Real estate property listings are a helpful tool to find out information about business properties for sale or lease. Business or commercial real estate property listings are widely advertised in newspapers and buyer's guides, on websites and online multiple listing services and through residential and commercial real estate companies.

The number of available properties for lease or purchase can be overwhelming. As you begin to search for property listings, evaluate the pricing and costs of real estate property listings to help narrow down your search criteria:

1. What is your estimated price range for purchasing a commercial or residential real estate property listing?

2. Should you look for properties for sale or properties for lease?

3. What hidden costs may be involved in business properties for rent?

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

Look for commercial real estate property listings in your price range

Before beginning your search for MLS business listings, determine what you can spend on a property. Use online and property listing services search criteria to narrow your real estate property listings search.

I recommend: Search for business property listings for sale or lease in your price range at CommercialSource.com. Find business property listings by location and then minimum and maximum price ranges at CB Richard Ellis. Look for commercial real estate property listings ranging in price from $20,000 to more than $2 million at BuyIncomeProperty.com.

Decide if you should search for properties for rent or properties for sale

The main benefit to leasing is that your initial cash investment is less than if you purchase. However, if you purchase rather than lease property listings, you end up paying less in the long run and benefit from property appreciation values. There are advantages to both leasing and purchasing commercial real estate property listings; consider running a cash flow analysis to determine which option is best for your business.

I recommend: Get detailed information about the benefits of leasing or purchasing commercial real estate property listings at Carolina Newswire. Discover practical advice for business owners determining whether a commercial property lease or commercial property purchase best benefits their business at TannedFeet.com.

Evaluate any hidden costs associated with commercial real estate property listings

Be aware that if you choose to lease a commercial property, the base rent is only a portion of your total expenses. Many commercial property contracts include a clause to cover additional rental fees. Make sure the landlord clearly defines what the base rent and 'additional rent' includes, or you may be stuck with costly additional (and unforeseen) expenses.

I recommend: Research more about base rent and additional rental fees in commercial real estate contracts at FindLaw. Get advice on how to successfully negotiate hidden rental fees for commercial real estate property listings at Shenwick & Associates. Check out examples of commercial real estate fees on a $1 million property, like application/due diligence fees of $10,000 to $25,000, at Real Estate Investing Chat Forums.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before making an offer on a real estate property listing, do a competitive market analysis to determine the price of comparable properties for sale in the same neighborhood. A competitive market analysis will ensure that your price is based on fair market value.
• •  For good deals, consider foreclosed real estate property listings. Also keep in mind that sellers with properties advertised in the multiple listing service for several weeks or months may be more willing to negotiate on pricing, terms and conditions.

Looking for the right type of property for a business is often more difficult than finding a home. Evaluate commercial real estate property listings in light of the needs of the business. Consider:

1. Keeping zoning laws and requirements in mind when you search for commercial real estate property listings. Not every property will hold every zoning.

2. Office space, retail space, daycare center space or industrial sites all present quite different needs. Write out your business plan. Spell out exactly what you plan to do and how you’re going to do it before you start your search for commercial real estate property listings.

3. Staying focused as you search for the perfect property for your business. Plan for possible expansion in the future, be realistic and have fun sifting through multiple listing services (MLS) business listings.

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

Figure the footage on commercial real estate property listings

Space requirements must guide everything in your business venture.

I recommend: Try a free demonstration model to help you determine office arrangements, for example. Use a space calculator to help you figure the square footage you need before you search property listings.

Hook up with experts to expedite your business launch

Contact a commercial real estate broker in your area first. He can provide valuable information about listings and zoning issues.

I recommend: Find an experienced real estate lawyer also. Contact the Small Business Administration (SBA). They make loans available and have programs and services to get your business started. The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is another valuable resource to guide your business plan and help you identify consumer markets. SBDC services are available in every state, and usually affiliated with a state university.

Multiply your efforts with multiple listing service

Search quickly and easily for MLS business listings. Find detailed property descriptions with photos and contact information.

I recommend: Find commercial properties for sale and properties for lease. Search posted properties by state. Find land, office space, retail space, industrial sites, hotels and apartment complexes.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Realize that most commercial properties lease per square foot with no set amount.
• •  Consider a lease with an option to purchase when you look for commercial real estate property listings. But be prepared. Most commercial properties require at least 20% down payment of the total purchase price.

Real estate property listings are a helpful tool to find out information about business properties for sale or lease. Business or commercial real estate property listings are widely advertised in newspapers and buyer's guides, on websites and online multiple listing services and through residential and commercial real estate companies.

If you never have purchased commercial or residential real estate property listings for your business, obtain the services of a reputable real estate professional who has the knowledge and experience to guide you through the intricacies of a successful real estate transaction. As you begin to search for property listings, keep in mind the following real estate property listings basics to narrow down your search criteria:

1. Where is an ideal location to purchase or lease commercial real estate property listings for your business?

2. What types of properties for lease or sale best meet your current and projected business needs, taking into account business growth and expansion?

3. What is your estimated price range for purchasing or leasing a commercial or residential real estate property listing?

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

Look for properties for sale or lease in areas experiencing economic development and growth

Find real estate property listings located in neighborhoods convenient to your business clients and employees. Evaluate the property listing's accessibility to major roads, area crime statistics, neighborhood appearance and local economic growth. Examine future plans for the geographic area, including pending economic development or revitalization proposals.

I recommend: Search for office space and other commercial real estate property listings in 11 major commercial real estate markets at MrOfficeSpace. Browse land and commercial real estate listings for sale or lease in the U.S., Canada and 200 other countries at Land.Net. Find property listings by location using the virtual map tool at Coldwell Banker Commercial.

Shop for commercial real estate property listings that meet your business needs

There are several different types of properties for rent or sale, like hospitality, industrial, office, retail, multi-family, residential and land. Before beginning your search for real estate property listings, determine which property listings best match your business requirements. Be sure to factor in future business growth and expansion.

I recommend: Search for commercial real estate property listings by property type at Cityfeet. Look for office, industrial, retail, multi-family, land and other commercial property listings at CoStar Realty. Narrow down your search for commercial real estate property listings by choosing one of 11 property types at COMMREX.com.

Search for MLS business listings in your price range

Check out the local MLS services and commercial property listing services to get a good framework of local property prices in the current real estate market. For good deals, consider foreclosed real estate property listings. Also keep in mind that sellers with properties advertised in the multiple listing service for several weeks or months may be more willing to negotiate on pricing, terms and conditions.

I recommend: Search for commercial or residential real estate property listings by minimum and maximum price range at RE/MAX. Look for commercial property listings for sale or lease by price range at CCIM Net.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before making an offer on a real estate property listing, do a competitive market analysis to determine the price of comparable properties for sale in the same neighborhood. A competitive market analysis will ensure that your price is based on fair market value.

Real estate property listings are properties ready to be purchased. Investors may need to know a few terms found on these listings to better understand the type of property they are purchasing. For sale by owner properties and Realtor properties may be listed separately. Bank owned and foreclosure listings are usually listed separately from other properties being sold. Understanding these terms is important in any search for residential or commercial properties throughout the country.

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

For sale by owner (FSBO)

For sale by owner (FSBO) properties are those sold by the owner, without the aid of a real estate agent. The properties may include single family and multifamily properties, condominiums, mobile homes, land and commercial properties.

I recommend: To learn more about FSBO properties, visit the Staging Bug.

Realtor

Not all real estate agents are Realtors. When browsing through real estate property listings, individuals may find mention of Realtors or Realtor properties. A Realtor is a real estate agent who is a member of the National Association of Realtors, a professional association that holds the agent to a higher level of practice.

I recommend: Visit the National Association of Realtors to find out more about the advantages of working with a Realtor.

Foreclosure

Some property listings will list foreclosure properties separately from traditional for sale properties. A foreclosure is a repossession by the lender due to a defaulted loan.

I recommend: Visit RealtyTrac to find out more about foreclosure and foreclosure listings.

Bank owned property

Bank owned properties, often called REO properties, are those owned by a bank due to foreclosure. When homeowners default on their loans, the foreclosure process begins. After taking ownership, the lender sells the properties.

I recommend: U.S. REO Properties defines and provides insight into REO properties.

Preforeclosure sale

A preforeclosure sale is a property for sale by a homeowner who is falling behind in the mortgage. The property is sold and the proceeds are used to pay the mortgage. In some situations, the sale price is not enough to cover all outstanding debt, but the lender forgives the remaining debt to stop the costly foreclosure process.

I recommend: Visit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to get a better understanding of a preforeclosure sale.

Real estate comparables (comps)

The term comps is often used in real estate property listings. It is an estimated value of the property, factoring in comparable properties.

I recommend: Visit Zillow to learn more about comps and how they are calculated.