Why One Clause Can Make or Break a Deal

From a real estate lawyer's perspective, one of the most important parts of a commercial purchase is not the price — it's making sure the buyer has a meaningful opportunity to investigate what they are actually buying.
That is where a properly considered due diligence condition becomes critical.
Commercial properties can carry risks that aren't obvious during a showing. Zoning restrictions, environmental issues, tenant obligations, title matters, building deficiencies and financial information can fundamentally change the value or suitability of a property.
For Realtors working on commercial transactions, understanding the purpose of due diligence — and knowing when to involve the client's lawyer — can help prevent serious problems later.

What Should Due Diligence Actually Cover?

There is no single checklist that works for every commercial transaction.
Depending on the property and the buyer's intended use, due diligence may involve reviewing:

The wording matters, and so do the specific circumstances of the transaction.

Zoning: Don't Assume the Buyer's Use Is Allowed

This is an area where problems can become expensive very quickly.
Suppose your client wants to purchase a commercial property for a restaurant, medical clinic, automotive business, daycare or another specific operation.
The fact that the property is marketed as “commercial” does not necessarily mean the buyer's intended use is permitted.
There may be zoning restrictions, parking requirements, licensing issues, condominium restrictions or other approvals to consider.

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Before a buyer becomes firm, the intended use should be clearly identified and appropriately investigated.

The Deadline Can Be as Important as the Clause

A buyer may have a due diligence condition, but how much time do they actually have to satisfy it?
Commercial due diligence may require coordination between the Realtor, lawyer, lender, accountant, inspector, municipality, environmental consultant or other professionals.
Documents also need to be obtained and reviewed.
A due diligence period that is too short may leave the buyer with a condition on paper but not enough time to perform a meaningful review.
This should be considered before the agreement is finalized, not a day before the condition expires.

What If the Buyer Is Purchasing a Tenanted Property?

For an investment property, the leases can be just as important as the bricks and mortar.
The buyer may need to understand rental income, renewal rights, additional rent, landlord obligations, tenant options and other provisions contained in the leases.
A property's advertised income does not tell the entire story.
When the value of the investment depends on the leases, the leases deserve proper review.

Realtors: Know When to Call the Lawyer

Realtors are often the first professionals involved in structuring a commercial transaction.
That makes your role extremely important.
But there is also an important line between identifying a client's business needs and providing legal advice about how contractual language affects those needs.
When a commercial transaction involves complicated conditions, unusual property uses, lease reviews, environmental concerns, title issues or customized contractual language, involving the client's lawyer before the agreement becomes firm can be far more valuable than involving the lawyer after a dispute arises.