A storefront property is not a strip center. It is typically a single-tenant or small multi-tenant retail building, often freestanding or part of a row, with its own identity, street frontage, and signage. In Broward County, these properties attract three main buyer types: owner-operators who want to stop paying rent and build equity, investors who prefer a single lease to underwrite, and 1031 exchange buyers replacing their relinquished property with a stabilized retail asset. The market for these buildings is tight, inventory is scarce, and when a well-located storefront hits the market it moves quickly.
Who Buys Storefront Properties in Broward County
Owner-users dominate this market. A business owner operating a restaurant, salon, medical practice, insurance office, or professional service often reaches a point where paying rent no longer makes sense. Buying the building locks in their occupancy cost, builds equity with every mortgage payment, and gives them control over the space. Many of these buyers finance with an SBA 504 loan, which allows them to purchase with as little as 10% down and amortize the loan over 20 or 25 years. The monthly debt service on a storefront purchased with SBA financing is often lower than the rent they were paying as a tenant.
Investors buy storefront properties for simplicity. A single-tenant building with a lease in place is easier to underwrite than a multi-tenant strip center. 1031 exchange buyers represent a significant portion of storefront transactions in Broward County. They are exiting a relinquished property and need to identify replacement property within 45 days and close within 180 days. A storefront with a lease in place and a reasonable cap rate fits the timeline, and the single-tenant structure simplifies due diligence.
How Storefront Properties Are Valued
Valuation depends on whether the property is leased or vacant. A storefront with a lease in place is valued on an income approach: net operating income divided by the prevailing cap rate for single-tenant retail in that submarket. The cap rate reflects the tenant's credit quality, the lease term remaining, the rent relative to market, and the location. A national franchise tenant on a long-term lease will compress the cap rate; a local operator on a short-term lease will widen it.
A vacant storefront is valued differently. Without income, the property is worth what an owner-user will pay based on their own operating pro forma, or what an investor will pay based on the rent they expect to achieve once the space is leased. Owner-users often pay more than investors for the same vacant building because they are underwriting their own business's cash flow, not a landlord's return. The monthly debt service on an SBA 504 loan is the relevant benchmark, not a cap rate. You can model the debt service on an owner-user purchase with the loan sizer tool.
Due Diligence That Matters
Zoning and permitted uses come first. Verify that the current use is permitted as-of-right under the zoning code, and confirm what other uses are allowed. A storefront zoned for retail but not for food service will require a variance or conditional use permit if the buyer wants to operate a restaurant.
For food-service uses, inspect the grease trap, hood system, and HVAC. A building without a grease trap or an undersized grease trap will require expensive retrofitting. The hood system must meet current fire and ventilation codes.
ADA compliance is non-negotiable. Verify that the building meets current Americans with Disabilities Act requirements: accessible entrance, compliant restrooms, parking with van-accessible spaces, proper signage. Retrofitting an older storefront for ADA compliance can be costly.
The Corridors Where Storefront Properties Trade
Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale is the highest-profile corridor in Broward County for storefront retail. The boulevard runs from downtown Fort Lauderdale east to the beach, lined with restaurants, boutiques, galleries, and professional offices. Storefront properties on Las Olas rarely come to market, and when they do they trade at a premium.
Federal Highway (US-1) runs the length of Broward County and represents the highest volume of storefront transactions. The corridor carries heavy traffic, offers good visibility, and supports a mix of retail, office, and service uses. Storefront properties along Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach, and Hollywood trade frequently.
Atlantic Boulevard in Pompano Beach is another active corridor. The boulevard runs from the Intracoastal east to the beach and west into the interior of the city, with a high concentration of single-tenant retail and small multi-tenant buildings. Hollywood Boulevard and Harrison Street in downtown Hollywood have seen increased investor and owner-user interest over the past several years.
For a broader view of retail investment trends across the county, the Broward County market report provides quarterly updates on absorption, pricing, and transaction volume.
Why Inventory Is Tight
Storefront properties do not come to market frequently. Owner-users who buy a building to operate their own business often hold the property for decades. Investors who own leased storefronts typically hold for income and only sell when they need to exit for tax or estate-planning reasons. Many of the best deals never hit the MLS or the public listing platforms. I maintain a list of off-market storefronts that are available to qualified buyers before they are publicly marketed. If you want access to those opportunities, you can join the off-market list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are storefront properties for sale in Broward County?
Storefront properties trade most frequently along Federal Highway, Atlantic Boulevard in Pompano Beach, Las Olas Boulevard and downtown Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood Boulevard and Harrison Street in downtown Hollywood, and University Drive in Davie and Coral Springs. Inventory is tight, and many properties sell off-market before they are publicly listed. Working with a broker who specializes in retail properties for sale in Broward County gives you early access to new listings.
What is a storefront property?
A storefront property is a single-tenant or small multi-tenant retail building with street frontage, visible signage, and dedicated parking. It is typically freestanding or part of a row of connected buildings. Unlike a strip center with a shared rent roll and common-area maintenance, a storefront operates as an individual asset. These buildings attract owner-users who want to operate their own business and build equity, and investors who prefer a single lease to underwrite.
How do I value a single-tenant storefront building?
A leased storefront is valued on an income approach: net operating income divided by the cap rate for single-tenant retail in that submarket. The cap rate reflects the tenant's credit quality, the lease term remaining, and the location. A vacant storefront is valued based on what an owner-user will pay using their own business pro forma, or what an investor will pay based on expected market rent once the space is leased. Use the cap rate calculator to model the relationship between price, NOI, and cap rate.
Can I buy a storefront and run my own business in it?
Yes, and this is one of the most common reasons business owners buy storefront properties. Purchasing the building gives you control over your occupancy cost, builds equity with every mortgage payment, and eliminates the risk of a landlord raising your rent or refusing to renew your lease. Many owner-users finance the purchase with an SBA 504 loan, which allows you to buy with as little as 10% down. The monthly debt service is often lower than the rent you were paying as a tenant.
Next Steps
If you are ready to buy a storefront property in Broward County, the first step is to clarify your criteria: location, building size, budget, intended use, and financing structure. I work with both owner-users and investors, and I can show you properties that fit your requirements, including off-market opportunities that are not publicly listed. You can reach me directly at the contact information below, or get in touch here to start the conversation.
Best regards,
Anthony Conners is a Florida licensed real estate sales associate (license SL3334618) with Atlantic Commercial Advisors, affiliated with KW Commercial and based in Boca Raton. He represents buyers and sellers of multifamily, retail, industrial, hospitality and net lease property across Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties. About Anthony · Track record
