The Sale-Leaseback Playbook
How smart operators turn owned real estate into growth capital — without losing operational control.
CENTERED PARTNERS
Insurance · Real Estate · Capital Markets · M&A
The Opportunity
If you own the building your business operates in, you have a hidden asset that most advisors never bring up. That real estate isn't just a facility — it's a capital reservoir that could be funding your next acquisition, paying down expensive debt, or fueling growth.
A sale-leaseback lets you unlock that capital while staying in the building.
You sell your property to an investor.
You sign a long-term lease to stay put.
You deploy the proceeds into your business.
"We didn't realize our building was our cheapest source of capital."
— Founder, $25M distribution company
Who This Is For
Sale-leasebacks aren't for everyone. But for the right operator, they're one of the most powerful — and most underused — financial tools available.
If you checked 2+ boxes above, keep reading.
By the Numbers
Sale-leasebacks are surging — and for good reason. The economics are compelling across market cycles.
What Most Miss
Most sale-leaseback deals are handled by a single-discipline advisor — usually a real estate broker. That's where the problems start.
1. INSURANCE BLIND SPOT
Your property insurance, liability coverage, and business interruption policy all change when you shift from owner to tenant. Most brokers don't restructure coverage until after closing — leaving you exposed during the most vulnerable period.
2. LEASE STRUCTURE MISALIGNMENT
A 20-year lease sounds stable — until your exit timeline is 5 years. If the lease terms don't match your business strategy, you've created a liability that crushes your valuation at sale.
3. LENDER & COVENANT COORDINATION
Sale-leaseback proceeds can trigger debt covenant issues if your lender isn't involved early. The impact on borrowing base, collateral packages, and leverage ratios requires careful coordination between your lender and capital advisor.
4. ENVIRONMENTAL & COMPLIANCE RISK
Phase I assessments, ADA compliance, and environmental liabilities can kill a deal or create post-closing exposure. These need to be addressed upfront — not discovered at the closing table.
The Centered Approach
The Process
We evaluate your real estate — location, condition, market comps, and strategic value — to determine if a sale-leaseback makes financial sense for your specific situation.
Insurance, real estate, capital markets, and lending advisors sit down together to build a unified transaction plan. No sequential handoffs. No information gaps.
We identify and approach qualified buyers — net lease investors, REITs, and institutional capital — who match your property profile and lease requirements.
Lease terms, purchase price, insurance restructuring, and lender coordination happen simultaneously. Every advisor sees the full picture.
Seamless closing with all coverages in place, lease executed, proceeds deployed, and ongoing advisory support for the life of the lease.
Your Next Move
A complimentary session to evaluate whether a sale-leaseback could unlock capital trapped in your real estate.
Preliminary assessment of your facility's market value and sale-leaseback candidacy.
How proceeds could be deployed — debt paydown, acquisitions, growth, or reinvestment.
What coverage changes are needed and what the transition looks like.
Actionable intelligence whether you work with us or not.
30 minutes · No cost · No obligation
CENTERED PARTNERS
Insurance · Real Estate · Capital Markets · M&A
centeredpartners.com · csmith@centeredpartners.com
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