What can't be said often enough is that whether the founders will stay or go makes a huge difference in the valuation usually. If you value your freedom, you should accept a significantly lower price (think long and hard about it), as founders leaving will increase the risk for the buyer.
Another thing worth mentioning (happened to us): a change of ownership will stir up trouble in the company, so expect some people (troublemakers usually) to leave or cause other problems (we've had downright refusal to do particular work well within the bounds of their jobs, simply because the previous bosses had done these things themselves).
In any case, sealing the deal is only half the work, expect a lot more hassle in the year or so after that.
What can't be said often enough is that whether the founders will stay or go makes a huge difference in the valuation usually. If you value your freedom, you should accept a significantly lower price (think long and hard about it), as founders leaving will increase the risk for the buyer.
Another thing worth mentioning (happened to us): a change of ownership will stir up trouble in the company, so expect some people (troublemakers usually) to leave or cause other problems (we've had downright refusal to do particular work well within the bounds of their jobs, simply because the previous bosses had done these things themselves).
In any case, sealing the deal is only half the work, expect a lot more hassle in the year or so after that.