Looking to lease commercial space? Need to sell your building? Trying to find a good investment property? This guide will help you do all those things and more, including:

• Touring a potential space
• Conducting due diligence
• Figuring out how to pay for tenant improvements
• Negotiating a lease
• Submitting an offer to purchase
• Alternatives to leasing
• Maximizing cash flow on your investment property
• Analyzing offers
• Pitfalls to watch out for
• Establishing return and investment value
• Enlisting the aid of a commercial broker

Carlos Cooper is vice-president of brokerage with the Chas. Hawkins Company. Carlos specializes in the Cool Springs-Franklin-Brentwood submarkets of Nashville, Tennessee. Prior to entering commercial real estate, Carlos served six years as a Marine Corps infantry officer. He currently resides in Franklin, Tennessee, with his wife, Katie.