Here’s a quick rundown of the process. Note that each transaction is different and other elements can come into play, but this is the general process:

💠Initial Consultation & Valuation

💠Property Prep

💠Gathering Financials

💠Listing the Property

💠Marketing & Showings

💠Receiving the LOI (letter of intent)

💠Receiving & Negotiating Offers

💠Due Diligence Period (90 to 120 days MINIMUM)

💠Negotiating repairs and other terms

💠Closing

We guide you at every step, from prepping your documents to making sure the buyer clears their contingencies.

The value of your property depends on several factors: location, property type (retail, office, industrial, etc.), condition, current leases, income it generates, and market demand.

We typically start with a Broker Opinion of Value (BOV) or a formal appraisal.

If the property is income-producing, we’ll look at cap rates and net operating income (NOI) to estimate value.

Pro Tip: Knowing your current rent roll and expenses helps us give you a more accurate estimate quickly.

When you receive an offer on your commercial property, things start to move quickly—but it’s not time to pop the champagne just yet. Here’s what typically happens next:

Receive an LOI

This will be a non binding letter of intent expressing the wishes of the buyer. It helps in determining whether to move forward with this buyer or another, especially when multiple LOIs are received.

Review the Offer:

We’ll go over the offer with you line-by-line. It’s not just about price—terms like contingencies, closing timeline, earnest money, financing, and any special conditions all matter. Example: A slightly lower offer with a short due diligence period and strong financing might be better than a higher offer with lots of strings attached.

Negotiate the Terms

Most offers go through a negotiation phase.

You can:

💠Accept the offer as-is

💠Counter with different terms (price, closing date, etc.)

💠Reject it entirely We’ll handle the back-and-forth negotiations to help you get the best deal with the fewest surprises

Enter the Due Diligence Period

Once you and the buyer agree and sign a Purchase Agreement, the buyer begins due diligence—this is their chance to verify everything about the property before committing.

This may include:

💠Property inspections

💠Review of leases and tenant estoppels

💠Title and zoning checks

💠Environmental reports

💠Financial performance audits

Buyers typically have 60-90 days for this process, depending on what’s negotiated in the contract. If there are environmental EPA Phase I and/or Phase II requirements, this can add another 30 to 60 days. Plan for a minimum of 90-120 days.

Potential Renegotiation

If the buyer uncovers issues during due diligence—like roof problems or tenant lease concerns—they may come back to the table to request repairs, credits, or a price adjustment. We’ll help you decide how to respond, and whether to agree, counter, or hold firm.

Closing

Once due diligence is completed and all contingencies are removed, the buyer deposits the remainder of their funds, title (or escrow) finalizes the documents, and the sale closes.

You get paid, and the property changes hands.

We’ll be by your side through the final signatures and wire transfers.

That’s a different type of sale—more of a business with real estate transaction.

We’d need to value both the business and the property, sometimes separately, sometimes as a package deal.

This requires a bit more planning, but it’s very doable. Whether you're selling a restaurant, manufacturing business, or service company, we can bring in business valuation experts and help structure the deal in a way that works for both buyer and seller.

This type of transaction will be a hybrid transaction and will involve a business broker or M&A advisor, depending on the size of your business.

Please visit https://business2eternitybrokersbiz.com to book a time to speak with a business broker or M&A advisor. Our business side brokers and advisors are also CEPAs (certified exit planning advisors) who will make sense of your business and potential CRE sale. CEPAs consider all exit options, not just direct sales to 3rd parties, and will design an innovative exit plan that aligns with your future goals!

Not always. Some buyers prefer properties “as-is,” especially if they’re planning renovations. However, cosmetic clean-up and repairs can help you get a better price and faster offers. We’ll walk the property with you and let you know which improvements are worth the investment and which aren’t.

You’ll need, at a minimum:

💠Copies of any leases

💠Operating expenses

💠Tax records and other financials

💠Rent roll, if applicable

💠Property condition disclosures

💠Title/deed information

💠Environmental reports or zoning info, if applicable

Don’t worry—we’ll send you a checklist. The more organized you are up front, the smoother the sale.

That depends on the type of property, market conditions, and pricing.

On average:

💠Smaller retail or office spaces: 3–6 months

💠Industrial or larger complexes: 6–12 months

💠Specialty properties (like car washes, churches, etc.): Varies widely

Pricing your property correctly and marketing it to the right audience can make a big difference in how quickly it sells.

Common fees include:

💠Broker commission (typically a percentage of the sale price, negotiated up front)

💠Closing costs

💠Title fees

💠Legal and accounting fees

💠Transfer taxes, if applicable

We provide a net proceeds estimate up front, so there are no surprises at closing.

Absolutely. In fact, tenant-occupied properties can be more attractive to certain buyers—especially investors—because they generate income from day one. However, the type of lease and tenant terms matter.

We’ll review your lease agreements to see how they affect the sale. Longer-term leases with solid tenants can increase the property's value. Just make sure you give tenants proper notice, and we’ll help navigate any lease assignment or estoppel certificate requirements.

We cannot advise on this legally. Please connect with your CPA/ tax advisor. We always recommend speaking with a tax professional early on. We can also connect you with 1031 exchange intermediaries if that’s something you’re considering.

In general, Commercial property sales can trigger capital gains tax, depreciation recapture, and state taxes.

However, there are strategies to reduce or defer taxes, like a 1031 Exchange, or DST, where you reinvest the proceeds into another qualifying property.

You can sell it yourself, but commercial real estate deals are complex. In addition, if there is also a business to sell along with the property, the complexity rises significantly.

A seasoned broker brings:

💠Market knowledge

💠Access to investor networks

💠Experience negotiating leases, contingencies, and inspections

💠Guidance on legal and regulatory issues

In short: A broker helps you maximize value and minimize headaches. It’s rarely worth going solo.