Education & Resources 
Selecting the right commercial real estate broker can significantly influence the success of your property transaction. Whether you’re a tenant seeking the perfect space or a landlord listing your property, working with a knowledgeable and reliable broker ensures you can navigate the process confidently and make informed decisions.
To choose the best broker for your needs, ask these critical questions during your initial meetings:
1. What is your experience in commercial real estate?
How long have they been in the industry? Do they have experience handling transactions similar to yours? Dive deeper by asking for specific examples or case studies of deals that match your needs. This provides insight into their expertise, problem-solving skills, and ability to deliver results.
2. How do you typically get your business?
This question offers insight into their reputation and network. Brokers who rely heavily on referrals often have a track record of satisfied clients. Follow up by asking:
- What percentage of your business comes from referrals?
- Can you share references from previous clients?
This helps gauge their credibility, relationship-building skills, and client satisfaction.
3. What is your performance history in the market?
Ask for data that demonstrates their success in your specific market or submarket. How many deals have they closed in the past year? What is the average transaction value? These metrics provide a clear picture of their market expertise and effectiveness.
4. Do you specialize in a particular property type or service?
Brokers often focus on specific property types, such as office, retail, industrial, or tech and lab spaces. Others may specialize in tenant or landlord representation. Choosing someone whose expertise aligns with your goals ensures a tailored approach and minimizes conflicts of interest.
5. What tools and resources do you use to support your clients?
A broker’s technological capabilities can enhance the process. Ask about the tools they use to provide data, analyze the market, and simplify transactions. For instance, at Floorspace, we use FLO—our proprietary platform—to make leasing and market analysis faster and easier. It’s built to streamline complex workflows, save time, and help our clients make smarter, more confident real estate decisions.
6. What is your approach to finding the best space for my needs?
Understand their process for identifying opportunities. How do they balance factors like location, budget, size, and growth potential? Do they rely on industry connections or databases to uncover off-market options? Their strategy should align with your priorities and long-term goals.
7. What percentage of your deals are successful?
This is a performance-based question that digs into their ability to close deals. A strong closer will be able to articulate their success rate and explain how they overcome challenges to get deals across the finish line.
8. How do you approach marketing and promotion?
For landlords, a broker’s ability to market your property effectively is critical. Ask about their marketing strategies, including how they use digital platforms, professional networks, and targeted campaigns to reach potential tenants.
9. What is your communication style and availability?
Clear and consistent communication is essential. Ask how often they’ll update you, their preferred methods (email, phone, meetings), and their availability for urgent issues. Effective communication ensures you stay informed and aligned throughout the process.
10. What post-transaction support do you offer?
The best brokers go beyond the deal. Ask if they assist with lease renewals, expansions, or landlord-tenant issues. Do they provide ongoing market insights or connect you with resources like designers and contractors for build-outs? Robust post-transaction support is a sign of a broker invested in your long-term success.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right commercial real estate broker requires more than just evaluating their experience—it’s about understanding their performance, reputation, and approach to achieving your goals. Asking these detailed questions will help you find a broker who aligns with your objectives and delivers exceptional results.
Looking for expert guidance? At Floorspace, we combine deep market knowledge with innovative tools like FLO to help you navigate the complexities of commercial real estate. Contact us today to learn how we can support your leasing or listing needs.
