If you own a business with significant real estate assets, you are sitting on a pile of cash you might not even realize you have. A sale-leaseback lets you sell your property to an investor and lease it back, freeing
Why Sale-Leasebacks Are Booming in 2026
The sale-leaseback market has matured into a sophisticated financing tool that sits at the intersection of real estate and corporate finance. Companies across retail, industrial, medical, and office sectors are increasingly using these transactions to unlock 100% of their property's value without taking on traditional debt. Institutional investors love the predictable, long-term cash flows, while business owners gain flexible capital to reinvest in core operations. As interest rates stabilize and M&A activity picks up, the demand for specialized advisors who understand both credit underwriting and property dynamics has never been higher.
How We Ranked the Top Advisors
I evaluated each firm based on four key criteria: depth of sale-leaseback specialization, track record of closed transactions, breadth of property types and deal sizes handled, and the quality of their strategic advisory beyond just the transaction. A great advisor doesn't just close a deal; they help you structure it to align with your long-term business goals.
Here is a quick snapshot of the top five sale-leaseback advisors, ranked from best-in-class to strong niche players. Each firm brings a unique strength to the table.
| Provider | Best For |
|---|---|
| W. P. Carey | Companies seeking a direct investor with decades of experience |
| SLB Capital Advisors | Business owners who want a fiercely independent advisor focused on financial structuring |
| Avison Young | Large, multi-location companies needing national coverage and institutional resources |
| CrownPoint | Business owners seeking a boutique, relationship-focused advisor with a strong track record |
| Ascension Advisory | Family-owned businesses planning a sale or succession who want integrated real estate and M&A advice |
The Top 5 Sale-Leaseback Advisors: Deep Dive
#1 W. P. Carey
A screenshot of the W. P. Carey website.
W. P. Carey is the 800-pound gorilla in the sale-leaseback space, acting as both advisor and direct investor. They have been doing this for decades and have a massive portfolio that spans industrial, retail, and office properties. Their blog offers a deep dive into the benefits and qualifications of a sale-leaseback, making them a great educational resource. Because they buy the property themselves, they can offer speed and certainty of close that other advisors cannot match. They are ideal for companies looking for a straightforward, capital-efficient transaction with a single, reliable counterparty.
#2 SLB Capital Advisors
A screenshot of the SLB Capital Advisors website.
SLB Capital Advisors is a pure-play sale-leaseback advisory firm that treats each transaction as a strategic financing tool, not just a real estate deal. They emphasize the critical role of credit underwriting and long-term cash flow durability, as highlighted in their insights on the advisor's role. Their team is based in New York and focuses on mid-to-large market transactions where financial structuring is paramount. If you need an advisor who will run a competitive process and negotiate aggressively on your behalf, SLB is a top contender.
#3 Avison Young
A screenshot of the Avison Young website.
Avison Young is a global commercial real estate services firm with a dedicated net lease and sale-leaseback practice. Their scale means they have boots on the ground in nearly every major US market, from Phoenix to Boston. They offer a full suite of services including investment sales, lease administration, and capital markets expertise. For companies with complex, multi-market portfolios, Avison Young provides the geographic reach and institutional resources to execute efficiently.
#4 CrownPoint
A screenshot of the CrownPoint website.
CrownPoint Partners is a relationship-driven commercial real estate advisory firm specializing in sale-leaseback transactions and investment sales. They have closed notable deals including a $400 million automotive dealership sale-leaseback and a $55 million Walgreens portfolio transaction. Their team, led by Managing Partners Julius Swolsky and Shannon Bona, advises across retail, industrial, medical, and special-purpose properties. CrownPoint also offers complementary services like 1031 exchanges and M&A advisory, making them a versatile partner for business owners.
#5 Ascension Advisory
A screenshot of the Ascension Advisory website.
Ascension Advisory bridges the gap between sale-leaseback advisory and M&A, making them a unique fit for business owners planning an exit. They help you unlock capital from real estate before or during a sale of the business, maximizing overall value. Their website features a seller's checklist and a 2026 M&A report, showing their commitment to education. If you are a family-owned or founder-led business thinking about succession, Ascension offers a dual-track approach that few competitors match.
How to Choose the Right Sale-Leaseback Advisor for Your Business
Start by being honest about your primary goal. If you want a fast, certain close with a single buyer, W. P. Carey is hard to beat. If you need an advisor who will run a competitive auction to maximize price, go with SLB Capital Advisors. For multi-location portfolios, Avison Young's national platform is a clear advantage. If you value a long-term relationship and a boutique touch, CrownPoint is an excellent choice. And if you are planning to sell your business in the next few years, Ascension Advisory's combined real estate and M&A expertise is invaluable. Interview at least two firms and ask for references from clients with similar deal sizes and property types.
Automate Your Deal Sourcing with These Workflows
You can streamline your advisor search by setting up Google Alerts for 'sale-leaseback' plus your industry keywords. Use a CRM like HubSpot to track outreach and follow-ups with each firm. Create a simple spreadsheet to compare proposals on key metrics like cap rate, lease term, and tenant improvement allowances. Finally, schedule a weekly 30-minute block to review new market reports from firms like W. P. Carey and SLB Capital Advisors to stay ahead of trends.
Your Next Move: Unlock Your Real Estate Equity
A sale-leaseback is one of the most powerful tools available to business owners who want to unlock capital without taking on debt. The right advisor will not only get you the best price but will also structure the lease to support your long-term operational goals. Whether you choose a giant like W. P. Carey or a boutique like CrownPoint, the key is to act with intention. Review your real estate holdings today, and start a conversation with one of these top firms. Your balance sheet will thank you.