Listing a commercial property is a different beast than residential real estate. You aren't just selling a building; you are selling a business opportunity, a yield, or a strategic location.
1. Lead with the "Specs" (The Data)
Commercial "shoppers" are analytical. They need the hard numbers before they even look at the photos. Ensure these are prominent:
- Total Square Footage: Breakdown by usable vs. rentable area.
- Zoning Class: (e.g., M-1 for Industrial, C-1 for Retail). This is the first filter for most buyers.
- Cap Rate: For investment properties, the Capitalization Rate (
$$\text{Cap Rate} = \frac{\text{Net Operating Income}}{\text{Current Market Value}}$$
) is the most critical metric.
- Ceiling Heights & Loading Docks: Essential for industrial; often overlooked in descriptions.
2. High-Impact Visuals
Since commercial spaces can often look like "empty grey boxes," your visuals need to provide context.
- Drone Photography: This is non-negotiable for commercial. It shows proximity to highways, neighboring "anchor" tenants (like a nearby Starbucks or Walmart), and traffic flow.
- Virtual Staging: Use 3D renders to show what an empty shell could look like as a modern tech office or a high-end restaurant.
- Floor Plans: Provide a high-res PDF of the layout. Investors want to see where the load-bearing walls are for future renovations.
3. Highlight the "Micro-Location"
In commercial real estate, the street corner matters more than the zip code. Mention:
- Traffic Counts: "Over 50,000 cars per day (AADT)."
- Demographics: Mention the median household income within a 3-5 mile radius.
- Signage: Does the property have "monument signage" or high visibility from a major road?
4. Be Transparent About the Lease Structure
Don't make them hunt for the terms. Clearly state the lease type:
- Triple Net (NNN): Tenant pays taxes, insurance, and maintenance. (Favored by landlords).
- Modified Gross: A middle-ground approach.
- Full Service: Landlord covers all operating expenses. (Common in Class A offices).