FAQs

Commercial Real Estate includes properties used for business or investment purposes. Included in the category are multifamily apartments, office buildings, retail properties, industrial buildings, special use properties and land.

We offer investors and users of commercial real estate, brokerage services. We may represent a seller or buyer in the acquisition or disposition of commercial real estate. We may also represent a landlord or tenant in a property leasing assignment.

Our main telephone number is (404) 688-1222. You can also email us at info@adamscre.com. Our website is www.adamscre.com and we can be contacted by clicking on the Contact Us link on the website.

Reach out to one of our commercial agents with your property specifications. Our agent will conduct an initial search for properties that meet your needs. As part of the search process your specifications may change as you are exposed to different properties. Our agent will also walk you through the steps you need to take to qualify financially for a lease. The agent will assist you with recommendations for space planners and contractors for tenant finish work. Finally, our agent will assist you in negotiating the terms and conditions of a lease agreement.

Our agent’s initial conversation with a landlord is to understand the property owner’s goal for their property and to set expectations with the landlord. The agent will conduct a market search of similar properties to determine a market rental rate for the property. When a Commercial Exclusive Listing Agreement is executed with the landlord, our agent will place a sign on the property, if applicable, and market the property for lease through various commercial listing platforms including CoStar, a nationwide database of commercial properties. Our staff will create a property brochure and that property information will be sent out to prospective tenants as well as other commercial agents in the marketplace. Finally, our agent will assist the landlord in negotiating the terms and conditions of the lease.

In an initial conversation with an Adams agent, a prospective buyer will establish their goal in purchasing a property and our agent will set expectations. A buyer, unless they are a cash purchaser, will need to go through the financial qualification process with a lender. Our agent will sign a Buyers Brokerage Engagement Agreement with the buyer. The agent will search the market for a property that meets the buyers’ needs. In some cases, a buyer may need to reset their expectations. The agent will arrange for property tours and secure detailed information about the properties. Our agents have access to state-of-the-art demographic information and investment analysis software to assist in decision making. Once a buyer has chosen a property to pursue, our agent will usually draft a nonbinding Letter of Intent (LOI) stating the price and terms under which the buyer will purchase a property. The agent will transmit the LOI to the seller or their representative. When the parties agree to a price and terms a Purchase and Sale Agreement is drafted by either the agent or an attorney representing one of the principals. Once a property is under contract, the Adams Commercial agent will guide the buyer through the Due Diligence process. Finally, our agent will work with the closing attorney to ensure that the transfer of the title to the property goes smoothly.

Our first meeting with a commercial property owner is about establishing rapport with a seller, understanding their goals, and beginning to set expectations for the relationship. In the next step, our agent will establish a list sales price for the property. Depending on the type of property, the agent will use Investment Analysis software to get an idea of the property’s value. The agent will also review recent sales of comparable properties to assist in determining the property's asking price. Once the seller and agent agree on a list price, the parties will sign a Commercial Exclusive Seller Brokerage Engagement agreement which will include the List Price of the property, the term of the agreement and the sales commission. When the property is listed, our staff will produce an Offering Memorandum and sales brochure for the property. If appropriate, a For Sale sign is placed on the property. Information regarding the property will be entered into CoStar and LoopNet, two national commercial property information services. The property information will be sent to local Atlanta commercial agents through the Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors Exchange Mail as well as our own network of commercial brokers. The property will be exposed nationally and internationally through CCIM Deal Share. Initial offers on a property are usually in the form of a non-binding Letter of Intent. We will assist the seller in negotiating the offer and when the parties come to an agreement, we may be involved in drafting a Commercial Purchase and Sales Agreement. Often a lawyer may draft the sales agreement or at least review the agreement before it is executed by the parties. Once the property is under contract, we will work with the parties through the Due Diligence Period until the property is closed.

Commercial Real Estate transactions can be very complex. One should consider local zoning codes, existing lease agreements, property taxes, tax liens, judgements and other title issues plus governmental regulations like Historic Districts or Zoning Overlay Districts. Along with an Adams Commercial agent, an experienced commercial real estate attorney can help guide you through the process.

As part of the Due Diligence (Inspection) Period while a property is under contract, an environmental assessment is usually performed. A lender will normally require a Phase I environmental assessment which looks at current and prior uses of a property and the surrounding properties. If the environmental consultant determines that a hazardous material or substance may exist on the property or may have been used at one time on the property, the consultant will recommend a Phase II environmental assessment. During the Phase II, samples may be taken from a structure, the ground or below ground. Common examples of hazardous materials in a building are asbestos and lead base paint. Solvents that may have been used in manufacturing or cleaning may be in the ground or groundwater under a site. As part of the assessment, the environmental consultant will take soil and water samples from borings on the property. If hazardous materials or substances are found, the results are reported to the state environmental authority. The state authority, after reviewing the results of the environmental report, may mandate a cleanup of the property.

The answer here depends on the size of the property and whether the property is an investment or owner occupied. For small owner-occupied properties, a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan might be an ideal solution. Community banks and credit unions will also be an option for smaller properties. For larger properties, national banks, insurance companies and pension funds are a good option. A large development might also secure funds through Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities (CMBS), hedge funds, or private equity.