Sell your commercial property in California
We buy commercial real estate across California directly, as-is, for cash.
California at a glance
- Population
- 39.4M
- Job growth
- +0.8%
- Transfer tax
- 0.11% county (+ city)
- Eff. property tax
- 0.70%
We buy in California
50 property types, statewide
- Gas Stations & Convenience Stores
- Warehouses & Distribution Facilities
- Car Washes
- Storage Facilities
- Industrial Outdoor Storage Facilities
- Manufacturing & Logistics Facilities
- Office Buildings
- Medical Offices
- Shopping Centers
- Hotels & Motels
- Marinas
- Multifamily Properties
- Assisted Living Facilities
- RV & Mobile Home Parks
- Parking Garages & Lots
- Campgrounds
- Billboards
- Cell Towers
- Churches
- Funeral Homes
- Commercial Land
- Farms & Ranches
- Resorts & Retreats
- Auto Collision & Repair Shops
- Auto Parts Stores
- Oil Change & Lube Centers
- Truck Stops
- Grocery Stores
- Drive-Thru & Casual Dining Buildings
- Coffee Shops
- Liquor Stores
- Pharmacies
- Dispensaries
- Urgent Care Centers
- Veterinary Clinics
- Dialysis Centers
- Dollar Stores
- Cell Phone Stores
- Early Education Centers
- Private & Charter Schools
- Bank Branches
- Movie Theatres
- Pawn Shops & Check Cashing Stores
- Data Centers & Battery Farms
- Post Offices
- Government Buildings
- Auto Dealerships
- EV Charging Stations
- Hospitals & Surgery Centers
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
Data current as of
Market conditions
The California market right now
Our read
California has about 39.4 million residents and is essentially flat. Over the latest year it lost a net 229,077 residents to other states, the largest domestic outflow of any state, and median household income is $100,149.
California's commercial story is no longer about adding people. It is about which submarkets hold tenants while residents leave. The Inland Empire serves the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach; the Central Valley runs agriculture, food processing and logistics from Sacramento to Bakersfield; the Bay Area is technology and life sciences; Greater Los Angeles is port-driven industrial and dense infill retail; San Diego is defense, biotech and cross-border trade. Those five can move in opposite directions in the same year.
Every sale resets the assessment to the price your buyer pays, so a long-held property's tax bill can jump at transfer, and your buyer will price that in. The county transfer tax is small, but some cities add far more, which makes the property's city as important as its county.
Valuation
What your California property is worth
How we price it
What a commercial property is worth in California comes down to the income it produces, how durable that income is, and what it costs to hold and transfer the asset here. We underwrite all three rather than applying a statewide cap rate to a number you send us.
Income durability is where most valuations go wrong. A tenant with three years remaining in Inland Empire is a different risk from the same tenant in San Diego, and remaining lease term alone does not capture it. We look at what the space actually re-leases for and how long it sits empty first.
Holding and transfer cost is the other half, and it comes directly out of your proceeds. Transfer tax, property tax treatment, and closing convention vary more between states than most sellers expect. The California figures, with the statutes behind them, are set out in the tax and legal section below.
Capital markets today
- 10-yr Treasury
- 5.24%
- 4.12% a year ago
- SOFR
- 3.87%
- 4.2% a year ago
- 30-yr mortgage
- 7.28%
- 6.3% a year ago
- CRE loan delinquency
- 1.53%
- 1.57% a year ago
- CRE prices, YoY
- 6.58%
- -2.7% a year ago
Sources: FRED DGS10, 2026-10-01 · FRED SOFR, 2026-10-01 · FRED MORTGAGE30US, 2026-10-01 · FRED DRCRELEXFACBS, 2026-04-01 · FRED COMREPUSQ159N, 2026-01-01
California tax & legal
California's county transfer tax is only 0.11%, but some cities add far more, and every sale resets the Prop 13 assessment to the price your buyer pays.
- Transfer tax
- 0.11% county (+ city)
- Property tax (eff.)
- 0.70%
- 1031 conformity
- Yes
- Closing
- Title state
California property tax vs. the 50 states
- California
- Other states
- Median state
Effective property tax rate
0.29%1.88%0.70%
19th lowest of 50
Effective rates as cited on each state's page; every state's sources include Tax Foundation.
View all states as a table
| State | Effective property tax rate |
|---|---|
| Arizona | 0.48% |
| Texas | 1.40% |
| Florida | 0.78% |
| Alabama | 0.37% |
| Alaska | 0.94% |
| Arkansas | 0.56% |
| California | 0.70% |
| Colorado | 0.50% |
| Connecticut | 1.54% |
| Delaware | 0.54% |
| Georgia | 0.79% |
| Hawaii | 0.29% |
| Idaho | 0.50% |
| Illinois | 1.88% |
| Indiana | 0.76% |
| Iowa | 1.33% |
| Kansas | 1.21% |
| Kentucky | 0.74% |
| Louisiana | 0.55% |
| Maine | 0.98% |
| Maryland | 0.92% |
| Massachusetts | 1.00% |
| Michigan | 1.19% |
| Minnesota | 1.00% |
| Mississippi | 0.58% |
| Missouri | 0.89% |
| Montana | 0.61% |
| Nebraska | 1.44% |
| Nevada | 0.50% |
| New Hampshire | 1.50% |
| New Jersey | 1.88% |
| New Mexico | 0.63% |
| New York | 1.30% |
| North Carolina | 0.66% |
| North Dakota | 0.92% |
| Ohio | 1.36% |
| Oklahoma | 0.79% |
| Oregon | 0.81% |
| Pennsylvania | 1.26% |
| Rhode Island | 1.12% |
| South Carolina | 0.49% |
| South Dakota | 1.00% |
| Tennessee | 0.52% |
| Utah | 0.48% |
| Vermont | 1.51% |
| Virginia | 0.78% |
| Washington | 0.75% |
| West Virginia | 0.51% |
| Wisconsin | 1.32% |
| Wyoming | 0.53% |
Statutes
- Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code § 11911
- Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code § 110.1
- Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code § 18662
What a California sale costs you depends heavily on the city the property is in.
The county documentary transfer tax under Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code § 11911 is $0.55 per $500, about 0.11%, and cities may add half that. Charter cities can go much further. Los Angeles charges a 0.45% base tax, and Measure ULA adds 4% on sales over $5.4M and 5.5% at $10.9M and up, for transactions closing after June 30, 2026. ULA is calculated on gross value, including any loan the buyer assumes. On a large Los Angeles sale, the city tax can cost more than everything else at closing combined.
On assessment: Prop 13 keeps your assessed value near your purchase price, but a change in ownership resets it to current market value (Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code § 110.1). Your buyer is underwriting taxes on the price they pay you, not on your current bill. The statewide effective rate is near 0.70%.
On income tax: California conforms to federal 1031 treatment for real property, with two catches. If you exchange into property outside California, you must file FTB 3840 every year until the deferred gain is recognized, and California taxes that gain when you eventually sell. Separately, under § 18662 buyers generally withhold 3⅓% of the sales price on sales over $100,000, unless you qualify for an exemption or choose the alternative calculation based on your actual gain.
Sources: California Legislature; Franchise Tax Board; LA Office of Finance; Tax Foundation, October 2026 · leginfo.legislature.ca.gov · codes_displaySection.xhtml · leginfo.legislature.ca.gov · codes_displaySection.xhtml · boe.ca.gov · changeinownership · finance.lacity.gov · measure-ula · ftb.ca.gov · reporting-like-kind-exchanges · ftb.ca.gov · 2025-593-instructions · taxfoundation.org · california
What this means
If you're selling in California
- 01
Transfer tax of 0.11% county (+ city)
Budget this as a closing cost from day one. It is charged on the sale price, not on your gain, so it applies whether or not the sale is profitable.
- 02
Closes through title, no attorney required
A title or escrow company handles closing, title insurance, and recording. That usually means a faster close and one less party to coordinate.
- 03
1031 exchange defers state tax too
California conforms to federal like-kind exchange treatment, so a properly structured 1031 defers both. You must have a qualified intermediary in place before closing — it cannot be arranged afterward.
- 04
How the sale affects assessed value
Yes. Under Prop 13, a change in ownership resets the property's base year value to current fair market value.
Demand drivers
The California economy
Population
39.4M
Pop. growth
+0%
Job growth
+0.8%
Unemployment
5.1%
Net domestic migration
-229,077
Housing permits YTD
74,505
Permits vs last year
+10.4%
Median household income
$100K
How California compares
- California
- Other states
- Median state
Job growth, year over year
-0.9%+1.6%+0.8%
15th highest of 50
Population growth
-0.3%+1.5%-0.0%
5th lowest of 50
Unemployment rate
2.0%5.1%5.1%
1st highest of 50
Median household income
$59K$105K$100K
5th highest of 50
View all states as a table
| State | Job growth, year over year | Population growth | Unemployment rate | Median household income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | +0.6% | +0.9% | 4.9% | $81K |
| Texas | +1.1% | +1.3% | 4.4% | $80K |
| Florida | +0.6% | +0.8% | 4.5% | $78K |
| Alabama | +1.1% | +0.6% | 3.4% | $67K |
| Alaska | +1.3% | +0.1% | 4.3% | $96K |
| Arkansas | +0.6% | +0.6% | 3.9% | $62K |
| California | +0.8% | -0.0% | 5.1% | $100K |
| Colorado | +0.2% | +0.4% | 4.0% | $97K |
| Connecticut | +0.9% | +0.4% | 5.1% | $96K |
| Delaware | +0.1% | +0.9% | 4.7% | $88K |
| Georgia | -0.1% | +0.9% | 3.2% | $80K |
| Hawaii | +0.2% | -0.1% | 2.7% | $101K |
| Idaho | +0.9% | +1.4% | 3.6% | $81K |
| Illinois | +0.2% | +0.1% | 4.7% | $83K |
| Indiana | -0.5% | +0.6% | 3.3% | $72K |
| Iowa | +0.0% | +0.3% | 3.2% | $76K |
| Kansas | +0.5% | +0.4% | 3.8% | $76K |
| Kentucky | -0.1% | +0.5% | 4.7% | $65K |
| Louisiana | +1.6% | +0.1% | 4.2% | $61K |
| Maine | -0.1% | +0.5% | 3.2% | $76K |
| Maryland | -0.2% | +0.3% | 4.1% | $103K |
| Massachusetts | +0.2% | +0.2% | 4.3% | $105K |
| Michigan | +0.2% | +0.3% | 5.0% | $72K |
| Minnesota | +1.4% | +0.6% | 4.4% | $87K |
| Mississippi | +0.4% | +0.1% | 3.4% | $59K |
| Missouri | +1.1% | +0.4% | 3.5% | $72K |
| Montana | -0.9% | +0.6% | 3.2% | $75K |
| Nebraska | +0.2% | +0.6% | 2.9% | $76K |
| Nevada | +1.3% | +0.9% | 4.8% | $81K |
| New Hampshire | +0.2% | +0.5% | 2.8% | $100K |
| New Jersey | -0.2% | +0.4% | 4.3% | $104K |
| New Mexico | +1.6% | -0.1% | 4.7% | $68K |
| New York | -0.0% | +0.0% | 4.3% | $86K |
| North Carolina | +1.3% | +1.3% | 3.5% | $74K |
| North Dakota | +0.5% | +0.8% | 2.2% | $78K |
| Ohio | +0.2% | +0.3% | 3.3% | $72K |
| Oklahoma | +0.7% | +0.6% | 4.3% | $66K |
| Oregon | -0.8% | +0.2% | 5.1% | $85K |
| Pennsylvania | +0.6% | +0.1% | 3.7% | $78K |
| Rhode Island | +0.1% | +0.4% | 3.7% | $84K |
| South Carolina | +1.6% | +1.5% | 4.1% | $72K |
| South Dakota | +0.2% | +0.9% | 2.0% | $77K |
| Tennessee | +0.5% | +0.9% | 3.4% | $72K |
| Utah | +1.0% | +1.0% | 3.5% | $97K |
| Vermont | -0.3% | -0.3% | 2.6% | $83K |
| Virginia | -0.9% | +0.7% | 3.6% | $92K |
| Washington | +0.4% | +0.9% | 4.9% | $99K |
| West Virginia | -0.3% | -0.1% | 4.0% | $61K |
| Wisconsin | +0.6% | +0.3% | 3.2% | $77K |
| Wyoming | +0.8% | +0.3% | 3.0% | $76K |
California's economy spans technology and software, entertainment and media, agriculture and food processing, international trade and port logistics, and life sciences. Few states have that many independent engines, which is why statewide numbers say little about any one property.
The state added jobs at 0.8% over the past year even as residents left, and residential permits are up 10.4% year to date. Unemployment is 5.1%, among the higher rates of any state. Modest hiring and a softer labor market put more weight on tenants tied to trade, technology and life sciences than on those that depend on local population growth.
The Inland Empire is where most of our California calls start. Riverside and San Bernardino form the primary distribution market for the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, so tenants there answer to port volumes more than to local population.
Industries driving demand
Technology & software
Entertainment & media
Agriculture & food processing
International trade & port logistics
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, 2024 · U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2025 · U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, August 2026 · U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Employment Statistics (total nonfarm, YoY), August 2026 · U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey (residential units, year to date), January–August 2026
Regions
Where California volume happens
- 01
Inland Empire
Riverside–San Bernardino; the primary distribution market serving the ports of LA/Long Beach.
- 02
Central Valley
Sacramento to Bakersfield; agriculture, food processing, and logistics on I-5/SR-99.
- 03
Bay Area
San Francisco–San Jose–Oakland; technology and life sciences.
- 04
Greater Los Angeles
Port-driven industrial, dense infill retail, and entertainment.
- 05
San Diego
Defense, biotech, and cross-border trade with Tijuana.
Property types
What we buy in California



Retail18
- Gas Stations & Convenience Stores6,766
- Car Washes2,231
- Shopping Centers
- Auto Collision & Repair Shops19,778
- Auto Parts Stores3,558
- Oil Change & Lube Centers812
- Truck Stops1,350
- Grocery Stores8,044
- Drive-Thru & Casual Dining Buildings34,527
- Coffee Shops13,412
- Liquor Stores4,408
- Pharmacies4,247
- Dispensaries
- Dollar Stores2,602
- Cell Phone Stores1,555
- Bank Branches7,361
- Pawn Shops & Check Cashing Stores
- Auto Dealerships2,073
Industrial03
Office & healthcare06
Hospitality & residential04
Specialty17
- Storage Facilities2,247
- Marinas224
- RV & Mobile Home Parks357
- Parking Garages & Lots2,726
- Campgrounds357
- Billboards291
- Cell Towers
- Churches12,379
- Funeral Homes794
- Early Education Centers9,670
- Private & Charter Schools2,752
- Movie Theatres507
- Data Centers & Battery Farms2,698
- Post Offices
- Government Buildings
- EV Charging Stations
- Gyms & Fitness Centers5,371
Process
How selling to Dizposition works
Day 0
01Send us the property
Address, asset type, and the lease if there is one. That is enough for us to start.
- 02
We underwrite it
Our underwriting runs the income against current California market pricing and the cost of capital. No lowball anchor.
10 minutes
03You get a firm offer
In 10 minutes, with the math shown. You will know exactly how we got there.
As fast as 30 days
04Close on your timeline
As fast as 30 days, or as slow as you need. We are the principal, so the date is yours.
FAQ
Selling commercial property in California
Where in California do you buy commercial property?
Statewide. Our activity concentrates in Inland Empire, Central Valley, Bay Area and Greater Los Angeles, but we buy across California including secondary and rural markets that most institutional buyers skip.
What kinds of commercial property do you buy in California?
Retail, industrial, healthcare, hospitality, land, and specialty assets. California's economy leans toward technology & software and entertainment & media, so we see a lot of technology & software-adjacent property here. We also buy assets other people avoid — vacant, environmentally impaired, or with short lease term.
What are the closing costs to sell commercial property in California?
Title and escrow fees, any transfer or recording tax the state levies, prorated property taxes, and payoff of existing debt. Because we are the buyer there is no commission. In California, the transfer tax on a commercial sale is 0.11% county (+ city). The statute and the rest of the closing-cost detail are in the tax and legal section above.
Is there a transfer tax when you sell commercial property in California?
Counties levy $0.55 per $500, and cities may add half that. Some charter cities set their own rates: Los Angeles charges 0.45%, plus Measure ULA's 4% on sales over $5.4M and 5.5% at $10.9M and up (thresholds effective July 1, 2026).
Does selling reset the property tax assessment in California?
Yes. Under Prop 13, a change in ownership resets the property's base year value to current fair market value. The effective property tax rate in California is about 0.70%.
Does California follow federal 1031 exchange rules?
Yes. California conforms to Section 1031, so a properly structured exchange defers state income tax on the gain as well as federal. The 45-day identification and 180-day closing deadlines are federal and apply the same way.
Who handles a commercial real estate closing in California?
California is a title state: a title or escrow company typically runs the closing, with attorneys optional. We open title with a national underwriter as soon as terms are agreed.
Is demand for commercial property growing in California?
California's population is essentially flat and over the latest year it lost a net 229,077 residents to other states. Employers added jobs at 0.8% over the past year, with unemployment at 5.1%, and residential permits are up 10.4% year to date. Those are the inputs behind tenant demand; what they mean for your property depends on its submarket and lease, which is what we underwrite.
How long does it take to sell a commercial property to Dizposition?
You get a firm written offer within 10 minutes of sending us the property. If you accept, you can close in as little as 30 days — most of that is title work and your own timeline. There is no listing period, no marketing, and no waiting on a buyer's financing contingency.
Can I sell my property as-is?
Yes. We are the buyer, so there is no lender requiring repairs and no inspection contingency to renegotiate against you. Deferred maintenance, a failing roof, an aging tank system — we price it into the offer rather than asking you to fix it first.
Can I sell with a tenant in place?
Yes, and in most cases a tenant makes the property more valuable to us, not less. We will ask for the lease, a rent roll, and any estoppel certificates. You do not need to deliver the property vacant.
What if my lease is short-term or about to expire?
Short remaining term is one of the main reasons owners come to us. A conventional buyer needs lease term to get financing, which is why short-dated assets sit on the market. We underwrite the real estate and the backfill prospects rather than the remaining term alone.
What if the property is vacant?
We buy vacant assets. Pricing shifts from an income approach to what the building and land are worth to the next user, which is a different calculation — but it is one we do routinely rather than one that disqualifies the property.
Do I need a broker to sell to you?
No. We buy directly, and there is no commission because there is nothing to market. If you already have a broker, we will pay them. Selling without one saves the commission, but you should understand you are also giving up price discovery — a broker's job is to find out whether someone will pay more than we will.
What documents do I need to get an offer?
The address and the lease are enough to start. To finalize, we will want the rent roll, the last two years of operating statements, the title commitment, any existing survey, and any environmental reports you already have. You do not need an appraisal or a broker package.
How do you determine your offer?
We underwrite in-place income against what the space would re-lease for, adjust for capital needs and any environmental tail, and apply a cap rate supported by comparable transactions. We show you the inputs. If you disagree with an assumption, we would rather argue about the assumption than about the number.
What are typical seller closing costs?
Title and escrow fees, any transfer or recording tax owed in your state, prorated property taxes, and payoff of any existing debt. Because we are the buyer, there is no commission and no marketing cost. Transfer tax varies significantly by state and is often the largest single line.
Will I owe capital gains tax when I sell?
Usually yes, on the gain above your adjusted basis, and depreciation recapture is taxed separately from appreciation. State treatment varies. This is a question for your CPA before you sign, not after — the structure of the sale can change the answer.
Can I do a 1031 exchange?
Yes. A 1031 exchange lets you defer federal capital gains by reinvesting in like-kind property, subject to a 45-day identification window and a 180-day closing window from the date you sell. You must have a qualified intermediary in place before closing — it cannot be arranged afterward. Most states conform to federal treatment, but a few do not.
Can I sell if I am behind on payments or facing foreclosure?
Yes, and speed is the reason to move early rather than late. We can close on a defined date, which is what a lender or a receiver generally needs to see. Send us the payoff figure and any notices you have received.
Can I sell a property I inherited or that is in probate?
Yes. Probate sales take longer because the court timeline governs, not ours, and multiple heirs need to agree on the price before anything can close. We are used to working around both. Inherited property also generally receives a stepped-up basis, which can change the tax math substantially.
What if there is environmental contamination?
Send it anyway. Environmental history is one of the most common reasons a conventional sale falls apart, and it is one of the reasons owners call us. We price the remediation and the residual liability into the offer rather than walking away at the Phase II.
Is there any cost or obligation to get an offer?
None. There is no fee, no listing agreement, and no obligation to accept. If our number does not work for you, you keep the underwriting we showed you and we part ways.
10-minute offer
Ready to sell in California?
Send us the address and the lease. You'll have a firm offer, with the math shown, in 10 minutes.