Is Your Property Ready to Be Sold? A Checklist for Owners

Before listing your commercial property, make sure it’s market-ready. From lease audits to updated photos, the right prep can speed up your sale and boost your property’s value.
This quick checklist covers everything buyers (and their lenders) want to see—so you can sell with confidence.

Pre-Sale Readiness Checklist for Commercial Property Owners

1. Lease and Rent Roll Audit

Buyers want clarity—and so do their lenders.

  • ✔ Are leases current, signed, and available in digital form?

  • ✔ Do you have a clean, updated rent roll showing rent, term, and escalations?

  • ✔ Are there any lease expirations or renewal options within the next 12 months?

Even a fully leased building can lose value if lease data is disorganized or missing.

2. Operating Expense Review

Be ready to show how the property performs.

  • ✔ Do you have a detailed 12–24 month operating statement?

  • ✔ Are taxes, insurance, and maintenance expenses clearly documented?

  • ✔ Are CAM (common area maintenance) reconciliations up to date?

Transparency helps buyers assess the true NOI—and negotiate with confidence.

 3. Deferred Maintenance or CapEx Planning

If something needs attention, address it—or disclose it.

  • ✔ Roof, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems up to date?

  • ✔ Any recent repairs, replacements, or warranties available?

  • ✔ Do you have capital expenditure estimates for aging components?

Fixing or planning for these issues before listing prevents surprises later.

4. Zoning and Compliance Status

Buyers want to know what’s allowed—and what’s not.

  • ✔ Is the current zoning aligned with the property’s use?

  • ✔ Are there any open code violations or permit issues?

  • ✔ Do you have a recent site plan, survey, or certificate of occupancy?

Zoning compliance and clarity are especially important for buyers who may want to reposition or re-tenant the asset.

5. Environmental Reports

Don’t let environmental surprises derail your deal.

  • ✔ Do you have a Phase I ESA (Environmental Site Assessment)?

  • ✔ Any prior remediation work?

  • ✔ Are underground storage tanks or hazardous materials present?

A clean environmental file accelerates due diligence and builds trust.

6. Photos, Floor Plans & Marketing Collateral

Strong presentation makes a difference.

  • ✔ Do you have professional photos (drone shots are a plus)?

  • ✔ Is there a clear, scaled floor plan or site layout?

  • ✔ Can you summarize key features in one page?

Buyers start online—make sure your property tells the right story from the first click.

7. Access and Showability

Can buyers and brokers easily tour the asset?

  • ✔ Do you have a lockbox or reliable point of access?

     

  • ✔ Are common areas clean and well lit?

     

  • ✔ Are there any tenant restrictions on tours?

     

Presentation impacts perception—and ultimately, value.

 Final Thoughts: Preparation Protects Value

The best deals don’t just happen—they’re planned. When a property is clean, organized, and well-documented, buyers move faster and offer stronger terms.

At CommercialGrp, we help sellers prepare industrial and commercial properties for market with precision—from 15,000 SF distribution buildings to 100,000 SF multi-tenant assets. Our goal is to maximize your value while minimizing surprises.

 Thinking about selling your property?

 Contact us today for a confidential property review or pricing strategy consultation.