Commercial real estate can be divided into a broad set of property types, serving various purposes and markets. The main categories are highlighted below.

1. Office Buildings
Office buildings are those where businesses operate administrative functions. They range in size from small, single-tenant buildings to large skyscrapers:

• Class A: These are the highest quality buildings in premium areas with very desirable amenities, modern designs, and high demand for tenancy.
• Class B: Most of the time, older structures with fewer facilities, but still well-maintained and located in pretty good locations. For tenants, they are lower-priced options.
• Class C: These buildings are older, less well-maintained, and located in the less desirable part of town. Many of them need major renovation and are offered at lower rents.

2. Retail Properties
Retail properties are designed for businesses that sell goods and services directly to consumers:

• Shopping Centers: Malls, strip centers, and outlet centers that have numerous retailers located therein and are anchored by larger tenants such as department stores or grocery stores.
• Standalone Stores: Single-tenant retail buildings, many of which are occupied by national chains or big-box users, including supermarkets or electronics users.
• Urban Retail: Stores that are in the center or heart of the towns and cities and are normally part of mixed-use developments.

3. Industrial Properties
Industrial property serves for manufacture, distribution, and storage. Example:

• Warehouses: These buildings are immense and utilized primarily for the purpose of storage and distribution. They may also be found near major transport terminals, such as highways, railways, or sea harbors.
• Manufacturing Facilities: Properties which are designed for the production of goods; very often, the facility has heavy-duty power, cranes, and large floor areas.
• Flex Space: This asset type combines office and industrial space on one property, extending flexibility for different users whose needs require an administrative area in addition to operations space under the same roof.

4. Multifamily Housing
Multifamily properties have residential buildings with more than one unit, including:

• Apartment Complexes: These are large single buildings or groups of buildings consisting of a number of units. Among other amenities, they usually come equipped with pools, gyms, and common rooms.
• Condominiums: Individually owned units within a larger building or community, with common areas maintained by a homeowners’ association. Mixed-use developments involve properties with both residential units and commercial space; these can be found in most urban areas and aim to enable residents to live, work, and play. 

5. Special Purpose Properties
Special purpose properties are those designed for specific uses and often cannot easily be adapted to another use without major renovation:

• Hotels and Resorts: Accommodating properties for travelers, from the lowest type of motel to luxury resorts, offering either budget or lavish service.
• Health Care Facilities: These include hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes. Special construction and equipment are required for many of these facilities.
• Educational Institutions: These comprise schools, universities, and training centers. They serve educational purposes and usually require special zoning and construction.