The best commercial mortgage companies can help you get financing for property you're interested in. If you qualify, you can get a mortgage to buy simple office space, or income-generating properties like strip malls and office buildings that allow you to use the proceeds to pay down the mortgage and build equity.

Getting a commercial mortgage requires a lot of paperwork, strong business and financial history, and a considerable up-front investment. Before you can even start to look for the best commercial mortgage companies, you need to have an existing building or land in mind. You also must prove that your business plan is solid so you can afford to pay off the mortgage at the end of term.

Finding the best commercial mortgage companies
When trying to locate the best commercial mortgage companies, you have three options to select from:

1. Banks – Offer low rates, but they're selective who they'll work with. They also might have the highest application and processing fees.
2. Third-party lenders – Provide the quickest turnaround using funds from private sources, insurance companies, and other lines of credit. However, they charge the highest interest rates.
3. Brokers – Typically the best source for the best commercial mortgage companies because they work with several different lenders to find good rates that you might not be eligible for on your own. Brokers offer more direct customer service and perform a lot of the initial research, but the extra service comes at a price.

What to look for in the best commercial mortgage companies
To find the best commercial mortgage company, look for ones that solely focus on commercial properties. While a residential mortgage broker can finance business property, they may not have the same level of experience in the commercial world nor have access to the same deals that commercial brokers can get.

Try to find companies that work with businesses in a similar industry. If you find property for a family restaurant, for example, it's best to find a commercial mortgage company that works with businesses in food service. Contact the Commercial Mortgage Securities Association to get recommendations for the best industry-specific commercial mortgage lenders.

No matter how good the first offer looks, don't automatically accept it. You'll have a harder time locating the best commercial mortgage companies if you only talk with one. By using BuyerZone's free request for commercial mortgages quotes service, you'll get matched up with three to five different lenders. That way, you can review the different options and select the company you feel most comfortable with.

One final note: Always let other lenders know when you have a deal in writing. Commercial mortgage companies have other clients to attend to and don't want to waste time processing paperwork and researching rates if you're just shopping around. Plus, they may appreciate the courtesy if you need to use them in the future.