Although there are professional business brokers, a banker, attorney, or other party can just as easily put buyers and sellers together informally. Perhaps you have had your eye on a shoe store in town that has served generations, but you have some ideas of how to jazz it up. Being involved with your local chamber of commerce can help you gently get the word to the owner that you'd like to talk with him when he is ready to sell.

On the other hand, if you have a dream of owning an elite sports car dealership that would necessitate relocation, a broker can help do the research for you, and be involved with negotiating a fair deal. Finally, investment banks are hired to facilitate sales of very large, usually publicly traded firms. They command correspondingly gargantuan fees. Be prepared to provide some form of compensation for someone who aids a transaction between you and a seller.