Start with the total budget.
Set aside money for transaction costs, any help you need during the handover, and enough operating cash to cover the first months. The amount left is your starting point for the asking price.
With an $80,000 budget, $2,000 in assumed costs and $8,000 in starting cash, a $58,000 asking price would leave $12,000. Replace those assumptions with the costs you can document.
Check that the revenue will travel with the business.
Ask for 12 months of billing records. Separate recurring subscriptions from setup fees and lifetime deals. Check how many customers cancel, how much the largest customers contribute and whether any contracts need consent to transfer.
See what the owner does in a normal week.
Ask the seller to walk through recent support tickets, deployment steps and incidents. List the work you can handle yourself and price any developer or contractor you would need after handover.
Write down exactly what changes hands.
Confirm ownership of the code and domain, the status of contractor rights, and how hosting, billing and support accounts would move. Flag third-party accounts and licences that require consent or replacement.
Before proceeding, resolve gaps with the seller through the permitted channel and have your advisers review the terms and supporting documents.
What could you realistically take over?
Share your total budget, available time and essential criteria. A brief starts an enquiry. Payment is agreed separately.