Pricing and Costs of Real Estate Property Listings

Make good investments by researching pricing and costs of real estate property listings

By Kristen McClung
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?

 

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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.

 

  • 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.