20 Questions

Questions to Ask About Commercial Real Estate

Strategic questions about commercial real estate that reveal market insights, investment opportunities, and practical considerations for buying, selling, or investing in commercial properties.

1

What are the current market trends in commercial real estate?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals their market awareness and shows their understanding of current conditions and trends affecting commercial real estate.

2

What factors should I consider when evaluating a commercial property investment?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows their investment analysis approach and reveals the key criteria they use to assess commercial real estate opportunities.

3

How do you determine the value of a commercial property?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals their valuation methodology and shows their approach to assessing commercial real estate worth.

4

What are the biggest risks associated with commercial real estate investing?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows their risk assessment skills and reveals their understanding of potential challenges in commercial real estate.

5

How do you evaluate the location and market potential of a commercial property?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals their market analysis approach and shows how they assess location factors and market dynamics.

6

What are the key differences between different types of commercial properties?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows their knowledge of commercial real estate categories and reveals their understanding of various property types.

7

How do you approach financing for commercial real estate investments?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals their financing strategies and shows their understanding of commercial real estate lending and capital requirements.

8

What due diligence should I perform before purchasing a commercial property?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows their thoroughness and reveals their approach to investigating commercial real estate opportunities.

9

How do you handle tenant relationships and property management?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals their property management approach and shows their understanding of tenant relations and ongoing property operations.

10

What are the tax implications of commercial real estate investments?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows their understanding of tax considerations and reveals their knowledge of commercial real estate tax strategies.

11

How do you assess the potential for property appreciation and rental income growth?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals their forecasting approach and shows how they evaluate long-term investment potential.

12

What are the key lease terms and clauses I should understand?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows their contract knowledge and reveals their understanding of commercial lease agreements and tenant obligations.

13

How do you approach property improvements and renovations for commercial properties?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals their improvement strategies and shows their approach to enhancing commercial property value.

14

What are the current interest rates and financing options for commercial real estate?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows their market knowledge and reveals their understanding of current financing conditions and options.

15

How do you handle environmental and regulatory considerations for commercial properties?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals their compliance awareness and shows their understanding of environmental and regulatory requirements.

16

What are the exit strategies for commercial real estate investments?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows their strategic thinking and reveals their approach to planning investment exits and liquidity events.

17

How do you evaluate the competition and market saturation in a given area?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals their competitive analysis skills and shows their approach to assessing market conditions and competition.

18

What are the key metrics and ratios used to evaluate commercial real estate performance?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Shows their analytical approach and reveals their understanding of commercial real estate performance measurement.

19

How do you approach property insurance and risk management for commercial properties?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Reveals their risk management strategies and shows their understanding of commercial property insurance and protection.

20

What advice would you give to someone new to commercial real estate investing?

Click to see why this works

Why this works

Extracts their wisdom and experience, providing valuable guidance for newcomers to commercial real estate investing.

Best Practices for Commercial Real Estate Conversations

Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.

Best Practices

Focus on Market Analysis

Commercial real estate is heavily influenced by market conditions. Ask questions that reveal their understanding of local and national market trends.

Understand Investment Criteria

Ask questions that reveal their approach to evaluating investments, including financial analysis, risk assessment, and due diligence processes.

Consider Long-Term Strategy

Commercial real estate is typically a long-term investment. Ask questions that show their approach to planning and strategy for property investments.

Question Sequences

The Market Analyst Sequence

1
What are the current market trends in commercial real estate?
2
How do you evaluate the location and market potential of a commercial property?
3
How do you evaluate the competition and market saturation in a given area?
4
What are the key metrics and ratios used to evaluate commercial real estate performance?

The Investment Evaluator Sequence

1
What factors should I consider when evaluating a commercial property investment?
2
How do you determine the value of a commercial property?
3
What are the biggest risks associated with commercial real estate investing?
4
What due diligence should I perform before purchasing a commercial property?

Common Pitfalls

Don't Focus Only on Price

Commercial real estate involves many factors beyond price. Ask about market conditions, tenant quality, location factors, and long-term potential.

Avoid Ignoring Market Context

Commercial real estate is highly market-dependent. Ask questions that reveal their understanding of local market conditions and trends.

Don't Skip Due Diligence Questions

Commercial real estate investments require thorough investigation. Ask about their due diligence process and what they consider essential checks.

Conversation Templates

The Market Analyst

1
Step 1: Start with: "What are the current market trends in commercial real estate?"
2
Step 2: Follow with: "How do you evaluate the location and market potential of a commercial property?"
3
Step 3: Deepen with: "How do you evaluate the competition and market saturation in a given area?"

The Investment Evaluator

1
Step 1: Begin with: "What factors should I consider when evaluating a commercial property investment?"
2
Step 2: Explore with: "How do you determine the value of a commercial property?"
3
Step 3: Conclude with: "What are the biggest risks associated with commercial real estate investing?"

Further Reading

"Commercial Real Estate Investing" by Dolf de Roos
"The Complete Guide to Real Estate Finance" by Steve Berges
"Commercial Real Estate Analysis and Investments" by David Geltner

Find Your Perfect Questions

Search our collection of thoughtful questions for any conversation or situation