If you’ve ever tried to figure out what a commercial building sold for down the street, you’ve probably asked yourself: are commercial property sales public record?
The short answer is yes — but the full picture is more nuanced than most people realize. And understanding that nuance can make or break your next deal.
I’m Matt Bingaman, and as a Commercial Real Estate Advisor, I’ve helped countless clients navigate the sometimes murky waters of property transaction data. Let me walk you through what’s actually available, where to find it, and how to use it strategically.
Yes, Commercial Property Sales Are Generally Public Record
In the United States, real estate transactions — including commercial property sales — are recorded at the county level through the county recorder’s office or the county assessor’s office. When a property changes hands, a deed is filed, and that deed becomes part of the public record.
This means anyone can typically access:
- The sale price (in most states)
- The buyer and seller names
- The date of the transaction
- The legal description of the property
You can usually find this information by visiting your county recorder’s website, searching property records databases, or using third-party platforms like CoStar, Reonomy, or even Zillow for some commercial transactions.
The Catches You Should Know About
Here’s where my experience comes in. While the transaction itself is public, the details behind the deal often are not. And in commercial real estate, those details are everything.
Non-Disclosure States
Not every state requires the sale price to be disclosed on the deed. States like Texas, Utah, Wyoming, Mississippi, and New Mexico are considered “non-disclosure states,” meaning the purchase price may not appear in public records at all. In these markets, getting accurate comp data requires industry connections, broker networks, and platforms like CoStar.
Entity Purchases
Many commercial properties are purchased through LLCs, trusts, or holding companies. So while the sale is public, the actual person or group behind the purchase may be obscured. I’ve seen deals where it took significant digging to figure out who actually bought a property — and that information can be critical when you’re trying to understand market dynamics.
Lease Terms & Deal Structure
Public records won’t tell you about seller financing, lease-back arrangements, assumed debt, or other creative deal structures. Two properties might show the same sale price on paper, but the actual economics of each deal could be wildly different.
Why This Matters for You
Whether you’re a buyer, seller, or investor, understanding public records gives you leverage:
- Buyers can research comparable sales to ensure they’re not overpaying
- Sellers can see what similar properties traded for to set realistic asking prices
- Investors can identify acquisition patterns, market trends, and off-market opportunities
I always tell my clients: data is your best negotiating tool. The more you understand about what properties are trading for in your market, the stronger your position at the table.
How I Help My Clients Use This Data
As a CRE advisor, I don’t just pull records — I interpret them. I combine public record data with my market knowledge, broker intelligence, and proprietary databases to give my clients a complete picture. Because a sale price without context is just a number. With context, it becomes a strategy.
If you’re exploring a commercial real estate transaction and want to understand what properties are actually selling for in your market, let’s talk. I’ll help you cut through the noise and make data-driven decisions.
📞 Contact Matt Bingaman today for expert commercial real estate guidance.