Insurance Journal Forums

I am fairly new to the biz with almost 5 years on the retail sales side. My background is pretty strong in management and have my degree in that discipline. I have life, health, VA and P&C licenses. Lots of time on the P&C side, with some pretty good exposure to health (individual and group). Working for a small indy in FL. I like the agency and everybody there but really want to own my own office. I think there's a pretty good chance to run this agency but it could be well down the road and certainly not guaranteed. Personally I'd like to buy it from them when they're ready to retire (probably 10 years ahead) but so much can happen in that amount of time. I'm looking for advice as to how to proceed with discussing this issue with the current owners. I don't want to jeopardize the relationship so obviously I need to be cazreful in what I say and how I say it.

If the opportunity to fully run and/or own this agency doesn't materialize I'd like to learn more about how to buy an existing agency somewhere else. Is there a reference source out there that goes over the do's and don'ts of buying an agency?

I appreciate any advice or expericence others out there can offer. Thanks.