The time has come that your business needs new space. Whether you have expanded or are just looking for a better location, your business deserves to find the best space possible. A seasoned commercial real estate agent can help you buy the perfect property to fulfill all of your business’s needs. This article will help you identify key traits to look for when picking an agent.

You want to look for an agent who has the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation, which lets you know that this particular agent is competent and familiar with navigating and negotiating commercial leases and buying commercial property. This agent has taken additional courses and written additional tests to obtain this designation, letting you know that he or she is aware of what it takes to work in this field.

The right agent should present you with all of the necessary information and paperwork prepared prior to showing you a property to help you make an informed decision on this major investment. Documents that might be included are:

• previous environmental studies
• permits for any recent alterations
• a copy of the title

You want to work with somebody who is familiar with the local real estate, especially with what is available. The location of your business is vitally important, and the right agent will know where suitable locations might be, so that your business isn’t surrounded by similar business fronts but also not outside of the customer traffic.

You want to find someone who understands what you are trying to achieve with your commercial space and who has the experience to know whether the amount of space you’re looking for is in fact the right decision to make. If you are already a thriving business, the last thing you would want is to outgrow your new location before you are ready to make another purchase.

Not everybody has the skills to communicate effectively, so you want somebody who works similarly to you and who communicates clearly with you. You don’t want to feel like you aren’t getting through or being understood. Also, you want to feel like you can trust your agent. He or she is the facilitator between you and the right space, so you want to feel like you are always getting the best advice without worrying about if there is something being left out.

You want to work with someone who is confident in the different kinds of leases for commercial real estate, helping you to make sure that you make the right decision for your business: Different leases are:

• Percentage lease
• Net lease
• Double-net lease
• Triple-net lease
• Gross lease

When you have found the right match, you know that you can move forward confidently in making one of the biggest decision in your business life. The right commercial real estate agent will help you make the right selection on your new commercial space and secure it for the right price.