Marcus sat at the office desk with Sarah, Dean, Luis, Eleanor Pratt, and two advisers who had spent weeks examining the proposed purchase.
The final arrangement was not simple.
Marcus could not pay the full price in cash.
The bank's first proposal required a down payment that would have left the business dangerously short of working capital, and Sarah recommended against accepting it.
Dean agreed.
Luis was disappointed.
Marcus felt as though he'd spent weeks climbing a mountain only to discover another one standing behind it.
Then Eleanor offered a different possibility.
She would consider financing the purchase herself, provided the buyers made a substantial down payment, obtained an independent property inspection, and agreed to terms that protected both parties.
She had discussed the arrangement with her attorney and financial adviser.
Marcus had done the same.
The price remained two hundred and forty-five thousand dollars.
There would be no sentimental discount disguising the property's value.
But Eleanor was willing to accept a twenty-percent down payment and finance the remainder over an agreed period at a commercially reasonable rate.
Marcus had accumulated some personal savings over the years.
Dean and Luis were prepared to invest limited amounts in a carefully documented property-owning partnership after receiving independent advice.
Together, they could assemble the necessary down payment without using employee wages, customer deposits, or the money contributed to the repair fund.
It would still be a risk.
The business needed to remain profitable.
The property would require maintenance.
And a major downturn could make the arrangement difficult.
But the improved financial records allowed everyone to evaluate the risk rather than pretending it didn't exist.
Sarah reviewed the projected payments.
She compared them with the current rent, property expenses, insurance, taxes, and maintenance reserves.
Then she looked toward Marcus.
“It can work.”
He stared.
“Really?”
She nodded.
“If the assumptions hold, if the inspection doesn't reveal an expensive surprise, and if you continue managing the business the way you've started.”
Dean grinned.
“So no more storing invoices in coffee cans?”
Sarah raised an eyebrow.
“Especially no more storing invoices in coffee cans.”
Luis laughed.
Marcus looked toward Eleanor.
The older woman smiled faintly.
“Your father would have enjoyed this.”
For a moment, Marcus's eyes filled.
“He would.”
She looked toward the garage.
“I never expected to own this building forever. I bought it because my husband believed the neighborhood would need small businesses.”
Marcus nodded.
Eleanor continued.
“I think there's value in keeping one here, provided it makes financial sense.”
She looked directly at him.
“But I'm not selling it to you because you gave somebody a free car repair.”
Marcus frowned.
“I understand.”