What Questions are Sophisticated Buyers Asking?
Before you market your hotel or restaurant asset for sale, you should already know the answers to the most important questions. Questions that any sophisticated buyer will ask. Knowing the answers, and positioning your asset before listing will stop surprises during the buyer’s due diligence process. It will also provide for a smooth, trouble free transaction, and help you maximize the sales price and return on your investment.
Owners learn more about their hospitality business during the sale process than ever before. Don’t get surprised by your buyer’s due diligence. Prepare in advance.
Management and Operations – Is your property operated at peak efficiency and customer satisfaction?
Management and operations are the foundation that supports top line revenue. They are the engine that delivers product quality and profit through customer service delivery and efficient hotel and restaurant operations.
- Do you have the right Management Company operating your property?
- The right management team?
- Is product delivery and customer satisfaction at the high end of the scale?
- Are labor costs in line?
- Is the building operated and maintained ?
- Are there cost savings opportunities?
Improving customer satisfaction, and operating at peak cost efficiency contribute to top line revenue, improve operating profit, and boost property value.
Market Position and Branding – Is your property maximizing its revenue potential in its market?
Hotel and restaurant asset pricing is all about value, and nothing drives asset value more than top line revenues.
- How is your property positioned in its competitive set?
- Is the property capturing more than its market share of rate, occupancy, and sales?
- Are there opportunities to improve market position or economics through improved selling, marketing, re-branding, renovation, or re-development?
- Are there barriers to entry in your property’s market?
- How stable is your property’s revenue stream?
It is critical to know both the opportunities and the risks that the property faces in its competitive market, and the associated impacts on revenues.
Why are you selling this asset at this particular time?
You should know this answer even before starting work on answering any other questions.
- Is it time to cash out on a top performing asset?
- Do you need to adjust portfolio exposure in particular markets or brands?
- Are you focusing on other development opportunities?
- Do you lack the resources necessary to maintain the property?
- Are you looking for an investment or management partner?
Knowing your reasons to sell will make it easier to check sale offers, and to respond to due diligence questions from potential buyers.
Asset Condition – Is your property well maintained and in good condition?
Property condition is of equal importance to customer service in supporting hospitality product delivery. The friendliest staff in the world cannot make up for a broken down mattress, worn out carpet, or non-functional air-conditioning.
- Will the sale of the property trigger a Property Improvement Plan (“PIP”) rule by the brand?
- How extensive will the PIP be?
- Are there any deferred maintenance or deferred capital issues?
- Unmet regulatory or inspection requirements for elevators, fire and life safety systems, ADA, VGBA, EPA, OSHA, etc.?
- What will re-branding opportunities need in renovation and CapEx costs?
A well-maintained asset contributes to property reputation and repeat business, improves operational efficiency, and lowers the risk of equipment failures and service disruption. Well maintained properties also generally enjoy lower R&M and capital costs over the long term.
Exit Strategy Consulting – Why are you selling this asset at this particular time?
A sound exit strategy, put in place and then reset to current conditions, will greatly increase the likelihood that when you exit your hotel investment it will be on the most favorable terms available, and that your return during the holding period will be optimum for the circumstances. If you model the likely income and realistically project the amount of debt that can be supported for at least the next five years, you will quickly pinpoint opportunities and roadblocks.
Exit Strategy Consulting – Why are you selling this asset at this particular time?
A sound exit strategy, put in place and then reset to current conditions, will greatly increase the likelihood that when you exit your hotel investment it will be on the most favorable terms available, and that your return during the holding period will be optimum for the circumstances. If you model the likely income and realistically project the amount of debt that can be supported for at least the next five years, you will quickly pinpoint opportunities and roadblocks.
Developing an objective and complete evaluation of property value can be a daunting task for even the most sophisticated owner.
Allow Cayuga Hospitality Consultants to put together a team of experts to help you answer these questions and more when it comes to selling your hotel or restaurant asset.
These guidelines were a cumulative effort by Cayuga Hospitality Consultant’s Asset Management and Owners Advisory Services consultants.
Initial Discovery Process
A Senior Cayuga Hospitality Consultant will review property strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Meetings with management to overview findings is followed by a detailed report with areas of focus and an initial estimate of potential valuation. Cayuga Hospitality Consultants fee to be negotiated.
In-Depth Review & Analysis
Our team of Cayuga Hospitality Consultants are experts in their areas of focus and complete an onsite analysis, from the perspective of a customer. We review internal documents, benchmark gaps vs. industry standards, conduct management/staff interviews and competitor site visits. A final report is provided with key findings, action plans, projected investment and ROI estimate. Scope and Cayuga Hospitality Consultants fee to be negotiated.
Our highly skilled Cayuga Hospitality Consultants provide specialty resources to assist with plan execution and also offer experienced coaching to ensure traction and accountability towards milestone accomplishments. Scope and Cayuga Hospitality Consultants fee to be negotiated.
