Buying or selling a business is one of the biggest transactions most owners will ever complete. Whether the deal is structured as an asset purchase or a share/stock purchase, the success of the transaction depends on clear documentation—what exactly is being sold, how it will be paid, which liabilities are included, and what conditions must be met before closing.
Without a strong purchase agreement, disputes can arise around included assets, inventory counts, customer lists, intellectual property, assumed debts, lease assignments, employee transfers, seller training, earn-outs, and post-closing obligations. That’s why free business purchase agreement templates in Word are valuable: they provide structured, editable agreements that help both parties define deal terms clearly and reduce transaction risk.
This guide includes 40+ business purchase agreement templates suitable for small business acquisitions, mergers, owner exits, and internal buyouts.
What Is a Business Purchase Agreement?
A business purchase agreement is a contract between a buyer and seller that documents the terms for transferring ownership of a business—either by purchasing assets or purchasing shares.
A standard business purchase agreement typically includes:
✅ Parties and business identification
✅ Deal type (asset purchase vs share purchase)
✅ Purchase price and payment structure (lump sum, installments, earn-out)
✅ Included and excluded assets (equipment, inventory, IP, goodwill)
✅ Liabilities assumed vs excluded (debts, taxes, warranties)
✅ Due diligence period and access to records
✅ Representations and warranties (basic)
✅ Closing conditions and deliverables
✅ Employee transfer / contractor arrangements (if applicable)
✅ Assignment of leases, permits, and vendor contracts
✅ Transition support and training period (optional)
✅ Non-compete / non-solicitation (where appropriate)
✅ Confidentiality and dispute resolution
✅ Closing checklist and signatures
A well-written agreement protects both buyer and seller before and after closing.
Why Use Free Business Purchase Agreement Templates?
Templates help you document deal terms professionally and avoid missing essential clauses.
✅ Clear definition of what’s included/excluded in the sale
✅ Strong structure for payments and closing conditions
✅ Better control of liabilities and assumed obligations
✅ Faster drafting and negotiation with consistent language
✅ Reduced disputes during handover and transition
✅ More organized due diligence and closing checklist
Templates are a starting point that can be customized for the specific transaction.
40+ Free Business Purchase Agreement Templates (Word)
Below is a curated collection of templates, grouped by transaction structure and contract focus.
Core Business Purchase Agreement Templates (1–16)
✅ Standard Business Purchase Agreement Template
✅ Simple Business Sale Agreement (Basic)
✅ One-Page Business Purchase Agreement Template
✅ Business Purchase Agreement (Editable Word)
✅ Letter of Intent (LOI) for Business Purchase Template
✅ Asset Purchase Agreement (APA) Template (Business Assets)
✅ Stock/Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) Template
✅ Purchase Agreement with Payment Schedule Attachment
✅ Purchase Agreement with Earn-Out Clause (Basic)
✅ Purchase Agreement with Seller Financing Terms (Basic)
✅ Purchase Agreement with Escrow/Deposit Clause (Optional)
✅ Purchase Agreement Cover Page Template
✅ Business Purchase Agreement Review Checklist
✅ Closing Deliverables Checklist Template
✅ Amendment Template (Business Purchase Agreement)
✅ Termination of Negotiations Notice Template (Basic)
Small Business Asset Purchase Templates (17–28)
✅ Small Business Asset Purchase Agreement Template
✅ Equipment and Furniture Sale Addendum
✅ Inventory Count and Adjustment Clause Template
✅ Intellectual Property Transfer Addendum (Basic)
✅ Customer List and Goodwill Transfer Clause (Basic)
✅ Lease Assignment Consent Request Letter Template
✅ Vendor Contract Assignment Addendum (Basic)
✅ Business Name and Domain Transfer Checklist
✅ Seller Training and Transition Support Addendum
✅ Accounts Receivable Transfer Terms Addendum (Optional)
✅ Liability Exclusion and Indemnity Clause Template (Basic)
✅ Bill of Sale for Business Assets Template
Shares, Partners, and Buyout Templates (29–40+)
✅ Share Purchase Agreement Template (Private Company)
✅ Member/Partner Buyout Agreement Template (LLC/Partnership-Style)
✅ Operating Agreement Amendment for Ownership Change
✅ Right of First Refusal (ROFR) Waiver Template (Basic)
✅ Management Continuity Clause Template
✅ Non-Compete and Non-Solicitation Addendum (Where Appropriate)
✅ Confidentiality (NDA) Addendum for Acquisition
✅ Employee Transfer / Offer Letter Pack (Basic)
✅ Regulatory/License Transfer Checklist (Basic)
✅ Closing Statement Template (Settlement Sheet)
✅ Post-Closing Adjustment Agreement Template (Basic)
✅ Dispute Resolution Addendum
✅ Complete Business Purchase Agreement Templates Pack (All-in-One)
Why Use Word Format for Business Purchase Agreements?
Acquisition documents typically go through multiple revisions during negotiation and legal review.
Word format advantages include:
✅ Easy editing of deal terms, schedules, and included assets
✅ Track Changes for negotiation and approvals
✅ Flexible attachments (asset lists, inventory schedules, payment tables)
✅ Professional layout for signatures and exhibits
✅ Easy PDF export for final signing and storage
Word helps keep the transaction organized and version-controlled.
Best Practices for Business Purchase Agreements
To create stronger purchase agreements:
✅ Specify whether the deal is asset purchase or share purchase
✅ Attach detailed schedules for included/excluded assets and liabilities
✅ Document inventory valuation and adjustment method at closing
✅ Include due diligence timelines and access rights
✅ Define closing deliverables (licenses, keys, passwords, contracts)
✅ Clarify employee transfers and seller transition support
✅ Include payment terms, default remedies, and security (if seller financing)
✅ Define reps/warranties and survival period (basic)
✅ Use a closing checklist to prevent missing critical steps
Most problems happen when asset lists and liabilities are not documented precisely.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these common business purchase agreement mistakes:
✅ Vague “everything included” language without asset schedules
✅ No clarity on liabilities assumed vs excluded
✅ No inventory count or adjustment method
✅ Not addressing lease and contract assignments
✅ Missing transition support and handover steps (passwords, vendor access)
✅ No payment default clause for installment deals
✅ No clear closing conditions or deliverables list
Clear schedules and closing checklists prevent most disputes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between an asset purchase and a share purchase?
An asset purchase buys specific business assets (and selected liabilities). A share purchase buys ownership shares, which usually includes assets and liabilities inside the entity.
Do business purchase agreements need due diligence clauses?
Yes. Due diligence terms set access, timelines, and what happens if issues are discovered.
Can a business purchase agreement include seller financing?
Yes. Many small business sales use seller financing with installment schedules and default remedies.
Why use Word templates for business purchase agreements?
Word templates are easy to customize, negotiate with Track Changes, and attach schedules—then export to PDF for signing.
Are these templates a substitute for legal advice?
Templates are a strong starting point, but business acquisitions involve legal and tax issues. Review with a qualified professional to match local laws and deal structure.
Conclusion
Business purchases require clear documentation of what is being sold, how it will be paid, which liabilities transfer, and what conditions must be met to close safely. The 40+ free business purchase agreement templates in Word in this guide provide editable formats for asset purchases, share purchases, buyouts, and transition documents—helping both buyers and sellers reduce risk and complete transactions more professionally.
With the right template, you can speed up negotiations, improve due diligence clarity, and complete the handover with fewer surprises.
