Author(s): Luca Bianchi

Abstract: Acquisition surveys play a critical role in the due diligence process undertaken before the purchase of commercial property, serving as a systematic mechanism for identifying technical, legal, and operational risks embedded within built assets. These surveys provide an objective evaluation of a property’s physical condition, compliance status, and long-term performance potential, thereby informing investment decisions and risk mitigation strategies. In commercial real estate transactions, financial exposure is often substantial, and unforeseen defects or regulatory non-compliance can significantly affect asset value, operational continuity, and return on investment. Acquisition surveys address this challenge by integrating building condition assessments, defect identification, lifecycle costing, and regulatory review into a structured appraisal framework. The information generated supports purchasers, lenders, and asset managers in quantifying repair liabilities, negotiating purchase terms, and prioritizing post-acquisition capital expenditure. Moreover, acquisition surveys contribute to risk transparency by translating technical findings into financial and operational implications that are understandable to non-technical stakeholders. As commercial properties age and regulatory requirements become more stringent, the relevance of acquisition surveys has expanded beyond defect reporting to encompass sustainability performance, health and safety considerations, and future adaptability of assets. This paper examines the role of acquisition surveys as a proactive risk assessment tool prior to commercial property purchase, emphasizing their contribution to informed decision-making, risk allocation, and investment resilience. By synthesizing established survey practices with risk management principles, the research highlights how acquisition surveys reduce uncertainty, protect stakeholder interests, and enhance the overall quality of commercial property transactions. The findings underscore the necessity of integrating acquisition surveys into standard pre-purchase protocols to support sustainable and defensible investment outcomes in increasingly complex real estate markets.

DOI: 10.22271/2707840X.2026.v7.i1a.58

Pages: 32-34 | Views: 1 | Downloads: 0

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