Your Dealership’s Real Estate may be the most valuable asset

Your Dealership's Real Estate may be the most valuable – and stable – thing you own

Floorplan rates aren’t dropping this year, and the buy/sell market has never been more competitive — public groups and PE-backed platforms are bidding against you with balance-sheet cash most independent owners don’t have. Meanwhile, the most valuable asset on your books isn’t moving inventory. It’s the ground your store sits on.

According to Performance Brokerage Services’ Q2 2026 market report, as covered by CDG News, real estate can represent 40–70% of the total transaction value in a typical dealership sale today. For most owners, that’s the majority of what the business is worth—and unlike blue sky, it’s financeable right now, without waiting for a buyer.

Source: Dealership buy-sells surge in first quarter — Dealership Guy / CDG News, July 6, 2026

That’s the business Legacy Automotive Capital is in. LAC works exclusively with dealership real estate — buy/sell, investment sale, partner buyout, and sale-leaseback.

If you are interested in learning more about how Legacy can support your next project, please contact:

AUSTIN WOLFINGTON
610.304.9347 • Austin@legacyautocapital.com

TODD MARCELLE
914.671.8871 • Todd@legacyautocapital.com

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Kerrigan OEM Survey Results – Buy-Sell

Kerrigan OEM Survey Results - Buy-Sell

According to the 2026 Kerrigan OEM Survey Results, it appears that this year will be a highly active Buy/Sell market.

88% of OEM executives expect buy/sell activity to hold steady or accelerate over the next 12 months (53% expect the same level, 35% see more deals), pointing to a robust and likely growing buy/sell market.

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If you are interested in learning more about how Legacy can support your next project, please contact:

AUSTIN WOLFINGTON
610.304.9347 • Austin@legacyautocapital.com

TODD MARCELLE
914.671.8871 • Todd@legacyautocapital.com

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Golf Outing with the Hunter Durant Team

Gentleman's Game of golf

Legacy and Hunter Durant teamed up for a Gentleman’s Game of golf at the Phildelphia Cricket Club.

Great day out on the course with Tripp Traynor, Jack Miles, TJ Doyle, and Todd Marcelle.

If you are interested in learning more about how Legacy can support your next project, please contact:

AUSTIN WOLFINGTON
610.304.9347 • Austin@legacyautocapital.com

TODD MARCELLE
914.671.8871 • Todd@legacyautocapital.com

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RESULTS FROM OUR LATEST POLL: What’s the biggestobstacle to dealership expansion in 2026?

RESULTS FROM OUR LATEST POLL: What’s the biggest obstacle to dealership expansion in 2026?

After putting this out on all our social accounts, below is what we found:

50% – Access to capital
26% – Finding the right store
18% – Manufacturer constraints
6% – Asking Prices

If you are interested in learning more about how Legacy can support your next project, please contact:

AUSTIN WOLFINGTON
610.304.9347 • Austin@legacyautocapital.com

TODD MARCELLE
914.671.8871 • Todd@legacyautocapital.com

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Case Study: Behind the Numbers of a Sale Leaseback

Case Study: Behind the Numbers of a Sale-Leaseback

Real-World Results from a Recent Leaseback
A Midwest dealer unlocked $12M in equity through a sale-leaseback.

What they did next:
→ Reinvested $4M in acquiring a second store
→ Paid down legacy debt
→ Preserved liquidity for ongoing growth

They retained full operational control — same store, stronger balance sheet.

Every dollar tied up in real estate is a dollar that could be fueling expansion. Dealer should see their real estate as a strategic asset — not just a sunk cost.

 

If you are interested in learning more about how Legacy can support your next project, please contact:

AUSTIN WOLFINGTON
610.304.9347 • Austin@legacyautocapital.com

TODD MARCELLE
914.671.8871 • Todd@legacyautocapital.com

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Key Elements Every Dealership or Commercial Absolute NNN Lease Should Contain

Key Elements Every Dealership or Commercial Absolute NNN Lease Should Contain

As a professional dealership and NNN landlords, we at Legacy often encounter questions about what should go into a solid Commercial NNN Lease (Triple Net Lease). Whether you’re a dealership landlord or tenant, ensuring clarity and comprehensive terms are essential for a smooth lease agreement.

What is an Absolute NNN Lease?

  • Definition: Tenant assumes all responsibilities—property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and even major structural repairs.
  • Benefits for Landlords: Truly passive income with no management involvement.
  • Benefits for Tenants: Maximize property value in a sale. Full control over property operations and improvements – including image complains.

Tenant’s Responsibilities:

  • Taxes: 100% responsibility for property taxes, including any increases.
  • Insurance: Full coverage for liability and property insurance.
  • Maintenance & Repairs: From routine upkeep to structural components (roof, foundation, HVAC).
  • Capital Improvements: Clarify whether long-term upgrades or replacements fall under the tenant’s scope.
  • Financial Reporting: Report Financial annually to landlord.

Landlord’s Role (Minimal):

  • Ownership Only: Typically limited to collecting rent and retaining title to the property.
  • Lease Monitoring: Ensuring tenant compliance with agreed terms, such as insurance coverage.
  • Exit or Disposition Planning: Landlords may have responsibilities tied to property sale or lease transfer.

Additional Key Provisions:

  • Assignment/Subletting: Define tenant flexibility in transferring the lease.
  • Default Clauses: Remedies for non-payment or non-compliance.
  • Termination & Renewal: Ensure clarity on end-of-lease procedures and options.
  • Dispute Resolution: Arbitration or mediation to address disagreements efficiently.

Do Not Include:

The following items create sale, financing, an tax issues for both Landlord and Tenant:

  • Purchase Options
  • Right of First Refusal(s)

If you are interested in learning more about how Legacy can support your next project, please contact:

AUSTIN WOLFINGTON
610.304.9347 • Austin@legacyautocapital.com

TODD MARCELLE
914.671.8871 • Todd@legacyautocapital.com

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Why Not Use A Lender?

Why Not Use A Lender?

Many of the most profitable Top 150 dealers utilize Sale-Leaseback Capital for a portion of their transactions, here’s why:

Lenders require:

  • Lender Underwriting is burdensome to a business owner
  • Heavy guaranty structures, oftentimes personal
  • Heavy cash investment into a transaction, trapping equity in a transaction

Sale-Leaseback alternative:

  •  Legacy acquires at 100%+ of appraised value, trapping $0 equity
  • Light underwriting: Legacy acquires the property through a simple review of OEM statements
  • Our pricing maintains throughout the transaction
  • Closing is faster, as soon as 6 weeks

If you are interested in learning more about how Legacy can support your next project, please contact:

AUSTIN WOLFINGTON
610.304.9347 • Austin@legacyautocapital.com

TODD MARCELLE
914.671.8871 • Todd@legacyautocapital.com

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4 Questions Dealer Principals Should Be Asking About Their Real Estate

4 Questions Dealer Principals Should Be Asking About Their Real Estate

At some point, every dealer principal should consider how their real estate fits into their long-term strategy.

Your dealership may be performing at a high level—but a significant amount of capital may still be tied up in the real estate.

Understanding your options requires evaluating your business, marketconditions, and long-term financial goals.

1) Do you know what your dealership real estate is worth today?

Many dealers are surprised to learn how much capital is tied up in their real estate—and how that value has changed in today’s market. Understanding current value is the first step in evaluating your options.

2) Is your real estate working as hard as your dealership?

While your dealership generates operating income, your real estate may be sitting idle from a capital standpoint. A sale-leaseback allows you to unlock that equity and put it to work.

3) Could your real estate fund your next move?

Dealers are using sale-leasebacks to:
  • Fund acquisitions
  • Execute partner buyouts
  • Complete OEM image programs
  • Strengthen liquidity
Your real estate can be a strategic source of capital—not just a fixed asset.

4) Do you have a plan for the capital tied up in your real estate?

Unlocking capital is one step—but knowing how to deploy it is just as important.

Many dealers are using sale-leasebacks as part of a broader capital strategy to grow and diversify.

If you are interested in learning more about how Legacy can support your next project, please contact:

AUSTIN WOLFINGTON
610.304.9347 • Austin@legacyautocapital.com

TODD MARCELLE
914.671.8871 • Todd@legacyautocapital.com

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How To Reduce Your Exposure to Turbulent Markets

How To Reduce Your Exposure to Turbulent Markets

With uncertain times in place, Legacy’s sale-leaseback capital program provides dealers with immediate liquidity to boost their cash positions and weather the storm.

  • Focus on liquidity, cash is king in uncertain markets
  • Legacy acquires real estate from dealer and closes in 6 weeks
  • Dealer remains in a comfortable cash position differentiating them from their competitors

If you are interested in learning more about how Legacy can support your next project, please contact:

AUSTIN WOLFINGTON
610.304.9347 • Austin@legacyautocapital.com

TODD MARCELLE
914.671.8871 • Todd@legacyautocapital.com

Request Complimentary Valuation

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