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Guides, Tips & Must-Reads
Specializing in Helping Investors & Business Owners Maximize their Real Estate ROI


Commercial vs. Residential Real Estate Value: Why the Math — and the Broker — Matter
One of the most common misconceptions I hear from property owners is: “Real estate is real estate. Value is value.” In reality, commercial and residential properties are valued using fundamentally different methodologies , and misunderstanding those differences can lead to pricing mistakes, missed opportunities, or leaving significant money on the table — especially when selling a commercial asset. This article breaks down how value is determined in each sector and explains
John McDonald
3 days ago3 min read


Why Small Multifamily Properties Don’t Sell
“Why did my multifamily building fail to sell?” Part 1: Pricing Isn’t the Problem — Positioning Is Owners of 2–10 unit multifamily properties are often told the same thing when their property fails to sell: “The price must be too high.” While pricing is always a factor, it is rarely the root cause . In reality, most small multifamily properties don’t fail because they’re overpriced — they fail because they’re mispositioned . Understanding that distinction is the first step to
John McDonald
Jan 82 min read


“My Space Is Too Small” — Why Some Tenants Avoid Brokers and Why That’s a Mistake
Another common reason commercial tenants avoid working with a broker is the belief that their requirement is simply too small to justify professional representation. You’ve probably heard — or said — one of these before: “I only need 1,000–2,000 square feet.” “I’m just renewing my lease.” “It’s a simple move; I don’t want to bother anyone.” “I don’t want to get locked into anything.” These concerns are understandable. But they’re based on a misunderstanding of how tenant repr
John McDonald
Jan 62 min read


Don’t Leave Money on the Table: Why Commercial Tenants Need Representation
The Value Commercial Tenants Miss When They Don’t Work With a Tenant-Rep Broker Many commercial tenants skip hiring a broker simply because they don’t fully understand what a tenant-rep actually does. The search process seems simple on the surface, and online listing platforms make it appear as though every option is easily accessible. But behind the scenes, the leasing process is far more complex. Most Tenants Don’t Know What They’re Missing A tenant-rep broker brings expert
John McDonald
Dec 18, 20252 min read


The Hidden Costs for Commercial Tenants. Does Going Direct Really Save Money?
Why “Going Direct” Can Cost Commercial Tenants Far More Than They Realize When a business owner begins exploring new space or planning a relocation, one of the biggest decisions they face is whether to work with a commercial broker or contact landlords directly. Many tenants assume that by skipping commercial tenant representation and “going direct,” they’ll negotiate a better deal. It sounds logical — but in commercial real estate, it’s almost always misleading… and often ve
John McDonald
Nov 18, 20252 min read


What Is FLEX Space?
As your business grows, working from a garage, spare bedroom, or storage unit may no longer cut it. You need room to store inventory, run operations, and meet clients—without losing the convenience of having an office. That’s where Flex Space comes in.
John McDonald
Sep 4, 20252 min read


Tenant Representation
Representing yourself in court is not a good idea, neither is looking to lease new Commercial Real Estate by yourself. The first rule I was taught when I started my Commercial Real Estate career was “Never take your For Lease sign down”. At first, Ididn’t understand, yet after 10 years I have been guilty of this same practice. Why? Even after leasing the space at that location, the listing agent will still receive calls from the sign so that they can tell them about their oth
John McDonald
Jan 29, 20252 min read


How to Determine the Highest and Best Price when Selling Commercial Real Estate
How is the Highest and Best Use price determined? What isn’t relevant is what the seller had previously paid for the property. Commercial Real Estate (CRE) is all valued by how much income it can produce. There are numerous examples of how this drives the highest price for a piece of property. When you see a Walgreens Store get replaced by a WAWA, what that really means is that the property can make more money with the WAWA and can command a higher sale and/or lease price. I
John McDonald
Jan 29, 20251 min read


Why Hasn't My Commercial Real Estate Sold?
The approach to selling Commercial Real Estate has more to do with what Marketing Strategy is used than having the wrong price. Although pricing needs to be evaluated, the number of property inquiries is a better measurement. CRE Marketing and Pricing is based on what the Highest and Best Use of the property. There are a number of considerations to consider. Should a property have a long-term tenant with a long-term lease, the marketing and pricing strategy would focus on the
John McDonald
Jan 29, 20251 min read


Navigating CRE Zoning
“ It’s easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission ” is not a good strategy when it comes to Commercial Real Estate’s Municipal Zoning Codes. There is nothing worse than assuming that a use is permitted, fit out your new locations use and then a Code Enforcement Officer visits your location only to find out it is not a Permitted Use. Why are there so many different Zoning Ordinances? Virtually all municipalities have a master plan that identifies where there can
John McDonald
Jan 29, 20252 min read


Mastering Commercial Real Estate: Tips for Buying and Selling
Are you considering buying or selling commercial real estate in South Florida? Mastering the intricacies of this process can be a key factor in achieving success. Whether you are looking to sell your business along with the real estate or acquire a new property for your expanding company, having a solid understanding of the market and the process can make a significant difference in the outcome. CRERealtor.net, a well-established business based in Boca Raton, is your go-to pa
John McDonald
Dec 17, 20242 min read
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