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Call (916) 436-3776Office Property California
How Do I Buy or Sell Office Property in California in 2026?
Office is the most challenged commercial asset class in 2026: California vacancy is elevated (often 14 to 18% in major metros) from hybrid work, and financing is the hardest of any property type. But the picture is stratified, quality Class A and medical office hold tenants, while older Class B/C struggles. The opportunity is in value-add, conversion (to residential, medical, or flex), and owner-users buying at corrected prices with SBA 504 financing. Cap rates run higher than other asset classes (roughly 7.5 to 9%+), reflecting the risk. Serve First underwrites realistically; Ashlar Lending arranges financing; Ashlar LDA prepares the entity.
Office is the most challenged commercial asset class in 2026, and pretending otherwise doesn't help anyone. Vacancy is elevated across California as hybrid work has permanently reduced space demand, and financing is harder to get than for any other property type. But that same distress has created real opportunity for the right buyer: quality, well-located Class A and medical office continue to attract tenants, prices have corrected to levels that reward disciplined capital, and value-add or conversion plays, office to residential, medical, or flex, are where much of the activity now sits. For a business, buying its own office at a corrected price with SBA financing can make more sense than ever. This guide covers the office market honestly, then links to a guide for your area. Serve First underwrites realistically, Ashlar Lending arranges the financing, and Ashlar LDA handles the entity.
One family. Straight answers, then a plan.
Buy, sell, or reposition office, with a realistic strategy
Office is the most challenged commercial asset class right now, which means the opportunities and the risks both need honest underwriting. The Ashlar Brands family works the whole picture:
- Serve First Realty underwrites office realistically: occupancy, lease rollover, tenant-improvement and concession costs, and the building’s best path (quality lease-up, medical/flex, conversion, or owner-use), and represents you buying or selling.
- Ashlar Lending Inc. (NMLS #2699657) matches the deal to the right program: SBA 504 for a business buying its own office (up to 90% financing at low fixed rates), plus bridge for value-add and conversion, and conventional financing.
- Ashlar LDA, Inc., a bonded and registered Legal Document Assistant, can prepare the LLC or entity paperwork and deeds at your direction.
These are separate businesses in the Ashlar Brands family. Serve First is a real estate brokerage, not a lender or law firm; loan terms and SBA occupancy rules are set by the lender and SBA, and conversion feasibility depends on local zoning. A Legal Document Assistant prepares documents at your direction and is not a substitute for an attorney. This is general information, not tax advice.