Best Business Note Buyers in the US: Top 3 Companies Compared for 2025

When you’ve sold a business using seller financing, those monthly payments might seem secure. But circumstances change. You might need capital for a new venture, want to retire without the hassle of collecting payments, or simply prefer having cash in hand rather than waiting years to be fully paid out.

Selling a business note means converting that payment stream into immediate capital. The right buyer will offer fair pricing, handle the complexities professionally, and close the transaction without unnecessary delays. The wrong buyer can leave you with lowball offers, hidden fees, or deals that fall through after you’ve already invested time.

We’ve evaluated the leading business note buyers based on decades of industry experience, actual customer feedback, closing reliability, and pricing competitiveness. Here are the three best business note buyers in America for 2025.

1. Amerinote Xchange – Industry Leading Business Note Buyer

Rating: 4.8/5 stars from 73+ verified Google reviews

Experience: Nearly two decades in the note industry

BBB Rating: A+

Amerinote Xchange stands at the top of the business note buying industry for reasons that go beyond marketing claims. Their 96% closing ratio tells you everything you need to know about reliability. In an industry where many buyers close 70-80% of deals they quote, Amerinote follows through on 96%. When they give you an offer, you can count on them to deliver.

What Makes Them Different

The company operates six separate funding platforms specifically designed for different asset classes. This infrastructure means they can purchase business notes that other buyers have to pass on. Complex seller financing structures, unusual business types, challenging borrower profiles – situations that stump competitors are often opportunities for Amerinote Xchange.

Their track record speaks volumes. Over 900 secondary market transactions completed since 2006. More than $800 million in residential and commercial unpaid principal balance funded since inception. These aren’t just numbers – they represent actual business owners who got paid.

Services Offered

Amerinote Xchange purchases virtually any type of business note nationwide. This includes notes secured by businesses in retail, service industries, manufacturing, restaurants, professional practices, and specialty operations. They handle performing notes with consistent payment histories as well as select re-performing and sub-performing notes on a case-by-case basis.

The company purchases notes from $25,000 to $5,000,000. Whether you carried back a small local service business or financed a multi-million dollar company sale, they have the capacity to close your transaction.

The Process

Submit your note information and receive a written proposal within one business day or less. This isn’t a vague estimate – it’s a detailed offer explaining exactly what you’ll receive. If you accept, the transaction typically closes in 15-35 days depending on your state, the complexity of the business, and how quickly required documentation can be obtained.

There are no broker fees with Amerinote Xchange. They’re a direct buyer, which means you keep more of your money rather than paying commissions to middlemen.

Leadership That Matters

Abby Shemesh, co-founder and Chief Acquisitions Officer, brings over two decades of mortgage and business financing expertise to every transaction. He’s been featured in major financial publications including Yahoo Finance, Realtor.com, and GOBankingRates. His industry knowledge runs deep enough that he teaches college-level courses on mortgage industry regulations at the Lorman Education Institute.

This expertise matters when you’re selling a business note. The person evaluating your asset understands not just notes, but the underlying businesses, market conditions, and risk factors that affect value.

Customer Experience

The reviews tell a consistent story. Customers mention professionalism, transparency, and deals that close as promised. One seller noted: “Everyone that I dealt with was efficient, got the deal done quickly, and was very professional! I would do business again with them.”

Another shared: “This transaction took some time to finalize and implement – but AmeriNoteXchange lived up to their commitments and followed through. I recommend AmeriNoteXchange over the myriad other Note buying companies – that are far less reliable.”

That last part matters. Business note transactions can get complicated. Properties need appraisals. Businesses require financial analysis. Documents need verification. A company that follows through when complexity arises is worth its weight in gold.

Why They’re Number One

The combination of infrastructure, experience, and track record puts Amerinote Xchange at the top. They have the funding capacity to close large deals, the flexibility to handle unusual situations, and the reputation to prove they’ll deliver what they promise.

Best For: Business owners seeking maximum reliability, competitive pricing, and a buyer with proven capacity to close complex transactions across all business types and note sizes.

2. Seller Edge Capital – Institutional Approach to Business Notes

Experience: Focused on seller notes in lower-middle market M&A

Approach: Structured, institutional funding model

Seller Edge Capital brings an institutional mindset to the business note buying market. Their focus specifically targets seller notes created during business sales, particularly in the lower-middle market segment where traditional bank financing often leaves gaps.

The Institutional Difference

Where many note buyers operate as individual investors or small firms, Seller Edge Capital approaches business note purchasing with institutional-grade processes and capital structures. This means they’re equipped to handle more complex situations that require sophisticated underwriting and larger check sizes.

Their emphasis on seller notes – as opposed to all types of promissory notes – gives them specific expertise in the nuances of business sale financing. They understand earnouts, escrows, subordination agreements, and the particular complexities that arise when ownership transfers.

Services and Structure

Seller Edge Capital offers multiple liquidity options beyond a simple cash purchase. Their hybrid structures can provide immediate cash combined with equity participation in their fund. For sellers who want some immediate capital but are open to maintaining upside exposure, this creates interesting possibilities.

This flexibility appeals particularly to sellers who structured complex deals with contingent payments, performance-based adjustments, or other sophisticated terms. Rather than forcing everything into a one-size-fits-all purchase, Seller Edge can craft solutions that match the original deal structure.

Market Focus

The company concentrates on the small business and lower-middle market space, typically transactions under $100 million with particular emphasis on deals under $20 million. This focus area represents most seller-financed business sales in America.

They understand that these transactions often involve first lien positions where the seller financed a significant portion of the purchase price because traditional lending fell short. This specific knowledge of common deal structures in this market segment translates to more accurate pricing and smoother transactions.

Industry Expertise

Seller Edge Capital stays current on regulatory changes affecting business sales. They’ve analyzed the implications of new tax legislation like the Opportunity for Business Builders and Buyers Act and understand how shifts in Federal Reserve policy impact deal structures in the lower-middle market.

This attention to the broader business sale environment means they can anticipate how market conditions affect note values and structure offers accordingly.

Considerations

Their institutional approach and structured processes work well for larger, more complex business note transactions. Smaller notes or simpler situations might not benefit as much from their specialized model. They’re less focused on the broad range of business notes and more concentrated on seller notes from business acquisitions specifically.

Best For: Business sellers with larger seller notes from M&A transactions who value institutional-grade processes and are open to creative structuring beyond simple cash purchases.

3. Annuity.org – Educational Resource with Payment Buying Services

Rating: Extensive review database across multiple payment types

Experience: Broad payment stream expertise including structured settlements, annuities, and business notes

Approach: Educational first, with connections to vetted buyers

Annuity.org operates differently than traditional business note buyers. They function primarily as an educational resource and referral platform that connects note holders with vetted purchasing companies across various payment types.

The Educational Approach

The platform provides comprehensive information about selling structured settlements, annuities, lottery winnings, and yes – business notes and other payment streams. Their content explains the process, clarifies what to expect, outlines potential pitfalls, and helps sellers understand the market before making decisions.

This educational foundation helps sellers ask better questions, recognize fair offers, and avoid common mistakes. Rather than pushing a single buyer’s agenda, they provide context that empowers informed decision-making.

How It Works

When you contact Annuity.org about selling a business note, they connect you with purchasing companies within their vetted network. You’re not dealing with Annuity.org as the buyer – you’re working with third-party companies they’ve screened for legitimacy and customer service standards.

This creates a marketplace dynamic where multiple buyers might compete for your note. The potential advantage is price discovery – seeing what various buyers will offer. The potential disadvantage is less control over which specific company you’ll work with.

Breadth Versus Specialization

Annuity.org covers a wide spectrum of payment types beyond business notes. They’re well-versed in structured settlements, annuity payments, lottery prizes, and various other income streams. This breadth of knowledge provides perspective, but it’s not the same as specialized expertise in business note valuation.

For sellers who have both business notes and other payment streams, working with a platform familiar with multiple asset types can simplify the process. For those focused solely on business notes, a specialized business note buyer might offer more targeted expertise.

Reviews and Transparency

The platform maintains extensive review information and customer feedback across the various payment types they cover. This transparency helps sellers understand what working with different buyers might entail.

They emphasize working with Better Business Bureau accredited companies and encourage sellers to verify credentials, compare multiple offers, and consult with financial advisors before making decisions.

The Referral Model

Understanding that Annuity.org operates primarily as a referral service is crucial. They’re not the end buyer – they’re connecting you to buyers. This means your actual experience will depend on which company within their network ultimately purchases your note.

The referral model works well for sellers who want guidance through the decision-making process and appreciate having a resource to compare options. It’s less ideal for those who prefer working directly with a single experienced buyer from the start.

Considerations

Because Annuity.org covers many payment types beyond business notes, their specific expertise in business note valuation may not match specialized business note buyers. Additionally, the referral model means you’re not getting direct pricing from Annuity.org itself – you’re being connected to their network of purchasing companies.

For complex business note situations requiring sophisticated analysis of business performance, collateral quality, or industry-specific risk factors, a direct business note buyer with deep specialization might be preferable.

Best For: Sellers who value educational resources, want to explore multiple buyer options through a referral network, or have various types of payment streams beyond just business notes to liquidate.

Understanding Business Note Values

Every business note buyer evaluates similar factors, though they weight them differently. Understanding these elements helps you know what to expect:

Business Performance

Is the business profitable and generating sufficient cash flow to cover the note payments? Buyers examine financial statements, tax returns, and operational metrics. Strong, consistent business performance directly translates to higher note values.

Down Payment and Equity

Larger down payments mean more skin in the game for the buyer. When someone puts 30-40% down to purchase a business, they’re highly motivated to make payments. Notes with 10% or less down carry significantly more risk and fetch lower prices.

Payment History

Consistent, on-time payments prove the business owner is capable and committed. Even one or two late payments raise red flags and reduce note value. Perfect payment history for at least 12 months is ideal when selling.

Buyer’s Experience

Does the person running the business have relevant industry experience? Someone who bought a restaurant and has 20 years of restaurant management experience presents less risk than someone entering the industry for the first time.

Business Type

Some businesses are easier to value and less risky than others. Professional practices, established service businesses, and companies with recurring revenue typically command better pricing than highly competitive or trendy businesses with uncertain futures.

Collateral and Security

What assets secure the note? Equipment, inventory, real estate, intellectual property – the quality and liquidation value of collateral significantly impacts what buyers will pay. First position notes secured by valuable, stable assets get the best pricing.

Note Terms

Interest rate, remaining term, balloon payments, personal guarantees, and other structural elements all affect value. Above-market interest rates increase note value. Long remaining terms decrease it. Every term matters to the final price.

Market Conditions

The broader economic environment affects business note values just like any other investment. Interest rate movements, economic uncertainty, and industry-specific trends all play roles in pricing.

Red Flags When Selling Business Notes

Not all business note buyers operate with equal integrity. Watch for these warning signs:

Changing Offers

Legitimate buyers provide quotes based on accurate information and stick to them absent legitimate new discoveries during due diligence. Buyers who dramatically reduce offers without valid reasons are playing bait-and-switch games.

Pressure Tactics

Professional buyers give you time to review offers, consult advisors, and make informed decisions. High-pressure tactics suggesting you must decide immediately or lose the opportunity are manipulative, not professional.

Hidden Fees

All costs should be clearly disclosed upfront. Surprise fees appearing at closing for “documentation,” “processing,” or vague “administrative” charges indicate questionable business practices.

Poor Communication

If a buyer is difficult to reach, slow to respond, or unclear in explanations before you sell, imagine how much worse it will be during the transaction when problems arise. Communication quality before the sale predicts the entire experience.

No Verifiable Track Record

Legitimate business note buyers have physical addresses, verifiable contact information, Better Business Bureau profiles, and customer reviews you can check. Companies that can’t provide proof of their track record should raise serious concerns.

Unrealistic Promises

If an offer seems too good to be true compared to other buyers, dig deeper. Legitimate buyers price notes based on risk and market conditions. Outlier offers that seem amazing often come with strings attached or don’t actually close.

Making the Right Choice

For most business note sellers, Amerinote Xchange provides the optimal combination of reliability, expertise, and proven performance. Their 96% closing ratio, nearly two decades of experience, and capacity to handle notes from $25,000 to $5,000,000 make them the clear leader for most situations.

Seller Edge Capital offers specialized institutional expertise valuable for larger, more complex M&A transactions where sophisticated structuring and institutional-grade processes justify their more focused approach.

Annuity.org serves sellers who prioritize education and exploring multiple options through a referral network, particularly those with various payment types beyond business notes to consider.

The decision ultimately depends on your specific note, transaction complexity, and personal priorities. Get quotes from multiple buyers. Verify their credentials and read their reviews. Ask questions until you fully understand the process and pricing. Your business note represents significant value – take the time to find a buyer who’ll treat it that way.

Remember that selling a business note isn’t just a financial transaction. It’s trusting someone else to handle a major asset properly. Choose a buyer with the experience, integrity, and track record to justify that trust. The extra time spent researching upfront prevents expensive headaches later.