Start by identifying your needs—location, square footage, type of property (retail, office, warehouse, etc.), budget, parking, and customer access.

From there, a commercial broker (like us!) can help you filter through listings and guide you to properties that fit your business and your growth plans.

Bonus Tip: Think ahead—choose a space that supports your business 2–5 years from now, not just today.

There are a few main lease types:

💠Gross Lease: You pay one flat rent and the landlord handles most expenses.

💠Net Lease: You pay rent + some building expenses (usually taxes, insurance, maintenance).

💠Triple Net (NNN) Lease: You pay rent plus your full share of property expenses.

💠Modified Gross Lease: A middle ground—some expenses are shared, others are included.

We’ll help you understand the differences and what works best for your situation.

Commercial rent is usually quoted as price per square foot per year (e.g., $18/sqft/year). A 2,000 sq ft space at $18 would be $36,000 annually, or $3,000/month.

On top of that, you may pay for things like utilities, maintenance, maintenance contracts for HVAV, fire department fees for larger buildings, security fees, taxes, and insurance depending on the lease type.

We’ll give you a clear breakdown so you know your true monthly cost.

Typical lease terms range from 3 to 10 years, depending on the property and landlord. Also typical is a 3% (or other negotiated amount) rent increase per year, and at the renewal time, if any, the new rent will be the going market rate.

Some landlords offer shorter leases to startups, others prefer long-term commitments. Some landlords might want to see that you have been successful in another location, often when you are a franchise. Renewal options, rent escalations, and exit clauses can be negotiated at time of initial lease.

We’ll help make sure the lease matches your business plan and gives you flexibility.

CAM charges cover maintenance of shared spaces like parking lots, lobbies, landscaping, and lighting. Often, the annual tax increases are also included in the CAM fees.

If you're in a multi-tenant property, you'll likely pay your fair share based on your space’s square footage.

We’ll make sure you understand how CAM is calculated and whether it’s capped.

We will provide you with a checklist!

Look at:

💠Layout and usable space

💠Signage and visibility

💠Parking and foot traffic

💠Condition of HVAC, roof, plumbing, lighting

💠Zoning and code compliance for your use

💠Security systems

💠Internet connectivity

Take notes and photos. We’ll help you compare and ask the right questions.

A TIA is money the landlord contributes toward customizing the space for your business—like adding walls, flooring, or signage. It's usually negotiated upfront and paid as a reimbursement with your monthly rent.

We’ll help negotiate a TIA that gets your space move-in ready with minimal out-of-pocket cost.

While you can search on your own, working with a commercial broker gives you a huge advantage.

We know the local market, have access to unlisted properties, can decode lease terms, and negotiate on your behalf—usually at no cost to you, since landlords often pay the commission.

It’s smart to have someone in your corner who knows what to look for and what to avoid!