Top Commercial Tenant Rep Brokers (2026 Listicle)

Navigating Commercial Leases: Your Tenant Rep Broker Choices

In 2025, the leading tenant-rep brokerages collectively managed over $100 billion in transaction volume. Specifically, JLL, CBRE, and Cushman & Wakefield alone handled a staggering $21.8B + $19.4B + $14.2B = $55.4B in deals. That's a huge market, and for any founder or business owner, choosing the right partner to secure your commercial space is a critical decision.

When you're looking for a tenant representative, you essentially have three primary paths. You can opt for a large national platform, which offers extensive data and broad access to landlords. Think of firms like CBRE, JLL, Cushman & Wakefield, or Newmark. Alternatively, you might prefer a tenant-only specialist, such as Cresa, Savills, or Avison Young, who often provide more senior-level attention. Your third option is a local boutique firm, which brings deep submarket expertise. For deals ranging from 1,000 to 25,000 square feet, boutiques and specialized tenant-only firms typically provide a more dedicated, senior broker. However, for anything larger, say 25,000+ square feet, or if you manage a portfolio across multiple markets, national platforms usually excel due to their data depth and wide-ranging landlord connections.

The Top 10 Tenant Rep Brokerages by 2025 Volume

Understanding who the major players are can help you benchmark. Here's a look at the top ten firms based on their 2025 transaction volume, according to Real Capital Analytics' 2026 Tenant Rep League Tables.

Source: Real Capital Analytics 2026 Tenant Rep League Tables.

National vs. Boutique: Making the Right Choice

As founders, we need to be strategic. For commercial leases under 25,000 square feet, our experience suggests you'll often receive more senior-level attention from a boutique firm. The deal size is significant enough for a top broker to prioritize it. Conversely, for leases exceeding 25,000 square feet, or if your business operates across multiple markets, national platforms generally offer superior landlord access and data resources.

National Platforms (e.g., CBRE, JLL, Cushman, Newmark):

• Advantages: They leverage proprietary analytics for comprehensive market data, offer capabilities for multi-market portfolios, and maintain deep relationships with landlords across various asset classes.
• Considerations: Smaller deals, say 1,000 to 5,000 square feet, might be delegated to junior brokers due to economic models. There's also a potential conflict of interest if the same firm represents landlords in your target submarket.

Tenant-Only Specialists (e.g., Cresa, Savills, Avison Young):

• Advantages: These firms completely avoid landlord-side conflicts. They often provide senior attention for smaller deals, ensuring explicit fiduciary alignment with your interests.
• Considerations: Their national footprint tends to be smaller, and their market data might be less comprehensive compared to the large national platforms.

Boutique Local Firms:

• Advantages: They possess intimate submarket knowledge, deliver senior attention to their clients, and often offer more flexible fee structures.
• Considerations: Their capacity for multi-market operations is typically limited, and the depth of their data can vary significantly between firms.

Assessing a Tenant Rep Broker: Key Questions

When interviewing potential brokers, these five questions will help you gauge their suitability:

1. "What's your balance between tenant-only and landlord-side representation?" A broker representing both sides introduces a conflict-of-interest risk. Tenant-only firms, like Cresa or Savills, eliminate this issue entirely, ensuring their loyalty is solely to you.
2. "Have you closed comparable deals in this specific submarket within the last 12 months?" General city-level experience isn't enough, submarket expertise is crucial for optimal results.
3. "What data sources do you use for effective rent benchmarks?" A broker who mentions "access to CompStak" is a good sign. For established firms, "our internal database" is the ideal response. If they primarily "rely on listings," that's a red flag.
4. "Will I be working with a senior broker or a junior?" For deals in the 1,000 to 25,000 square foot range, senior attention can be a significant differentiator. Boutique firms often provide senior brokers, while larger firms vary.
5. "How is your fee split handled in a co-brokerage situation?" This clarifies whose interests are truly aligned with yours if multiple brokers are involved in a transaction.

Specialty Considerations: Matching Broker to Your Business Needs

Your business type often dictates the specialized broker you need.

• Lab / Life Science: This sector demands a specialty firm. Lab buildouts can take 6 to 12 months and require specific landlord underwriting that generalist brokers won't understand.
• Restaurant: Hire a restaurant-focused tenant rep. They understand unique lease clauses, percentage rent breakpoints, and the diligence required for things like grease traps.
• Industrial / Logistics: Clear height, dock-loading capabilities, and trailer parking specifications necessitate brokers with industrial expertise.
• Coworking / Flex Tenant: This is a more standardized, mass-market product, and major firms generally handle it well.
• Government Tenant: GSA leasing involves specific procurement processes. Specialty firms, sometimes found within Cushman, Newmark, or Transwestern, are equipped for this.

How Tenant Rep Economics Work

Here's the practical breakdown of broker fees. The standard structure involves a commission of 4% to 6% of the gross rent over the lease term. Critically, this is paid by the landlord, not directly by you, the tenant. This is a common practice, as outlined in the CCIM fee guide.

You, as the tenant, typically pay nothing out-of-pocket. The landlord pays their listing brokerage, which then splits that commission with your tenant representative. If you choose to represent yourself, the landlord simply retains that commission as additional margin, meaning you don't actually "save" money.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose between a national firm and a boutique tenant-rep broker?

National firms, like CBRE and JLL, generally provide superior data and wider landlord access. Boutiques, such as Cresa and Savills, often deliver more personalized, senior-level attention per deal. For transactions under 25,000 square feet, boutiques are usually a more suitable option.

Is tenant-rep representation truly free?

Yes, in most standard market conditions. The landlord covers the tenant-rep broker's fee from their listing commission. This means you receive professional representation without any direct out-of-pocket expenses.

Can I use the same broker who represents the landlord?

While technically possible, known as dual agency, it presents a significant conflict of interest. Your goal is fiduciary advocacy, so it's always best to have separate representation. Insist on a broker who solely represents tenants.

Should I sign an exclusive representation agreement?

Yes, for comprehensive tenant representation, an exclusive agreement is advisable. This agreement aligns the broker's incentives with yours and triggers the standard 4% to 6% commission structure. These agreements typically last 6 to 12 months. Be aware that if you decide to switch brokers, your initial agreement might include "tail" claims on properties you were shown during that period.

What's the difference between a senior broker and a junior?

A senior broker typically has over 10 years of experience, established landlord relationships, and personally handles negotiations. A junior broker might work under senior supervision and possess less independent leverage with landlords. For any significant deal, always seek senior attention.

How do I verify a broker's references?

Request 3 to 5 references from deals similar to yours, specifically in the same submarket, of a comparable size, and for a similar use case. When you call these references, ask about negotiation outcomes, the broker's responsiveness, and the level of post-deal support during the construction phase.

Can I switch brokers mid-search?

You can, provided you haven't signed an exclusive representation agreement. If you have, switching might trigger a "tail" claim for commissions on properties introduced during your agreement period. Always review your agreement thoroughly before making a change.

What are the current trends in tenant rep brokerage for 2026?

Real Capital Analytics' 2026 outlook highlights two key trends: continued consolidation among national firms, with players like Newmark and Cushman expanding through acquisitions, and growth in tenant-only firms such as Cresa and Savills, as institutional tenants increasingly prioritize fiduciary alignment.

Full data + interactive calculator: commercialleasecost.com

Sources

1. Real Capital Analytics 2026 Tenant Rep League Tables accessed 2026-05-02
2. CCIM Tenant Representation Fee Guide accessed 2026-05-02
3. Cushman & Wakefield Marketbeat accessed 2026-05-02
4. JLL Office Market Statistics accessed 2026-05-02

Disclaimer: This information is not financial or legal advice. Estimates are based on publicly available market data and broker reports. Commercial real estate is highly localized and deal-specific. Always consult a licensed commercial real estate broker and a real estate attorney before signing any lease.