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Commercial Real Estate Glossary
1 min read

PSF: Per Square Foot in Commercial Real Estate

PSF, or per square foot, is the way that many commercial real estate rental and sale transactions are calculated. Most commercial leases are set at a specific PSF rate.

In this article:
  1. What is PSF in Commercial Real Estate? 
  2. Net PSF vs. Gross PSF 
  3. Questions? Fill out the form below to speak with a commercial real estate loan specialist.
  4. Related Questions
  5. Get Financing
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What is PSF in Commercial Real Estate? 

PSF, or per square foot, is the way that many commercial real estate rental and sale transactions are calculated. Many annual leases are set at a specific PSF rate, for example, $15 PSF. If a store leases 1,000 sq. ft. at $15 PSF, then their annual leasing cost is $15,000. Broken up into 12, one-month increments, that totals $1250 a month. 

Net PSF vs. Gross PSF 

When giving (or getting) a commercial real estate leasing quote, the quote can be given by a broker in two different ways, as a net lease PSF quote, or a gross lease PSF quote. A net quote does not include any of a tenant's tax obligations or common area maintenance (CAM) fees. In comparison, a gross quote does include those expenses. As a result, potential tenants have a much better idea of what they're getting into when signing a commercial lease. 

Questions? Fill out the form below to speak with a commercial real estate loan specialist.

Related Questions

What is PSF in commercial real estate?

PSF, or per square foot, is the way that many commercial real estate rental and sale transactions are calculated. Many annual leases are set at a specific PSF rate, for example, $15 PSF. If a store leases 1,000 sq. ft. at $15 PSF, then their annual leasing cost is $15,000. Broken up into 12, one-month increments, that totals $1250 a month.

When giving (or getting) a commercial real estate leasing quote, the quote can be given by a broker in two different ways, as a net lease PSF quote, or a gross lease PSF quote. A net quote does not include any of a tenant's tax obligations or common area maintenance (CAM) fees. In comparison, a gross quote does include those expenses. As a result, potential tenants have a much better idea of what they're getting into when signing a commercial lease.

What are the benefits of PSF in commercial real estate?

The main benefit of PSF in commercial real estate is that it allows potential tenants to have a better understanding of their leasing costs. A net PSF quote does not include any of a tenant's tax obligations or common area maintenance (CAM) fees, while a gross PSF quote does include those expenses. This allows potential tenants to have a much better idea of what they're getting into when signing a commercial lease.

In addition, PSF is a convenient way to calculate annual leasing costs. For example, if a store leases 1,000 sq. ft. at $15 PSF, then their annual leasing cost is $15,000. Broken up into 12, one-month increments, that totals $1250 a month.

How is PSF calculated in commercial real estate?

PSF, or per square foot, is the way that many commercial real estate rental and sale transactions are calculated. Many annual leases are set at a specific PSF rate, for example, $15 PSF. If a store leases 1,000 sq. ft. at $15 PSF, then their annual leasing cost is $15,000. Broken up into 12, one-month increments, that totals $1250 a month.

When giving (or getting) a commercial real estate leasing quote, the quote can be given by a broker in two different ways, as a net lease PSF quote, or a gross lease PSF quote. A net quote does not include any of a tenant's tax obligations or common area maintenance (CAM) fees. In comparison, a gross quote does include those expenses. As a result, potential tenants have a much better idea of what they're getting into when signing a commercial lease.

In summary, PSF is calculated by taking the total square footage of a space and multiplying it by the PSF rate. This will give you the total annual cost of the lease. Depending on the type of lease, this cost may or may not include taxes and CAM fees.

What are the common uses of PSF in commercial real estate?

PSF is commonly used in commercial real estate to calculate rental and sale transactions. It is also used to give leasing quotes, either as a net lease PSF quote or a gross lease PSF quote. A net quote does not include any of a tenant's tax obligations or common area maintenance (CAM) fees, while a gross quote does include those expenses.

This helps potential tenants have a better understanding of what they're getting into when signing a commercial lease.

What are the advantages of using PSF in commercial real estate?

The main advantage of using PSF in commercial real estate is that it allows for a more accurate comparison of different properties. By using PSF, potential tenants can compare the cost of leasing a certain amount of space in different properties, regardless of the size of the space. This makes it easier to compare different properties and make an informed decision. Additionally, using PSF allows for a more accurate comparison of rental rates, as it takes into account the size of the space being leased.

Another advantage of using PSF is that it allows for a more accurate comparison of different leasing options. For example, when giving (or getting) a commercial real estate leasing quote, the quote can be given by a broker in two different ways, as a net lease PSF quote, or a gross lease PSF quote. A net quote does not include any of a tenant's tax obligations or common area maintenance (CAM) fees. In comparison, a gross quote does include those expenses. As a result, potential tenants have a much better idea of what they're getting into when signing a commercial lease.

What are the disadvantages of using PSF in commercial real estate?

The main disadvantage of using PSF in commercial real estate is that it can be difficult to accurately compare different properties. For example, a property with a higher PSF rate may have higher quality amenities or a better location than a property with a lower PSF rate. Additionally, when calculating a PSF rate, it is important to consider the net vs. gross rate. A net rate does not include any of a tenant's tax obligations or common area maintenance (CAM) fees, while a gross rate does. As a result, potential tenants may not have a clear idea of what they're getting into when signing a commercial lease.

In this article:
  1. What is PSF in Commercial Real Estate? 
  2. Net PSF vs. Gross PSF 
  3. Questions? Fill out the form below to speak with a commercial real estate loan specialist.
  4. Related Questions
  5. Get Financing
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