Wholesaling Commercial Real Estate: How to Find & Flip Big Deals in 2025

Wholesaling commercial real estate is one of the most overlooked yet powerful investment strategies available today. While most new investors rush into residential deals, savvy professionals are discovering that commercial wholesaling offers wider spreads, higher leverage, and access to long-term wealth-building opportunities that can be life-changing, especially for those just starting out.

You’ve probably seen people making five-figure profits flipping single-family homes. But what happens when you scale that model to apartment buildings, office parks, or retail spaces? Is wholesaling commercial property as doable (and as profitable) as residential wholesaling?

The short answer: absolutely. And in this guide, we’re going to show you exactly how it works. Whether you’re brand new or already wholesaling houses, we’ll break down how to tap into the massive upside of commercial deals and build a real business around it.

• Commercial Real Estate Wholesaling
• Why Wholesale Commercial Real Estate?
• How To Wholesale Commercial Real Estate (7 Steps)
• How To Find Wholesale Commercial Real Estate For Sale
• Commercial Real Estate Wholesaling: Pros and Cons
• Mistakes To Avoid When Wholesaling Commercial Property
• Why Sellers Would Agree To Wholesale Commercial Real Estate
• Wholesaling Commercial Real Estate Contract
• Frequently Asked Questions About Wholesaling Commercial Real Estate

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Commercial Real Estate Wholesaling

Wholesaling commercial real estate is a form of commercial real estate investing. It is the act of scouring the market for mispriced real estate assets - whether land, distressed properties, multifamily, mixed-use, office, or retail - going under contract with a seller, and simultaneously assigning the contract to another buyer at a premium to your purchase price.

In doing so, the seller guarantees a sale with the wholesaler, the ultimate buyer obtains a desired asset at or under market value, and the wholesaler earns a nice profit - the assignment fee - for facilitating the match along the way.

The ultimate beauty of commercial real estate wholesaling is that the asset class offers a wide scope of opportunity, far beyond that of residential. Although residential real estate is a large asset class in and of itself, commercial real estate spans an even broader range of opportunities. For instance:

• Do you want to flip an investment property in Chicago? Or, a retail strip in Texas?
• What about a self-storage facility in Maine? Or, a patch of land in Arkansas?
• How about an office building in New Jersey? Or, a mobile home park in Kentucky?
• What about multifamily apartment buildings in California? Or a medical office in Maryland?

The opportunities in commercial real estate are quite literally endless. With a nearly $35 trillion market in America, I can assure you that there are plenty of opportunities for wholesaling.

Why Wholesale Commercial Real Estate?

So why is wholesaling commercial real estate getting so much attention? Simple—it’s one of the few investment strategies that allows you to earn massive profits without needing to own or finance the properties yourself.

First, commercial properties come with a much bigger price tag than residential homes, and that means significantly larger wholesale spreads and assignment fees. While a typical single-family wholesale deal might net $10,000 to $30,000, a commercial assignment can easily land in the six-figure—or even seven-figure—range.

Even more exciting? Commercial real estate is relatively affordable right now. Similar to working with distressed homeowners, today’s market is full of motivated sellers—property owners looking to offload office buildings, strip malls, and multifamily assets due to rising vacancies and declining demand. Since the post-COVID shift to remote work, prices on many commercial assets have dropped, creating opportunities for wholesalers who know how to spot undervalued deals and get them under contract.

Second, wholesaling commercial real estate helps investors build capital quickly. With larger spreads and fewer deals needed to hit your income goals, it’s an ideal way to generate lump sums of cash that can be reinvested into long-term buy-and-hold properties, personal goals, or scaling your business. One solid deal can fast-track your momentum in ways residential wholesaling simply can’t match.

Lastly, commercial wholesaling provides speed and liquidity for sellers. Many property owners aren’t interested in waiting months for a broker to find a buyer. Instead, they’re looking for wholesalers who can bring in off-market buyers fast. When you connect the right investor to a motivated seller, you solve a problem—and get paid handsomely for it.

How To Wholesale Commercial Real Estate (7 Steps)

While there are various ways to complete a wholesale deal, here's a seven-step process to wholesale commercial real estate:

1. Search the real estate market for on- and off-market properties
2. Contact potential sellers, buyers' lists, and real estate agents, and share your interest in their property.
3. Do an internal cap rate and cash flow analysis to determine if the property can withstand a higher price to flip to a different buyer.
4. Contact potential investors and mentors who might be interested in purchasing the property you have selected.
5. Enter into an exclusive partnership with the seller and simultaneously secure another buyer to put the earnest money down on behalf of the transaction.
6. Assist the buyer and seller throughout the due diligence phase. Ensure lenders are contacted and earnest money is placed to guarantee a smooth process throughout.
7. Close on the deal and make your wholesale fee.                                          

How To Find Wholesale Commercial Real Estate For Sale

Once the property is found, the actual wholesaling aspect can often be quite simple. It’s the first step - sourcing the property - that can be a challenging hurdle to overcome when you’re first starting out.

Although nothing can quite replace the hustle required to make it in the real estate industry, here are a few suggestions to implement to help get the ball rolling and actually find the right properties to wholesale:

• Network Aggressively: Having a networking mentality 24/7 will enable you to quickly seize opportunities and connect buyers and sellers in the blink of an eye. Having a large Rolodex of contacts—including real estate brokers, property managers, and lenders—will lead you to more real estate deals, both on and off-market.
• Regularly surf the web: There are a plethora of websites out on the internet. Zillow, Loopnet, Redfin, MLS, brokerage sites, and foreclosure locators are just a handful of examples of good sources of on-market properties.

If you make it a habit to spend a couple of hours a day looking through these websites, you’ll see tons of deal flow and very little will get by you. You’ll surely be the first to make an offer on an attractive deal.

• Cold Call. Many common folks underestimate the power of a cold call, cold email, or postcard marketing ploy. Although it might be tedious at times, if you can reach out to a prospective seller and smooth-talk on the phone, you’d be surprised how many listings you can generate.

Draft a wholesale cold calling script to make sure you always hit your essential talking points. Oftentimes, property owners are indifferent about selling their units. Sometimes, all it takes is a friendly conversation and a little push to get the ball rolling in your favor. 

These strategies, coupled with plenty of hard work and dedication, will unequivocally pave the way for ultimate success.

However, with success comes challenges. It is essential to weigh both pros and cons of any business venture.                 

*For in-depth training on real estate investing, Real Estate Skills offers extensive courses to get you ready to make your first investment! Attend our FREE Webinar Training and gain insider knowledge, expert strategies, and essential skills to make the most of every real estate opportunity that comes your way!

Commercial Real Estate Wholesaling: Pros and Cons

Before jumping into your first deal, it’s important to understand the advantages and challenges that come with wholesaling commercial real estate. From bigger profit margins to a steeper learning curve, here are the key pros and cons to know before diving in.

Pros of Wholesaling Commercial Real Estate

• Larger check size: As mentioned earlier, commercial buildings can go for millions of dollars. If you can manage to flip one or two commercial real estate contracts a year, you’d likely make more money than you would have generated on ten residential wholesaling deals combined.
• Greater national exposure: The national commercial real estate market not only has trillions of dollars backing it, but it also has millions of companies in the active market. There are numerous opportunities for aspiring investors. Scraping just an infinitesimal percentage of the market could be massive.

Cons of Wholesaling Commercial Real Estate

• Increased competition: With increased opportunity comes increased competition. Millions of dollars are available for the taking in commercial real estate wholesaling. You’ll have to stay sharp because there will be quite a few investors looking at the same handful of opportunities.
• More red tape: With larger property sizes, loan sizes, and bigger players involved in the mix, there will also be more red tape. Commercial real estate is not without its fair share of regulations, rules, and wholesaling laws. Be sure to know your jurisdiction and state laws before diving into an opportunity.    

Mistakes To Avoid When Wholesaling Commercial Property

Wholesaling commercial real estate is a high-reward strategy, but it comes with higher stakes. A single mistake can cost you thousands—or kill a deal entirely. Whether you’re new to wholesaling or transitioning from residential deals, knowing what not to do is just as important as knowing what to do.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common mistakes investors make when wholesaling commercial properties—and how to avoid them:

Mastering wholesaling commercial real estate starts by avoiding these costly missteps. Use this checklist as a guide to stay ahead of the competition and close deals the right way.

Why Sellers Would Agree To Wholesale Commercial Real Estate

At first glance, it might seem like commercial property owners wouldn’t want to work with a wholesaler. After all, why sell to someone who doesn’t intend to close themselves? But in reality, wholesaling commercial real estate offers clear advantages to motivated sellers, especially those seeking a fast, hassle-free exit.

Many commercial sellers find themselves in situations where time is more valuable than squeezing out top dollar. They may be facing financial stress, vacancies, loan maturity, or deferred maintenance that makes the property difficult to market. In these cases, wholesalers act as transaction accelerators, connecting sellers with serious cash buyers who can close quickly and handle the associated risk.

Rather than spending months listing the property through a traditional broker, negotiating with multiple parties, and navigating due diligence delays, sellers working with a wholesaler can bypass those hurdles. A skilled wholesaler already has vetted buyers in their network and can present ready-to-go offers with fewer contingencies.

Yes, sellers may accept a slightly lower purchase price—but in exchange, they offload a problem property quickly, avoid carrying costs, and skip drawn-out negotiations. For many distressed commercial asset owners, that trade-off is more than worth it.

Ultimately, commercial real estate exit strategies aren’t always about maximizing profit—they’re often about minimizing friction. Wholesalers who understand the pain points of their sellers are in the perfect position to offer win-win solutions that lead to smooth, profitable transactions for everyone involved.

Wholesaling Commercial Real Estate Contract

So, you’ve found the property, you’ve put in an offer, and you’ve locked in another buyer - now what? It’s time to put together a formal wholesaling contract.

A wholesaling commercial real estate contract is a purchase agreement that facilitates the transfer of the purchase agreement to the end buyer. It is a drafted document that ensures all parties understand what it is they are buying and for how much.

It is highly advisable to consult with a lawyer to draft a wholesaling contract. Although the details are not particularly complex and wholesaling can be done without a formal contract, in the event something goes awry, you’ll want your interests protected at all costs. They would also be able to answer any questions you might have about taxes on wholesaling, you’ll likely incur after a successful closing.

Download Our Free Wholesale Real Estate Contracts

We’ve created a complete set of ready-to-use documents to help you wholesale real estate the right way—from day one. Inside, you’ll find the same editable purchase agreements and assignment contract templates our students use to secure deals and earn assignment fees nationwide. These resources are fully customizable, legally sound, and designed to make the process simple for beginners while keeping things professional at every step.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wholesaling Commercial Real Estate

Here are some of the most common questions we hear from aspiring investors interested in wholesaling commercial real estate:

Can I wholesale commercial property?

Yes, you can wholesale commercial properties the same way you wholesale residential ones. The process involves getting a property under contract and assigning that contract to another investor for a fee.

How much can you make wholesaling commercial real estate?

Profit margins are typically much larger than residential. Many wholesalers earn $20,000 to $ 100,000 or more per deal, depending on the asset class, location, and buyer pool.

What is the 70% rule in wholesaling real estate?

The 70% rule is a general guideline used in residential wholesaling to calculate a safe offer. In commercial wholesaling, pricing is based more on cap rates, net operating income (NOI), and value-add potential.

Is wholesaling commercial real estate legal?

Yes, it’s legal in all 50 states, as long as you use valid contracts and don’t act as a broker without a license. Always check local laws and include proper disclosures.

Do I need a license to wholesale commercial real estate?

No license is required in most states, but it’s important to stay compliant and avoid giving the appearance of brokering without representation rights.

How do I find commercial wholesale deals?

Look on platforms like LoopNet, Crexi, and the MLS. You can also find deals through cold calling, networking, direct mail, and broker relationships.

What types of commercial properties can be wholesaled?

Multifamily buildings, office space, retail plazas, warehouses, and even land are all common targets for commercial real estate wholesalers.

Final Thoughts on Wholesaling Commercial Real Estate

Wholesaling commercial real estate isn’t just a niche strategy—it’s one of the most powerful ways to build serious momentum in your investing journey. With bigger spreads, lower competition, and motivated sellers looking for fast solutions, it’s an opportunity that savvy investors are using to create life-changing income.

If you’ve made it this far, you now have a clear path forward: you understand the process, you know the common pitfalls to avoid, and you’ve seen how wholesalers across the country are already getting results. Whether you’re brand new to the game or looking to level up from residential deals, commercial wholesaling gives you the chance to play bigger, faster, and smarter.

So take action. Review the strategies, download the tools, and start reaching out to motivated sellers today. Your first wholesale deal—and the next level of your investing business—could be one commercial contract away.

Ready to Take the Next Step in Real Estate Investing? Join our FREE live webinar and discover the proven strategies to build lasting wealth through real estate.

Whether you're just getting started or ready to scale, we'll show you how to take action today. Don't miss this opportunity to learn the insider tips and tools that have helped thousands of investors succeed! Seats are limited—Reserve Your Spot Now!

*Disclosure: Real Estate Skills is not a law firm, and the information contained here does not constitute legal advice. You should consult with an attorney before making any legal conclusions. The information presented here is educational in nature. All investments involve risks, and the past performance of an investment, industry, sector, and/or market does not guarantee future returns or results. Investors are responsible for any investment decision they make. Such decisions should be based on an evaluation of their financial situation, investment objectives, risk tolerance, and liquidity needs.