While the seller may stay post-close (noting that with SBA, it is up to a year max), in the scenario above, is the buyer granting the seller a majority vote on decisions that may impact margins, revenue, and profitability? True that the business is being delivered in a certain condition and should stay on the same course and altitude, but the seller's responsibility and influence starts to wane over a year or two, and stops altogether if the buyer changes course or alters the throttles (particularly over and despite a seller's warning not to).

I agree that I think a seller views it as they risked their personal assets when they built the company so should a buyer who is wanting 50% seller financing.