Finding your own broker isn't all that different from finding a good doctor, lawyer or dentist. A hefty application of common sense, professional and personal connections and some independent research usually yields a good result. The same method works when looking for a broker.
As suggested in Section C, above, you'll be best served if you work with a broker who represents tenants exclusively. A good starting point for your search is to find a broker who represents buyers-but not sellers-of real estate. These brokers may act as tenants' agents in leasing transactions too; or they may he able to direct you to a kindred spirit who represents tenants only. Do your best to work with an established broker- one who has been in the business long enough to know how deals are done and how landlords and their brokers work. In addition, an experienced and successful broker will have the financial stability to enable her to firmly put your best~ interests at the front. Remember, in most situations a broker gets paid when deal is done, according to the size of the rent. A broker who isn't hungry will be less tempted to rush negotiations or settle for a more expensive result when patience might produce something better for you.
Avoid a broker who does residential, not commercial, leasing. Someone who works primarily with houses condos and apartments is unlikely to know the ins and outs of the commercial market. Make sure the broker you choose is experienced in helping tenants find office, retail and other commercial space. While you shouldn't use a residential specialist to find a business rental, the broker who helped you buy or sell your house may have suggestions for a commercial easing specialist.
Other commercial tenants in your community may he a fruitful source. Ask them if they have engaged a broker and whom they would recommend. Look for tenants who appear to be running a healthy business (chances are that their good business sense was at work when they chose a broker, too).
You can narrow your field of inquiry by approaching tenants whose businesses are similar to yours, especially if you're in a large city where brokers may have divided the market into niches, with some specializing in office space, others concentrating on restaurants and food stores and others working mainly with light industry. For example, if you're intending to open an 2r[ gallery, you'll want to deal with a broker who's familiar with the commercial space that is appropriate for a gallery. The owner of a currently operating gallery may have found just the broker.
In some cities, brokers may even concentrate on specific neighborhoods. If you want to locate in a particular area, to take advantage of adjoining businesses, traffic patterns or expected rents, it makes sense to took for brokers who have already done deals in the neighborhood.
Try to get recommendations from several tenants and businesspeople. You may find that the same name or names pop to the top of everyone's list. These are the people to pursue, testing them by the criteria suggested in Section E1, below.