I just walked by a commercial building I would like to consider buying. It's not for sale. How do I go about....
...finding out who the owner is (there are 3 units in there and the only one that looks active is a comic book shop)

...approach the owner carefully to not spook them as a capitalist pig but as a small business owner looking to move his home based business into a commercial space

..figure out what a commercial space is worth?

Also, what don't I know that I don't know when it comes to buying a commercial property to move your home based business into?
[{"id": "fy0pmt2", "text": "Generally speaking a solicitor/lawyer can accomplish this for you by searching the land registry for who it is currently registered to and then making contact with them on your behalf.\n\nAlternatively just ask the comic book business owner for his landlords number and give the guy a call. \n\nOverall be respectful and don\u2019t come at the guy with numbers off the bat. He won\u2019t be expecting the call/letter from your solicitor so be polite and ask if he\u2019d be open to discussions regarding the sale. If yes then move on to a chat about your intentions and desire to get an appraiser into the building to gain an understanding of value.", "replies": [{"id": "fy12abf", "text": "I always ask potential sellers what their long terms plans for building are? This way you don\u2019t come off as pushy, but opens the dialog for both of your intentions. Maybe you could structure a sale lease back.", "replies": [], "depth": 2}], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fy0yrau", "text": "&gt;not spook them as a capitalist pig but as a small business owner looking to move his home based business into a commercial space\n\nThis went over my head.  At face value, the response is:\n\nNo one cares about your politics vis-a-vis market value of the building.\n\nIf I understood the rest of the post, it's a 3-unit commercial structure with one active tenant, two vacant units.\n\nAnyway, ask a broker about the value and they can also search the records for ownership.\n\n&gt;what don't I know that I don't know\n\nStart your relationship now with an appropriate lender.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fy11c70", "text": "Search online assessment/tax records or GIS to find the owner (most commercial buildings aren\u2019t held directly by individuals) and then search the states Sec of State website for the business filing records. Registered Agent will sometimes be an affiliate of the entity, other times it\u2019ll just be their Attorney or CPA. You may get lucky and have a board of directors broken out if it\u2019s owned by a corporation. If all of those stars align, you may have some contacts to start tracking down info for.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fy16c8b", "text": "check county property search records, check deed records to see how long be owed. check to see if there is deed of trust showing his loan amount. send letter to owner just asking if it\u2019s available. if you still can\u2019t get anywhere, ask broker to help you but let them know seller paid commission and you can negotiate that.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fy17msj", "text": "Just know that in general that space is going to cost you more than any space that is already on the market.  You are going to have to come up with a number to convince them to make a move when they probably don\u2019t need or want to. If you come at them with a market rate the will likely just ignore you.\n\nThis is really only a good option if there is nothing else in the area that will work for you.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fy1eof5", "text": "Sounds like a broker could help you. Where are you located? Fwiw a brokers services are completely free of cost to the buyer (seller pays the fee)", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fy1fh4z", "text": "This is what I'm really good at.  Lookup who owns the property online and or ask the neighbors what's up with the property.  You might get lucky and find the owner or find out that they own the neighbor's property.  You can also find out dirt like they're retiring or want to get out of the RE biz.  \n\nOnce you figure out the owner, find out if the taxes are paid up.  If they are, then IF it has a lender then they're probably on time with the payments. If they are behind, then they either don't have a lender and or they are behind.  This means you might be able to get a really good deal.  \n\nIf you find the lender, you can figure out what kind of loan they have.  If it's a local regular bank, it's probably a low rate on a 15-20 year term, maybe a 5 year balloon.  \n\nDetermine what the prop is worth. This can get sticky but best advice is find comps of the same prop type, square footage, determine the rents and QUALITY LEVEL.  Do a best guess.  \n\nNow, call the owner.  Visit them.   Go to their house.  Email/phone/letter.  \nTell them you are a RE investor and you're interested in hearing their plans for their prop at xyz address or anything else they have.  \n\nI always short my offers, let them bring it up and then get seller financing.\nI can expound on this if you want.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fy1msdx", "text": "My experience in soliciting an off-market deal is that the property must serve a purpose for you that no other property can satisfy that is currently on the market.  Ask yourself why the owner would consider selling to you.  Take emotion out of it - it is a business transaction. A half hour of homework on the property will tell you if you have a chance.   \n\nIf it has 3 units, it is likely a multi-tenant and a single parcel.  The unit may not be sellable.  Is it owned by an individual or institution?  Institution =good luck.  Individual= you have a shot.  You will need a whole bunch of luck on your side to get it done.   \n\nCome prepared with a deal.  Know what the market is and make a fair offer.  Maybe suggest he carries back the note to lower his tax consequence.  Get the local rates for seller financing and put forth a reasonable/tempting offer.  Finding the value is pretty easy.  Look at Loopnet for comparable properties listed.\n\nBear in mind that \"inactive\" looking retail units could be COVID closures.   \n\nKnowing nothing about your business, I suggest you look at what the upside is.  First off, can you afford it?  Second, why pay rent when you don't have to. Third, if it is critical to the future of your business, make it happen.  If this unit is too complicated, hit the market and see what's out there.  You never know what you might find.   \n\n\nIMO- if you need a retail space, I'd wait.   The market is going to be a in a world of hurt in the coming months and there is no telling what will happen to values.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fy2mis0", "text": "Costar usually has owner information if you have a subscription. Another easy way is to see if there is a listing broker on Loopnet (free to use to the public) and ask them what the plans for the building are/ if they can make an introduction to the owner.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fy2t302", "text": "Since you're a buyer, you should reach out to a commercial broker. They'll likely have access to information via CoStar or other platforms. It won't cost you anything as the seller will probably cover the brokers costs.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fy86ajy", "text": "Thank you all so much. This is all extremely helpful!", "replies": [], "depth": 1}, {"id": "fypyi0m", "text": "Try property shark or costar true owner. Call the owner and start a conversation.", "replies": [], "depth": 1}]