By Bill Anderson, Senior Valuation Advisor & RICS Associate, Assetica — 2026-05-12
How high net worth owners use a multi-year exit plan and independent valuation to close value gaps, de-risk the business, and achieve the highest possible price at exit.
An exit plan begins with knowing where you stand. An independent valuation establishes today's value and, just as importantly, identifies the specific factors holding it back, the value gaps you can close before you sell.
The highest-impact actions are consistent: build recurring revenue, reduce customer concentration, document processes to remove key-person dependency, strengthen financial controls, and resolve any litigation or structural issues. Each one raises the multiple a buyer will pay.
With value gaps closed, the final phase is timing the sale to a strong market, preparing clean documentation, and running a confidential, competitive process. Owners who reach this point from preparation negotiate from strength and face fewer due diligence discounts.
When should I start exit planning?
Ideally two to three years before your target exit. This gives time to close value gaps, build a clean track record, and sell from strength rather than necessity.
How does exit planning increase my sale price?
By systematically reducing the risks buyers discount, owner-dependency, customer concentration and weak governance, and building the recurring revenue and controls that raise the multiple.
What is the first step?
An independent baseline valuation that establishes current value and identifies the specific value gaps to close before you go to market.