Commercial real estate is investment property meant for profit in some way. Commercial investors have a multitude of services available to them to find properties, sell properties, research or use them in other forms. Gathering as much information as possible prior to the investment allows investors to be confident in the transaction.

Providers of commercial real estate services have the resources to help investors make decisions. Professionals such as agents, brokers and lenders — online and offline — help transactions go well. Consider these items:

1. Work with a proven commercial real estate company that knows the area well.

2. Learn about commercial property available over time to analyze market trends in the industry.

3. Seek out commercial real estate basics information for your industry, including retail outlets, development locations and industrial property locations

Action Steps for Finding Commercial Real Estate
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find commercial real estate investment loans

The first step in getting commercial property is to secure commercial real estate loans. Lenders are available for most types of commercial real estate financing including land purchases, building purchases, renovation, industrial and developmental projects.

I recommend: Buy commercial real estate affordably by shopping around for the best loan interest rate and terms. Some companies specialize in commercial loans, such as Steelhead Capital. Another lender, GE Real Estate, is one of the largest commercial lenders in the world.

Gather information from commercial real estate brokers

Commercial property listings are available through commercial real estate agents and brokers. Brokers can connect investors with properties as they become available. Brokers also handle calculations of commercial value; handle the legal transactions and the negotiations.

I recommend: Connect with commercial real estate companies to locate properties available for sale. Commercial real estate agents and brokers provide information on available properties. Agents and brokers must be licensed to provide commercial services. To locate these agents, use the National Association of Realtors. LoopNet offers a large database of agents and brokers in commercial real estate.

Locate commercial real estate for sale

Commercial real estate properties are available for research and viewing online. Agents can also help to pinpoint local properties not listed. Using these services, investors can find properties that fit each need they have before visiting the properties in person.

I recommend: Gather information from sources such as Coldwell Banker Real Estate to research property available. Commercial real estate listings offered by various realty companies are an excellent source of property choices, though there is no commitment to work with these agents. Use their services to learn more about the property available while using your agent for the transaction. Companies like LandNet also provide commercial listings for properties.

Tips & Tactics for Finding Commercial Property Listings

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Commercial property purchase is a process that's intense. Working with a trusted agent who specializes in commercial real estate in your area can be beneficial to getting the best property available.

You probably know that the Internet has made it easier to research homes for sale, but the tech revolution also has hit the more specialized world of commercial real estate listings. A growing number of sites have information on commercial property for lease or sale, including offices, warehouses and retail space. But brokers warn that it's difficult for an entrepreneur to find a comprehensive list of commercial property listings without becoming overwhelmed by the options. Here's where to look for your company's new home:

1. More and more sites make it very easy to search for commercial property for lease or sale.
   
2. Don't forget about old-fashioned print. Daily newspapers and weekly business publications, as well as the Wall Street Journal, continue to list commercial properties.
3. Consider hiring a commercial real estate broker. These professionals know the market and have access to subscription-only commercial property listings on CoStar.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Check sites specializing in commercial property listings

LoopNet site offers photos, prices, square footage and even capitalization rates for a variety of property types throughout the country. Bizspace, run by the American City Business Journals chain, includes information on property in 16 markets throughout the country. Black's Guide started as a print guide to commercial property listings and now offers listings online.

I recommend: On LoopNet, you'll be asked to register, and you can choose between a free basic service and more complete access for a fee. Bizspace offers a guide to brokers in addition to listings. Black's Guide requires free registration.

Hire a commercial real estate broker

If you need nothing more than a simple warehouse bay, you probably can handle the search yourself. If your requirements are more complicated, use a commercial real estate broker.

I recommend: Ask other entrepreneurs for names of good brokers. Your broker will have access to CoStar, which is considered the gold standard of commercial property listings services.

Surf broker sites

Major commercial brokerages make it easy to search their listings, although you'll see only the properties they're trying to sell.

I recommend: Big players include CB Richard Ellis, Colliers International, Cushman & Wakefield, Grubb & Ellis, Jones Lang LaSalle, Marcus & Millichap and NAI Global. All post their property listings online.

Look off the beaten path

Auction sites, auctioneers and even Craigslist offer properties for sale.

I recommend: Check eBay's commercial listings and surf Craigslist for your town. Also try old-line auctioneers such as Sheldon Good & Co.

Avoid infoglut with specialized searching

Searching for general terms like 'real estate' or even 'commercial real estate' or 'commercial property listings' can return more results than you know what to do with.

I recommend: Focus on exactly what you're looking for, whether it's retail property listings or real estate brokerage firms or commercial real estate loans.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you hire a broker, choose one who's experienced with your property type and your geographic area.
• •  Expect some overlap and some gaps as you search listings online.
• •  Be flexible about property types. If you're a heavy manufacturer, your choices are limited. But if you're running a call center, you could occupy so-called office/warehouse space, which often is categorized as industrial space, or even an empty storefront.

Commercial real estate is valued differently than residential property. Its value is a combination of the value of the land, property, and the income producing potential of the property. For this reason, investors planning to sell or purchase it should turn to professionals to provide guidance. Making the most of commercial real estate may mean a larger profit.

Providers of commercial real estate services provide valuable tools including experience, legal services, negotiation skills and marketing to help facilitate the sale or purchase of property quickly and profitably. When considering any service, consider these tips:

1. Choose commercial real estate investment loans from all types of lenders including commercial and private lenders.

2. Work with only experienced commercial real estate brokers, since those providing just residential service may not have the expertise required.

3. Use commercial property listings to locate the options available and to compare property owned for value.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Research commercial real estate loans

Commercial property purchase is often done through loans. Loans are expensive. Compare interest rates from several lenders. Find out about closing costs associated with the loans. Seek alternative loan options whenever possible to avoid any extra cost. The more research done, the better the decision of purchasing property will be.

I recommend: Buy commercial real estate with the most affordable loan by first doing some research. MortgageLoan helps you find interest rates available from a variety of lenders. Use this tool to locate the lowest rate available. Use Interest to calculate the estimated costs of the commercial loan. The calculators available there can help estimate the costs of interest, term length and closing costs.

List commercial real estate for sale with experienced brokers

Commercial real estate companies can provide extensive help to investors buying or selling real estate. Take advantage of these services, including sales and marketing tools, legal services, valuation of property, inspection help and expert negotiation.

I recommend: Hire a commercial real estate company after exploring their ability to serve needs and provide the most help available. The National Association of Realtors provides an extensive report on selecting a realtor to provide service. Use this as a starting point of what to expect. Compare top commercial real estate agents to determine what they can provide. Coldwell Banker Commercial provides a range of services available to compare. Choose the services required to sell or buy property.

Invest in research to determine the value of commercial property

Commercial real estate properties are available nationally. The value of these properties fluctuates due to local market conditions, available property and market trends. Stay on top of the value of properties by having experts provide information in a timely fashion.

I recommend: Utilize commercial real estate listings locally to gauge the current price of a property. Use Zillow to compare one property against another. Prior to purchasing the property, use a trusted third-party appraisal service to get the most thorough valuation of the property. This includes learning the profit potential of the property. Commercial Property Appraisal provides this service.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Invest some time in gathering commercial property information online from news sources. Keep an eye on how the market is moving, such as rising property values, to help determine when to buy and when to sell. Timing is key, but a variety of news sources online can make decisions easier.

A commercial real estate business is involved in selling retail space, office buildings and other properties used exclusively for commercial businesses. Often, commercial real estate has specific requirements regarding what the space can be used for. Commercial real estate is bought and sold through real estate agents who specifically work with commercial properties, giving expertise and insight to their clients on the right types of properties for their businesses.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Building permit

A building permit is a document issued by the local, state or federal government to build, repair or renovate a commercial or residential property.

I recommend: Most municipal governments, such as the City of Conway, AR, issue and maintain information on building permits.

Certificate of occupancy (CO)

A certificate of occupancy is an official form that states a commercial building has met or exceeded all codes necessary for the building to be occupied by a business.

I recommend: The King County Auditor of King County, WA offers an outline of the process of obtaining a certificate of occupancy in that state.

Deed restriction, covenant

A deed restriction, or covenant, on a commercial property works to restrict how the property can be used. For example, a deed restriction could inhibit a business from selling alcohol to its customers.

I recommend: The Land Trust Alliance provides documents that explain in detail specific deed restrictions, easements and covenant agreements for land conservation.

Escrow

Escrow is the process of holding funds (when buying or selling a property) until the transaction is completed. A third party is involved to mediate the process and hold the funds.

I recommend: Kismet Business Brokers outlines the process of escrow when buying or selling a commercial property.

Letter of intent

A letter of intent is an agreement between two parties to indicate a serious interest in negotiating a price for a commercial property. This agreement is informal and nonbinding in most cases.

I recommend: Growth Company Guide offers a sample letter of intent used to express interest in purchasing businesses or commercial properties.

Option

An option in commercial real estate is the right for one party to purchase or lease a property within a specific amount of time and usually with specific terms.

I recommend: Landlord offers information on real estate options, when to use them and what specific information should be included in the option agreement.