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.

Any commercial realtor can benefit from a well-organized commercial real estate seminar. Even if you've never before attended a commercial real estate conference, start with a local event to begin your networking. Build up to national or international real estate events to expand your CRE knowledge base, and offer more to your potential clients and investors.

The best source for finding real estate events is the professional realtor organization with which you're allied. When deciding which commercial real estate events are right for you, consider the level at which your business is currently performing, and the level at which you'd like to perform:

1. Local commercial real estate events could include regional legal or marketing seminars, depending on your business location.

2. National commercial real estate broker events usually include well-known speakers and association sponsorship, and are excellent networking opportunities.

3. International real estate events focus on industry and big-money commercial investors, and feature forward-thinking leaders in commercial construction, development and investing.

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

Attend commercial property management seminars to build knowledge and networks

Many commercial real estate workshops offer specific modules for property managers. Join national real estate organizations to keep abreast of upcoming seminars on commercial real estate.

I recommend: Enroll in a webinar by the Institute of Real Estate Management, which has provided a professional support system for property managers for more than 75 years. Visit the National Association of Realtors' commercial real estate workshops and events page for more property management resources.

Use commercial real estate marketing seminars to boost your business' market share

Find commercial real estate seminars that offer a marketing focus, and you'll learn how to promote your business and find a niche in your local commercial real estate market. Commercial realty lends itself perfectly to specialization, especially if your city is in the midst of a downtown revitalization, industrial park construction or other commercial developments and improvements.

I recommend: Keep up with commercial real estate conventions with the Realtors' Commercial Alliance cooperative website, CommercialSource. If your schedule doesn't permit destination events, order a complete commercial real estate marketing seminar on DVD through the Commercial Real Estate Institute.

Conquer the world with international commercial real estate events

Most luxury commercial properties worldwide are listed as investment properties. International real estate events focused on investment properties will provide you with the tools and resources to target big-money properties and the investors they require. Travel to exotic spots for international commercial real estate seminars.

I recommend: Take advantage of your National Association of Realtors membership and schedule one of NAR sponsored international conferences. Decide on one of the international real estate events sponsored by Terrapinn to tap into the international commercial real estate market.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Attend commercial real estate trade shows to steal some great marketing ideas for your business. Pay particular attention to event organization tips, so you can plan your own successful property previews for commercial investors.

If you’re entering the field of commercial real estate, get a feel for the nature of the industry, the key players and the education and training requirements through commercial real estate events for beginners. Discussing the industry with other professionals or finding introductory courses will help you focus your effort on the type of real estate or specific position you wish to pursue.

Commercial property events are available for brokers, agents, financiers, students and even potential clients. Look for real estate events that can put you in contact with potential employers or veterans of the industry who can provide guidance on the career that interests you. You can locate these opportunities by:

1. Consulting a directory of everything from commercial real estate broker events to commercial property management seminars through calendars provided by real estate companies or professional groups.
2. Getting a broad look at the industry, key companies and other professionals through commercial real estate conventions and commercial real estate trade shows.
3. Obtaining an introduction to the education aspects of the position you desire through a commercial real estate seminar or commercial real estate workshops.
   

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

Use industry calendars to find dates for the next commercial real estate conference or seminar

Find upcoming events near you, including luxury real estate events or international real estate events, through calendars and listings that provide dates, schedules and links to the events' websites or contact information.

I recommend: CoStar Group provides a calendar of real estate events ranging from educational seminars to industry trade shows and social events like golf tournaments where you can network with other professionals. Find upcoming trade shows, seminars, meetings, conferences and charity or award events through the calendar at ReJournal.

Attend commercial real estate trade shows to learn more about industry opportunities

By walking the floor at commercial property events like commercial real estate trade shows and participating in educational forums throughout the show, you'll be able to network with other professionals and meet the leaders and company representatives of the commercial real estate industry.

I recommend: The Building Owners and Managers Association hosts the BOMA International Conference and The Office Building show focusing on opportunities for the commercial real estate professional. Find more real estate events, including conferences and industry trade shows, through the listing at Biz Trade Shows.

Sign up for seminars on commercial real estate to focus your career aspirations

Decide if the job you're considering is right for you by taking introductory courses or commercial real estate marketing seminars that provide an overview of the industry. Discuss the educational requirements, responsibilities and trends relating to the job with other attendees or the workshop leader.

I recommend: Find commercial real estate seminars on topics that interest you or fulfill educational requirements through the listing compiled by the Commercial Real Estate Institute. Take advantage of commercial real estate events that you can complete at your own convenience like web seminars offered by Omega Performance.