Selling commercial real estate successfully
Realize the full value of your commercial property - with the leading partner for professional transactions.
Expertise, Experience, Excellence
Mastering complexity with confidence
Selling a commercial property is a complex transaction that demands deep expertise in each segment - whether it’s a mixed-use building, multi-family home, hotel, office, logistics, or retail space. Successful marketing requires foresight, strategic planning, and discretion. It’s about accurately assessing market value and engaging the right circle of qualified buyers. As a globally connected and locally rooted partner, we manage this process for you, guiding you personally every step of the way.
Exclusive Market Access
We leverage our global network to give you access to a financially strong, international pool of buyers.
Informed Decisions
We support you with market analysis and years of expertise to optimize your investment strategy.
Reliable Execution
We guide you personally, confidently, and with complete discretion through the entire process to a successful conclusion.
Six Steps to Success
Our sales process
Strategic advisory
A personal consultation is the foundation of every successful transaction. Together, we define your individual goals, analyse the optimal time to sell, and develop a tailored, data-driven strategy for marketing your commercial property. Our services also include non-binding advice on portfolio optimization and lease value management.
Accurate valuation
Our experts don’t just provide an estimate for your property. Based on thorough market analysis, comparable properties, and a detailed assessment of your asset’s potential, we create a reliable data foundation. This allows us to determine a realistic, market-oriented asking price for your property.
Holistic marketing solutions
Our bespoke marketing strategy includes high-quality property brochures, data-driven target audience analysis, and strategic positioning of your commercial property - whether discreetly within our network or broadly on the global market. Additional marketing channels are selected individually, tailored to the specific requirements of each property.
Structured property viewings
The viewing phase is a critical part of the marketing process. We manage it reliably and discreetly, minimizing any disruption to ongoing operations. Our experts showcase your property in the best possible light, presenting it convincingly to pre-qualified, vetted prospects - either in your presence or independently.
Proactive reporting
Transparency is the foundation of our partnership. We provide continuous, proactive reporting on all marketing activities, target audience engagement, and the current status of negotiations. This ensures you are fully informed at all times and maintain complete control over the process.
Purchase agreement & after-sales
We manage the entire process through to a successful closing. Our negotiation expertise safeguards your interests. We coordinate the drafting of the purchase agreement with the notary, oversee the property handover, and remain a trusted partner for all contractual matters—even after the transaction is complete.
1 out of 6
What is your commercial property worth?
A thorough valuation is the foundation of every sales strategy. Start with our free online assessment for multi-family buildings, or request a detailed expert analysis.
Your experts in commercial real estate
Our property advisors are more than brokers - they are strategic partners with in-depth knowledge of the local market. This expertise forms the foundation for an accurate valuation of your commercial property. At the same time, they leverage access to our global network to connect your asset with financially qualified buyers. This combination of local excellence and international reach ensures an optimal sales process for your investment or commercial property.
FAQ – Answers to your most important questions
Strategic insight for a successful sale
What defines a commercial property and what types are there?
A property is classified as commercial when it is primarily used for business, operational, or public purposes. selling a commercial property - such as an office building or warehouse - is therefore subject to different legal and tax regulations than the sale of a private residential home. Multi-family buildings, while not always considered classic commercial assets, are also governed by distinct tax frameworks.
Each asset class requires a tailored marketing strategy and attracts a specific buyer profile. Our expertise covers the full spectrum of commercial real estate, including:
Residential and commercial buildings as well as apartment buildings (individual assets and property portfolios)
Office space (from prime core assets to modern business parks)
Logistics & industrial properties (e.g. warehouses, light industrial facilities)
Retail & gastronomy properties (e.g. high street retail, retail parks)
Hotel properties (individual assets and hotel portfolios)
Special-purpose properties (e.g. healthcare real estate, data centers)
The “perfect timing” is a strategic decision built on two key factors: your personal objectives and current market conditions. Whether driven by relocation, expansion or downsizing, or - in the case of an investment - a planned portfolio realignment, we advise you on how your goals align with market dynamics, interest rates, and regional demand to identify the optimal moment to sell.
A tax-exempt sale is not possible for commercial properties held as business assets. The well-known ten-year holding period (speculation period) applies exclusively to privately owned properties. If your commercial property is part of your business assets, any gains from the sale – known as “hidden reserves“ – are subject to tax, regardless of the holding period. Given the complexity of tax regulations, early consultation with a tax advisor is strongly recommended.
In general, property sales are exempt from VAT. However, if you, as the owner, have collected VAT-liable rents (by opting for VAT), the sale may trigger a complex input tax adjustment. We carefully assess this aspect as part of our valuation process to help you avoid potential financial disadvantages.
At first glance, selling a commercial property privately may seem to save on broker fees. In reality, it is almost always the more costly option. The commercial real estate market is opaque, valuations are complex, and private sellers lack access to creditworthy national and international investors. With professional guidance, the marketing process is typically faster and can often achieve a higher sale price.
Complete documentation is key to a smooth due diligence process and a swift transaction. We assist you in compiling all relevant documents for the sale of your commercial property, including:
current land register extract and cadastral map
building plans, specifications, and floor area calculations
valid energy performance certificate
records of maintenance and renovations
current lease and tenancy agreements (critical for income-based valuation)
operating cost statements and utility bills from previous years
Our Off-Market Services
Not every commercial property belongs on the open market. For high-value assets, operating businesses, or situations demanding the utmost confidentiality, a discreet marketing strategy is the superior choice. We present your property exclusively to a handpicked, pre-qualified, and financially strong buyer network from our global connections. This approach safeguards your asset’s value, prevents market overexposure, and enables efficient, targeted negotiations.
Let’s talk about your investment
Every successful sale begins with a confidential, strategic conversation. Our advisors look forward to understanding your individual goals and presenting a tailored sales strategy for your property in a personal consultation.
Contact
Contact your personal advisor
Engel & Völkers Germany
Vancouverstraße 2a
20457 Hamburg, Germany
Tel: +49 40 361310