owners don’t realize they can sell—deal finders who know this can unlock hidden opportunities

5. Time, education, and human connection often close deals more than numbers do

If this episode sparked a new idea for you, do me a favor—rate, follow, and review the REI Deal Finders podcast wherever you listen. And don’t forget to share this one with a fellow investor who needs to think outside the (property) box.

Let’s go get that next deal.