Lease new space
Compare location, permitted use, parking, access and total occupancy cost. Finding space and negotiating can take weeks to months; landlords often check business and personal credit, financials and a personal guarantee.
Your next step
Own or lease your space
Every business either leases or owns its space. Both are big money decisions, and both affect your credit and funding. Our licensed real estate team can help.
What you need to start
- Gross vs NNN lease: understand base rent, taxes, insurance and CAM charges.
- Ask about a tenant improvement allowance and who owns the improvements.
- Negotiate free rent months and confirm when expenses start.
- Check renewal and expansion options and notice deadlines.
Your space
Example dashboard
Personal Credit lane40%
- Check
- Clean up
- Optimize
Business Credit lane28%
- Set up
- Build
- Establish
Funding Ready
0%
Fundability ScoreFunding readiness
/ 100
Estimate only. Not a credit score, loan decision or offer.
Your next steps
- Personal Credit lanePull 3 free reports
- Business Credit laneOpen a business bank account
100% free education
Meet your real estate expert
AJ
Anthony Joplin, Broker. Helping business owners with their space since 2014.
Licensed CA broker since 20149 years focused on commercial real estateBroker and mortgage loan originatorSan Diego and Southern California
Anthony started his own brokerage right after college, working with master leases and subtenants. He spent his first nine years focused on commercial purchases, sales, and leasing before expanding into residential and investment property. He has been the broker for Investment Realty Homes & Loans since 2022 and is also a licensed mortgage loan originator, so your property and financing questions are answered in one conversation.
- Find and lease new space
- Lease renewals and renegotiation
- Master leases and subleasing
- Buy your building
- Sell your building
- Investment property
- Conventional commercial loans
Renew or renegotiate your lease
Start 9 to 12 months before your lease ends. Review your options and notice deadlines, ask about tenant improvements or reduced rent, and never let a lease auto renew without a review.
Buy your building
Owners may buy for a more stable payment and equity. Lenders review cash flow, credit, down payment, property value and occupancy. Explore SBA 504, SBA 7(a) and conventional commercial loans.
For SBA building loans, your business generally must occupy at least 51 percent of an existing building (60 percent for new construction). SBA loans for buildings are usually for owner occupied properties and often allow a lower down payment. Conventional commercial loans can work for investment properties and can close faster. Terms vary by lender and are not guaranteed.
Last reviewed: Source
SBA building projects often start around 10–20% down, while conventional commercial loans often require 20–35%. More may be needed; varies by lender, program, property and borrower. No approval or terms are promised.
SBA 504·SBA 7(a)Lease Smart checklist
- Gross vs NNN lease: understand base rent, taxes, insurance and CAM charges.
- Ask about a tenant improvement allowance and who owns the improvements.
- Negotiate free rent months and confirm when expenses start.
- Check renewal and expansion options and notice deadlines.
- Landlords often ask for a personal guarantee, which is why your personal credit matters too.Why personal credit matters
- Review assignment and sublease clauses; they matter if you ever sell your business.
- Ask about an exclusive use clause.
- Understand early termination rights and costs.
- Confirm who pays for repairs, systems and maintenance.
- Have an attorney review any lease before you sign.
Anthony Joplin, Broker. Investment Realty Homes & Loans
CA DRE #01955311 | NMLS #2279525
Virtual Home Lending Inc. dba Investment Realty Homes & Loans, CA DRE #02189013 | NMLS #2365381
3450 Bonita Rd, Suite 204, Chula Vista, CA 91910anthony@joplinre.com
(619) 922 8495
Real estate services are provided by Virtual Home Lending Inc. dba Investment Realty Homes & Loans, a licensed California real estate broker, not by this app. How the broker is paid is explained before you sign anything. In many lease transactions the landlord pays the broker fee. This is not legal or tax advice.
Alejandro Luna, owner of this app, is a licensed California real estate salesperson since 2004 (CA DRE #01408625) and mortgage loan originator (NMLS #1130465) affiliated with Virtual Home Lending Inc. dba Investment Realty Homes & Loans (CA DRE #02189013, NMLS #2365381), and may earn compensation on real estate and commercial loan transactions referred through this app. We are not a lender.
A simple way to move forward
- Step 1
Find your starting point
Take the free Snapshot using ranges and estimates. See three next steps without creating an account.
- Step 2
Follow your personal plan
Save your plan and follow your roadmap. Work on personal credit and your business at your pace.
- Step 3
Prepare your next conversation
Explore funding options and organize documents. Request a free review when you want help.