# Main Street Diligence

> Screening tools for Florida business buyers. Every active business-for-sale listing on the Business Brokers of Florida MLS, checked the way an acquirer checks it - owner earnings after a manager's wage, financeability at the asking price, evidence quality - before the first call. Free, no account. Florida only, by design.

Every figure on the site is seller-reported and unaudited; the checks test arithmetic, not truth. The computed pages are rebuilt from the database on every deploy and carry the date of the crawl they describe. Each link below is a Markdown copy of the page; drop `index.md` from the URL for the HTML version.

- [The screener (interactive app)](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/): search, shortlist, compare and underwrite every active Florida listing. Needs JavaScript; the pages below are the same numbers as readable text.

## About

- [Where the numbers come from](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/data/index.md): The source, the weekly crawl, every check with its live count, and the gaps in our own coverage, counted. Seller-reported figures, recomputed and checked against themselves; nothing verified, and no badge pretending otherwise.
- [Our mission](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/mission/index.md): Main Street changes hands when a neighbour buys it. Most first-time buyers walk into that deal with the seller’s numbers and nobody on their side. Main Street Diligence runs the checks a professional would run, on every listing, for the buyer, before the sales cycle starts — so the careful can act and the confident get checked.

## Guides

- [How it works](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/how-it-works/index.md): The checks an acquisition analyst runs, applied to every active Florida business listing before you contact anyone - so you arrive at the first call knowing what to ask.
- [How much cash do you need to buy a business in Florida?](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/how-much-cash-to-buy-a-business/index.md): Measured from 2,079 active Florida listings: what $25K through $500K of cash actually reaches once the SBA equity injection and debt-service coverage are both applied.
- [What is SDE? Seller's discretionary earnings, explained with real Florida numbers](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/what-is-sde/index.md): SDE is the number every business listing leads with. Here is what it includes, where it gets inflated, and the actual distribution across 1,777 active Florida listings — median $139,434, and a quarter at or below a manager's salary.
- [Small business valuation multiples — what Florida sellers are actually asking](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/small-business-valuation-multiples/index.md): The "2 to 3 times SDE" rule describes about half the market. Across 1,768 active Florida listings the median asking multiple is 2.7×, a quarter ask under 1.9×, and one in ten asks over 6.9×.

## What you can afford

- [Buying a business with $25K in Florida — what you can actually finance](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/buy-a-business-with-25k/index.md): With $25K down, 141 of 2,079 active Florida listings clear both the SBA equity injection and debt-service coverage. Median asking $187,000. Measured from live listings, not a rule of thumb.
- [Buying a business with $50K in Florida — what you can actually finance](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/buy-a-business-with-50k/index.md): With $50K down, 383 of 2,079 active Florida listings clear both the SBA equity injection and debt-service coverage. Median asking $300,000. Measured from live listings, not a rule of thumb.
- [Buying a business with $100K in Florida — what you can actually finance](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/buy-a-business-with-100k/index.md): With $100K down, 580 of 2,079 active Florida listings clear both the SBA equity injection and debt-service coverage. Median asking $400,000. Measured from live listings, not a rule of thumb.
- [Buying a business with $150K in Florida — what you can actually finance](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/buy-a-business-with-150k/index.md): With $150K down, 671 of 2,079 active Florida listings clear both the SBA equity injection and debt-service coverage. Median asking $450,000. Measured from live listings, not a rule of thumb.
- [Buying a business with $250K in Florida — what you can actually finance](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/buy-a-business-with-250k/index.md): With $250K down, 735 of 2,079 active Florida listings clear both the SBA equity injection and debt-service coverage. Median asking $499,000. Measured from live listings, not a rule of thumb.
- [Buying a business with $500K in Florida — what you can actually finance](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/buy-a-business-with-500k/index.md): With $500K down, 771 of 2,079 active Florida listings clear both the SBA equity injection and debt-service coverage. Median asking $529,000. Measured from live listings, not a rule of thumb.

## Florida market data

- [Florida business-for-sale market data](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/market/index.md): What 2,079 active Florida business listings actually look like — prices, owner earnings, multiples and financeability by county and industry. Measured weekly, not estimated.
- [Pet businesses for sale in Florida — market data](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/market/animals-pets/index.md): 30 active pet businesses listings in Florida: median asking $172,500, median SDE $82,355, and how many a lender could actually fund. Measured, not estimated.
- [Automotive businesses for sale in Florida — market data](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/market/automotive/index.md): 88 active automotive listings in Florida: median asking $412,500, median SDE $185,893, and how many a lender could actually fund. Measured, not estimated.
- [Beauty & personal care businesses for sale in Florida — market data](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/market/beauty-personal-care/index.md): 166 active beauty & personal care listings in Florida: median asking $155,000, median SDE $84,878, and how many a lender could actually fund. Measured, not estimated.
- [Businesses for sale in Broward County, Florida — market data](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/market/broward-county/index.md): 270 active listings in Broward County: median asking $269,000, median SDE $127,158, and how many a lender could actually fund. Measured, not estimated.
- [Cleaning businesses for sale in Florida — market data](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/market/cleaning/index.md): 36 active cleaning listings in Florida: median asking $247,500, median SDE $104,631, and how many a lender could actually fund. Measured, not estimated.
- [Businesses for sale in Collier County, Florida — market data](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/market/collier-county/index.md): 56 active listings in Collier County: median asking $349,500, median SDE $126,812, and how many a lender could actually fund. Measured, not estimated.
- [Construction businesses for sale in Florida — market data](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/market/construction/index.md): 229 active construction listings in Florida: median asking $650,000, median SDE $262,296, and how many a lender could actually fund. Measured, not estimated.
- [Distribution businesses for sale in Florida — market data](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/market/distribution/index.md): 44 active distribution listings in Florida: median asking $422,500, median SDE $131,520, and how many a lender could actually fund. Measured, not estimated.
- [Businesses for sale in Duval County, Florida — market data](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/market/duval-county/index.md): 65 active listings in Duval County: median asking $250,000, median SDE $104,484, and how many a lender could actually fund. Measured, not estimated.
- [Fitness businesses for sale in Florida — market data](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/market/fitness/index.md): 33 active fitness listings in Florida: median asking $150,000, median SDE $94,853, and how many a lender could actually fund. Measured, not estimated.
- [Retail food businesses for sale in Florida — market data](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/market/food-business-retail/index.md): 44 active retail food listings in Florida: median asking $239,000, median SDE $89,155, and how many a lender could actually fund. Measured, not estimated.
- [Businesses for sale in Hillsborough County, Florida — market data](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/market/hillsborough-county/index.md): 125 active listings in Hillsborough County: median asking $309,500, median SDE $138,706, and how many a lender could actually fund. Measured, not estimated.
- [Ice cream & yogurt shops for sale in Florida — market data](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/market/ice-cream-yogurt-ice/index.md): 34 active ice cream & yogurt listings in Florida: median asking $144,000, median SDE $64,011, and how many a lender could actually fund. Measured, not estimated.
- [Businesses for sale in Lake County, Florida — market data](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/market/lake-county/index.md): 38 active listings in Lake County: median asking $244,000, median SDE $129,000, and how many a lender could actually fund. Measured, not estimated.
- [Lawn & landscaping businesses for sale in Florida — market data](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/market/lawn-landscaping/index.md): 63 active lawn & landscaping listings in Florida: median asking $495,000, median SDE $208,077, and how many a lender could actually fund. Measured, not estimated.
- [Businesses for sale in Lee County, Florida — market data](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/market/lee-county/index.md): 129 active listings in Lee County: median asking $350,000, median SDE $155,149, and how many a lender could actually fund. Measured, not estimated.
- [Liquor-related businesses for sale in Florida — market data](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/market/liquor-related-biz/index.md): 45 active liquor-related listings in Florida: median asking $575,000, median SDE $195,930, and how many a lender could actually fund. Measured, not estimated.
- [Businesses for sale in Manatee County, Florida — market data](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/market/manatee-county/index.md): 41 active listings in Manatee County: median asking $450,000, median SDE $213,694, and how many a lender could actually fund. Measured, not estimated.
- [Manufacturing businesses for sale in Florida — market data](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/market/manufacturing/index.md): 41 active manufacturing listings in Florida: median asking $974,450, median SDE $206,482, and how many a lender could actually fund. Measured, not estimated.
- [Marine businesses for sale in Florida — market data](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/market/marine-related/index.md): 31 active marine related listings in Florida: median asking $648,500, median SDE $240,097, and how many a lender could actually fund. Measured, not estimated.
- [Businesses for sale in Martin County, Florida — market data](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/market/martin-county/index.md): 44 active listings in Martin County: median asking $399,000, median SDE $144,780, and how many a lender could actually fund. Measured, not estimated.
- [Medical & health businesses for sale in Florida — market data](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/market/medical-related-biz/index.md): 114 active medical & health listings in Florida: median asking $350,000, median SDE $161,811, and how many a lender could actually fund. Measured, not estimated.
- [Businesses for sale in Miami-Dade County, Florida — market data](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/market/miami-dade-county/index.md): 273 active listings in Miami-Dade County: median asking $305,000, median SDE $139,167, and how many a lender could actually fund. Measured, not estimated.
- [Businesses for sale in Orange County, Florida — market data](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/market/orange-county/index.md): 152 active listings in Orange County: median asking $395,000, median SDE $153,295, and how many a lender could actually fund. Measured, not estimated.
- [Businesses for sale in Palm Beach County, Florida — market data](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/market/palm-beach-county/index.md): 206 active listings in Palm Beach County: median asking $305,000, median SDE $150,007, and how many a lender could actually fund. Measured, not estimated.
- [Businesses for sale in Pasco County, Florida — market data](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/market/pasco-county/index.md): 36 active listings in Pasco County: median asking $225,000, median SDE $132,418, and how many a lender could actually fund. Measured, not estimated.
- [Businesses for sale in Pinellas County, Florida — market data](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/market/pinellas-county/index.md): 133 active listings in Pinellas County: median asking $267,500, median SDE $121,268, and how many a lender could actually fund. Measured, not estimated.
- [Businesses for sale in Polk County, Florida — market data](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/market/polk-county/index.md): 33 active listings in Polk County: median asking $440,000, median SDE $154,311, and how many a lender could actually fund. Measured, not estimated.
- [Real-estate-related businesses for sale in Florida — market data](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/market/real-property-rltd/index.md): 46 active real-estate-related listings in Florida: median asking $1,400,000, median SDE $157,873, and how many a lender could actually fund. Measured, not estimated.
- [Restaurants for sale in Florida — market data](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/market/restaurants/index.md): 439 active restaurants listings in Florida: median asking $299,000, median SDE $143,211, and how many a lender could actually fund. Measured, not estimated.
- [Miscellaneous retail businesses for sale in Florida — market data](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/market/retail-miscellaneous/index.md): 58 active miscellaneous retail listings in Florida: median asking $250,000, median SDE $128,275, and how many a lender could actually fund. Measured, not estimated.
- [Businesses for sale in St. Lucie County, Florida — market data](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/market/saint-lucie-county/index.md): 38 active listings in St. Lucie County: median asking $351,375, median SDE $109,238, and how many a lender could actually fund. Measured, not estimated.
- [Businesses for sale in Sarasota County, Florida — market data](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/market/sarasota-county/index.md): 76 active listings in Sarasota County: median asking $289,500, median SDE $121,234, and how many a lender could actually fund. Measured, not estimated.
- [Businesses for sale in Seminole County, Florida — market data](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/market/seminole-county/index.md): 48 active listings in Seminole County: median asking $332,500, median SDE $106,716, and how many a lender could actually fund. Measured, not estimated.
- [Businesses for sale in Volusia County, Florida — market data](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/market/volusia-county/index.md): 43 active listings in Volusia County: median asking $350,000, median SDE $118,319, and how many a lender could actually fund. Measured, not estimated.

## Articles

- [Guides and articles](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/blog/index.md): Guides to buying a Florida business — screening, financing, SDE and valuation multiples — computed from live listings, plus articles on what happens to businesses listed for sale.
- [Two SBA rule changes that decide whether you can buy a Florida business this year](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/blog/sba-rule-changes-2026-florida-buyers/index.md): Green-card holders lost SBA eligibility on 1 March. On 1 October the coverage ratio on an acquisition loan rises from 1.15x to 1.25x. Both changes are already final, and neither is being explained clearly to buyers.

## Reports

- [Reports](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/reports/index.md): Dated reports on Florida’s business-for-sale market: how many listings could carry their own debt at asking, by price, county and industry, and the findings behind the number. Computed from every active listing; frozen on publication so each can be compared with the next.
- [Florida Financeability Report, August 2026](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/reports/florida-financeability/2026-08/index.md): On August 25, 2026, 373 of 2,081 businesses for sale in Florida (18%) could carry their own debt at asking after a $75,000 owner wage. The share by price, county and industry, and eight findings behind it: the wage after the loan, price cuts, pre-qualification, growth, tenure, seller notes, cash-flow evidence, and absentee listings.
- [Florida Financeability Report, September 2026](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/reports/florida-financeability/2026-09/index.md): On September 14, 2026, 375 of 2,079 businesses for sale in Florida (18%) could carry their own debt at asking after a $75,000 owner wage. The share by price, county and industry, and eight findings behind it: the wage after the loan, price cuts, pre-qualification, growth, tenure, seller notes, cash-flow evidence, and absentee listings.

## Optional

- [Everything in one file](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/llms-full.txt): all of the above, concatenated.
- [Sitemap](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/sitemap.xml)
- [RSS](https://www.mainstreetdiligence.com/rss.xml)