Commercial FAQ
A few of the questions I hear most from prospective commercial clients — how I work, what kinds of deals I’ve been part of, and what to expect.
Do you handle commercial deals personally, or do you refer them out?+
Both, depending on what the deal needs. I stay involved as your point of contact from the first conversation through closing, and when a project calls for a specific kind of commercial expertise — financing, valuation, leasing, or a particular asset class — I bring in a trusted partner from my network of commercial real estate specialists to work alongside me. You always have one person coordinating the deal, backed by the right specialists when it matters.
What kind of commercial real estate have you actually worked on?+
I’ve helped a client acquire two multifamily apartment buildings, and I’ve worked on deals sourcing retail space for restaurant, bakery, and clothing-store tenants. That range is exactly why I lean on a partnership model — it lets me bring real, hands-on experience to a project while pulling in specialized expertise for whatever a particular deal requires.
What types of commercial property can you help with?+
Multifamily and apartment buildings, retail and restaurant space, small office, mixed-use, and land, either directly or through my referral network. If you’re not sure your project fits, the short questionnaire below is the fastest way to find out.
How is commercial different from residential when it comes to financing and timeline?+
Commercial financing is typically underwritten around the property’s income (lenders often look at debt-service coverage ratio, or DSCR, rather than just your personal income), down payments tend to run higher, and appraisals lean on the income approach rather than comparable home sales. Due diligence and closing timelines usually run longer than a residential deal, too. The Multifamily Investment Calculator below can help you get a feel for how a specific deal’s numbers pencil out, including DSCR.
Do I need my own attorney or CPA for a commercial transaction?+
Strongly recommended. Entity structure, lease terms, financing documents, and tax treatment all have real consequences on a commercial deal, and a real estate attorney and CPA who know commercial property should be part of your team. If you don’t already have one, I’m happy to make an introduction through my network.
How do I get started?+
Fill out the Commercial Real Estate Questionnaire with a bit about your project, and I’ll follow up personally — bringing in a specialist from my network if it makes sense for what you’re working on.
Ready to talk about your commercial project?
Tell me what you're working on, or run your numbers on a multifamily deal first.
This FAQ is for general educational purposes and reflects real estate practices believed accurate as of 2026; specific deal experience is described in general terms to protect client confidentiality, and referral partners are independent professionals, not employees or agents of Chuma Hicks-Reese or Keller Williams West Atlanta. Nothing here is legal, tax, or financial advice, and no outcome, partner availability, or representation is guaranteed — confirm your specific situation with a qualified attorney, CPA, and lender.