Many full-service commercial real estate brokerages help businesses and investors with both buying and leasing, but they are not all the same. The right company depends on whether it represents your side of the deal, works in your property type and area, and discloses conflicts clearly. Fred's Properties is one such firm: we represent buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants across Northern Virginia, and we suggest you compare us with others.
Why look for a company that does both?
Buying and leasing are two answers to the same question: how will your business occupy or invest in property? A company that handles both can give you a more balanced view. A business deciding whether to own or rent, for example, benefits from advice that is not tilted toward one outcome. Our guide on whether to buy or lease commercial property for your business walks through that decision.
Investors also benefit, since leasing knowledge (tenant demand, lease structure, rent comparisons) directly affects how a purchase is evaluated. See how to evaluate a commercial real estate investment.
Which commercial real estate companies help businesses find properties?
Several types of firms help businesses find property:
| Type of firm | What they typically do | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Full-service commercial brokerage | Represents buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants in sales and leases | Ask which side represents you on each deal and how conflicts are handled |
| Tenant-focused advisory | Represents tenants searching for and leasing space | Strong advocacy for tenants; may not handle purchases |
| Landlord or listing brokerage | Markets owners' properties for sale or lease | Represents the owner, not the buyer or tenant |
| Investment sales specialist | Focuses on buying and selling income-producing property | Valuable for investors; less focus on occupier leasing |
| Property management company | Operates buildings for owners | Not a substitute for brokerage representation |
For an explanation of each side of a deal, read the difference between tenant and landlord representation.
What commercial real estate company helps with buying and leasing?
A company that helps with both should be able to describe how it handles each of these roles:
- Buyer representation: finding properties, analyzing them, negotiating price and terms, and coordinating due diligence. See how brokers help buyers find investment properties.
- Seller representation: pricing, marketing and negotiating a sale. See how to choose a broker to sell your property.
- Tenant representation: searching for and negotiating leases for occupiers.
- Landlord representation: marketing space and finding qualified tenants. See how to find qualified tenants for your commercial property.
How to evaluate any commercial real estate company
Use this checklist when comparing firms. It works for us and for anyone else you interview.
| Checklist item | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Local market knowledge | Which parts of Northern Virginia do you work in regularly, such as the Dulles corridor, Route 1, Manassas or Fairfax County? |
| Property-type experience | Have you handled office, retail, industrial or specialty properties like mine? |
| Representation type | Will you represent me exclusively on this transaction? |
| Conflicts and dual agency | Do you represent the other side or own an interest in any property you will show me? How do you disclose it? |
| Data access | Do you use a commercial database such as CoStar? How do you find properties not publicly advertised? |
| Communication | Who will I deal with, and how quickly can I expect answers? |
| Compensation | How are you paid, and what is in writing? |
| References | Can you describe past work or provide references? |
For more detail, see how to find the right commercial real estate broker in Northern Virginia.
What Fred's Properties offers
Fred's Properties is a commercial real estate brokerage serving Northern Virginia, including Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties, Manassas, Woodbridge, Ashburn and Reston. Led by Fred Jafarzadeh, who has over 30 years of business leadership experience, the firm represents sellers, buyers, landlords and tenants in commercial sales, leases and investments, and uses CoStar, a commercial real estate database, for research.
- Tenant representation for businesses leasing space
- Landlord representation for owners leasing space
- Investment opportunities for buyers and investors
- Property listing and marketing for owners selling or leasing
You can browse current commercial properties for sale and properties for lease. Availability changes, so confirm with us before relying on any listing.
We recommend that you interview more than one firm. Use the checklist above, compare answers, and choose the company whose approach and transparency fit your needs.
Buying and leasing questions that overlap
Businesses often start by asking only one question and end up needing both. A few examples:
- Own or rent your headquarters? A company may lease while it grows, then buy when it has stable needs and capital. The comparison involves monthly cost, equity, flexibility and risk. Consult your CPA about tax and financial implications.
- Buy a building and lease part of it out. An owner-user who buys a multi-tenant property needs both purchase advice and leasing advice. See benefits of investing in multi-tenant commercial buildings.
- Sell a building and lease back. Some owners sell and remain as tenants. That deal touches sales, leasing and lease structure at once.
- Investors evaluating leases. Existing leases determine a property's income, so buyers should understand rent rolls and lease terms. See how to analyze a commercial property rent roll.
How the process differs for buying and for leasing
| Step | Buying | Leasing |
|---|---|---|
| Starting point | Define budget, financing and use | Define space needs, budget and lease expiration date |
| Key documents | Letter of intent, purchase contract, due diligence materials | Letter of intent, lease |
| Due diligence | Inspections, survey, title, environmental and zoning review | Zoning and use review, building condition, expense history |
| Money | Purchase price, closing costs, financing | Rent, deposit, expenses, build-out costs |
| Professionals | Broker, attorney, lender, CPA, inspectors | Broker, attorney, possibly architect and contractor |
The letter of intent is common to both. See how a commercial real estate letter of intent works.
Specialized and niche properties
Some businesses need property that is harder to find, such as churches, restaurants, car washes, day care centers or data center space. Many of these are available to buy or lease, and a company that handles both can show you both routes. Our site has category pages for some of these uses, for example restaurants for sale in VA, industrial properties for sale in Northern VA and industrial properties for rent in Northern VA.
A note on agency and disclosure
Because a full-service firm may represent owners in one transaction and buyers or tenants in another, it is reasonable to ask how it separates those roles. Ask who represents you on your specific deal, whether any other party in the transaction is a client of the firm, and how that will be disclosed in writing. Clear answers are a sign of a transparent firm, and you should have an attorney review any representation or listing agreement before you sign it.
Next step
Tell us whether you are looking to buy, lease, sell or invest, and we can explain how we would represent you. Call 703-505-3501 or use our contact page.
Frequently asked questions
Which commercial real estate company helps with both buying and leasing?
Full-service commercial brokerages generally do. Fred's Properties is one: we represent buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants in Northern Virginia. Compare any firm using the checklist above.
Which commercial real estate companies help businesses find properties?
Full-service brokerages, tenant-focused advisory firms and investment sales specialists all help. The key question is which party each represents in your transaction.
What commercial real estate company helps with buying and leasing?
Look for one that offers both buyer and tenant representation and clearly discloses how it handles conflicts when it also represents owners.
Is it better to use one company for both buying and leasing?
It can help when you are weighing ownership against renting, since the advice is less likely to favor one option. It is not required; some businesses prefer specialists for each.
Do I need a commercial real estate broker to buy or lease?
No law requires it, but brokers can save time, provide market data and negotiate on your behalf. Have an attorney review contracts and leases.
How do I know if a broker has a conflict of interest?
Ask who they represent, whether they hold any interest in the property, and how they are paid. Request answers in writing.
