Fit
The target is compared against the buyer's criteria before it earns another call.
Sample Signal
See what a screened target looks like.
See one target move from source evidence to a decision. The screen shows fit and cash-flow pressure. It also names missing facts and the next question.
Signal 04
Specialty Trades
Screen status: Watch to Ask
PassWatchAskPursue
The source record is old. Seller-note language changed, but the price did not. This is not ready to pursue. It is ready for one broker question.
Why it changed
- Listing aged past 120 days with price unchanged.
- Updated broker copy suggests seller-note flexibility.
- Revenue quality is still unclear.
- Downside debt-service coverage looks tight unless add-backs verify.
Question to ask next
Seller call prep
- Confirm who owns estimating, sales, and customer handoff.
- Confirm crew depth, license transfer, systems, suppliers, and transition support.
LOI and diligence route
- Do not draft terms yet. Put price, buyer equity, and seller-note structure in advisor review.
- Track QoE, legal, tax, and lender review before commitment.
- Track operations, insurance, and purchase agreement review before commitment.
Pass trigger
- Owner remains the primary estimator and sales contact post-close.
What the screen proves
One target. Four decisions.
Financeability
Debt service, cash flow, buyer equity, working capital, and seller-note questions stay visible as screening issues.
Missing facts
Weak support turns into the broker and seller questions that should come next.
Advisor route
Deal-document, lender, tax, and QoE work stays framed for qualified advisor review.
Next
Now build the criteria for your own screen.
The sample shows the output. Next define the industry and deal size. Then name the financing path and risks that decide which targets reach your table.
Send yourself the example
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