When Are Buyers Most Active? Bsale Data Shows Enquiries Peak From April to June

by Vanessa Lovie-Yousaf 22nd of September, 2026

When Are Buyers Most Active?

There are buyers looking for businesses throughout the year, but Bsale’s latest marketplace data shows there are clear periods when enquiry activity increases.

During the 2026 financial year, buyer enquiries on Bsale were strongest during April, May and June, with the final quarter of the financial year accounting for around 29% of annual enquiries.

December was the quietest month.

For business owners thinking about selling, the numbers raise an important question... Does it matter when you put a business on the market?

The answer isn’t as simple as picking the busiest month and listing then.

But understanding when buyers are active can help sellers and business brokers plan their campaigns more effectively.

Buyer activity builds towards the end of the financial year

Bsale’s enquiry data shows activity moving through several distinct stages during the year.

Buyer enquiry slowed heading into December, before recovering in January and continuing to build through the first half of the calendar year.

By April, May and June, enquiry activity had reached its strongest period of the financial year.

Across the year, Q4 accounted for approximately 29% of enquiries, compared with 25.4% in January to March, 25% from July to September and 20.7% during October to December.

It doesn't mean a business listed in June will automatically attract more buyers, but it does show there is a seasonal pattern in the way people search for and enquire about businesses.

When Are Business Buyers Most Active?

Website visitors and serious buyers aren't always the same thing

One of the more interesting findings was what happened in February.

Bsale recorded its highest website visitor activity in February, yet buyer enquiries did not peak at the same time.

Instead, enquiry activity was strongest several months later.

It suggests there may be plenty of people browsing businesses early in the year before becoming ready to actually contact a seller or broker.

There is a big difference between looking at businesses for sale and taking the next step.

A prospective buyer might spend weeks or months researching industries, comparing asking prices, speaking with accountants, arranging finance and deciding what type of business they actually want.

So website traffic can provide an early indication of interest, while enquiries may represent buyers moving further along in the purchasing process.

The January business-buying effect

The beginning of a new year is naturally a period when people reassess what they are doing.

Some may be considering leaving employment.

Others might be looking to expand an existing company, buy a competitor, relocate or make an investment.

That can lead to a surge in people browsing businesses for sale without necessarily being ready to enquire immediately.

Bsale's 2026 Financial Year visitor data showed exactly that pattern, with February recording the strongest visitor activity before enquiries strengthened later in the financial year.

By April to June, some of those early-stage buyers may have progressed from simply researching opportunities to actively contacting sellers and brokers.

Should you wait until April to list a business?

Not necessarily.

Trying to perfectly time the market can create its own problems.

As Bsale's recent analysis showed, the median time on market for businesses marked sold during 2026 financial year was 202 days.

If a seller waits until buyer enquiries are already peaking before beginning the sale process, they may actually be starting too late.

Preparing to sell a business for sale can take time.

Financial information may need to be organised, leases reviewed, an asking price established, documentation prepared and a marketing campaign developed.

Once listed, the business also needs time to reach potential buyers.

For an owner hoping to take advantage of stronger buyer activity later in the financial year, preparation may therefore need to begin months beforehand.

December may be quiet, but buyers don't disappear

December recorded the lowest enquiry activity during the year, which isn't particularly surprising.

Business owners, advisers and prospective buyers are often focused on Christmas, holidays and finishing the calendar year.

But a quieter month doesn't mean there are no buyers.

There are thousands of different businesses on the market at any one time, and individual opportunities can attract interest regardless of broader seasonal trends.

A highly desirable business with strong financials, realistic pricing and a good market position may receive serious enquiries at any point during the year.

Likewise, simply listing during a high-enquiry period won't compensate for an unrealistic asking price or poorly prepared business.

Give the campaign time to build

For sellers, perhaps the more useful lesson is not to focus on one particular month.

Instead, think about the sales campaign as something that develops over time. Use upgrades and get the most exposure for your business sale.

A business listed several months before a traditionally stronger enquiry period has an opportunity to build exposure, appear in searches, reach buyers through email and digital marketing and generate awareness before buyer activity increases.

It also gives the seller and broker time to see how the market is responding.

If enquiries are limited, there may be an opportunity to review the asking price, presentation or advertising strategy before entering a busier period.

Buyer behaviour changes throughout the year

Bsale's 2026 review provides an interesting look at the way buyers move through the market.

December was the quietest period.

Visitor numbers then accelerated early in the new year, peaking in February, before buyer enquiries reached their strongest levels from April through June.

For sellers, the message isn't that there is one perfect month to sell a business.

It is that timing, preparation and exposure all work together.

Understanding when buyers tend to become more active can help business owners and brokers plan ahead rather than waiting until the market is already at its busiest.

About the data

Bsale's figures are drawn from activity on Bsale.com.au during the 2026 financial year and reflect activity on the Bsale marketplace only. They do not represent all business buyers or business sale transactions in Australia and should be considered general market information rather than financial, investment or valuation advice. Always obtain professional advice when buying or selling a business.

Tags: market insights selling a business buying a business 2026