Questions about buying an existing business?

Helllo All,



I had a question i was viewing some businesses on Craig's List that are for sale, mainly looking at the business that been owned for 15 plus years with a good track record and previous customer base. Such as Fitness Gyms,Pool Service, Lock Smith, Landscape, Cleaning Carpet Service...ETC that people are retiring or need to get out of for a specific reason. I have been approved for a loan and do have some initial capital. Most of these business i look at offer full proided training two weeks before purchase to see if you would enjoy it.

Does anyone have any thoughts on purchasing a known business if you could get it for a very low price?



Or would starting my own be a better off bet?

Do people actually leave profitable businesses or are they usually selling them because they are lying and going bankrupt?



Thanks