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How to sell your building safely

Selling your building is one of the biggest money decisions of your life, and most owners only do it once. Most of what owners lose in a sale, they lose to the wrong buyer: one who ties it up, scares the tenants, then lowers the price at the end. Here's how to protect yourself, whoever you sell to.

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Two free guides. Yours right away.

Our founders have bought buildings for 19 years. They've seen owners do it right, and many who had regrets. Print these, share them with your family and your CPA, and keep them next to you when a buyer calls.

Nine Landmines to Avoid When Selling a Commercial Building

Owner brief, PDF, 9 pages

From timing the sale to protecting the proceeds. Even seasoned owners commonly miss #4, #5 and #9.

How to Vet a Buyer: 12 Questions to Ask Before You Sign

Checklist, PDF, 4 pages

Ask every buyer these 12 questions. Each one shows what a good answer and a red flag sound like.

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Aerial view of a commercial corridor with small retail and flex buildings along a main road.

The nine landmines, in short

The brief explains each one with real numbers. Here is the short version.

  1. Holding while capital costs rise

    Roofs, HVAC and parking lots come due together, and repair costs keep climbing. Waiting can cost more than you gain.

  2. Selling into a lease rollover

    A big lease ending soon lowers the price. Renew first, or price it in.

  3. A buyer who can't show the money

    Ask for proof of funds before you sign anything.

  4. A buyer who can't get the bank loan

    Ask who the lender is, and whether they have closed together before.

  5. Tenant contact too early

    Allow tenant calls only after the deposit is non-refundable.

  6. A deposit the buyer can take back for months

    Agree on a short diligence period and a fixed date when the deposit goes hard.

  7. The price cut in the last week

    Ask how repair requests are handled, in writing, before you sign.

  8. No tax plan before signing

    Talk to your CPA before the contract, not after. The structure decides what you keep.

  9. No plan for heirs or family

    Decide who gets what, and how, while you still control the timing.

Get the full brief

12 questions to ask any buyer

A buyer who keeps their word answers these quickly and in writing. Hesitation is your answer too.

Can the buyer pay?

  1. Where is the down payment coming from?
  2. Can you show proof of funds before we sign?
  3. Who is your lender, and have you closed with them before?
  4. If your loan falls through, do I keep the deposit?

How long is my building tied up?

  1. How much is the deposit, and on what date does it become non-refundable?
  2. What do you need to investigate, and will you ask for more time?
  3. How many properties have you closed in the last two years?
  4. How many recent contracts closed at the original contract price?

Will the deal stay with this buyer?

  1. May I speak with two owners who sold to you?
  2. Will you contact my tenants, and when?
  3. Can this contract be assigned to someone else?
  4. What would cause you to walk away?

See how Good Harbor answers all 12

Next: who will buy it?

We wrote these guides because we're a buyer who can pass them. See how we buy, and hold us to every answer.

See how we buy

Ready to talk to a buyer?

Send the address. You get a straight answer on whether your building fits, and a written offer if it does.

Prefer to talk? Call or text617.398.4324