Step-By-Step: Navigating Our Efficient Process
Finding the right commercial space doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
A commercial broker streamlines the process by identifying the best properties, arranging efficient tours, and handling negotiations—all while saving business owners valuable time and money.
With expert guidance, businesses can focus on growth while securing the perfect location.
Learn how Regent CRE will help you find the perfect commercial property.
Jump to a Section:
Understanding Each Step, From Inquiry to Lease Signing:
- Step 1 – Tell Us Your Real Estate Needs
- Step 2 – Market Report
- Step 3 – Select and Tour Properties
- Step 4 – Negotiate a Proposal or Contract
- Step 5 – Sign a Lease or Purchase Contract
- Step 6 – Move In!
Understanding Each Step: From Inquiry to Lease Signing
Taking the step to buy or lease a commercial property is no easy task, especially if you’re planning on expanding to an area that you don’t know well. That’s why over 900 businesses have worked with us in the past – to make sure that they’re getting the best commercial real estate for their wants and needs.
Have questions about what buying or leasing commercial real estate looks like? Check out our simple, six-step process below so you can know what to expect at every step of the journey.
What our clients are saying
Step 1 – Tell Us Your Real Estate Needs
We know that you have a lot on your plate, so we don’t want to waste your time with properties that don’t fit your needs. Instead of flooding you with a long list of potential properties, we’ll start with a short conversation and have you fill out a market survey.
After you finish the survey, we process the results to pinpoint multiple locations that we think would be a great fit.
Step 2 – Market Report
Next, we’ll send you a free, customized list of prospective properties so that you can choose which ones you’re most interested in.
Combining our deep knowledge of metro Charlotte, comprehensive database search tools, and network of resources around the greater Charlotte area, you can be assured that you have access to the full range of properties that may fit your needs.
What types of properties are included in the free market report?
Step 3 – Select and Tour Properties
After you’ve chosen your top properties, we’ll schedule tours of each location. Seeing the properties in person helps you determine whether the property is a good fit. If not, we’ll narrow down the list.
Step 4 – Negotiate a Proposal or Contract
Once you have chosen the property that you think is best for you, we will negotiate a proposal for the property on your behalf. We bring years of negotiating experience to the table, so we can ensure you get the best deal on the property.
Step 5 – Sign a Lease or Purchase Contract
Once both parties agree on the proposal, we will walk you through signing your purchase or lease agreement.
Step 6 – Move In!
With the deal completed, it is time to move in and start enjoying your new space. Congratulations on your new location!
Unlock Exclusive Commercial Property Listings
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Process
What Information Is Needed for the Market Survey?
Before creating your free, customized market report, we’ll just need a few answers from you about your ideal property. We’ll need to know:
- What type of property you need (office, industrial, flex, warehouse, industrial outdoor storage [IOS], retail, or other)
- The approximate size you need
- Whether you want to lease or purchase
- Locations of interest (your ideal North or South Carolina neighborhoods or cities)
- Name
- Phone number
After that, we’ll get right to work on creating a custom list, so you can browse through the most ideal potential properties for your unique needs.
What Types of Properties Are Included in the Free Market Report?
We work with all property types in the commercial real estate sphere. We’ll get to know your real estate needs and ideal property type before creating your custom market report.
Learn more about most popular commercial property types we broker in the Charlotte Metro Area:
What Cities Do You Serve Around Metro Charlotte?
We work with clients in both North Carolina and South Carolina to help you find your ideal property in the perfect location. The most popular cities and neighborhoods we serve include:
North Carolina:
- Uptown, Charlotte
- South End, Charlotte
- Charlotte Airport Neighborhood
- Ballantyne
- Pineville
- Steele Creek
- Blakeney
- SouthPark (South Charlotte)
- Lake Norman: Davidson/Cornelius/
Huntersville/Mooresville/Denver - Matthews
- Indian Trail
- Harrisburg
- Concord
- Kannapolis
- Belmont
- Gastonia
- Plaza Midwood
- NoDa (North Davidson Street)
- University City
- Monroe
- Hickory, Conover, and Newton
- Lincolnton
- Statesville
- Charlotte North – I-85/77 Corridor
South Carolina:
What Does the Negotiation Process Look Like?
Once you’ve found the right space, the negotiation process is an important step in ensuring that you get the best deal on your property.
Not only are there different types of leases (net lease, gross lease, and percentage lease), but there are also a lot more variables to be discussed in the agreement that can make a significant difference for your business and your bottom line – possibly for years to come.
Some common points that are discussed in negotiation include:
- Lease term
- Lease renewal opportunities
- Rent amount
- Security deposit
- Sublease rights
- Tenant improvement allowance and options
- And more
Negotiating a lease can feel like a massive (and confusing) undertaking. Unless you’ve done it many times before, you may feel unsure what you can ask for, what you should ask for, or even what’s best for your business.
At Regent CRE, we’ve successfully closed nearly 1000 lease and sales transactions. We understand the ins and outs of expert negotiation in both lease and sales agreements. When you work with us, you can sit back, relax, and let us worry about the back-and-forth of negotiation.
How Do Lease Contracts Differ From Purchase Contracts?
Lease contracts and purchase contracts are, in many ways, two completely different ball games.
Lease contracts
After lease negotiations are completed, the next step is usually tenant improvement. This includes any type of upgrades that have been discussed, such as paint, carpet, new walls, etc. In many cases, these upgrades are done using tenant improvement dollars that have been negotiated before the contract is signed.
After tenant improvements are finished, we typically get on with the move-in process based on construction timelines.
Purchase contracts
Purchase contracts are generally more involved than lease contracts. After signing a purchase contract, there’s a due diligence period. The due diligence period is a very important time that’s used to determine whether a property is what you think it is, or if it’s going to give you major headaches down the road. During this time, you’ll find out about any potential problems that may not be immediately visible. It includes surveys, inspections, appraisals, and reports.
When you work with Regent CRE, we’ll make sure every step of the due diligence process is completed efficiently and completely, so you don’t have to worry about running into unforeseen problems in the future.
After this process is complete, the landlord will have a few more steps to take care of before it’s time to move in.
Work With a Real Estate Expert
Brian Smith, SIOR and CCIM, is the Principal Broker of Regent Commercial Real Estate. With nearly 1,000 leases and sales during his years of experience, Brian brings the expert knowledge you need to every commercial real estate transaction.
By choosing an expert Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) and Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR)-designated realtor, you gain access to connections, expertise, and support that you won’t find anywhere else.
