Commercial space listings:

[Chimi Kadriu]

What sites do you guys use to list your commercial space rentals? Please help and TIA!

[Jin Chung]

National tenants already have tenant reps canvasing property owners in areas they want to expand or will have multi-location deals with existing relationships.  If they haven't contacted your property owner already then it's likely you'll have to go with a local mom and pop tenant, in that case they never use Costar.  Do a search for commercial space on google and what you see is what every other local mom and pop will see when they search - most likely loopnet and citifeet (which are both part of costar group anyway so if you advertise with either of them you have the option to list on all the costar group portals).  There are tons of other sites: Crexi, Brevitas, Resimplifi, etc. - though mostly brokers and property owners use these.  I've gotten the most inquiries from citifeet, but check what seems to be popular in your market. 

Regarding Costar, they are extremely aggressive about upselling and market research. Once you list with them be prepared to get phone calls from them several times a week - literally.  

Regarding national tenants.  If by chance they are interested in your property be prepared for a very long process - up to years, and it could all be wiped away with new strategic plans.  This is a good option if you have vacant land or redevelopment property and have time to develop the property. If you have a vacancy or soon to be vacancy but want to have the option for a national tenant, get a mom and pop in for a short term lease 1-2 years (it will take that long or longer to complete a deal with a national) if every goes right. 

Franchises are a possibility.  They are usually corporate backed and deals can done quicker than a corporate owned chain store.  They are still owned by a local franchisee so they will be searching like a mom and pop.  Still needs corporate approval.  They are more likely to use a broker who will use Costar, so if you have a listing on citifeet or loopnet most brokers will see your property.  

If the location is in a desirable area you'll still get a lot of inquiries with a good old sign by the road and in the window.  But as you know you'll get a lot of phone calls from new non-profits or churches or first time business owners.  Make them fill out a thorough application.  If you think you have the potential to get a national chain or franchise then you could give one of these a chance with a short term 1-2 year lease to keep income generating as they will likely not last longer than that anyway.