Commercial Real Estate Guides
Short, practical explanations of how commercial listings describe price, rent and space, and what to ask before you buy or lease. They are general information, not legal, tax or investment advice. For how this site decides what to show, see how listings qualify.
In editorial review
These guides are written and waiting for editorial and professional review. We do not publish explanations of lease, legal or financial terms before they are reviewed.
- Building Size vs Available Space Why a listing's building size, the space actually offered, rentable and usable area, and the land are different numbers.
- Comparing Industrial and Warehouse Features Clear height, dock-high and grade-level doors, power, yard and column spacing: what to compare and what a listing mention does not prove.
- Gross, NNN and Modified Gross Leases Explained What gross, triple net (NNN) and modified gross usually mean, who pays which costs, and why the label alone is not a price.
- How to Read Commercial Lease Rates Per square foot or total, per year or per month: how to read a lease rate and turn it into a monthly figure you can compare.
- Questions to Ask Before Buying Commercial Property What is being sold, what the figures are based on, zoning, environmental and physical condition, and the documents to ask for.
- Questions to Ask Before Leasing Commercial Space Rate basis, total occupancy cost, the exact space, term and options, build-out, use and signage: what to ask before signing a commercial lease.