Sometimes circumstances change and you need to operate in a restricted area earlier than planned. Several legitimate paths exist.
Buyer consent. Simplest path. Approach the buyer, explain what you want to do, propose terms. If you're not directly competing for their customers (e.g., you want to do commercial cleans only, or you want to operate in a sub-area they don't service), most buyers will say yes, sometimes for free, sometimes for a fee.
Mutual release. Both sides sign a written release of part or all of the non-compete. Get it in writing, signed by both sides, with consideration (could be $1, could be a meaningful payment). Verbal "it's fine" is worth nothing in court.
Buyout payment. Pay the buyer to release the non-compete early. Pricing is negotiated; typical range is 10–30% of the original deal value if releasing a significant remaining term. The buyer is essentially being compensated for the protection they paid for in the original deal price.
Geographic carve-out. Negotiate to have certain new geographies (e.g., a metro 50 miles away) carved out of the restricted area while keeping the rest in place. Often easier to achieve than full release.
Litigation. Last resort. If you believe the non-compete is unenforceable in your state, you can file a declaratory judgment action asking a court to declare it void. This is expensive ($25k–$100k+) and adversarial, almost always damages the buyer relationship.
What NOT to do. Operate first and ask permission later. Use your spouse's LLC to skirt the restriction. Quietly serve "just a few" customers in the restricted area. All are common patterns; all expose you to injunctive relief, damages, and reputational harm.
The relationship matters. A buyer you stayed friendly with is far more likely to grant a release than one you ghosted. Plan accordingly from the start.