Commercial Real Estate in Southeast Michigan: A Guide to Buying, Selling, and Leasing

Commercial real estate is a different game from buying a home. The numbers, the due diligence, and the negotiations all work differently, and the right property can shape the future of your business or your portfolio. Whether you're a business owner looking for space or an investor adding income property, Southeast Michigan offers a wide range of options across Metro Detroit.

Here's what to know before you buy, sell, or lease commercial property, from Monty Real Estate Group.

Types of Commercial Property

• Retail: storefronts, strip centers, and downtown main-street space

• Office: professional and medical offices, from single suites to full buildings

• Industrial: warehouses, flex space, and light manufacturing

• Multifamily: apartment buildings, typically five units or more

• Mixed-use: retail or office on the ground floor with residential above, common in walkable downtowns

• Land: vacant parcels for development or future use

  
  

Buying Commercial Property: Key Steps

1. Define your goal. Are you buying space for your own business, or an investment that earns income from tenants?

2. Get financing in place early. Commercial loans usually require larger down payments and closer review of the property's income than residential mortgages.

3. Check zoning and permitted use. Confirm with the city that your intended use is allowed at that location.

4. Review the numbers. For income property, study the rent roll, existing leases, operating expenses, and net operating income (NOI).

5. Do thorough due diligence. Plan for building inspections, an environmental review, a survey, and a title review.

6. Negotiate the terms. Price is only one piece. Contingencies, timelines, and seller disclosures matter just as much.

   
   

Selling Commercial Property

Buyers of commercial property look closely at income, lease terms, and condition. To sell well:

• Gather your financials, leases, and maintenance records before you list

• Price the property based on its income and comparable sales, not just its size

• Address deferred maintenance that could slow due diligence

• Market to the right buyers, from owner-users to investors

  
  

Leasing Commercial Space

For many businesses, leasing is the smarter first move. Before you sign, understand:

• Lease type: who pays taxes, insurance, and maintenance (for example, gross vs. triple-net)

• Total occupancy cost: base rent plus shared expenses, utilities, and any build-out

• Term and renewal options: flexibility to grow or relocate

• Tenant improvements: what the landlord will cover to prepare the space

  
  

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Skipping zoning and permitted-use checks

2. Underestimating repair, upgrade, or build-out costs

3. Signing a lease without understanding your share of expenses

4. Relying on a seller's projected income instead of actual numbers

5. Going without an experienced commercial advocate

   
   

Why Work With Monty Real Estate Group

Nick Montaleone is a licensed Broker and President of Monty Group USA LLC, which oversees operations in real estate, construction, and investments. That background helps clients evaluate a commercial property's condition, use, and long-term value, and negotiate terms that protect their goals.

Buying, selling, or leasing commercial property in Southeast Michigan?

Book a meeting with Nick