“Motivated seller”

What it can mean, both ways. Something has a deadline attached — health, a move, a partner exit, or a loan being called. It can also simply mean the listing has sat for eight months.

Ask. Ask why they are selling now rather than last year, and what happens to them if it does not sell.

“Turnkey operation”

What it can mean, both ways. The systems run without heroics — or the owner has never written any of it down and calls that simplicity.

Ask. Ask to see the week: who opens, who quotes, who chases money, and what they personally still touch.

“Room for growth”

What it can mean, both ways. A genuine untapped line, or an admission that the current numbers are flat and the price assumes work you will do.

Ask. Ask what they tried, what it cost, and why it stopped.

“Absentee owner”

What it can mean, both ways. A real manager runs it — which is valuable — or the business has been quietly neglected for two years.

Ask. Ask who the manager is, what they are paid, and whether they are staying after the sale.

“Recession-proof”

What it can mean, both ways. Essential, repeat-service work. Or a phrase with nothing behind it.

Ask. Ask for monthly revenue across the last downturn, not the last year.

“Loyal customer base”

What it can mean, both ways. Long relationships and repeat work — or heavy concentration in two accounts that came with the owner.

Ask. Ask for revenue by customer for three years, and which of them the owner knows personally.

“Seller financing available”

What it can mean, both ways. They will genuinely carry a note — the single most useful sentence in a listing for a non-citizen buyer.

Ask. Ask what deposit, what term, and whether they will subordinate to anything.

“Priced to sell”

What it can mean, both ways. The price is inside the band. Or the price was inside the band eighteen months ago.

Ask. Ask what the price was at listing, and what changed since.