Asset purchase agreements can be a useful way to create a new business while leaving unwanted resources and potential issues with the seller. 1.2 Sale of Real Estate.In an asset sale, the new owner purchases the business's physical assets. The seller retains all rights to the legal entity. Our Raleigh business acquisitions and sales lawyers can help legally protect you throughout all phases of the transactions whether as a buyer or seller. An asset purchase agreement is a written legal instrument that formalizes the purchase of a business or significant business asset. An asset purchase agreement (APA) is the contract that governs the sale of your business to the buyer. An asset sale transaction involves the sale of some or all of the assets used in a business from a selling company to a buyer.