Commercial real estate is property that is used exclusively for business purposes and that is leased out to provide a workspace rather than a living space. Ranging from a single gas station to a huge shopping center, commercial real estate includes retailers of all kinds, office space, hotels, strip malls, restaurants and convenience stores.
Commercial real estate is categorized into different classes. Office space, for example, is divided into one of three classes: class A, class B or class C.
- 1. Class A represents the best buildings in terms of aesthetics, age, quality of infrastructure and location.
- 2. Class B buildings are usually older and not as competitive price-wise as Class A buildings. These buildings are often targeted by investors for restoration.
- 3. Class C buildings are the oldest, usually over 20 years of age, located in less attractive areas and in need of maintenance