Sell your commercial property in Kentucky
We buy commercial real estate across Kentucky directly, as-is, for cash.
Kentucky at a glance
- Population
- 4.6M
- Job growth
- -0.1%
- Transfer tax
- $0.50 per $500 (0.10%)
- Eff. property tax
- 0.74%
We buy in Kentucky
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 Kentucky market right now
Our read
Kentucky's population is about 4.6 million and is growing 0.5% a year. Median household income is $64,526, and over the latest year the state gained a net 7,269 residents from other states.
Kentucky is growing modestly with help from other states, but its commercial market is defined by freight. Louisville has UPS Worldport and one of the densest air-cargo markets in the country; Northern Kentucky has the DHL hub at CVG and heavy distribution; Lexington combines Toyota manufacturing, the University of Kentucky and the equine economy; Bowling Green builds the Corvette and supplies the auto industry.
The transfer tax is low and paid by the seller by statute, so it is a small, predictable line on your settlement statement rather than something to negotiate.
Valuation
What your Kentucky property is worth
How we price it
What a commercial property is worth in Kentucky 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 Louisville is a different risk from the same tenant in Bowling Green, 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 Kentucky 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
Kentucky tax & legal
Kentucky's transfer tax is 0.10%, paid by the seller by statute, so a $4M sale carries $4,000 in transfer tax.
- Transfer tax
- $0.50 per $500 (0.10%)
- Property tax (eff.)
- 0.74%
- 1031 conformity
- Yes
- Closing
- Attorney or title
Kentucky property tax vs. the 50 states
- Kentucky
- Other states
- Median state
Effective property tax rate
0.29%1.88%0.74%
20th 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
- KRS 142.050
Kentucky puts the transfer tax on the seller by law, but keeps it small.
Under KRS 142.050 the tax is imposed on the grantor at $0.50 per $500 of value, or 0.10%. On a $4M sale that is $4,000. The county clerk collects it as a condition of recording the deed, so it is settled at closing.
The statute exempts several transfers that matter to commercial owners, including transfers between an LLC and its members and transfers pursuant to entity mergers or conversions.
Effective property tax rates near 0.74% are below the national median. Kentucky conforms to federal 1031 treatment, and the Kentucky Supreme Court has held that non-lawyers may conduct real estate closings, so either an attorney or a title company can close your sale.
Sources: Kentucky Revised Statutes; Tax Foundation, October 2026 · apps.legislature.ky.gov · statute.aspx · taxfoundation.org · kentucky · apps.legislature.ky.gov · statute.aspx · law.justia.com · 2000-sc-000206-kb
What this means
If you're selling in Kentucky
- 01
Transfer tax of $0.50 per $500 (0.10%)
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
Either attorney or title may close
Kentucky permits both. Title tends to be faster and cheaper; an attorney is worth it if the deal has unusual structure or a contested title.
- 03
1031 exchange defers state tax too
Kentucky 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.
Demand drivers
The Kentucky economy
Population
4.6M
Pop. growth
+0.5%
Job growth
-0.1%
Unemployment
4.7%
Net domestic migration
+7,269
Housing permits YTD
9,683
Permits vs last year
-3.9%
Median household income
$65K
How Kentucky compares
- Kentucky
- Other states
- Median state
Job growth, year over year
-0.9%+1.6%-0.1%
10th lowest of 50
Population growth
-0.3%+1.5%+0.5%
23rd highest of 50
Unemployment rate
2.0%5.1%4.7%
8th highest of 50
Median household income
$59K$105K$65K
5th lowest 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 |
Kentucky's economy leans on air cargo and logistics, automotive manufacturing, bourbon and beverage production, healthcare, and the equine industry. Two global air-cargo hubs in one state is unusual, and it ties industrial demand to national parcel volumes rather than local growth.
Over the past year the state lost jobs at 0.1% over the past year, unemployment is 4.7%, and residential permits are down 3.9% year to date. Flat payrolls and slower homebuilding mean the state is not adding demand broadly; the gains are tied to specific employers, which is why we look at who the tenant answers to before anything else.
Louisville is where most of our Kentucky calls come from. UPS Worldport anchors one of the densest air-cargo logistics markets in the country.
Industries driving demand
Air cargo & logistics
Automotive manufacturing
Bourbon & beverage production
Healthcare
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 Kentucky volume happens
- 01
Louisville
UPS Worldport drives one of the nation's densest air-cargo logistics markets.
- 02
Northern Kentucky
Cincinnati-adjacent; DHL hub at CVG and heavy distribution.
- 03
Lexington
Toyota manufacturing, University of Kentucky, and the equine economy.
- 04
Bowling Green
GM Corvette assembly and automotive supply.
Property types
What we buy in Kentucky



Retail18
- Gas Stations & Convenience Stores1,826
- Car Washes224
- Shopping Centers
- Auto Collision & Repair Shops1,922
- Auto Parts Stores659
- Oil Change & Lube Centers145
- Truck Stops164
- Grocery Stores721
- Drive-Thru & Casual Dining Buildings3,499
- Coffee Shops609
- Liquor Stores681
- Pharmacies831
- Dispensaries
- Dollar Stores1,299
- Cell Phone Stores182
- Bank Branches1,581
- Pawn Shops & Check Cashing Stores
- Auto Dealerships291
Industrial03
Office & healthcare06
Hospitality & residential04
Specialty17
- Storage Facilities188
- Marinas42
- RV & Mobile Home Parks49
- Parking Garages & Lots48
- Campgrounds49
- Billboards24
- Cell Towers
- Churches3,267
- Funeral Homes368
- Early Education Centers925
- Private & Charter Schools229
- Movie Theatres42
- Data Centers & Battery Farms441
- Post Offices
- Government Buildings
- EV Charging Stations
- Gyms & Fitness Centers390
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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky
Where in Kentucky do you buy commercial property?
Statewide. Our activity concentrates in Louisville, Northern Kentucky, Lexington and Bowling Green, but we buy across Kentucky including secondary and rural markets that most institutional buyers skip.
What kinds of commercial property do you buy in Kentucky?
Retail, industrial, healthcare, hospitality, land, and specialty assets. Kentucky's economy leans toward air cargo & logistics and automotive manufacturing, so we see a lot of air cargo & logistics-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 Kentucky?
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 Kentucky, the transfer tax on a commercial sale is $0.50 per $500 (0.10%). 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 Kentucky?
Kentucky's transfer tax is imposed on the grantor (seller) at $0.50 per $500 of value and collected by the county clerk before the deed is recorded. Statutory exemptions include transfers between an LLC and its members and certain entity mergers and conversions.
Does Kentucky follow federal 1031 exchange rules?
Yes. Kentucky 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 Kentucky?
In Kentucky either an attorney or a title company can run the closing, depending on the county and the parties. We work with whichever you prefer.
Is demand for commercial property growing in Kentucky?
Kentucky's population is growing 0.5% a year and over the latest year it gained a net 7,269 residents from other states. Employers lost jobs at 0.1% over the past year, with unemployment at 4.7%, and residential permits are down 3.9% 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 Kentucky?
Send us the address and the lease. You'll have a firm offer, with the math shown, in 10 minutes.