How to sell commercial real estate in Ukraine?

How can you make money?

There are two main routes:

1. Renting — you buy or already own a property and rent it out. This is a steady income, especially with commercial premises in new builds and a good location. A small café in the city center or a warehouse by the highway, for instance, can bring in more money than it might seem at first glance.
2. Reselling — you buy a property at a lower price (during the construction stage, say, or when the premises need renovation), invest in improving it and sell it for more. Some investors make tens of thousands of dollars on this in a single deal.

What do you need to know so as not to lose money?

• Location is 50% of success. Buying a warehouse far from logistics routes is a bad idea. But a small office near the metro is already more profitable.
• The condition of the premises. The better it looks, the more you can rent or sell it for. Sometimes a cosmetic renovation is all it takes.
• Demand. Before buying, it's worth checking whether there's a need for such premises. Today, for example, small warehouses for online stores and business centers with flexible rental terms are popular.

Types of commercial real estate: what sells faster and more profitably?

Before putting a property up for sale, it's worth determining which category it belongs to and who it might appeal to. This will help you position it correctly and find a buyer faster. Take commercial real estate in Lviv, for example: demand remains high in central districts and near business centers, especially for retail premises and offices.

1. Offices: there's demand, but not everywhere
   Selling an office in the center of a major city is easier than in a residential district. Large companies need prestige, and small businesses need accessibility. If the premises suit a coworking format or can be divided into smaller blocks, that's another plus.
   Who to sell to? Business owners, coworking spaces, investors.
   What to emphasize in the listing? A good renovation, the availability of parking, transport accessibility.
2. Shops, cafés, salons: a quick sale with the right location
   The more foot traffic there is near your property, the more you can sell it for. Retail premises in busy spots get snapped up faster than those located in courtyards. If a business is already operating in the premises, you can sell it together with the tenant — a convenient option for an investor.
   Who to sell to? Entrepreneurs, investors, franchisees.
   What to emphasize? High foot traffic, the presence of tenants, a ready-made turnkey business.
3. Warehouses and production premises: you need the right buyer
   Selling a warehouse or production facility is harder, because the buyer has clear requirements: logistics, floor area, access to utilities. But if the property meets modern business needs (located near a transport hub or with enough capacity, for instance), there'll be a buyer ready to pay well.
   Who to sell to? Logistics companies, distributors, manufacturing enterprises.
   What to emphasize? Transport accessibility, ceiling height, the availability of access roads.
4. Hotels and apart-complexes: not everyone is ready to buy, but the price is high
   The hotel business is not just real estate but a ready-made project. If you have a small hotel or apart-complex, the potential buyers will be hotel chains or entrepreneurs who want to launch their own business.
   Who to sell to? Investors in the hotel business, chain operators.
   What to emphasize? The hotel's occupancy, the average check, its reputation.

What documents are needed to sell commercial premises in Ukraine in 2025?

To avoid delays when selling commercial real estate, it's worth preparing all the necessary documents in advance. First and foremost is a document confirming ownership — an extract from the State Register of Property Rights, a sale-and-purchase agreement, a deed of gift or an inheritance document. If the property has several owners, you'll need their written consent to the sale.

The property must have an up-to-date technical passport confirming its condition and floor area. If the property is located on a separate plot, you need to provide the land documents: a state act of ownership or a lease agreement specifying the rights to transfer the property together with the plot.

If any redevelopment or reconstruction was carried out on the premises, the buyer may ask for the relevant permits from DIAM. Also, before the deal, you should obtain extracts confirming the absence of debts for utilities and taxes.

Proper preparation of the documents significantly speeds up the sale, since buyers usually choose properties ready for a quick deal.

How do you prepare commercial real estate for sale to find a buyer faster?

Selling commercial real estate isn't just about finding a buyer — it's about making them want to buy your property in particular, and as quickly as possible. Whether a person is ready to close the deal or goes off to look for another option depends on the first impression. Here's how to prepare a property correctly to attract attention and get a good price.

1. Do an audit: what could get in the way of the sale?
   Before putting the property on the market, look at it through the buyer's eyes. What catches the eye? A faded sign, peeling walls, dark corridors? Minor flaws can become a cause for doubt, and therefore for long negotiations or even a refusal to buy. If you want a quick sale, it's worth eliminating all the obvious downsides.
2. Cosmetic renovation: minimal investment for maximum effect
   The only people who want to buy a property with peeling walls and broken doors are those looking for a super-cheap option. A light update — painting the walls, replacing the light fixtures, a deep clean — will significantly increase the chances of a sale. Even if the premises seem "fine," it's worth freshening up their look. Cleanliness, light and space are three things that make any property more appealing.
3. The best contents: empty walls or a ready-made business?
   If you're selling premises that are still in use, you need to decide what to leave and what to take away. If it's a restaurant, for example, the furniture and equipment left behind can be an advantage, since the new owner will be able to start a business right away. The same goes for warehouses, production facilities and offices. At the same time, an overly "personal" interior (an old logo on the windows, unique decor) can put people off. Sometimes it's better to present the premises in a neutral state, so the potential buyer can imagine their own business in the space.
4. Prepare the documents in advance: speed is your trump card
   No buyer wants to wait months while the seller draws up the necessary papers. If you have everything ready, the deal can be done in a matter of weeks. Check that you have all the documents, that there are no discrepancies in the technical passport and cadastral data, and that there are no debts for utilities.
5. Quality photos and video are half the battle
   A listing with no photos, or with blurry shots, is like a restaurant with no menu: no one knows what's on offer. Professional photos taken from the right angle and with good lighting immediately inspire more trust. Even better is a short video overview or a virtual 3D tour. This is especially important if you're selling a property in another city or counting on foreign buyers.
6. Emphasize the main advantages in your presentation
   If the property has something that makes it unique, be sure to emphasize it. For example:
   • A prime location: near the metro, beside busy thoroughfares, in a business center.
   • The presence of a tenant: if the premises already bring in an income, this will attract investors.
   • A finished renovation and equipment: minimal investment for the new owner.
   • Parking and infrastructure: if the buyer is planning a business with a flow of customers, these factors will be important.
7. A fair price: don't overprice, but don't undercut either
   Price is one of the key factors in a quick sale. If it's too high, potential buyers simply won't consider the option. If it's too low, suspicion arises that something is wrong with the property. The best approach is to do a market analysis, turn to appraisers or look at the prices of similar properties in your area.

How to find a buyer for commercial real estate

Selling commercial real estate isn't just about posting a listing and waiting for a buyer to turn up on their own. In this segment, deals rarely happen spontaneously: people carefully weigh the risks, study the market and compare dozens of options. So it's important not just to present information about the property, but to convey it correctly to the right audience.

1. Professional platforms and websites
   To sell residential property, ordinary sites like OLX are often enough. But commercial real estate has its own specialized platforms where people look for offices, warehouses or retail spaces. Among them:
   • DOM.RIA — one of the largest platforms for finding commercial real estate.
   • CBRE, Colliers, Cushman & Wakefield — international real estate agencies with databases of potential buyers.
   • The commercial sections on DOM.RIA, OLX, Address.ua — for a wide range of buyers.
2. Advertising campaigns on social media
   Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram can deliver unexpectedly good results if you run the ads correctly. You can target listings at entrepreneurs, developers and businesspeople looking for premises in your city, for example. A good option is to create a video overview or a 3D tour and promote it through ads.
3. Working with realtors
   Yes, agents' services cost money, but in complex sales they can be a lifeline. Experienced brokers know exactly who's looking for commercial premises right now, can quickly handle negotiations and help with the documents. This is especially important if you don't want to waste time on endless calls from buyers who aren't a fit.
4. Using business communities and networking
   Commercial real estate is often bought not through websites but through personal contacts. Entrepreneurs discuss investments within their own circles, so it's worth taking advantage of this. Where can you find potential buyers?
   Business forums, conferences and entrepreneur meetups.
   Industry Telegram and Facebook groups where business owners discuss growth.
   Networking events and business breakfasts where you can present your property.

Tax on commercial real estate in 2025 when selling

When selling commercial real estate in Ukraine in 2025, the seller pays personal income tax (PIT) at 18% and a military levy of 5% of the deal amount (as of 1 January 2025). If the property is sold by a legal entity, it pays corporate profit tax at 18% or the single tax (depending on the taxation system). If the seller is a VAT payer, value-added tax (20%) is added to the price.

Besides the main taxes, a state duty of 1% of the property's value and an administrative fee for registering the deal are charged. There may also be additional costs — for the services of a notary, realtor and appraiser, for example. So the sale of commercial real estate comes with taxes: 18% PIT, 5% military levy and, under certain conditions, 20% VAT. However, before selling, it's worth checking the current tax requirements, since the rates may change depending on legislative amendments.

Conclusion

Selling commercial real estate in Ukraine in 2025 requires a competent approach: it's important to prepare the documents, appraise the property, identify the target audience and choose effective channels for finding a buyer. The speed of closing the deal depends on the right presentation, a fair price and legal readiness for the sale. By using a comprehensive approach, you can not only find a buyer quickly but also get the maximum benefit from the deal.