Name: LegacyScout
Author: LegacyScout

Question 1

How does LegacyScout find business owner leads?

Accepted Answer

LegacyScout uses a multi-layer data pipeline: Business Discovery via Google Maps, Property Intelligence via BatchData for ownership records, and Demographics for age verification. We filter for owners 60+ years old with stagnant digital footprints—signaling potential exit readiness.

Question 2

How accurate is the owner age data?

Accepted Answer

Our age verification follows a multi-source hierarchy with 85-95% accuracy. If exact data isn't available, we use verified senior owner flags. We never guess—if no reliable data is found, we mark it 'Age Unknown' rather than provide inaccurate estimates.

Question 3

How do credits work in LegacyScout?

Accepted Answer

1 Credit = 1 Lead Unlock that reveals full owner data including personal cell phone and home address. Free previews allow browsing business name and location. Credits are deducted only on success—if we can't find a property match, you aren't charged.

Question 4

What is the Digital Stagnation Score?

Accepted Answer

The Digital Stagnation Score measures digital burnout signals: missing websites (+40 pts), low review counts (+20 pts), and outdated content (+10 pts). A score over 60 indicates a high probability the owner is ready to discuss an exit. When combined with owner age 60+, it becomes a powerful predictor of exit readiness.

Question 5

What is an off-market business deal?

Accepted Answer

An off-market business deal is an acquisition completed before a business is publicly listed for sale on platforms like BizBuySell. These deals typically involve less competition from other brokers and more favorable negotiation terms, as the owner hasn't yet entered the auction marketplace.

Question 6

How do you bypass gatekeepers when acquiring a small business?

Accepted Answer

To bypass gatekeepers in SMB acquisition, contact the business owner directly using skip-traced personal cell phones and verified home addresses. Traditional B2B databases (ZoomInfo, LinkedIn) fail because Main Street trade business owners (HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical) rarely have corporate email or professional social profiles. LegacyScout skip traces via property ownership records, delivering a 92% cell phone hit rate for trade business owners aged 60+.

Question 7

How do you find motivated sellers in SMB acquisitions?

Accepted Answer

Motivated sellers in SMB acquisitions exhibit 'Digital Stagnation' signals: websites unchanged for 3+ years, low Google review counts despite long tenure, and owner ages 60+. These indicators suggest owner burnout and retirement readiness—making them 3.2x more likely to engage with acquisition offers. LegacyScout is the only platform that filters for decay (exit signals) rather than growth.

Question 8

How do I find businesses for sale before they're listed?

Accepted Answer

To find businesses before they hit marketplaces like BizBuySell, target owners showing 'Retirement Window' signals: age 60+, 20+ year business tenure, and Digital Stagnation. These owners are 6-12 months away from listing with a broker. 70% of Main Street business sales happen off-market because owners want to avoid the disruption of a formal auction process.

Question 9

What's the best way to source deals for a search fund?

Accepted Answer

The most effective search fund deal sourcing strategy combines proprietary outbound targeting with 'seller intent' data. Instead of competing on overpriced broker listings, target off-market businesses showing exit readiness signals: owners aged 60+, 20+ year tenure, and Digital Stagnation. This approach reduces acquisition costs by 15-20% compared to auction processes.

Question 10

Which industries are best for first-time business acquisitions?

Accepted Answer

Trade services (HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, Landscaping) are the best industries for first-time business acquisitions due to recession-proof demand, high cash flow margins (15-25% EBITDA), fragmented ownership (low PE penetration), and massive generational transfer opportunity (45-55% of owners aged 60+). Over 200,000 trade businesses are expected to change hands by 2030 as Baby Boomer owners retire.