When people think about commercial real estate ownership, there’s often hesitation — concerns about cost, complexity, long-term commitments… it can be a lot to consider. But what if I told you that owning your commercial space could actually be more advantageous (and more affordable) than leasing?

I’ve spent years helping business owners and enthusiasts make the transition from leasing to ownership, and I want to share with you the eight compelling reasons why ownership beats leasing (nearly) every time. From building equity to creating generational wealth, these insights might challenge what you think you know about commercial real estate ownership.

If you want to watch the whole spiel, check out the video below:

If you prefer to read your insights, carry onward!

1. Financial Benefits of Owning > Leasing

Building equity and ownership are fundamental to smart investing and how you spend your time. Think about it: if you own your home, why wouldn’t you own the space for your business or personal use? Real estate has consistently proven to be a valuable asset over time and an excellent hedge against inflation.

Let me give you a concrete example: One of our most common units is a 1,000 square foot warehouse with a 300 square foot mezzanine, fully finished with a restroom, HVAC, and finished floor. You can purchase this unit for approximately $380,000. With a typical commercial bank loan requiring 20% down (about $76,000), you can finance the remaining amount on a 25-year term at around 7.5%. This equates to roughly $2,250 monthly.

That same space, if leased, would run between $24-25 per square foot (including the mezzanine space), totaling about $2,600-$2,700 monthly. That’s nearly $4,000 in annual savings just by owning instead of leasing.

2. Control and Flexibility

When you lease a space, any improvements you install essentially transfer to the landlord, creating no additional value for you over the long term. I work with many creative people who want to install murals, make architectural improvements, or customize their space in ways that landlords might not approve.

Having complete control over your space means you can:

  • Make aesthetic modifications without seeking approval
  • Install specialized equipment or systems
  • Create the exact environment your business or hobby needs
  • Build equity through your improvements instead of gifting them to a landlord

It’s about creating a space that truly works for you, whether that’s a high-end showroom for your car collection or a specialized workspace for your growing business.

3. Future-Proofing

Here’s something most people don’t consider: when you’re leasing, you’re at the mercy of property ownership changes. I’ve seen countless situations where investors purchase buildings and decide not to renew leases or dramatically increase rates. Even if you’ve been a perfect tenant for years, there’s no guarantee your lease will be renewed when it expires.

Owning your space eliminates these uncertainties. You control your future, you decide how long you stay, and you’re protected from market whims or changing ownership scenarios. This stability is invaluable for business planning and peace of mind.

4. Lower Monthly Costs for Owning

Let’s talk real numbers. Over a three-year period, typical lease rates include annual escalators of 3-5%. While your rent keeps climbing, an owned unit’s mortgage payment remains fixed. This creates a growing advantage for owners – approximately 16% savings over three years compared to leasing.

But it gets better. In an average market, we typically see about 6% annual price appreciation (not every market is the same, nor do they appreciate at the same rate… but in most markets, most of the time, this is what we typically see). That 6% means the unit you purchased for $380,000 could be worth around $450,000 after three years — that’s $72,000 in additional equity. Compare that to three years of rent payments, which build zero equity and only increase over time.

5. Asset Value for Business Growth

For service-based businesses, one of the biggest challenges is building tangible assets. When you go to sell a service business or seek financing, having few hard assets can make your balance sheet look weak. However, owning your commercial space changes this equation dramatically.

Real estate ownership:

  • Strengthens your balance sheet
  • Improves access to credit
  • Makes your business more valuable to potential buyers
  • Creates additional collateral for future loans
  • Provides a tangible asset that typically appreciates over time

6. Independence and Freedom

We live in a time of non-traditional businesses with unique needs — whether that’s higher power requirements, off-hours operations, or specialized equipment. When you’re leasing, these needs can create friction with landlords who may not understand or support your requirements.

Ownership gives you the freedom to:

  • Operate on your own schedule
  • Modify utilities and systems to meet your needs
  • Adapt your space as your business evolves
  • Create the exact environment your business requires
  • Make decisions without seeking landlord approval

7. Strategic Advantages to Owning

One strategy I love seeing our owners implement is purchasing multiple units — using one for their business while leasing others. This approach is brilliant because it:

  • Creates additional revenue streams
  • Provides room for future expansion
  • Helps offset your mortgage payments
  • Builds a real estate portfolio alongside your business
  • Opens opportunities for passive income

I’ve watched numerous business owners start with one unit and gradually expand their holdings, creating significant additional value beyond their primary business.

8. Long-Term Investment Potential

While a single Personal Warehouse unit won’t make you an overnight millionaire, it’s an excellent building block for generational wealth. I’ve seen this play out in multiple ways:

  • Business owners who sell their company but retain the real estate, creating passive income through leaseback arrangements
  • Investors who start with one unit and gradually build a portfolio
  • Owners who use appreciation and equity to fund expansion or other investments
  • Families who pass down both businesses and real estate to the next generation

Ready to Explore Ownership?

If you own your home, if you own your business, I firmly believe you should own the space you operate within. It’s a generational investment that’s often more affordable than people realize, and it puts you on a path to growing your business while controlling your future.

Check out our projects page to explore available units and see what ownership could look like for you. My team is ready to help you run the numbers and compare the real costs of owning versus leasing.

With high demand and limited availability, now is the time to take control of your future through ownership — your journey to commercial real estate ownership starts here.