[notfarnow]

A lawyer will help protect you in due diligence, and button up a tight deal... but I'd want to be dealing with an established commercial realtor who is NOT the listing agent.

A local commercial realtor should know the local "players" and the ebbs & tides of local businesses. You want someone who knows what might be coming down the pipes, what other businesses could affect yours, what municipal bylaws or restrictions (existing or pending) could affect the profitability of the business.

I do 95% residential, but occasionally I have someone buying or selling commercial, and in those cases I ALWAYS get help from an established commercial agent. Their advice and experience can save you THOUSANDS before you start paying a lawyer by the hour.