Is commercial real estate hard to sell?
James Olson
Updated on April 06, 2026
Selling commercial properties takes finesse. Whether you’re an owner wanting to sell your property by yourself or an agent looking to find investors on behalf of a client, there are a few strategies you can employ to find qualified buyers for commercial assets.
Who pays GST on sale of commercial property?
If you sell commercial premises, such as shops, factories or offices, you’re generally liable for GST on the sale price. This means you: may be eligible to use the margin scheme, where you pay GST of one-eleventh of the sale price rather than one-eleventh of the total selling price.
Is it worth buying a commercial property?
Any type of property, whether it’s commercial or residential, can be a good investment opportunity. For your money, commercial properties typically offer more financial reward than residential properties, such as rental apartments or single-family homes, but there also can be more risks.
Can you sell a leasehold commercial property?
The original lease agreement is between the seller and the landlord. The seller will not be able to establish a commercial lease assignment with a buyer unless the landlord approves it. So, if you were to wait a few days before your business is sold to tell your landlord, they may not approve the sale.
Do you pay GST when you sell a commercial property?
How to sell a commercial property on the market?
There are three main strategies for selling a commercial property of any kind: 1 Work with a commercial real estate broker. 2 Market your property on commercial or FSBO listings websites. 3 Analyze off-market data to identify likely buyers and connect with them directly.
When do you need a solicitor to sell a commercial property?
Solicitors instructed Once the Heads of Terms have been agreed between you and the buyer, these will be sent to the appointed solicitors. You will need to formally appoint your solicitor to act on your behalf when selling a commercial property.
What are the fees for selling commercial property?
The fees you pay will also depend on how smoothly the sale goes. Estate agent fees – estate agents are in competition with each other and so it is worth shopping around for a good rate. Most agents typically charge between 1% and 3% of the property value, but again you may be able to negotiate.
What happens when you accept an offer for a commercial property?
If you have accepted an offer, a draft Sale Agreement will be prepared for you and the purchaser to approve. Once contracts are exchanged, your buyer will pay a deposit to the solicitor and a date for completion will be agreed.