Exit Lab Insights
Practical guidance for
home care exits
Valuations, deal structures, and what it actually takes to sell a home care or home health agency. Written by practitioners, backed by transaction data.
Non-Medical vs. Medical Home Care: Which Commands Higher Valuations and Why
The valuation gap between non-medical and Medicare-certified agencies can be 1.5x to 3x in multiple. Real 2026 data on what drives the difference and how to close the gap.
Home Care M&A in 2025: Record Deal Volume and What It Means for 2026 Sellers
104 transactions closed in 2025, up 40.5% year-over-year. Here's what the surge in deal activity means for agency owners considering an exit in 2026.
The CMS 2026 Home Health Final Rule: What Every Agency Owner Needs to Know
The proposed 6.4% cut became a 1.3% reduction. Here's what the final rule means for your agency's valuation, operations, and exit timeline.
Who's Buying Home Care Agencies in 2026? The Complete Buyer Landscape
From PE platform builders to public strategics like Addus and Pennant, here's who is actively acquiring home care agencies and what each buyer type means for your deal.
Home Care Valuation by Revenue Tier: What $1M, $3M, $5M, and $10M+ Agencies Sell For
Valuation multiples vary dramatically by agency size. Real transaction data shows what buyers actually pay at each revenue level and why the gap exists.
Quality of Earnings for Home Care Agencies: What Buyers Actually Analyze Before Writing a Check
The QoE report determines whether your deal closes at the expected price or gets retraded. Here is exactly what buyers examine and how to prepare your financials.
Caregiver Retention Is a Valuation Multiplier: The $1M Impact Most Agency Owners Miss
With industry turnover at 75%, agencies that solve retention command dramatically higher multiples. Real data on how workforce stability translates to enterprise value.
The 18-Month Exit Roadmap: A Phase-by-Phase Guide to Selling Your Home Care Agency
Most owners need 12 to 18 months of preparation to maximize their exit. This roadmap breaks down exactly what to do in each phase, from assembling your team to closing day.
Platform vs. Add-On: How Private Equity Categorizes Your Home Care Agency and Why It Matters
PE firms completed 43 home care deals in 2025: 11 platforms and 32 add-ons. The distinction determines your multiple, deal structure, and post-closing role.
Medicaid Waiver Revenue and Home Care Valuations: What Buyers Really Think of Government Payer Mix
Agencies with heavy Medicaid concentration face a 5-15% valuation discount while favorable payer mixes command a 15-30% premium. Here is how to understand and optimize your payer mix before going to market.
How to Read a Letter of Intent for Your Home Care Agency
The LOI is the most consequential document in your entire transaction, yet most sellers treat it as a formality. Here is how to read every provision and protect your interests.
Tax Implications of Selling Your Home Care Agency: Asset Sale vs. Stock Sale
The difference between an asset sale and a stock sale can mean hundreds of thousands in after-tax proceeds. Here is how deal structure affects your tax bill and what to negotiate.
5 Signs You're Ready to Sell Your Home Care Agency
Not sure if it's the right time to exit? These five indicators suggest you may be more ready than you think. Waiting could cost you.
7 Common Exit Mistakes Home Care Owners Make
After seeing dozens of deals, these are the costly mistakes that reduce valuations, delay closings, or kill deals entirely. Avoid them.
How to Prepare Your Home Care Agency for Sale
A 12-month roadmap to maximize your valuation and ensure a smooth transaction. Start here if you're thinking about selling in the next 1-3 years.
Home Care Valuation Multiples in 2026: What Buyers Are Actually Paying
Real data on EBITDA multiples for home care and home health agencies. What drives a 3x vs 6x multiple, and where does your agency likely fall?
Private Equity in Home Care: What Owners Need to Know Before Selling
PE firms are actively buying home care agencies. Here's how they think, what they look for, and how to position your agency for a premium offer.
How to Reduce Owner Dependency Before Selling Your Home Care Agency
Buyers pay more for businesses that can run without the owner. Here's a practical guide to building a management team and documenting your operations.
The Home Care M&A Due Diligence Checklist: What Buyers Will Ask For
Be prepared before you go to market. This comprehensive checklist covers financials, operations, compliance, and HR documents buyers will request.
Earnouts in Home Care Deals: When to Accept Them and When to Walk Away
Earnouts can bridge valuation gaps or become golden handcuffs. Learn how to evaluate earnout structures and negotiate terms that protect your interests.