For many alarm dealers, the monitoring account portfolio is the most valuable asset in the business — and selling it directly to a qualified buyer, without a broker, is both possible and financially advantageous. This guide explains how the direct sale process works, what buyers look for in alarm account portfolios, and how to ensure you receive fair value without paying a broker's commission.
Why Alarm Dealers Sell Without Brokers
Security industry brokers typically charge success fees based on a percentage of the transaction value — a meaningful cost that reduces the proceeds of a lifetime of work. Many alarm dealers — particularly those with established relationships in the industry — choose to sell directly to a qualified buyer, eliminating the broker entirely. The key to a successful direct sale is finding a buyer who is transparent about their valuation methodology, moves quickly, and has a track record of completing transactions without renegotiating after the letter of intent is signed.
What Buyers Look for in Alarm Account Portfolios
When evaluating an alarm account portfolio, buyers focus on five key metrics: the total recurring monthly revenue (RMR), the annual attrition rate, the average contract length and remaining term, the geographic concentration of accounts, and the quality of the installed equipment. Portfolios with low attrition, long-term contracts, and commercial accounts concentrated in a single geographic area command the strongest valuations. CMBB will provide a detailed breakdown of how we value your portfolio before you commit to any process.
The Direct Sale Process
A direct alarm account sale typically follows this sequence: initial confidential conversation, signing of a mutual non-disclosure agreement, provision of account data (RMR schedule, contract terms, attrition history), preliminary valuation and offer, due diligence (typically two to four weeks), signing of a purchase agreement, and closing. CMBB aims to complete this process within 60 days of the initial conversation. We do not use the due diligence process as a tool to reduce the purchase price — our offer is our offer.
CMBB's Alarm Account Acquisition Programme
CMBB, led by Leonardo Obodoeke and supported by advisor Darie Urbanky — former President and COO of CI Financial Corp. — acquires alarm account portfolios and complete alarm businesses across Canada and the United States. We are interested in portfolios of all sizes and can structure transactions to meet the seller's specific needs and timeline. We charge no fees to sellers and treat every transaction with genuine respect.
If you are considering selling your alarm accounts or your alarm business, CMBB would welcome a confidential conversation.
Start a Confidential Conversation→