Your 5 Ways to Find Your First Commercial Deals

Breaking into commercial real estate can seem daunting at first, but with the right approach and resources, finding your first commercial deal is more than achievable. Whether you’re looking to invest in office buildings, retail spaces, or industrial properties, the key is knowing where to start and which resources can help you land that first deal. Here are five effective ways to find your first commercial real estate opportunity.

1. Networking

Networking remains one of the most powerful tools in real estate, and commercial deals are no exception. Building relationships with industry professionals can open doors to off-market deals, investment opportunities, and insider knowledge that you won’t find elsewhere.

Here’s how to effectively network in commercial real estate:

• Join local real estate groups or associations: Many cities have real estate investment clubs or commercial real estate associations. Attend these events to meet potential partners, investors, and even sellers who are looking to offload properties.
• Attend industry conferences: Commercial real estate conferences often bring together developers, brokers, lenders, and investors. These are great places to learn, make connections, and find leads on deals that may not be advertised publicly.
• Leverage online communities: Social media platforms like LinkedIn, BiggerPockets, and industry-specific forums are excellent for connecting with professionals from across the country. You can ask questions, share insights, and even come across potential deal opportunities.

Pro Tip: Always bring value to your network. Whether it’s sharing a useful resource, offering help, or connecting someone with the right contact, building reciprocal relationships is key to getting access to top deals.

2. CREXi (Commercial Real Estate Exchange)

If you’re looking for an online marketplace to find commercial real estate deals, CREXi is one of the best platforms available. It offers a wide range of listings, from office buildings to retail spaces, and allows you to filter searches based on location, price, property type, and more. CREXi is a great resource for both beginners and seasoned investors alike.

Here’s why CREXi can help you find your first deal:

• Easy access to listings: With over a million commercial property listings, CREXi provides a comprehensive marketplace where you can browse properties that fit your investment criteria.
• Market insights: The platform also offers market data and insights, which can help you make more informed decisions about potential investments.
• Direct contact with brokers: CREXi allows you to contact listing brokers directly through the platform, making it easier to ask questions and negotiate deals.

Pro Tip: Set up alerts for specific property types or areas of interest. This way, you’ll be notified when new listings hit the market, allowing you to move quickly on promising deals.

3. Work with Commercial Real Estate Brokers

Building relationships with commercial real estate brokers is essential, especially when you’re new to the industry. Brokers specialize in matching buyers with sellers, and they often have access to off-market listings or deals that haven’t yet been widely advertised.

Here’s how to effectively work with a broker:

• Find a broker who specializes in your desired property type: Whether you’re looking for office space, retail properties, or warehouses, make sure you work with a broker who has expertise in that specific area.
• Leverage their network: Brokers often have relationships with property owners, lenders, and other investors. These connections can lead to off-market deals that give you a competitive edge.
• Be clear about your criteria: The more specific you are about your investment goals—whether it’s location, property size, or budget—the easier it will be for a broker to find the perfect deal for you.

Pro Tip: Ask brokers about upcoming deals before they’re listed publicly. Many times, properties will be available to brokers before they hit the open market, giving you a chance to act first.

4. Consult with a Real Estate Attorney

A real estate attorney can be a valuable resource when you’re looking for your first commercial deal. Not only can they help you with legal aspects, but they often have networks of clients and other professionals in the industry, which can lead to new opportunities.

Here’s how a real estate attorney can assist you:

• Legal guidance: Attorneys are crucial in drafting and reviewing contracts, handling title issues, and ensuring that the deal complies with local laws and regulations. Having a reliable attorney helps protect your investment from legal pitfalls.
• Access to off-market deals: Real estate attorneys often have clients who are in the process of buying, selling, or developing properties. By building a relationship with a trusted attorney, you could be in the loop on deals before they hit the market.
• Advice on structuring deals: Whether you’re forming a partnership, syndicating a deal, or creating a limited liability company (LLC), a good attorney will help you structure your investment in the most legally sound and tax-efficient way possible.

Pro Tip: Start working with a real estate attorney early in your career. They can be a key advisor who not only protects your legal interests but also connects you with opportunities you might not have found otherwise.

5. Utilize Banks and Lenders

Banks and lenders are more than just a source of financing—they can also be a valuable resource for finding commercial real estate deals. Many banks work closely with real estate investors and may know of distressed or foreclosed properties that are not yet on the market.

Here’s how to use banks to find your first commercial deal:

• Talk to commercial loan officers: They often have insight into distressed properties or owners who may be looking to sell. Banks sometimes have inventory of foreclosed properties that they need to offload, which can be a great opportunity for investors.
• Explore relationships with local credit unions or community banks: These institutions often have strong ties to their local markets and may know of opportunities through their client networks.
• Ask about their real estate-owned (REO) properties: These are properties that have been repossessed by banks after a borrower defaults on their loan. REO properties can sometimes be purchased at a discount, offering a great entry point into the commercial market.

Pro Tip: Build a strong relationship with your lender. The more familiar they are with your investment goals and financial situation, the more likely they are to alert you to potential deals that fit your criteria.

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Conclusion

Finding your first commercial deal may seem challenging, but with the right strategies and resources, it’s absolutely within reach. By leveraging networking, online marketplaces like CREXi, experienced brokers, real estate attorneys, and even your local bank, you can discover promising commercial properties that align with your investment goals.

The key is to be proactive, build relationships, and explore multiple avenues until you find the right deal that sets you on the path to success in commercial real estate.