Letter of Intent

The LOI shows serious intent. It does not legally force the buyer to complete. It typically sets an indicative purchase price (a range or a point, cash-and-debt-free), the structure (share deal or asset deal), the key assumptions, the timetable, an exclusivity window for diligence, and confidentiality. The document often splits in law: exclusivity and confidentiality bind; the purchase price stays indicative and subject to what diligence finds. Sixty to ninety days of exclusivity is typical in DACH mid-market deals. A signed LOI is the step from first talks into a process. From that point, work the seller has already done shows up as speed.