The Risks of Not Hiring a Broker
As a building owner, you’ve managed tenants, dealt with maintenance, and handled a few lease negotiations. So, when it comes time to lease or sell, it’s tempting to cut out the middleman and handle the transaction yourself. After all, how hard can it be?
Although not hiring a broker might seem like a way to save money, it often costs far more in lost revenue, wasted time, and missed opportunities.
At AushCo, we help owners with our leasing, sales, and property management expertise. We ensure that our clients maximize their property’s value while mitigating costly mistakes. In this blog, we expose six risks you take by not hiring a broker.
1. Pricing Pitfalls
One of the biggest challenges building owners face is pricing. Price too high, and you’ll scare away potential buyers or tenants, leaving your property vacant. Price too low, and you might close a deal quickly but potentially leave money on the table.
While you may save in the short term on listing fees, sellers could lose 25% to 40% of a property’s value going at it alone. Our experts use industry insights to ensure our clients’ properties are competitively priced.
2. Limited Exposure
Marketing a property isn’t as simple as listing on a commercial real estate website. Many owners assume that a few online posts attract the right buyers or tenants. Still, the reality is that most serious deals happen through industry connections, broker networks, and occasional off-market opportunities.
AushCo lives and breathes Frederick, MD, and the surrounding area. We use our local network to find the right tenants and buyers for you. Whether you’re leasing office space or selling an investment property, we ensure our clients’ listings reach the right audience, leading to faster transactions at stronger terms.
3. Negotiation Mistakes
Even if you’ve negotiated a few leases or sales in the past, you’re likely going up against professionals who do this every day. Buyers and tenants often come to the table with their brokers — experts who know how to structure deals in their client’s favor. If you don’t have an advocate in your corner, you’re at a disadvantage before the first conversation begins.
AushCo negotiates on behalf of our clients to secure the best terms possible — not just on price but also on lease structure, renewal options, operating expenses, and legal protections. Our experience ensures that our clients don’t agree to terms that could create headaches in the future.
4. Legal Risks
Commercial leases and purchase agreements are complex documents with legal nuances that can be easily overlooked. A poorly worded clause or missing contingency can create long-term liabilities, costing an owner tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.
At Aushco, we help our clients navigate these complexities, from letters of intent to closing the deal.
5. Wasting Time on Unqualified Leads
It’s easy to assume that any inquiry about your property is trustworthy, but not all potential buyers or tenants are serious or financially qualified. It’s possible to waste weeks or even months entertaining prospects who ultimately aren’t the right fit.
AushCo ensures only serious, financially capable parties engage in the negotiations. This saves our clients valuable time and prevents the frustration of deals falling apart due to financing issues or bad-faith negotiations.
6. Missing Market Trends
The commercial real estate market is constantly shifting. Rental rates, cap rates, financing options, concessions, and demand fluctuate based on economic trends, local development, and industry cycles. Owners who aren’t deeply embedded in the market can be overwhelmed by all the data.
At Aushco, we provide our clients with tailored insights based on comprehensive real-time market data, so you’re never taking a shot in the dark with the value of your property.
The Real Cost of “Saving Money”
Many owners assume they’ll save on commission fees by handling the transaction. But when you factor in mispriced properties, longer vacancies, weaker negotiations, legal risks, and missed opportunities, it becomes clear that proceeding without a broker can be far more expensive in the long run.
At Aushco, we ensure our clients don’t just close deals — they maximize their profits. Hiring a broker isn’t an expense; it’s an investment in providing the best outcome for your property. Let’s talk about how we can help you get the best deal possible.